Injured Runner! :)

Mom is feeling pretty bad after a little accident at the park on Monday.  I was pushing Breck on the swing and holding Mazie's leash and she freaked out and took off running and gave Breck a rope burn in the back of his knee.  He is smiling in this picture but he has sure been milking it knowing how bad I feel. :(

The same day he was playing hockey with Cullen and took a slap shot to the same knee giving him a nice bruise to go along with all the color, ooze, and crust.

Now you all know why I feel SO SO SO bad!!

BUT, he still ran in his race tonight and did really well.  He was in some pain and a little concerned he wasn't going to go as fast as he normally would but he still finished and we couldn't be more proud of him for doing his best!

Cullen also ran tonight and did awesome!  He ran with Daddy but did with all smiles (unlike last race) and ran the whole thing.  Knowing he got juice/pop at the end maybe was the incentive to get him to do it, but once he started running he loved it :) 

The boys with Kallie.  She came to cheer them on and have dinner with us before she leaves us for a month.  Thanks for coming, Kallie!  We are going to miss you!

Water Fun

The weather has been awesome and we have been enjoying every bit of it.  Cullen loves the water:)

Breck likes squirting things and getting splashed but not really laying in the pool.

The brothers team up against the grill.  Taking cover under the table :)  Too cute!

1st course & Baseball

Shawn and I took the boys to their first course the other day.  We played a short 9 hole course in town.  Breck and Shawn made it through the whole thing while Cullen and I made it the first 3 and then did mini golf instead.

A glimpse into the future.  Dad and his boys on the course while mom gets some alone time :) I like the sound of that!!

Let's go DAD!!!  Breck can hardly stand it he is jumping out of his skin, while Cullen just wants his turn to hit.  He's not a fan of the waiting stuff :)

Breck and Dad playing catch before his last baseball game.

Breck leading the handshakes after the game.

Blue Hawk Huddle

Go BLUEHAWKS!!  Great season kids. 

Cullen and Kallie staying busy on the sidelines during the game.

He was the homerun hitter (best night of the year in his eyes) and Daddy got to pitch to him!

Rounded the base and gave his coach a high-five!

Awesome

The Lake with BC

 

Last week Shawn and I got 5 days with no kids, 5 days on the water, 5 days skiing, 5 days of freedom!! Just kidding, I didn't mean for it to sound so wonderful.....but it was!  I mean we missed them, but it sure was nice to spend some time alone.  Here I am in mid July out for my first run of the year!

Shawn enjoying the water as well!  Man we really enjoying skiing and being on the lake.  We just wish we could do it more! 

Brett and Shawn....College Roomies, Best Buds, and sometimes a little too close :)  Taking care of each other, no need for sun burn. 

Again...amigos

Brett skiing the river.  It was so fun to get out and ski, talk, relax, listen to adult music, laugh, and be in each others company.

An intense game of trains :) 

A weekend of late nights, long talks, shooting stars, skiing, pontoon rides, good food, great company, river obstacles, yard games, tree removal, and friends!

Thanks again Bill and Ginger, and Brett for hosting us on this annual getaway.  Dating back 12 years already - 9 of which I have attended- they started before I was part of the group!

Our 8th Anniversary!

Well it never fails, we got married on a very hot day and the tradition has continued:)  We headed out to Green Mill for margaritas and apps, then hit up a few shops, ran home for a sweater (the breeze was a bit much for a tank top), then got dessert.

We went to Va Bene for some gelato.  It was divine!!  We got White Choc Rasp. Swirl and Mac Inack Island fudge.  We would definitely go again! So yummy.

Then we walked the Lakewalk a bit, did a little more browsing and headed down to Little Angie's Mexican Cantina down in Canal Park.  Sat on the deck and enjoyed each other's company.  A very relaxing and enjoyable 8th Anniversary!  Looking forward to so many more together!

Two days with Kallie!

Kallie and I went for a run the other night and then she joined us for dinner, American Ninja Warrior, and books!  The boys adore Kallie, and so do we!

The next morning we took Kallie to the Great Lakes Aquarium for her first time.  Cullen was showing her the "big animals" and using his cheeser grin.

While Breck was being a little more coy and hiding, making faces, and not smiling.

We got to see two shows while we were there.  This was after a Macaw demonstration.  This guy's name was Leo.  He waved, talked, ruffled his feathers, and opened his wings for us.  Notice Cullen isn't so sure about being this close to him.  We also saw scuba divers in the Superior Tank feeding the fish.

Breck showing Kallie the replica of the Great Lakes starting at the hydroelectric damn.

Out on the balcony with the Lift Bridge in the background.

4th of July

The 4 of July was a fantastic day.  We took the boys to their first fair.  Breck started off riding a cars ride and Cullen wasn't quite ready for them yet.  After he saw how much fun Breck had he was all for it. 

The next ride was helicoptors in all different services and military branches.  They wanted police first, but ended up with army.  This was their favorite ride.

Next was the monster trucks.  Do you see a theme here? 

Another attraction in Duluth is the trolly.  The boys admire it everyday and we finally decided to be tourists and take a little stroll around town in it.  Boy did it make their day!

Back to the helicoptors!  And this time they got POLICE!!

Man they had fun! Especially when the found out that if you pull the lever in the cockpit you go up and down.  Awesome ride!

Breck and Mom watching Cullen on his last ride!

The whole family watching fireworks down at Playfront!

Beach and Baseball

We went to the beach last week on a BEAUTIFUL day and it was awesome!  We started at the park and all 6 kids played for a few hours without any meltdowns, tears, fights, or need for adults to intervene.  Then we moved to the beach and had 2 more kids join the group.  Cullen, Tomas, Nina, Breck, Eli, Tori, Gemma & Kaitlyn.  So fun! 

At a Duluth Huskies Game!  First of the year for us.

Breck with Harley in the background.  He did give him a high five, but they like to steer clear of him for the most part. 

Culley eating popcorn and smiling at Harley cause he was far away!