Overdue haircuts and a 5 year check up.

I pushed haircuts back as long as possible, and may have waited a month too long. Yikes. Sully got his typical military cut while Greta got wild and went for a bob. She loves to wear her hair down and also suffers from major bedhead. I can't think of a better way to make the most out of a cut that lets her rock both.

In other news, Sullivan had his 5 year check up and all looks great. He is 3 ft 7 inches (50th percentile) and 38.2 lbs (25th percentile).

Before.

Scraggly and shaggy ;).

I love this little chick.

After. 

Sooo adorable and grown up looking. 

The Creighton Crew

The idea of a Creighton family gathering was born many many months ago as we had not gathered as a group since May '15. After a painful home search, Leanne scored us this amazing house on the St. Croix River which was such a great location as my friend Maggie and her family were staying in Stillwater at Maggie's parent's house. From LA to Boston, we have the map covered, it was fun to meet in the middle.

The kids and I went on Wednesday and spent one evening at Leanne's house before moving to the river home on Thursday. Dave arrived on Friday evening. It was busy, so busy. There were 16 kids age 8 years to 8 months. As you can imagine, there was mega chaos, noise, fighting, and loads of fun. We spent Friday morning and afternoon near the water with the kids followed by a taco feed. After dinner the moms gathered around the table and spent some much needed time catching up. Saturday morning, Maggie's dad picked us up on his boat and took us to a sand beach where the kids swam and explored for several hours. The moms spent more afternoon time around the table before having a bbq night. After hours were spent around the campfire rehashing the important things in each other's live. It feels good to reconnect with these friends.

I was recently trying to describe the way it feels to be with these old friends of mine, and even just thinking about them calms my heart. We all have different situations and lives, but our commitment to each other is what makes our friendship special. I left feeling full and complete. Im so grateful for the memories, the fun, and the photos, but we all agree, we should stick to girls trips for the next few years ;).

Group photo of the kids. 

8 years ~ 8 months.

Obsessed with the water. 

Sully, too! 

Reunited and the inside joke is seriously so hilarious. 

Slumber party. 

Boat fun.

The entire crew. 

Family photo before heading home. 

Black Hills getaway.

We just returned from an awesome 7 days in the Black Hills. We were packed to the gills in my car and had barely any wiggle room, but we managed. Driving 7 hours across the state is no small task for little kids, but with strategic stops, loads of snacks, good movies and iPads, anything is possible. The kids did so well.

We arrived on Saturday in time to grocery shop, settle in, eat dinner, and try out the hot tub before hitting the sack early. We had fun daily adventures, the weather was hot and the kids had fun. Each night after the daily clean up, Dave and I sat on the deck and looked through each other's photos and rehashed the day's events. Our cabin was perfect, an A-frame tucked away in the central part of the Black Hills equipped with all of the necessities. We packed picnic lunches everyday and had dinner at home every night, mega win for this family who is currently not restaurant friendly ;).  On our seventh and final night, Dave and I both agreed we were sad to see the trip come to an end. If that doesn't indicate how well the trip went, I don't know what would. Seeing things through the kids' eyes gives us a whole new (amazing) perspective on even the simple things in life (i.e. Sully and Greta thought cabins were called 'heavens,' so when we would return to ours at the end of each day, they would both say 'there's our heaven!')

Some trip highlights include: the hot tub at the cabin, hide and seek with a "chickmonk" at Roughlock Falls, a candy tree, a candy shop (we have a candy theme in this family :/), and endless movies and games at the cabin.

We are extra lucky to be traveling with an adventurous daddy/husband. Dave has all of the best ideas and the patience required to pull them off- I sometimes feel like I'm just along for the ride (and to manage the kids ;)).

We are anxious to make the Black Hills a frequent vacation spot in the years to come. We are so lucky it is in our state and we can appreciate it.

Photo overload, enjoy!

Chamberlain picnic stop on our dive to the Black Hills. 

Everyone's ready to swim!
Some are better about wearing suits than others ;).

Three to a bed.
Worked until about 2am each night, then we played musical beds. 

Sylvan Lake hike.

Sylvan Lake fam photo after a picnic and dip at the beach.

Cheese! 

Roughlock Falls picnic spot after our hike. 

Spearfish fish hatchery- Piper was a real treat here ;).

Fourth of July 'Mt. Marshmallow' style.

Is Greta looking for Crazy Horse? 

Pactola Lake kisses from my baby. 

Pactola Lake fun. 

Drying off before our picnic at the lake.

Keystone old time family photo. 

The kids found a 'top secret' treasure map! 

And there was actually a treasure! $6 dollars for each kid! 

Serious about scrabble (I won :)).

Storybook Island.

Dinosaur Park.