Summer fun.

Summer is coming at us, full speed ahead. We've been on the go, and having lots of fun. 

Sully and Greta wrapped up the soccer season and were both awarded medals, which they wore ever so proudly. Sully was with his same team from last fall, it was fun to reconnect and to see the boys grow together. We are hopeful that we get on the same team this fall. After a slow start for Greta, she ended up loving it (maybe some days just for the snacks ;)). She connected with Coach Carrie and she was my lifesaver- if Coach Carrie was there, Greta was happy to get out on the field. 

Next up- camp! Sully did Leif Erickson this year and Greta did Little Vikes (both at the same location). Sully's was an 8 hour day camp, I was nervous as to how he would do being gone for so long for two whole weeks, and much to my surprise, he did awesome. He had so much fun and made new friends and had absolutely no issues whatsoever. Greta's was a 4 hour morning camp and she loved it when she was there, but was terrified to get on the bus, even though Sully held her hand and took excellent care of her. We started the days off with pep talks, camp cheers, sunscreen, bug spray, and fresh water bottles and it almost always ended up with tears at our departure, but huge smiles when we reconnected at noon. She loved the games and songs (oh the songs! and the chants! 'when I say little, you say vikes...i can't hear you!'), we are still singing and chanting around here. In the end, she had two good bus days, her first and her last, and when she got in on her last day, I tried to get her attention to blow her a kiss, and she was too busy with her friends, it warmed my heart, but made me miss my sweet little girl all at the same time. 

Finally - karate! Sully and Greta are officially orange belts. They tested last weekend and it was so intense, they had to show their moves to their instructors and get graded before testing into the next level. My anxiety was easily at a level 10. Fortunately, they both made it through and got the color belt upgrade, and they are so proud of themselves- we're proud, too. 

Otherwise we have been filling our time with park outings, Miss Jaspers', the McKennan Park pool, hikes, family, and neighbors. Keep it coming. 

Go Jawbreakers! 

Greta and Coach Carrie. 

Go Smartees!

First day of camp.

Sully and his awesome counselor, Haylie.

Greta doing her chants.

Annual Father's Day photo by the Oak tree. 

Proud to be Orange Belts. 

McK park pool rendezvous with the Kimbers. 

The Catalpa Tree blooms! 

Good Earth State Park. 

Greta snags a ride with Maggie- soo hot. 

Grandma and Anna. 

We wore these boys out. 

Post hike photo op. 

This girl- blending right in, 'mom, can you even see me?!'

Birthday boys.

We had a full and fun 7 days of celebrating Dave and Sully's birthdays. Dave turned 56 on May 25 and Sully turned 6 on May 31st. Dave likes to say 'life began at 50' because Sully was born 6 days after Dave's 50th birthday. Life has continued to be in 'full speed ahead' mode since that day. We have so much non-stop fun as a family.

Dave had scheduled a vacation week the week between the birthdays, so, on Dave's birthday, we packed up and hit the road for an impromptu Omaha weekend. We at pizza at Zio's, wandered through the Old Market, hit the zoo (and melted while there- 102 temps), and even scored an unplanned double date with Alex and Mandy while their kids babysat ours. We walked around the Creighton campus before hitting the road on Sunday. We had a great weekend, and a taste of what lies ahead for use as a family when it comes to road trip fun.

We continued the celebration week with our annual camping excursion. This year Dave, Sully, Greta and Isaac stayed in Newton Hills for the night. Unfortunately it downpoured upon our arrival, so we made the most of it and had dinner in Canton at a local steakhouse. We were excited to see the sun setting when we finished and raced back to the campgrounds in time for an evening hike before Piper and I made our way back to Sioux Falls. Dave and the kids had some campfire fun before turning in for the night. It ended up pouring rain again and soaking all of their equipment, so they had to scrap plans of a campfire breakfast and head back to town early. They had a great adventure in spite of the hiccups and are already setting future camping plans- I'm certain Ill have to stay out there one of these nights ;).

We finished out the week with a joint birthday bbq for Dave, Sully, and Jeff on Sully's birthday. Sullivan is a sweet and smart little boy who has grown up a lot over the last year. Fortunately he still loves my snuggles and I love that we take a few minutes each morning to sneak them in.

Omaha vacation prep- no wonder it took me 30 minutes to water ;).

Birthday boy and his baby girl. 

Balloon fun. 

Bday boy with his crew. 

Post sushi fun with Alex and Mandy.

Creighton U.

Back in Sioux Falls. 

This girl...

Black Angus in place of a campfire. 

After dinner hike- the bugs were soo bad. 

The crew- Piper loves riding 'piggy back.'

Isaac is basically a celebrity around here. 

Greta loved being included in the overnight fun.

Birthday boys- 44, 6, and 56. 

Proud Sully.

Doting sisters. 

Sweet trio. 

Wrapping up the school year.

Its been a bittersweet few weeks as we wind down the school year and slide into summer. Because Sully is starting kindergarten in the fall, we had to say 'see you soon' to Miss Jean, Miss Heather, and Miss Amy- his preschool teachers and speech therapist. Its been so hard on me as he has been with these awesome women for three years and he has created such a bond with them. They've help mold him. I'm so thankful for the village we've created for our kids- from educators to friends and family, they are truly surrounded by so much love and support, we are so fortunate.

Fortunately, we will continue to see his teachers as Greta and Piper make their way through. Its been a great year and we are so excited for the next phase as Sully begins kindergarten, Greta continues with Miss Jean and 4 day/week preschool next year, and Piper leans into school slowly with one morning per week with Miss Jean in the fall (YAY!) along with Miss Jaspers days for both girls. All of this means I will get 2-3 mornings to myself next year and I have no idea how I will spend that free time ;).

Enjoy some first and last day photos...

First day.

Last day.

Greta's 1st day of preschool. 

Greta's last day of preschool. 

Sully's first day.

Sully's last day. 

Dynamic duo. 

Officially ready for summer. 

Official preschool graduate. 

Family photo with the grad.

End of the year celebration with Miss Heather. 

And the other graduate- Sophia! 

With my girls. 

Sweet sisters. 

Karate fun.

Piper practices her soccer moves during Sully's game. 

Golf outing.

Double date with Sarah and Troy-
which was put on the google calendar in December!