A full and fun week.

What a wild week last week was. I feel like Im finally catching up (and its the following Friday!).

Sully and Anna were in Kindercamp together and had an absolute blast. Every day when we picked them up or dropped them off, the instructors would rave about how they share their lunches, sit together, play together and take care of one another. How heart warming. Sully is mostly a timid boy, so its great for him to have a buddy (especially his cousin) around. I know that when he feels safe he is much more himself. Greta and I enjoyed our one on one time together. I can't believe how easy it is to manage one child. She is so sweet and giggly. I crave her sweet little voice. She is talking so much and it melts my heart. She refers to Sully as "Ayah" and it drives him nuts. She will say "Hi Ayah!" and he responds with, "I'm NOT Ayah, I'm Yully!" (we are still working on some speech things ;)). Its hilarious. They are so insanely busy, but so adorable at the same time.

Immediately after Kindercamp we hit the road to Okoboji for the weekend. Dave, Matthew, Lauren, and Cassandra had planned to run the Okoboji 10k several months ago and as the weekend approached, Maggie and Jeff decided to go a day early and invited the kids and I along (Dave and I and the kids were going to stay at the Oliver cabin). Dave came after work on Friday and the race was on Saturday morning. We had a great time boating, swimming, napping, eating, going to Arnold's Park, and just spending time together. We hosted a pasta feed for the racers on Friday and a BBQ for the group on Saturday evening. Jeff and his brother Joe also ran the race. It was a hot day and everyone finished and did great. Way to go! And thanks to the Olivers for a memorable weekend, we feel so lucky, xoxox.

We were tired and happy to get home on Sunday. I was in major need of some down time. I am approaching my 27th week of pregnancy and boy do I feel it. Between really hot days, two busy kids and this construction project, we are nonstop. On a very good note, I had recently had an OB appointment and the baby is measuring right on, and its heart rate was 146. I am so grateful for an uneventful pregnancy.

BK fun with the Oliver kids. 

Camp fun with Anna. 

Full hands at Arnold's Park. 

The kids on the roller coaster,
it may have been too soon for Greta. 

Maybe a more appropriate ride. 

Dave and the kids after the race.
Sully was a really good sport about the photo ;).

Prerace photo of the group. 

Sully, Maggie, and Anna.

First class view. 

Sweet Sully and his amazing cowlicks. 

Boat fun = boat nap.

Story time.

The kids feeling for the baby. 

St. Louis and Montana

Dave and I both had trips we were hoping to go on this summer before the baby is born and as we were looking at free weekends, it became apparent that we were running out of time. After some brainstorming, we decided it would be best if we went at the same time and each took a child. I took Sully and he took Greta. This worked best as Greta is still in a crib and has a very predictable sleep schedule while Sully is in his big boy bed and has a hard time staying put at night when he would rather be up playing and being silly with whoever is around. Plus, Stacy's kids are toddler/school age and she has a neighborhood full of fun children and constant playing. It was a no brainer, really.

Dave and Greta took us to the airport and it was the sweetest thing saying goodbye. Sully and Greta gave each other a hug and a kiss and it melted my heart. Dave and I both had tears in our eyes watching them interact. When we were gone, Sully asked a couple of times to "go visit daddy" which is what we do most evenings while he is on call. Facetime and phone calls sufficed and we were so happy to reconnect at the airport in Sioux Falls (even if Dave hadn't given Greta a bath since they left Sioux Falls four days earlier!!).

We had lots of fun with the kids. Sully played loads of t-ball, launched a million rockets, went for jeep rides, played basketball, and got to see the monkeys at the zoo. Life is chaotic with four kids ages 6 and under (and a pregnancy), but we took the challenges in stride and were able to keep it pretty light hearted during stressful times as each of us were doing all that we could and that was just enough. It was great to be together, we love our trips to St. Louis.

In the end, it all worked great. Plus, it was fun for each of us to get one on one time with the kids.

Dave and Greta in Montana.  

She is as mischievous as she looks. 

Merry-go-round fun. 

Travel buddies. 

Three year olds unite. Backpack buddies. 

Monkeys with the monkeys. 

The grocery store was enough of an outing for one day ;).

Liz and Matt tie the knot.

The final Connelly got married on the 4th of July and it was a weekend full of celebrations. Liz ironically married a man, Matt, that Maggie and I went to junior high and high school with. He is funny and kind and caring, exactly what Liz deserves.

The celebrations started on Thursday with pedicures followed by a rehearsal and rehearsal dinner on Friday evening. Saturday was a full day with hair and make up followed by photos at the Arboretum, a garden/park just east of town where they got married. It was a beautiful setting for the ceremony. It was a hot and sticky day, just right for July in South Dakota. Liz had each of her siblings and their families proceed down the aisle before their maid of honor/best and then her. It was a great way to incorporate us and to give the kids a special roll in her day.

The reception was a picnic themed dinner at a near by facility which overlooked a cornfield and Sioux Falls. There was a great patio which was a nice spot to get away from the action (and noise) and take in the fireworks going on all around us. To top the night off, Liz and Matt had lined up their own fireworks show. It was a great way to end the evening, Sully and Greta loved it (although Greta fell asleep mid firework). The kids had a blast dancing and being silly together. It was a great celebration.

The weekend wrapped up with a brunch at my parents' house on Sunday morning. Maggie and I became my mom's worker bees, which was fun. It was a great way to reconnect on a slower pace and to say goodbye to the family and friends who traveled to be a part of the weekend.

We are so happy for Liz, her excitement for life is so apparent. She has a spring in her a step and pep in her voice. Cheers to many years of love and fun for Matt and Liz!

Munce family photo before the festivities. 

Matt and Liz and the flower girls. 

Grandkids.
Capri, Greta, Owen, Isaac, Anna, Sophia, Sully and Hudson. 

Connelly family photo.  

The original seven. 

Wedding time. 

Sully thought he was making them explode. 

Greta succumbs to sleep. 

DMB in Des Moines.

Maggie proposed a trip for old time's sake to Des Moines for a DMB concert several months ago. In my college years and shortly after I was more than a Dave Matthews Band fan, I was a fanatic. I saw many concerts, did all of the research on the band and all of that stuff. Somewhere along the line, the passion faded. I still sing along when a song comes on the radio and feel somewhat nostalgic about them, but they no longer have that hold on me.

When Maggie suggested the idea, I wasn't pregnant, although that was in my plan. Because of that and the fact that it was a midweek concert and knowing how impossible Dave's schedule is to work with, I was iffy on wether or not it would work out. To my pleasant surprise, it all came together, pretty nicely as a matter of fact.

We left on a Tuesday morning and arrived in time to freshen up at Sonia and Brad's. The four of us grabbed a bite to eat with Maggie's brother in law Joe before heading to the concert. I wasn't as much fun as my nonpregnant self, but I had a great time. Mag had a good enough time for the both of us and tolerated my sober self, encouraging me to take a seat whenever possible. We hit the road early on Wednesday morning and made it home by early afternoon.

Thanks Mag for the quick get away, I think I needed it more than I realized!

Maggie, Sonia and I before the concert. 

Maggie and I during the concert. 

Back in Sioux Falls, foot zerberts.