Celebrating Elyse's 8th Birthday

Elyse celebrated turning 8 right!  
It started on Thursday which was her official birthday at school being the star of the day as well as having the boys and I eat lunch with her.  After school, Dad (Nate) and I decided to surprise her for her golden birthday by taking her to get her ear pierced as she has been asking for three years.  She was nervous but beyond excited.  She did great and looks even more grown up now.  Once arriving home she opened all her gifts from extended family members and ate her dinner of choice and an enormous cupcake. 

On Saturday Elyse had her friend birthday party at our local bowling alley, "Ham Lake Lanes".  The staff and service were fantastic and I wouldn't be surprised if we are back there next year or for one of the boys.  They provided shoes, lanes, balloons, cake, a take home pin and lots of freedom while there.  The girls had a blast bowling, playing in the arcade and dancing in the lanes.  According to Elyse, so far, Eight really is Great! :)

Kallen's First Day of (Extended Day) Preschool

Kallen started preschool today and boy was he excited! He was ready to go with a smile on his face the moment he woke up.  I made him give me goodbye hugs and kisses, but once I let go he ran right into class as if he has been going for weeks.  Knowing his teachers and seeing the routine with Elyse and Caleb the last few years I think is what made him so much more ready.  He goes Monday and Wednesdays.  The thing he was most excited for this year was eating lunch in a lunchroom.  I'm so happy for him but sad too, our babies are growing up way too fast!

Mane Event

This morning we attended the kids' school's annual's "Mane Event".  It's a 1/3 mile obstacle course for the kids to participate in.  Following that they visited the booths, jumped in the inflatables, played on the playground and ate yummy pizza from Pizza Ranch.  Such a fun morning, can't express how much we love their school and its community that we are blessed to be apart of!

Elyse Turns 8 Years Old

Today our baby girl once again moves farther away from being our baby and closer to a young lady.  A young lady that God created to be simply beyond beautiful, intelligent, high energy, loud and passionate.  God's plan with who she is and how she became ours is perfect, and we can't get over how much we treasure her.  She really makes the statement, "The days are long but the years go so fast" absolutely true.  

Happy 8th Birthday, Elyse!

We love you so much and are so thankful for God and your birthmother for giving you to us eight years ago.  XOXO   

Minnesota's State Fair

Yesterday we headed out the door bright and early to attend the "Great Minnesota Get Together".  The shuttle dropped us off at the gate a little after 8:30.  The temps were cool and crowds were small, hence it was wonderful.  We participated in many of our favorite things at the fair; some included the kiddy farm, exhibits, baby animal barn and eating delicious foods.  The kids were all done by 12:30 so we headed home with smiles on all our faces.

Four hours later, Nana came up to watch with the kiddos so Nate and I could go back for the night with some of our closest friends.  We sadly didn't take any pictures but that's probably because we were so busy having such a great time.  We left around 10:30, we considered it to be one successful day at the fair for sure!

Milkshake Mustache

The kiddos got to have some delicious strawberry milkshakes during dinner tonight which resulted in lots of laughter, giggles and milkshake mustaches by all.