Fall: the best time of year

I love this kid!

Harper and her school friend Maddie enjoying a pool day at school.

Harper riding to raise money for St. Jude's research hospital during her school's Trik-a-Thon.
Thank you to al who donated!

Soon after we returned from Texas, Nene & Papa stopped in town on their way to their "couples' weekend" in San Diego. (A group of old neighbors travel every year to a new location)  We took advantage to not only enjoy their company, but to go to Vegas for a couple nights while they stayed with the kids.  The kids had a fabulous time filled with beach time, eating yummy food, and non-stop playmates.  

It does actually happen...babies do fall asleep while playing :)

And again!?

The skinny margaritas by the pool were insanely relaxing!
Plus we had fun playing craps, broke even and saw 2 shows.

Our welcome home drawing!  Thank you Nene & Papa

Oh what dads will do for their daughters :)

Our spontaneous weekend ride on the Long beach water taxi-something different and fun for the kids.

Mommy and daughter date to Satrbuck's and park.
(We love our novel bike racks in Belmont Shores)

Silas turned 6 months old on 9/16...Still smiling!

Can you see it...Harper can write an H for Harper :)

She's reading to him...my heart breaks with love for moments like this!

The space shuttle Endeavor being transported right over PCH
while I was driving to pick Harper up at school.

Mamma huffed it to ballet on the bike...hat's 60 extra pounds in tow.

Time with our friends the Fitzgeralds...Ansley, Harper & Landon
Aren't they adorable?!

Post swim

The 3 besties at Pa's Pumpkin patch in Long Beach.
A bit carney, but the girls had a blast! 

H at daddy's work showing some Wisconsin pride!

Harper trying her hand at photography.

Harper and daddy after a hike at Crystal Cove in Newport Beach, CA.

The Lone Star State

For Silas' first trip to the Lone Star State and possibly the first one Harper will remember, we went for 10 days and the kids got to spend lots of time with all their grandparents.  Patrick couldn't make the trip as he was in Minnesota on business, but he was nice enough to book his flight to connect through Dallas so I didn't have to fly alone with 2 kids.  Whatta guy! :)

First on the agenda was time at Nene & Papa's house with Aunt Heather, Uncle Curtis, and cousins Connor & Hunter.  Harper had a great time playing with the boys and going tot he park.  It was a great time to celebrate Aunt Heather's birthday and catch up with the boys about school and their summer fun.  

Nene, Papa, Silas, Connor, Hunter & Harper

We stayed with Grammy and Aunt Andrea the majority of the time, so there was lots of time for H & S to bond with them.  We played at any indoor play areas we could find (it was way too hot to play outside for these weather spoiled kids) and saw lots of family and friends.

Grammy laughing with Silas

Nanna working her magic

Nanno and Harper's favorite thing to do...eat!

Andrea and I took Harper to an indoor safari in town.   There were several play areas with mini trampolines, ball pits, and slides.  Harper had such a great time we literally had to drag her out of their for her nap.  

Harper asleep on the couch after an afternoon of swimming with
Nanno and Uncle Marcus-what?!  That never happens

After a fun filled week+ with time alone with Aunt Andrea and Grammy while mommy was enjoying her girls weekend, we had one last parting gift from Aunt Andrea...a Barbie tandem bike with 2 dolls.  You would have thought there were gold flecks in the doll's hair the way she screamed with delight.

It was such a great week and we love how Harper refers to all she did and punctuates references with  statements like, "I like Nene!"  "I like Grammy's house."  It warms our hearts that she has such strong bonds with our parents and siblings already.