This & that

We've been keeping very busy around here. I am in the middle of interviews for a job. I have a good feeling about this job, and am kind of preparing myself that this might be my last week at home with the boys. Brian is here this week too, so we are filling the week with activities.

The fireplace in the basement is almost finished. The boys, especially Brody, are anxious to help Steve. Brody usually sets up a small chair in the corner and watches Steve work. Steve is really good about letting the boys help, and they've both chosen a special rock to place on the fireplace.

We decided to go back to the Children's Museum this week. We are really taking advantage of the memberships we have bought, including this museum and the zoo.

Brody is always excited at the thought of going to the museum.

We park in a ramp and take two skyways to get to the museum. The boys usually walk right past Ronald McDonald with wary eyes, but this time they decided to have a seat. 

We've also visited Edinborough Park a few times. We needed to go this week so I could show Brian where it was. The boys love it. It's a huge indoor tunnel/tube/slide system and both boys love it.

Their personality differences really show when we do something like this. Both boys get very excited to go play. Dylan comes back every five minutes or so to check in with me. He needs a sip of water or a snack or a break. Brody is gone for 25 minutes solid without checking in. Once, I started to get really worried that maybe he had snuck out the door without me seeing him leave. I went into the playground and searched and searched. I was sweating. My knees hurt. No luck. I had three adults on the outside looking for Brody. Once I came out, they told me they had seen him whiz by on a slide. I went back in. With a growing feeling of concern, because I hadn't laid eyes on Brody in at least 25 minutes, I climbed through the tunnels and went up nets, down slides, through things that looked like car was rollers. Then...I saw him. He was just having a jolly old time. I called his name, he looked at me....and ran the other direction. Down a slide, through a tube and he was gone again. I felt better, because I had at least seen him. Now, the trick was catching him. I went back to the "adult" seats and waited. The next time he came running by, I took off after him at full speed, practically ran over a dad with a camera in his hand and tackled Brody. Haha, success!

And finally, in the ultimate attempt to be a cool mom, I made green eggs and ham for lunch. They were mystified as to how I made the food green. They did not care for the ham, but both really enjoyed the eggs!

Grandma Brown's Birthday

 To celebrate my Grandma Brown's 87th birthday, we went up to my Uncle Brad and Aunt Annette's cabin near Webster, Wisconsin. With the exception of a few of my mom's siblings, almost everyone was able to make it up for the celebration.

It was a beautiful fall day! Several of us went out for a lengthy boat ride. Brody was the only child who went and he thoroughly enjoyed all the attention!

Great Uncle Brad let Brody drive the boat and adjust the accelerator.

After we returned from the boat ride, we enjoyed an afternoon of karaoke in the boat house.  I took this picture as we walked to the boat house. I just love the fall colors.

  

We also and riding various two-wheeled toys, including the Pinto mopeds I remember so well from many a teenage weekend spent there with the Weiss'. This day however, both Kelly and I learned to ride a real dirt bike, with gears and a clutch and all. We're ready for a pair of Harley's!!

It was a really nice day - a great way to celebrate Grandma's birthday.

 

All things Fall

Dylan had a field trip with his class at Easter Preschool. Luckily, Brian was able to come to town to go along for the trip. The boys have both been missing Brian a lot, so Dylan was pleased as punch that Brian went along.

They went to an apple orchard in Lakeville. A man named "Crabby" drove the tractor out to the orchard. I would be lying if I said we never used calling Crabby to babysit as a threat. :)

Growing up, we always went to an orchard in Jordan, south of the twin cities. That orchard is closed now, so we chose a new orchard and it was a fun one. It's called Fischer's Croix Farm Orchard. They had animals to feed, a big pile of hay for kids to conquer, a fun tractor ride and more! It was a small but mighty orchard, and I think we'll be back next year.

Weekend in Galena

We made the drive over to Galena last weekend to spend some time with Grandma and Papa Luther.

Friday afternoon/evening the boys and grandparents went to their usual place, the Mississippie River Museum in Dubuque, while Brian and I were able to enjoy a belated 7th Anniversary date night.

We made the quick drive "over the hill" to Galena Cellars. It is a quaint, little vineyard and tasting room not too far from the cabin. We can't believe it took us five years to discover it, but now are so glad we have. We did a tasting and then enjoyed a few glasses of wine out on the patio. It's a beautiful setting and reminded us both of our trip to Napa Valley.  

Saturday we enjoyed a delicious meal with Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Luther. Following that, we went into town for the Oktoberfest celebration. The main highlight was the Weiner Dog Races! Brody watched and waited with anticipation.

This little fella, Chubby, was the Grand Champion for the day. For his speedy efforts, he received a golden Weiner Dog trophy. 

The weather was a little on the brisk side, but it was a great fall day and we all snuggled up on the bleachers to keep warm.