#hello

Maggie and I booked tickets to see Adele back in November, when Piper was a few weeks old. The countdown was on, a short 8 months away. Life has been wild since then and every time I would call or text Maggie in frustration or exhaustion from raising three little kids, she would reply with a quick update on how close the trip was. Fortunately, it arrived before I knew it and we (or I) I was off. Maggie's plans changed slightly due to a pop up wedding for her brother-in-law, Joe.

I departed on Friday afternoon and arrived to our hotel around 4pm, Maggie flew from Des Moines and after a delay, she arrived around 11pm. I had planned to spend my alone time wandering around and maybe getting a pedicure, but as soon as I got to the hotel, I decided I needed some down time and I settled in with a sandwich and a book. I spent the entire afternoon relaxing and enjoying some much needed alone time. I was so happy when she arrived as too much quiet for me makes me miss the kids and Dave. We met at the hotel bar and had an appetizer and a bottle of wine.

We spent Saturday shopping, wandering, and eating. I did require a mid afternoon pumping break which gave us enough time to regroup and set our plan for the evening ahead. We hit the mall and all of our favorite spots and even had a run in with the winner of 'The Bachelor' and although I don't keep up with the show, Maggie's enthusiasm was enough entertainment for me to consider becoming a number one fan. She was nervous and jittery and stayed that way for nearly an hour. We devised a dinner plan and after himhawying about wether we should stay close or attempt a restaurant we had been recommended, we decided to make the extra effort as we were on vacation and I felt the need to do all the things that I could do since I didn't have kids to manage. This proved to be one of my favorite decisions, as we approached the restaurant we were greeted with a sparkling street closed to traffic and bustling with people and tables and the chatter of everyone enjoying the evening and themselves. Much to our surprise, Larimer Square hosts this event three time each year and we happened to catch it. We felt so lucky to be a part of it. We wandered back to find transportation home and after a short walk and Maggie attempting to play Pokeman Go, we were on our way via a pedicab which was a blast. We had had the perfect day.

Sunday was more low key. Brunch followed by a short shopping outing and then an afternoon at the hotel bar which was rooftop and amazing. I read and Maggie snap chatted and we had a couple of drinks before preparing for the concert. Adele was amazing, she is lovely and charming. Her music is soulful and relatable on so many levels, from ex-boyfriends to her lifelong partner, and her young child. She talked about all of Sully and Greta's favorite shows which was a sweet reminder of the kids waiting for my return the next day. She was on my bucket list and is still on it as I intend to see her again at some point in my life.

Mag and I had so much fun together. It was so good to get away and so good to do it with her as everything is so easy. When life gets tuff, we get each other through, when life is fun, we celebrate each other with each other. She is my besty and my soul sister. I am so lucky to have her.

Traveling with my imaginary travel partner. 

Shopping fun. 

The charming Larimer Square. 

Matchy match, of course. 

Selfie version. 

Afternoon veg session. 

Heading in to the show. 

Seated and ready. 

Pedicab fun.

This says it all. 

A bitmoji birthday party.

Dave and I's nephew, Matt, turned 21 on Monday and we jumped at the opportunity to throw a birthday party for him. All 5 of us love him so much, he is so good to the kids and his lovely girlfriend Cassandra helps a ton with the kids while she is home for the summer. We would celebrate him everyday if we could. 

We love minute to win it games and are always trying to come up with new ones for family gatherings. So, the brainstorming began and as the party began to take shape, the family started sending bitmoji texts like crazy. They were hilarious and we knew we needed to incorporate them into our theme.  The next thing I knew, I was creating bitmojis for each party guest (with a little help from Dave and Cassandra). It was no small feat, but it was fun and funny. We turned them into a game similar to 'pin the tail on the donkey.' Everyone loved it and their reactions made all of the hard work worth it. 

Mega thanks to Dave, Cassandra, and Kirsten for helping me pull off a really fun party for a mucho deserving guy. And the party goers! Thanks for being such great sports!

Matt's bitmoji.

Greta's bitmoji. 

Party decor. 

The birthday boy and his God daughter ;).

Greta loves Matthew.

I gave Matt Cassandra's bitmoji as a birthday gift. He loved it. 

A couple of perfect gifts, and a really sweet Sully.

Sarah and Troy, the photo speaks for itself ;).

And the party gets wild! 

Lightning bug fun with Matt and Cassandra. 

The final product. 

The party goers with the bitmoji board. 

Annual Okoboji fun.

We are so lucky to be invited for an annual weekend to John and Linda Oliver's lake house. We are typically invited on a weekend that John and Linda are in Sioux Falls, as we are a walking circus, and would definitely be a headache for them.

Sully and Greta went early with the Mag and Jeff and the kids on Friday because Dave had to work late. Dave and Piper and I hit the road around 6:30 and arrived in time to help the kids out of the lake and to play before a way late bedtime. Saturday was nonstop with a lunch outing followed by boat naps for almost the whole crew (Dave included), water fun, little boat (jet ski) fun, dinner and then a late night swim. The weather was perfect and the kids had a blast. Sunday morning was rainy and we hit the road before lunch and had a relatively uneventful drive home.

Sully and Greta, and even Piper have so much fun with Isaac and Anna. Often times they are the first people Sully asks for when he wakes up in the morning. We loved being surrounded by them for 48 hours straight. Thank you so much, Olivers for the lake fun. It is A LOT of work, but is definitely worth it. We are already excited for next year. xoxo.

Piper gets in on the fun.

Anna, Greta and Sully playing on the beach. 

Greta consoles Isaac. Melt my heart. 

Dave on the paddle board.

Bloody Mary/lunch ;).

Post lunch boat naps. 

Mama and the girls. 

My sidekick, Piper's first swim.  

Greta's first little boat ride. 

Greta loves 'Uncle Jepf.'

Family photo.

Seriously, SOD!

As June marked two years of the project, I was so excited to know sod was in our near future (as this was the exclamation point to the project aka. THE END). I was in constant communication with our contractor the entire month, pushing and pushing to get it in asap. There was nothing I wanted more than to have the sod laid in the month of June, no reason in particular, mostly a mind game for myself. And just like that, sod was laid ON JULY 1ST. Seriously. The story of my life. Anyway, its in and thats all that matters. We have to water four times a day through next Monday and then we get to mow and be normal again. We did it! We will be doing odds and ends around here, but we are calling it good until some minor things next spring. YAY!

The final muddy play (I have no doubt they will
find a muddy spot in the future ;)).

Before sod. 

Before sod. 

SOD!

We have a yard! 

July 4th.

July Fourth was a bit different for us this year as Dave was on Saturday/Monday call. It didn't slow us down much as we still managed to go to Okoboji for the day on Sunday. Maggie and Jeff hosted a gathering with high school friends and kids during the day. It was a full day and lots of fun. The kids played nonstop while the parents chased after them. We returned late in the evening and all three kids slept in the car. On the actual holiday, Liz and Matt hosted a picnic at their wedding location (The Arboretum), which was so busy with all three, but really nice. Fortunately, I had many helpful hands. We missed Dave, but call comes with the territory. Sully really wanted to watch fireworks this year, unfortunately it wasn't in the cards. We will make up for it next year.

One exciting thing that happened over the weekend was that Greta learned to crawl out of her crib, in stealth mode. She came strolling in on Monday morning with Sully, no warning whatsoever. I quizzed Sully and he assured me she didn't need his help. Needless to say, that was less than exciting on a weekend Dave was at work. We are managing the transition better than I had anticipated but the reality of the matter is that often times I wake up in the morning and all three kids are in bed with me :/. Hey, sleep is sleep.

Piper is 8 months! 

And we started out the day with a reaction to Honey Nut Cheerios :/.

New green glass followed by "you are the best mommy, ever."

New swimsuit fun. 

Taking photos to send to daddy at work.
Greta- 2yrs 8mos, Sully- 4yrs, Piper- 8mos.

Taking a lake break. 

Lots of kids, lots of (chaos) fun. 

Piper meets her buddy, Juliet (both October babies). 

Firecrackers with Maggie. 

Picnic at the Arboretum. 

Piper and Grandpa Paul. I keep telling him not to
encourage walking. He doesn't listen ;).

Water fountain break (can you spy S and G?).

Reality.