Baby Bias

We may be a little bias but we think we have the cutest niece around!  She's always full of smiles and quite possibly the happiest baby I've ever seen!

Man Trip

Prior to being engaged (that story will come at some point) I had attempted to pull out all of the stops to possibly make it happen sooner rather than later.  Many of you may know that my patience were being tested just a tad!  One of the things I may have thrown out on the table was that he could go on "man trips" and I wouldn't complain about them!  Bahaha  Well, he takes full advantage of man trips during the winter season and is gone to Wyoming snowmobiling.

I really could care less that he goes on these trips but I dislike hate staying at home by myself. Our dogs know when he is gone somehow and become super protective.  The bark at the wind. Semis. The cat. Really anything and I instantly think that there is boogie man there to get me.  Therefore, I sleep terribly whenever he is gone (and stress about the guys dying in an avalanche.)  This isn't something that just started either.  I don't think I ever stayed at home alone at my parents house.  Now, I can do it and have done it but would rather not.

Jenny Dunkin saved the day when she asked me to stay with their kids for a couple of days since they would be out of town! Chaa ching!  These couple of days miraculously coincided with the days that Gavin was going to be gone.  I successfully got three kids up and out the door to the bus on time and myself to school in time!  They also were fully clothed, had their backpacks, and had completed their homework. :-)  Lets be real!  They are the most responsible kids ever and did it all on their own.  I was just there for moral support.  (They are even going to have dinner in the oven and almost done when I get there tonight!)

For those of you worried about the dogs, they have an indoor and outdoor kennel and the guys are there during the day so they are being shown some love as well!  As for the cat, she's creepy and just roams the shop.

Sun---> Good for the Soul!!

Several times throughout the summer, I have had all five of my babysitting kids. Most definitely a little chaotic at times--like lunch and any errands that I have to run. But to be honest, its actually a bit easier for most of the day. They play and entertain each other and I only see them when there are issues or they are hungry.  (Side note: The four older ones are old enough that I don't have to keep my eye on them every second of the day!)  Lyvia and I kind of do our own thing or play right along with the big kids.  To say the least, they always have a lot of fun.  I snapped some pictures of our last week of summer.

 Anything can be done in your suit!

 Is the sandbox supposed to be filled with water?! :-)

 Snack time!

 The sprinkler under the trampoline makes for a grand time!

 Everyone jump and say, "We love summer!!"

 Take 2!

 Do they come any cuter?!?!

 2 kids in the tub, rub-a-dub-dub!

 How many of us can fit in this tub?!

 Pretty full with 4 kiddos!

Cami!  We think you can fit too!!

 Thats right!  All five kids in the tub!

 Everyone yell, "We love Kylie!!!"

 How about, "Kylie is AWESOME!"

 How many pictures does it take to get them all looking?

--Never got one--

Back to the tramp to do some flips!

I love summer and everything it entails, including all of my munchkins!!

A Little One on One

As the summer neared the final weeks, I thought it would be fun to do something one-on-one with my babysitting kiddos. I let each of them pick out something they wanted to do and just the two of us went.

Jace loves anything to do with motors or engines or cars or tractors.  You name it and he probably knows the make and model and quite possibly the year!  Lucky for him, the Bremer County fair was going on and that means red neck entertainment at its finest.  I absolutely love county fairs and grew up attending them and showing cattle at them.  The grandstand events are rare and often hard to find anywhere else. Jace chose to go to the combine derbies and I was all in!!  He had a blast. I had a blast. And we saw some combines crash and smash and hit until they didn't run!

 Sat by our buddy Ty!

 Had to be pulled off of the course!

 Crash!

 They couldn't get enough and LOVED when the combines took a run for it!

All smiles! AND we caught a hat that the fair board was throwing out--winner!

Macy went a completely different route and wanted to get her nails done. What girl doesn't like a little pampering?!  I was excited about this choice as well! Two good picks by these kiddos. She had only been to a salon one other time so she was pretty excited.  She paints her nails, my nails, and anyone else that is willing on a weekly basis so it was a treat for her to get them done.

They even had a little chair for her!

One more day and back to reality for me.....
Good thing I'm ready!!