Sully is 12!

We cannot believe how fast Sully is growing up. He is easily up to my nose and gaining on me everyday. He is funny, witty, quirky, and showing a bit of sass, but is still my buddy and is eager for a tuck-in and a 5 minute chat session when were both available. He has a great little crew of buddies and a really busy social life. This part of parenting is a tetris game of fitting all of the fun things in, but so far, its my favorite. Thanks Sully, for being the bravest big brother and first born. Im excited to see what your 12th year will hold and will savor the moments before you're officially a teenager and taller than me. 

Birthday 1:1 lunch date at Qdoba. 

Sully just realized he finally got
and x-box!

Birthday party with buddies. 

Sunset soccer after the pool. 

A bunch of tweens.

Bday golf outing with my dad. 

Dave's birthday celebration at Oakwood Lakes State Park

We celebrated Dave's birthday with our first camping trip of the season, I can't think of a better way for our outdoorsy guy. 

We planned early and booked a spot at Oakwood Lakes State Park near Brookings. We love this spot because of the charming smallish park and its close proximity to Brookings. We arrived on a windy Friday afternoon with enough time to set up camp and get into Brookings for dinner at a sports bar where we caught some of the Twins game. It was too windy and rainy for a campfire when we got home so we tucked in and watched a movie instead. 

Saturday was Dave's actual birthday, so we started it with a big camp side breakfast and and presents. The kids were looking for a slow start so Dave and I went for a walk and to scope out some bike options for the kids. We returned and took them on the trail and got back just in time for a rainstorm, so I napped ;). We had campfire nachos for dinner and freshly baked cookies for dessert. A great day all around. 

My parents came up on Sunday and we had so much fun. The boys went golfing and the girls went to the Brookings Children's Museum. We reconvened at the campsite and had a good old fashioned cookout and simply enjoyed the park and being together, it was a highlight for me. I just love the way my parents find ways to connect with us where we are in life and make such an effort to be present. The kids went for a freezing cold sunset swim and we got back to Airstream just as the rain picked up again, so we tucked in and watched another movie.

We returned on Monday and felt fulfilled from such a great weekend together. Cheers to year 4 with the Airstream!

Friday dinner in Brookings. 

Good morning and HBD Dave!

So excited to shower Dave with goodies. 

Bikeride bouquet. 

Fave camping meal. 

Squeaky clean after an 'accidental' swim.

As good as they look. 

Children's Museum

Volga Gold Course with my dad. 

Impossible to stay out of the water. :)

Picture perfect.

So many cooks in the kitchen. 

Sunset/storms-a-brewing swim.

Hammocks are a hit! 

Monday morning frog find. 

Getting the wiggles out before going home. 

Last day of school...Sully graduates!

That's a wrap on 2nd, 4th, and 5th grade and my final year of one drop off for the foreseeable future, we had a great run! 

The kids each had a successful year with growth academically and personally. They had awesome teachers who they all really liked. Sully definitely pushed some limits this year, but handled the gentle nudges back in the right direction well. Such is life. 

We are excited to bring on the summer fun- let's go!  

End of the year fun with some 5th grade parents.

Sully graduates! 

The proudest parents. 

Anna came for support. 

One of Sully's #1 supporters. 

Last day! 

The last day at Sonia was really hard on Sully. 

Sully's first day. 

Sully's last day. 

Its been a great run with all three at Sonia.

Art and Soccer Fun x 3

We had a really great and busy weekend with some local and Minneapolis fun. 

My Aunt Patty's friend, Tao has an Art Show at the Washington Pavilion so my parents, along with some others, sponsored and opening event for them. We went directly there from the soccer field and enjoyed the art and the ambiance and the company for an hour or so before going for burgers downtown. We got up early the next morning to catch another soccer game and then hit the road to Minneapolis for a MNUFC game, a silent auction package we had won from an event earlier in the year. We had an extra seat so brought Rhys to even out the girl:boy ratio for once. 

We had so much fun, we arrived for a quick downtown walk for some food and then took the lite rail over to St. Paul for the game which was super exciting. We ate and drank our way through. The stadium and setting and overall mood was incredible, seeing the Loons win was a mega bonus. We are so thankful we had the opportunity and will definitely find another time to see a game. 

We got up the next morning and made our way back after some brunch and a Trader Joe's stop. 10/10 weekend! 

Sully at Tao's opening. 

Teaching the kids how to play pool
at the Hewing Hotel. 

Pip.

The kids at the game. 

The whole crew. 

Loons WIN! 

Sunday morning swim on the rooftop. 

Be kind, say hi.

Urban kids. 

This Starbucks run landed us 5 bathroom stops on our way home. ;)
According to Greta, worth it.