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7.23.2014

Weekends

This is what lazy, summer weekends look like at our house.

Being silly

PB&J picnics

Slip 'n Slide

Pool

Daydreams

Smiles

Backwards slides

Not-so-much with the slip and slide part

Climbing

Around the Yard

The apple tree.

Apple crisp, apple pie... maybe. ;)

I have a few flowers on the front deck (thanks to Jessica and Carrie's receptions - their step-mom Kathy did a wonderful job with their centerpieces!)

These are on my neighbors back patio.

So pretty!

These can be found on the side of our house.

I'm not even really sure what they are.

Preston's flowers.

He got these on his field trip to Medary Acres and yelled at us several times that they had died.

Guess they didn't. ;)

7.13.2014

This has been a jam-packed summer for our family, and though we're exhausted, we've loved every minute of it. We kicked off our summer with Matt & Jessica's reception, followed by Old Timer's Day. Then we were off to the Baker golf reunion and before you knew it, it was the 4th of July!

We celebrated the 4th by going to the parade, always a favorite with the kids, and then headed out to Lake Thompson to see the Hofer family and their friends. We ended the evening with fireworks in Brookings!

The day after was BUSY, but a great day for our family. We celebrated my grandma's 75th birthday (February), my grandpa's 80th birthday (tomorrow, July 14) and their 45th wedding anniversary (June)! We had an ice cream social in the afternoon (SDSU ice cream and honey of a fudge sauce... now that's a party!) and we also had traditional Norwegian dancers! After the social, we headed to my parent's house and got ready for the dinner they hosted with more family and friends. A truly wonderful day celebrating some of my very favorite people!

We celebrated the 5th birthday of an awesome little boy this past week... we love you, Turner!!

This weekend was the Arts Festival (rain again on Saturday morning made for a very wet, muddy day in the park, but it was still great - Mom scored some great birthday presents and I found a few things for myself and the kids too!) and then we had Michael and Carrie's reception.

As far as I know, there's nothing on the schedule for next weekend. :) This should give us a chance to rest up before Honey Days the following weekend! We have a few more events on the schedule to round out our summer (including a couple more birthdays coming up) and, in what will probably be the blink of an eye, summer will be over and Preston will be off to Kindergarten and Lilli Jo starting Preschool.

Though busy and running from here to there, we're fortunate to spend so much time with our families and friends. I hope you're having a wonderful summer too!

5.20.2014

Preston's Last Day of Preschool!

Yesterday marked Preston's last day of Preschool. Ever.

As I mentioned before, I've been surprisingly calm about how fast he is growing up.

[did I mention he has another loose tooth? Sigh.]

But I did find myself getting a little teary-eyed as I watched Miss Kara tell the kids it was the last day and that they needed to do their last day hugs.

See.

So.Grown.Up.

[First day of school on the left. Last day of school on the right.]

For all the nostalgic, I-wish-my-little-boy-would-stay-little feelings, watching him grow is amazing and such a gift. I'm so proud of the little man he is becoming! He is super-excited about going to Kindergarten in the Fall. I sure hope he maintains that excitement for education!

5.14.2014

Preston's Preschool Graduation!

Can you believe that Preston has graduated from Preschool?! I know I can't.

I asked him today, on the way to school, why he was growing up so fast.

He simply replied that he didn't know. :)

He still has two more days of school before he is officially done. Although the last day involves a field trip to the SDSU Dairy Bar, so does that really count as a day of school?! I'm a little jealous I can't go with.

We're one short summer away from Preston starting Kindergarten.

I'm surprisingly calm about all this. I thought for sure I would be a mess at graduation, but I was all smiles.

The kids did such a great job with all their songs and it was fun watching them get their "diplomas."

[They were given rolled up pieces of paper during the ceremony. The received their actual diploma when we turned in their hats. They got to keep the tassels.]

Preston before the ceremony.

He looks so darn grown up. Sigh.

Getting his diploma!

There are five different classes on stage.

Preston's class is the second from the left.

The graduate

Grandpa Russ came to the ceremony

[Grandma Mary went to Turner's Preschool graduation, which was also tonight. Grandma & Grandpa Beringer were unable to attend. We sure missed them!]

So incredibly proud of this kid!

The graduate with his goofball sister.

And Preston with his AMAZING teachers, Miss Kara on the left and Miss Kami on the right.

Preston had a wonderful teacher, Miss Kelly, last year.

The teachers at First Lutheran Preschool are so great! Preston has grown so much in the last two years and a large part of that is due to these teachers.

I know that they truly care about him and love him just as much as he loves them!

We will certainly miss them.

Congratulations, Preston James!

First Lutheran Preschool

Class of 2014

Our Walk

The kids and I took Montana for a walk last night and I was able to (somehow) take this picture. I love it.

It does not, however, accurately represent our walk. It was not this calm and peaceful looking!

5.13.2014

Just Because

I took these photos on Saturday, the day before Mother's Day.

I was blessed the day Preston was born and I became a mother and then again when Lillian was born.

I can't even explain how much I love these two.

They can be the best of friends, thick as thieves... and then the next minute they are fighting and pestering each other.

I'm reminded of my relationship with my sister as I watch Preston and Lilli. I don't know that we ever got along, until I went away to Basic Training. Now, Nichole and I talk every single day and she's my best friend.

I hope that Preston and Lilli have that kind of relationship. I hope they will always be there for each other and that they love each other fiercely.

I'm a bit late on this one, but Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful examples of motherhood in my life.

I Run.

At the beginning of the year, I began a journey of healthy eating and living. I watched what I ate and made healthier choices. I spent time on the treadmill (almost) every night.

My sister talked me into signing up for the Scotty Roberts 5K (a race that takes place the Friday night before the Brookings Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay).

I didn't do much training beforehand, but did do a couple runs outside.

You may know that my parents are runners. They do marathons, half marathons, 5Ks... you name it.

Mom wanted to run with me before the Scotty Roberts, but time was limited.

So we signed up for the Kay Cheever Arbor Day 5K.

I got up bright and early on that Friday morning... something I don't normally do. Ever. :)

My first 5K results - 40 minutes 31 seconds!

My mom and Jennifer (a dear family friend) ran with me and they were the best support team ever!

I can't thank them enough for helping me with this first achievement!

A mere one week later was the Scotty Roberts 5K.

My dad decided to run with me and Nichole.

5K #2 results - 39 minutes, 01.8 seconds!

I don't know that I would have improved that much had it not been for Nichole and Dad keeping me going.

So, thanks!!

Every time I would go out to support my parents (or my sister when she ran with a relay team for the marathon) I would always tell myself that I really wanted to do that. There's nothing more motivating than seeing people succeed at something that really challenges you.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say that I love running (there are definitely moments that I think it sucks when I'm doing it!), but I do love the feeling when I'm done. The feeling of knowing that I've challenged myself and that I've accomplished something pretty great.

I also love the fact that I'm working to create a better, healthier version of myself and at the same time, setting a good example for my kids.

So look for more posts in the future of 5Ks that I've completed!