M&M and Brainerd

The boys were terrified of the HUGE bucket that would dump water(pictured above our heads in the family shot)so they would sit on a chair and watch-Liam holds his hand up and "dumps" too!

(Liam doing yoga with me outside the hotel!!)

This past weekend my sister Mary and her boyfriend Mark came to visit. We spent the whole weekend playing, site seeing and enjoying each other while we caught up and reminisced about the good old days(well, six months ago when she lived here!). The boys adore them both and really enjoyed the extra attention all weekend. We wentto the beach, walked the lakewalk, had BBQs and late night fires, made homemade doughnuts and attended the Memorial Day parade in West Duluth. It was so nice to have them here and we can't wait to have them visit again(hopefully permanently!!).

After Connor's last ECFE class for the year on Wednesday we headed out of town to stay in Brainerd with the bys for a couple days. Dan got us the hot tub room so we could "swim" during the day while he was at work, then both nights we took them to the waterpark. They both had a blast running around squirting, pouring, splashing and dunking. The lazy river, waterslides, hot tub, play land and climbing pool kept us all busy for well over an hour both times. We planned this as the last big road trip with hotels and waterparks for the boys before the baby arrives. Hope they enjoyed it!!

In the video Connor is talking to Bob the Builder.(Pardon the brief nudity!!)

"Hi, Bob. I'm on the phone. Are you going to come sheet rock with me? Well, I'm at a hotel...I went when you weren't at your house...and then I was there and I didn't see you at it. Bye"

Videos....FINALLY!!

Since Christmas, we have had camera problems limiting our ability to capture and post videos of the boys. Finally, we are able to post a few from the last few weeks.
1. Liam showing off his spoon skills(April)
2. Connor at the St. Paul Children's Museum(May)
3. At the park in Orono(My Favorite!!)(May)
4. Liam at the Museum(May)
ENJOY!!

Take a sneak peek of the boys photo shoot!!

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BOY HEAVEN!!!

This afternoon we headed north with the boys to visit my good friends Julie and Paul and her parents Greg and Shirley. Greg has a crane company up there and has invited us several times to bring the boys and drive them around. We finally decided today was the day and it was a blast!! Connor was a bit nervous at the beginning but he quickly got into it. Liam loved sitting in the Bobcat, watching the crane go up and down and climbing up the four wheeler. For 25 minutes, Connor sat on Greg's lap and got to steer the crane arm all over the place. He took a spin in the Bobcat, sat on Greg's motorcycle and rode the four wheeler with Julie's husband Paul.

On the way back to Julie and Paul's to prepare supper, Greg spotted a parking lot full of transportation vehicles(AKA transportation night part II). He, Dan and Connor got to see and sit in fire trucks, snow plows, gas tankers, cement mixers, tow trucks and cop cars. And if that wasn't enough...a helicopter flew overhead and landed and the hospital helipad nearby.

We had a wonderful day shared with good friends and a delicious meal to top it all off. We are grateful to the Lenci's for taking the time to make this day so special for both our boys(and I think Dan liked it too!). The Anderson's were great hosts and we appreciate all their hard work. Thank you for making such amazing memories for us all!!

Pointing at the wall in the shop, Connor says "Mommy...that is the biggest wrench I've ever seen!!"

HELLO

We are on the last stages of sheet rock in the basement and then things will move along pretty quick after that. We think we are within 4 weeks of finishing the whole thing-Yes!! The boys love playing outside, their new Bob the Builder vehicles(7 total) and everything about the baby. Both have been kissing and touching my belly, lifting my shirt to talk to he/she, and rubbing lotion on my stomach at night(Connor). Liam has been caught carrying a doll around, giving her kisses and hugs, and putting a blanket on her-awww! Our appts are still saying early July so we are in full speed trying to get things organzied and more prepared for he/she's arrival.

Mother's Day we went to church then to get me a mocha-mmmm! After that we sheet rocked and played outside on the swing set most of the morning and afternoon. The boys took a quick nap before heading to a friend's house for a BBQ. It was perfect weather and the kids played great so it was mostly relaxing. I loved spending the whole day with my family; playing outside, reading books before naps, working side by side with Dan and finally falling asleep with Connor. I love being a mom!!

Pictures:
Transportation Night with the boys. Liam atop the Zamboni and Connor with the fire helmet on.
Connor snuggling and then asleep on the couch sitting up.
Liam eating strawberries at a friends house, carrying his baby.

MAY Madness and one sad boy!

We hosted a wonderful, activity-filled May Day party here at the house on Friday. There were 6 adults and nine kids here making baskets, decorating cookies and playing on the swing set. After the festivities ended we packed the car and headed back down to the cities for another tennis tournament. The boys did great in the car and when we arrived I treated them to pancakes and eggs for supper(a favorite in this house!).

Saturday morning we(the boys and I)went to Lake of the Isles to spend the morning playing at the parks and walking. Then onto Orno for lunch with a long time friend Amanda and to spend some time at her new house. It was gorgious outisde so we went to a nearby park for over 2 hours(they had 2 excavators-need I say more!). We swung by the tennis match to check in with Dan before heading back to the hotel for supper. Later that night, after Dan arrived, he was walking the boys downstairs when Connor pulled the fire alarm!! Dan ran to the front desk to tell them it was a mistake but sure enough, cops cars and fire trucks came rolling in the parking lot. Amidst all the excitement, we still felt it necessary to sternly lecture Connor about fire alarms, and hope he never touches one again

Sunday the boys and I headed back to Duluth around 10:30, another perfect trip with both sleeping the whole way, and were able to enjoy the weather with a nice walk to play at the park.

This weekend marked the end of the tennis season for UMD. I think they had a pretty good year and Dan enjoyed coaching again.

When discussing Liam's accidental injuries during a recent appointment, our pediatrician jokingly said to us, "it's amazing second children survive." I never understood this phrase until we had our second. Liam has had more freak accidents and close calls than Connor has had in his whole life.

After our walk this past Sunday, I had parked the stroller at the front door to unload our stuff. Liam tried to get out on his own but ended up face first on the concrete. True to form, after a mintue or two of crying he was back outside playing in the sunshine with Connor. Gosh, that kids a trooper!!

Right after the accident...

later that night...

and on day two.