Just Chillin'

Saturday we decided to hang around home. The guys went golfing again in the morning and the 2 neighbor girls (granddaughters) were over by 9 to play. The girls played all day together. Ella even had lunch at their grandparents' house! They exchanged addresses so hopefully they can become pen pals. Ella was very disappointed to learn that they couldn't stop at the girls' home in Rochester on their way back to MI. Guess that means Ella will have to come back soon! Following lunch we got the pool out and Gary brought over the slip n' slide.

Erika and I left to go shopping in Red Wing and the rest hung outside. Here are a few pictures from the afternoon:

Max and Adam played a lot of HORSE while Jeff protected Emmit from the basketball. Ella and the girls were back and forth between homes, Gerrit played in the water a ton, and Mia rode bike.

For dinner we went to Hellyer's for a potluck picnic. Jeff and Erika met more of our friends, the girls played with Abby and some other girls from church and Max played capture the flag with Luke, Paul and a few other boys. Jeff was able to taste many of Brian's home brews through out the evening as well. The party came to a halt when the thunder and lightening began (for the 2nd night in a row).

Home after 9 pm, quick tubbies for the little ones and off to bed. This was the first night all vacation in which we did not have to fight at least 1 kid to get back to bed! They should all sleep well tonight and take good naps tomorrow as well!

A Day (Edited Sat am)

Today I brought the boys to daycare as they needed a low key day and I needed some time off. Gerrit was not going to last long today due to late nights and no naps. Erika wanted to shop in Grand Ave. in St. Paul which was easier without the kids. So Jeff kept his 3 and went to a movie while we shopped. It was a nice stress free afternoon. We met up with Jeff and the kids for ice cream and parted ways. They headed to friends in Minneapolis and I headed home. I havn't talked to them yet but I know they had some major storms hit the area they were visiting - so much for sailing on Lake Harriet! We had the sirens go off in Z-town but only got a little rain. (We headed to the basement with the boys and watched radar before putting them to bed for the night.)

Turns out Jeff, Erika and the kids had dinner in the dark! The power went out just as they were ready to eat. They enjoyed conversation in the dark and the kids played capture the flag inside!

Pool vs Golf

The guys went golfing and the rest of us went to the pool. Gerrit was upset he wasn't able to go golfing but I think he enjoyed his day at the pool a bit more than he would've golfing:

Emmit took a short nap while on duty!

Gerrit really took to floating and putting his face in the water, I think because he watched his 'fish' cousin Mia. Gerrit also liked the slide which was perfect for the little kids and me (I didn't have to stand in line for the big slides).

Ella helped watch the 'fish' and took Emmit in periodically too. He's still warming up to the water.

We met up with the guys for dinner in Red Wing before heading home.

I should've taken a few pictures of the rest of the evening as it was spent in the yard: Jeff, Adam and Max playing 21 and HORSE and the rest of the kids running around with the neighbor's 2 grand daughters. Erika and I enjoyed a drink and tried to relax a bit after a long day with the kids. We were hoping for an early bed time but I think it was close to 10pm before they were in bed! (This was day 2 of a late night!)

Emmit's Fun

Emmit has been enjoying the extra attention from his cousins, especially Ella. She has been a big help and does not even mind his crying! Max likes to play with him too, as long as he isn't crying.

Mia is missing from this photo - she was with Gerrit.

MOA

Wednesday we headed to Mall of America for the day. Jeff took the kids to Nickelodeon for the rides while Erika and I shopped. Well, I didn't get to shop as much as I would've liked because Gerrit wouldn't go on the rides until I joined him. Here is a glimpse at our day:

I love the one of Gerrit crying by Lenny - he was very scared of him and most of the characters. The only one he got close to and even gave her a hug was Kai Lan. Once I went on a ride with Gerrit, he was ok - so I thought. He went on the bumper cars next and you can see how well that turned out! They stopped the ride so he could get out! I went on most rides with him and he started to enjoy himself. (He was running on little sleep which didn't help.) Max, Ella, and Mia loved the rides and did not want to shop. Erika did some serious power shopping when I had to leave her to tend to Gerrit. We finished the day by going to REI and then dinner on the way home. It was a quiet ride home.

On the Move

While cleaning today I left the living room where Emmit was playing on his blanket and went to do something in the kitchen. When I came back, I found him here:

Guess this means we have to watch all the little stuff on the floor now!

Swimmin' in the Rain

We went to Lake City only to arrive and it started to rain. (We took Luke and his friend Maddie too.) That didn't stop the kids from swimming! I sat in my bathing suit by the pool and got wet even though I didn't go in the pool! Gerrit loved the mask and even tried out the snorkel.

Emmit stayed in the condo with Deb as she was doing some sewing. He had fun laying next to Max when Nikki and the kids came.

It was a nice chance to get out of the house and enjoy the big pool.