How we beat the heat

Summer is finally here!! It has been rather warm this week and we have found plenty of fun, wet, relaxing things to do to beat the heat. Grandma's Marathon was unbearably hot with runners dropping out left and right but we managed to cheer on our friends and family for a few hours before heading out the the cabin for some fun in the sun. We played in the water, fished, swam and jet skiied. Saturday night we all slept on the newly carpeted basement floor and stayed up late watching movies then woke up together to wish Dan a Happy Father's Day. A neck injury sidelined his golf plans for the morning so back out to the cabin it was. We swam again(me trying to move this baby along!) and played all afternoon in the beautiful Duluth weather. Both boys took great to the water and spent most of their time getting in, climbing out and splashing around.

Almost every day we have filled the kiddie pools and put out the slip and slide. We also had a fire at the nieghbors with smores and have taken several walks to the creek to feed the ducks and fish. This is the weather that gets us through the winter!

They are ready....

Today the boys found the romper with the big excavator on it that they will give to the babe when he/she arrives. We put it on their cabbage patch doll and after that, it was all about the baby...changing Sunshine's diaper(that is what Connor named the babe in my belly), taking her on the swing set, giving her snacks, strapping her in the car seat and tonight, Connor tucked her in for bed next to him.

He has been talking to my belly at night. It is the sweetest thing to hear him asks her questions and have little made-up discussions with her. He can't wait to meet her!

Today after lunch he asked me, "Mommy, is the baby full now?" Just precious!

Omaha Invasion!

My mom and dear niece Anna came last Saturday for a week of fun in the sun and relaxation...only one of which took place...and it wasn't relaxing!! From the moment she got here, my mom eagerly and gladly tackled item after item on a marathon long list that has been growing since we moved in. Anna was a jewel and played with the boys all day so we could work on organizing, rearranging and preparing for the new baby. Just to mention a few of the projects we completed: painted the cradle, made my laundry room functional and fabulous!, landscaped the front yard, painted and updated a coffee table, cleaned our grill and made a baby book. It feels great to finally get some of these things crossed off the list and we are breathing easier as we count down the days until the babe is here.

With all the work, we did manage some fun during their stay. My mom made it in time for my Blessingway, the boys attended open gym at the Gymnastics Academy, we all played outside whenever it was nice out, Anna stayed the night at the cabin with Dan's sister's family, my mom and I got haircuts and Friday we took Anna to the Lakewalk to buy her an early bday present and get her ice cream.

The boys adored every minute with Anna and Grandma and already miss them both. We loved having them, are amazed at what we got accomplished in one week, and can't wait to have them back up soon to meet the new babe!

- The boys were so fun to watch at the gym. Connor jumped off a 6 foot mat into the pit over and over, Liam walked across the balance beam(with little help) and mastered the trampoline and best of all, both were exhausted well before lunch time!

- We have just 3 weeks left until the baby is due. I am feeling pretty good and reveling in these final days/weeks of my third pregnancy. We can't wait to see our new little one!!

- Basement walls were sanded tonight...paint tomorrow...trim Wednesday...carpet Friday. Things are moving along just great!!