quick trip

     Well over the past weekend we made a quick trip to Minneapolis. We spent 24hrs in the car and spent around 48hrs there. Although I did get to see my newest nephew, Isiah Thomas and Evan and I had the privilege of standing up for Brody as Godparents at his baptism. We also celebrated his 1st birthday and his smash cake was not a success, he was very curious and cautious and just touched it a little. Grandma had to shove his fingers in it and then make him taste it, even then he wanted to be done.  He was a little tired so I'm hoping that yesterday (20th-real bday) he was able to enjoy himself some cake. We can't believe he's 1 already; he's so big and soooo cute! Happy Birthday Brody!
       We left on Thursday and drove just north of Chicago where we stayed overnight at a hotel, hoping to keep the girls' schedule intact for one more day until all the excitement of the weekend. BUT, we of course hit traffic which delayed us about an hour, so it was around 10 when we got there good thing they were able to sleep a little in the car. Friday we woke, too early, and got on the road; we arrived at Auntie Alana's and Uncle Jon's at 4pm. Grandma Mary was there and great-grandma and great-grandpa Smart were close by at the hotel. Evan picked them up and brought them over to visit and for dinner. We left around 730 for the hotel so the girls could swim a bit with their cousin Tyler before bed. My sister and her husband Tom along with their 2 little boys and my MOM drove up from Fargo to spend just a few hours with us. A huge THANKS to them because it was great to see them and finally meet the newest member of their family. I loved him! The next morning the kids swam again and then we headed to a zoo/amusement park for some fun. (grandma Mary and grandpa Mark came along too :). We wasted most of the time in the amusement part deciding just which rides to ride. We did get to see a few animals; the polar bears were our favorite. Nellie, Tom, and my mom left from there and we headed back to Auntie's for Brody's big birthday celebration. Visited with some friends and family and had a fire where the girls roasted marshmallows. Sunday was another big day for Brody and his mama as they both got baptized in the Lutheran church. It was short blessing but an honor to be part of it. We left around 1230 after packing up and having brunch and drove the entire way home. We arrived at 3:45 am, thank God Ella is in afternoon kindergarten and they were able to sleep in the car. The girls are still out of routine but will slowly transition them both into school as Eva starts preschool tomorrow! I'm excited but very sad for my baby to be going to school. I feel comfortable as she has Ella's teacher last year and I know their routine, I just hate thinking that she is already old enough to go to school. Think of her tomorrow and wish her luck on her very 1st day of school!

                                       Brody thought he would help himself to the water. :o)

                                        Alana also got baptized so it was an extra special day!

 

              

                                                                     Bowling fun!

                                                           Arcade fun!

 The girls having fun with one of my clients. He won them lots of tickets at an arcade and bought them suckers and crowns, so thoughtful of him!

        Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa was able to make it and we enjoyed them very much. Great grandma is still pretty active but trying to keep up with one tricking her (Ella) and one jumping on her might has been too much. I think she loved every minute of it though!

     Ella thinks she was old enough to carry this big guy around, looks like he's dominating her there.

                                                       Ella loved to help out with him!

                                         Auntie holding baby Isiah! I fell in love with him

                                                      A little blurry but cute pool fun pic!

                                         Uncle with Tyler and Ella who would not stay still!

                                    A good pic of Isiah awake, he's so little, and almost 3 months old.

                              I apparently had the touch, he slept every time I held him!

                                             Daddy and Eva riding the zipline, she loved it!

                                               My mom and sister at the zoo and amusement park.

                                             Having some fun at Brody's birthday party!

                   Yeah, that mustache lasted on Brody just long enough for a picture. Super cute one!

       Eva is my sensitive little bug, she does not like people to laugh at her but she finally put a mustache on and let me take a pic!

  We had a snuggly time on the ride one because we had an extra passenger :o) Grandma Mary came home with us and is staying 10 days.





We got home early in the morning of Ella's first day of school, I'm lucky the girls were able to sleep in the car because Monday was her first day of kindergarten. She was ready and excited!

          Ella's 1st day of Kindergarten, I got to go with her for orientation which helped both of us.

Mrs Mcglaughlin is her teacher this year, she seems wonderful! And read that super cute story which was about a raccoon sending her baby to school and each time she left for school she would kiss her little ones hand so she would not have to miss her while they were away from each other. I was completely fine until that book, brought tears to my eyes.

Ella is ready for school!

update

                                            Ella made a dog out of Legos, she is so talented!

      The girls in the American Girl store and of course all they cared about were the puppies, which is good b/c I will never buy them an American Girl.

                     Ella took this pic of Eva to make her have a silly face on an app on my phone.

        Evan got me a hot air balloon ride for our 6th anniversary last Sunday. It was a sunrise ride and it was simply splendid. It occurred at 630am and lasted an hour.

                     We went to our last REDS game on Tuesday, ate at Montgomery Inn on the water. Great food and great location. We all had fun!

                                             Evan took Eva in early to batting practice.

                                           Eva posing for daddy!

Ella and I went to an arcade and did some shopping!

                                              Eva got a ball at batting practice and was super stoked!

                                                  The family enjoying some snacks!

                                               The best picture ever of my girlies!

                        On the way home, we left Cincy at 1030 and got home around 1230! They were asleep within 15 minutes and slept comfortably the entire way.

                                                         Ella shooting some hoops!

                            The girls in front of Alum Creek dam! We were exploring places around Columbus!

                                          daddy day: baseball fun! Ella's batting

                                                                  Eva's playing the outfield

And daddy took them to the petstore, so they thoroughly enjoyed the day.

 

Well our life is staying busy, house hunting, savoring our last days of summer, and working. The girls have had a lot of daddy time since he hasn't been working Fridays and I have been working the weekends. Last Friday I worked and then met the girls downtown for an outdoor movie; Hotel Transylvania. The girls loved it, although we had to leave early because it started to rain. We plan on going to another one when grandma Lindahl is here. She comes home with us after our trip home to Minneapolis next weekend. Last Sunday and Evan got me a hotair balloon ride which was amazing for our 6th wedding anniversary,  It was actually on Monday and we just stayed in and I cooked an elegant dinner (lasagna, shrimp, and cake). On Tuesday we went to our last Reds game and enjoyed that but was exhausted from our late night home. Wednesday Ella had her kindergarten assessment. I can not believe she will be starting kindergarten :o( Makes me sad!  Friday I had off so Evan and I took the girls to explore a dam and new area of the city while looking a housing communities. We had a good day! I have worked all weekend but Evan has been spoiling the girls with celebratory ice cream and swiss cake rolls. The way to their heart is FOOD, sweet food!