"I love you Mom and that's all I care about!"

We finally made a date to head to the beach (Coon Fork in Augusta) and the weather cooperated. We all enjoyed ourselves with the exception of Brenna keeping her nose plugged because she did not like the smell of the wet sand. She also attempted to go swimsuitless because she had sand in her butt. Cousin Heather, Cousin Tyler, Sarah, Jaxon, and Avery joined us.
Brenna, Jaxon, and Brody
Brenna and Heather
Tyler and Brenna. I can't believe Tyler actually smiled for the camera! Cousin Abbi enjoying the lake.
Brody enjoying playing in the sand.

Thursday (July 30Th) was Brenna, Brody ,and Abbi's last day of gymnastics. Cousin Angie, Daddy, Aunt Jessie, and Tyler came to watch! Right before gymnastics started, Brenna was talking about something and Brody blurted out, "I love you mom and that's all I care about." The random I love yous always make my day. I thought it was a good title for the blog. :)

We went out for lunch afterwards with Aunt Jessie at Pizza Hut. Then it was off to Menard's to buy paint for the playroom and dining room. Our house is almost ready to be put back together. I hope I don't have to touch a paint brush or roller for awhile. Thanks to Papa, Nana, and Great Grandma De-De we were able to get both rooms primed,painted and cleaned in two days.

Finally, we went to Steve's volleyball game in Foster.

Saturday (August 1st) was the family picnic at our house. Almost everyone attended with the exception of Aunt Debbie and Cousin Heather, who had to work. The kids loved having everyone here and played until they couldn't play anymore! Brody played baseball non-stop. I am constantly amazed by his love of baseball. He already throws better than I do, which I guess doesn't take much. Brenna played with her dolls and had Abbi take her for stroller rides out in the fields. We also celebrated Great Grandma De De's 86th Birthday on Saturday!

Cousin Alex

Cousin Shane (looking a little big on the tractor) De-De, Great Aunt Linda, Alex
Brad wanted to be part of the blog...looking rather serious.
Brenna enjoyed picking beans with Aunt Lisa.
Aunt Jessie and Brody

Yesterday (Monday) was Papa Seefeldt's birthday. We joined Papa and Nana for dinner at their house.

Having a sister can hurt. Brenna slapped Brody's leg. I didn't think of taking a picture until most of the hand print had disappeared.

I'm looking at my calendar right now and can't believe I am looking at the month where at the bottom of my calendar on date 31 I have written, "first day back." I am so lucky to have this time with my kids but part of me dreads going back. The good news is I think we found daycare! Sarah's stepbrother and wife, Leslie, are moving to Osseo from River Falls. Leslie is the mom of two kids. I have met her a few times and think Brenna and Brody will like her. I know that no one will be able to fill Carrie's shoes but hopefully Brenna and Brody will adjust. We still do not know if Brenna and Brody will be in the morning or afternoon session, which I think is ridiculous. The school told us we would find out in August. I wonder if that will be early August or late August??

Busy, fun days

The days at home with Brenna and Brody are going by too fast. It seems like we have hardly had any time to just be at home! Hopefully August will include a few more lazy days. Brenna and Brody started Tot-Nastics a few weeks ago, which is in Eau Claire. They really enjoy it. I plan to take pictures on their last day. Cousin Abbi joins us and attends a beginners class.

Last Friday, we met John (Brenna and Brody's friend from Eau Claire), his mom, Brenda, and Carrie at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls. Except for having to dress in jeans and sweatshirts, it was a fun day!

The three muskateers sitting on the bear. It was the only bear we got to see. The "real" bears never came out when we were at the park. Brenna's hair looks a little wild because she has been on an anti-hair combing streak and sometimes I just don't feel like fighting with her. I know where the saying, "pick your battles" came from....

Brenna and John watching for the cougar.

One week old bunnies.
Brody feeding the goats.

I sneaked this picture when Brenna did not want me to take any pictures of her. She had a slight fit when she realized I got a picture of her. I think it's a cute picture. The aftermath was not good, but the picture is worth it. :)
Having fun playing in the sand with John's truck.

Lunch time!
I'm watching you!

We went back home for a couple of hours to then head back to Eau Claire for an Express baseball game. Brenna and Brody had free admission from being in a parks and rec activity. We went to the game and had a nice time. Brody is really into watching the game. We had to stay until the 7th inning when they sing, "Take me out to the ball game," which Brody and Brenna love singing. We left shortly after as it started to rain.

We have also been busy going to cousin Tyler's baseball games. This week, I finished up a class that I was taking for credit. Yeah!

On Tuesday, Carrie came and watched Brenna and Brody in Tot-nastics. We then went to her house to play and have lunch. Thanks for the nice lunch Carrie. John and Brenda came over to Carries and fun was had by all. I borrowed the little pictures from Brenda's facebook pictures.

Yesterday evening (Wednesday) and today, we had two extra kiddos at our house. Olivia (age 4) and Jorja (1) needed a babysitter as their mom is having back surgery. They got to our house about 9:00 last night and surprisingly the night went well. Jorja was only a little upset when she realized her mom had left. She fell asleep quickly and slept until 7:00 A.M. She slept better than Brenna and Brody! :) We took them into Sarah's while the kids and I went to tot-nastics and out for lunch. Nana rode with us to Eau claire to watch Brenna and Brody in tot-nastics. We then stayed in town with Jorja and Olivia until their grandma picked them up at 5:00. The kids were all great but I have new respect for people with four kids and for anyone who does daycare!
On the way to the park, the kids got to hold a little dog. It was smaller than cat and had its nails painted red.

Jaxon, Brenna, Olivia, Jorja and Brody.
Brody and Jaxon enjoying a cupcake.

Olivia and Brenna posing with her favorite cupcake face.

Brenna wanted me to take this picture of her so I thought I better include it!

And to end with two random stories.....

I was walking with Brenna on Thursday and talking about her being four and how grown up she looks. I asked her if she had to turn five or if she could just stay four?" Before she could answer, I said, "Yes, you need to turn 5." She then said, "yeah so I can drive." That's not what I was thinking but it made me smile.

Brody keeps telling me how busy he is going to be next year. "I have to to go football, baseball, volleyball and golf. Then, if I have to go to the grocery store, I will do that. I might have to fight a fire too." He said Brenna can ride with him and his dog in the firetruck. :)

We Love Summer!

Brenna snuggling up with Tess.

Brenna waiting to fill up a water balloon. She is really good at putting the balloon on the hose.

Heather blew up many balloons. Too bad Cooper kept popping them so we never had enough for a full water balloon fight. It was still fun.

We babysat for Avery and Jaxon one day and had a blast playing inside and outside. Brody having fun running through the sprinkler.

Brody and Jaxon running through the sprinkler.

Brody using Jaxon's shirt as a towel.

Brenna and Jaxon taking a break to enjoy a freezie.

Brody taking a break too.

Avery even had her own water to play in.

Brenna with Avery. Brenna rocked Avery and sang her all of the lullabies that I sing to her. I tried capturing it on video, but Brenna instantly stopped singing when she knew what I was up too.

Jorja's first birthday party was at the Osseo Inn on Saturday, July 11th. The kids had a blast swimming and Brenna finally let me let go of her when she is in the floatie. Sorry you have to see me in my swimsuit but I liked the picture of Brenna and I very rarely have pictures of my children and I. Steve was on camera duty and did a good job!

Mr. Goggle Man!

Jeremy would not stop squirting me with the squirt gun. So much for keeping my hair dry.

Waiting for Jorja to open her presents. We bought her a doll and some puzzles.
Jorja enjoying her 1st birthday cake. It made me think back to Brenna and Brody's 1st Birthday when they made a big mess of their cakes.

Sunday Brody got to go golfing for the first time with his dad and Papa. He got to putt a few times and came back very happy. Brenna went to church with Nana so I actually had a couple of hours in my house without children. Steve told me to relax when they were gone. I cleaned and did laundry of course!

Thanks to Auntie Lisa we had big sheets of tag board to use. Yesterday(Monday) we decided to finger and foot paint. The kids made a big mess but had a lot of fun.

It started out with the hands and brushes....

and ended up with the feet!

Today (Tuesday), Abbi had gymnastics and Brenna and Brody had Tot-Nastics in Eau Claire. At the last minute, I decided to pack a lunch so we could eat at a park in Eau Claire. Otherwise I knew we would end up going out to eat. We decided to go to Owen Park, which is a park that Carrie used to take Brenna and Brody to quite often.

Last week while at Aunt Jessie's house, Brenna and Brody were able to go across the monkey bars independently! They were very excited and so was I. No more holding onto them as they go across.


Brody went across them before I could get my camera ready.

This is the face you get from Abbi when you tell her to give her best smile for her mom. :)

At Owen Park, the kids also enjoyed throwing rocks in the river and looking for the "coolest rocks ever." Brenna and Brody would find a rock and asked Abbi if it was cool. I finally had to tell them that they could decide on their own if the rock was cool. Brenna and Brody both love Abbi and want her approval for everything! It was a great afternoon!