First Half of June + Father's Day

I'm so behind on blogging that I get overwhelmed knowing where to start so I figured I'd just pick up where we are and if I can slowly fill in and back date I will!

Summer so far has been a blast.  I know Dan might not say the same thing since his work schedule picks up it seems here, but it's been a nice requiescence for me and the kids.  So far in June we've had....swimming at Lake Ida, my best friend Pam got married to Rob and I was her maid of honor plus got three nights away to celebrate (thanks Dan and Gaga for making that happen), we swam at a friend's pool twice, played on our new play-set for hours and hours, attended two potlucks one with friends and one at church, attended a week long of vacation bible school, visted Grandpa Marlan and had a nice visit, played with other friends on their inflatable water slide while the parents sipped margaritas, attended our new outdoor Wednesday worship, Papa came for a visit to help put together the play-set (slowly working on staining it), Svea started gymnastics (she LOVES it), Kieran started bi-weekly speech, Dan's done more wedding and funerals than I can count one of them being for our music and worship leader/Jon from church, and I finished a book, which doesn't happen that often during the school year.

Finally, we celebrated Dan's 42nd birthday yesterday and now today is Father's Day!  We just want Dan to know how much we love and appreciate him.  Here he is with my Dad putting together the "new to us" play-set for the kids.  They've spent hours on this thing already.

Swimming at our friend's pool while they were away for the weekend. It was a huge gift to our family!

I'm not sure, but I think he likes it?

Happy Father's Day Dan!  These two know how much you love them and that's the most important thing! 

Princess Tea Party

 Svea came to me one day this past summer and said she wanted to have a princess tea party!

Most of the girls Svea knows from church plus they live in the neighborhood!

 I asked her to tell me more about that and she explained that she saw something on youtube (when she was watching her toy reviews) and there was a tea party princess thing and the "idea just came to me mommy"!

 I asked her if she wanted to do that for her birthday party coming up?  She said, "no, I want an ariel/mermaid party.  I want to do this party right now.  Can we Mama"?

 I thought about how we could pull this off, but also make it simple as it was just  for fun.  I also didn't want to clean the whole house for it.

 So the invitations were sent through social media for all of the young princesses who lived in the neighborhood to join us in the park for homemade cupcakes, juice/tea, and fun!  Come dressed as your favorite princess.

 And they came! Can you believe how many little girls around the same age are in the neighborhood.  This is going to be one interesting place come when they are all teenagers! It was a successful princess last minute party.  The girls drank juice from Minnie mouse tea cups, ate cupcakes off of tiny plastic strawberry shortcake plates, and poured their drinks through tiny pitchers.

Kieran came too and played fetch with one of the moms!  He loved all of the female attention! Goofy kid!

Wisconsin Summer Trip 2015!

We had an amazing week in Wisconsin with Dan's family!  Here's a picture of all 7 of the Dornfeld/Otto cousins!  One thing that was really fun was they all had fun playing together.  Kieran was old enough to run around outside with them and Ashlyn was a great at watching him and he fell in love with her!  Just last night Kieran was asking for his "cousins".  "Where are the cousins Mommy"?

Family pic, but we are missing Shane who was in Washington state fighting fires.  The last time we took a picture of all of us on this porch our two little ones were still a prayer.  Crazy what a difference six years makes.

Kieran didn't nap much on this trip because we were so busy and on the go.  Here he fell asleep in the chair with me at 6:30.  To make this little motor konk out we did so many fun things.  The first day everyone was home and all 7 kids played all afternoon.  The next day Kieran was an absolute bear and didn't sleep well the night before.  We went shopping in hopes that he would fall asleep and he did.  The next two days were super warm outside, and the last day was Dan's Grandma's birthday party (Kathy's mom).  She is so sweet.

Grandma and Grandpa D. bought a camping lot about 20 minutes from their house in the Green Lake area.  It was so incredibly peaceful, quaint, and a fun experience to hang out there.  We had two beautiful days that we spent swimming in the pool, playing in the sand, watching movies in the camper, and grilling out.  Dan's mom and dad make the best veggies.......I just wish I loved and craved them like they did. That was random.  Sorry!

After about 45 minutes little man is usually too cold or tired for the pool.  He does this back at home too when he's had enough of the sun and water.

"Cousins"!  Kieran (3), Shay (7), Svea (4), and Ashlyn (11)  Correct me if I am wrong on those ages!

The kids miss Grandma and Grandpa and ask for them frequently.  We are so happy we get to see them in one more month for Svea's birthday!

It was so entertaining to watch our kids interact!  Svea was a fish and loved being in the water.

This is on the way home. After 8.5 hours in the  car together they can still hold hands:)  Thank you Dean and Kathy for having us out for that extended time. We made many many great memories with you all!

Winding Down Summer (Random Summer Pictures)

Svea was into taking her own pictures this summer.  We have pictures of Meeko, the fan, stuffed animals, etc.  It's really fun and she enjoys it!

Cute new swimming suits!

I took her to Once Upon a Child one day and they had an ariel suit, but it was a size 5 and too big.  We checked the 4's and thankfully they had this one!  She loves Ariel and as of right now wants an Ariel Mermaid birthday party and wants to go swimming!

Piggy tails!

I loooooove this picture....but she looks so stinking grown up here:(

Birthday boy opening presents on his actual birthday day!

Opening presents from Grandma and Grandpa D!!!

Kayla was here for a couple of days to watch the kids over K's birthday. These too look so much alike I think.

 We have seriously had an amazing summer!  It's been filled with trips to the pool, the park, the splash pad, the indoor play-land, trips to see family, the lake, and so much more. I can't say it was the most amazing for Dan, however.  He had to work more than any other summer so that was kind of a bummer, but hopefully that won't continue. I am so thankful for a warm, and more relaxing/slower time with the kids!  I'll post on our Wisconsin trip next!

Big Pine Photo Dump

 Sitting at the kitchen counter that I sat at as a little kid!

 Grandpa Ron enjoying the lake on the dock!

 I have missed this view, this beach, this perfect swimming hole.  It was so good to be back again.

 The kids lived in the water!

 We had perfect weather!

 We swam...

 ...and swam!

 We relaxed, played, and breathed slower.

 We snuggled....

 ...and loved on each other.

 The kids made memories together....

 in a place where many of my good memories come from as well.

 We have a picture of my mom holding me like this on the beach when I am a baby.  Now we have one of her with Svea too!

 The cabin....looks the same!

 I love this place!  I love this girl too!

 Svea throwing rocks in the water.

 Kieran running on the beach.  Gaga and Mom picked a few weeds because you instantly resort to your old habits of feeling invested in this place.

 We are so incredibly thankful to experience Big Pine all over again!

Thank you God for a peace and joy filled experience!