Bonfires, Boating, & Back to School Shopping

We started the weekend off by going to the Rein's for a bonfire. It was hotter then hot, but hey, you gotta party with friends whenever you can! Dave even brought his TV outside for me so I could enjoy the Vikings 1st pre-game on the HD. It was a fun but late night.

After hearing that our friends Kim and LeAnna had completed their 1/2 marathon Saturday morning (Way to go girls!!), we were ready for the Helgets to come and spend the weekend! Dar and Mary had a wedding to go to in town, so Russ and I babysat while they enjoyed the wedding. The kids were so excited to have their "cousins" (2nd cousins really, but that doesn't matter to Trent and Addy) to themselves all weekend long! They swam in the pool, set up a cool train track and Star Wars battle in the basement, and played PS2. Late night for bedtime and they all slept over in Trent's room.

Sunday, Mary and I left Dar and Russ in charge and headed to the outlet to do some back to school shopping. We didn't think we would be gone for 5 hours, but yep, we were! Got some great deals and enjoyed each other's company and the fact that we did not have to do it with any of the kids around!! Meanwhile, the guys took the kids to Twin Lakes Beach & lake for some boating and beach fun. They had a great time and hated saying good-bye at the end of the weekend. But, they both fell exhausted into bed last night, so I know they wore themselves out with all the fun :)

Brody Allen Hanson

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I'm an Auntie!!

Finally!! Brody Allen Hanson born Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 7:51am. 8 lbs, 1 oz, 20 in. long.

This is my first time being an auntie! Can't wait to meet my nephew! He is going to be SO spoiled :)

MMM 8/3/09

Good Morning! The kids are done with swimming lessons for the summer, so I should be back to normal Monday morning postings, at least I hope :) Trent passed from Level 3 into Level 4, and Miss Addy seems to have regressed further back in Level 2. One of her instructors quit after the first 4 days, but she had already developed a bond with him, and so she then pretty much refused to float on her back unassisted and would not jump off the high dive (which she had done twice in the session before this last one)! So, she will be taking Level 2 again this winter or next spring.

We actually had a weekend where we had no concrete plans! It was sorta nice! Saturday, I had a nice honey-do list that Russ and I worked on while the kids played outside and then rejoiced when they came back in and saw we had set the basement back up. Russ is finally done with the sheet-rocking in the main room, and it's so nice to have that at least done down there. We set the PlayStation 2 back up and Trent and Addy re-discovered all the games they had on there. Russ also set our tent up in the backyard (since it hasn't been used in several years) and then the kids begged him to sleep in there Saturday night. They had a little campout in the backyard, but I stayed comfortable inside in my bed!

Sunday, we decided to pack a picnic lunch and go to Como Zoo. It was a beautiful day and we really enjoyed the zoo. The animals were pretty active and I got some good pictures. We also spent a good amount of time in the Butterfly house. They have over a 1,000 butterflies in there and many different species. Trent and Addy were amazed by them all. (See Shutterfly pics below this post)

We have a busy week planned ahead. National Night Out Festivities on Tuesday night and Wednesday night, Trent's friend Colt is coming over for his first sleepover at our house. Should be fun! We are also still anxiously awaiting for news of our nephew's birth. My step-sister is now 5 days over-due and if she doesn't have the baby today or tomorrow, then she will be induced on Wednesday, August 5th (1 day before Grandma Carly's birthday)! Wishing her good luck and can't wait to meet him!

Como Zoo

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