a tropical heat wave

I'm not sure if the beautiful weather we've been having the past few days is more of a blessing or a tease, but we have certainly been enjoying it. It's not often we get 85 degree weather in October!

Despite Camille being under the weather she still has managed to soak up lots of outdoor time, especially on Friday and Saturday.

While I was snapping photos (with our returned-but-still-broken-and-now-sent-back-to-the-shop-again camera) of Levi's adorable angel kiss, Camille and Aaron had fun running around the yard playing (a two-year-old's version of) hide and seek and having a tickle fight.

Saturday was spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Everyone was there bright and early, ready to lay sod in the backyard where the pool used to be. Camille did her best to help out, and she especially loved carrying sod scraps around to show everybody. She managed to get plenty dirty, but it was nothing a bath couldn't handle!

We also joined my sisters-in-law at a local fire station for a kids' open house they were hosting. T-shirts, hats and hula hoops were handed out, fire hoses sprayed, stickers and cookies given out, and fire truck tours given. But what did Camille want to spend all her time doing?

It sure was great to see her smiling again since she hasn't been feeling well lately. She's been having on-going tummy troubles, coupled with an awful cold complete with nasty cough. For the past five days she's been running a low-grade fever more often than not. Today was a rough day, hearing lots of "My tummy hurts." Hopefully she'll turn the corner soon and be on the mend. Until then we just try to overlook the whining and offer extra hugs and snuggles.

Levi continues to be his happy laid-back self. Gosh I love that little guy! He's been glad to be back to wearing just a diaper and t-shirt for a few days but the forecast is calling for 60s by the end of the week so we'll have to pull his pants out again soon.

because they grow so fast

camping {the easy way}

Aaron and I love going camping. We both grew up going on regular weekend camping trips with our families, and even went camping last year as a family of three.

This year I just wasn't up to a full-blown camping experience with two kids. At least not in July when the weather is usually hot hot hot and often stormy. So when Aaron's family planned a weekend camping get-together we declined and decided that if the weather was nice we would join them for part of the day.

Well, last night was very stormy. I am very glad we weren't in tents outside!

But today was beautiful!

So we cheated. We enjoyed many of the fun camping experiences without actually having to sleep in a tent and make midd-of-the-night trips to the bathroom. We didn't have to try to remember to pack every single thing we could possibly need. We didn't have to listen to the neighbors hooting and hollering at midnight.

No, instead we got up this morning, showered in our own showers, put the kids in the car and joined some of our favorite people for a morning of camping relaxation.

Levi slept wrapped onto Aaron most of the three hours we were there.

Camille was able to have some rare playtime with Aaron's cousin Valerie.

Lydia spent some time peeking out of the camper window and calling to whoever was passing by.

And once Levi finally woke up he soaked up hugs and kisses in Aunt Susie's arms.

Camille slept most of the whole way home.

Levi cried most of the way home.

We paid the price for Camille not having her usual nap. But it was worth it I think.

We may attempt a camping trip early this fall, or we may just wait until next summer. But whenever it is I'm sure it will be eventful!

happy father's day

The kids and I are wishing these great guys a happy Father's Day!

We love you so much and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

quesadillas and preschool

Auntie Megan came over to spend the day with us today. She made us yummy quesadillas for lunch and then joined us on a fieldtrip to Christ Lutheran Preschool (where Aarons mom, Jeannie, teaches). The girls had a great time exploring the huge room full of "new" toys. Camille was especially drawn to the kitchen, while Isabel spent most of her time getting on and off of the scooter. It was great to get out of the house for a bit, yet go somewhere the girls would enjoy. Thanks, Grandma, for letting us visit!

Megan, you'll notice that I decided not to include the umbrella picture. I'm saving it for a rainy day...

Preschool visit!

Today after Camille's morning nap she and I went to Christ Lutheran Preschool to visit Grandma! Class was over for the day, but the "Lunch Bunch" was there until 2. C had a great time sitting a the big kids' table eating lunch (although she did nearly slide off the chair a few times). She also liked watching the big kids run around and play games, and even tried to participate a little. It was nice to get out of the house and go somewhere she could crawl around and have fun!

Sitting at the "big kids" table

Ooooh, a baby doll!

Putting giant buttons into a bucket

Thanks for letting us visit, Grandma! We love you!

Wachlin Christmas!

Yesterday we went down to southern MN to celebrate Christmas with the Wachlin family! We had such a great time with them, anc Camille was happy the entire time, despite going six hours without a nap! She slept the whole way there and the whole way back, though.

Lydia was sporting her big sister's headphones!
The girls with Grandma and Great Grandma

Valerie was all smiles the whole day!

Camille spent about 45 minutes just relaxing with Great Grandma (who I think was glad to have a reason to just sit and cuddle her littlest grandbaby!)

Valerie brought her new Elmo Live and Camille loved it too!

Aaron and his cousin Tammy were having fun with their cameras...

Playing on Mommy and Daddy's bed before bathtime

Trying to attack Daddy and the camera

(Notice the beautiful quilt on our bed that Aaron's grandparents made for us!)

Well, I think all of our Chrismas gatherings are over with for the year. We're relaxing at home today, and it's back to work tomorrow. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a great New Year!

jenna

For unto us a child is born

Disclaimer: Get ready for LOTS of pictures!

We spent yesterday morning at Isabel's house helping her celebrate her first birthday! The girls had a great time playing together and opening Christmas and birthday presents, and I had a chance to help Kristy get things ready for the dinner she was serving to her family who was coming into town.

This picture is of the girls standing at the gate that blocks the way to the basement. They love standing here, especially when there are lights on or people downstairs.

We tried getting a picture of the girls in Christmas outfits by the tree, but it wasn't working very well. Too many distractions I think!

Then we tried putting them on the couch, but they kept trying to crawl off!

After their morning naps, it was time to sport the tu-tu's! I brought Camille's so she could wear hers, and we gave Isabel one for her birthday.

And I FINALLY was able to snap a picture of Camille standing without holding onto anything. She was having fun playing with the magnets on the fridge while we were working in the kitchen.

We went to church at 4 and were lucky enough to snag a spot in the pew next to Nick, Angie, and new baby Lyla! She was able to come home from the hospital on Monday and has been doing very well. What a sweet and TINY thing she is, at just 6 lbs. 2 oz! She slept the entire time, but we certainly enjoyed looking at her. Camille was in awe and kept wanting to touch her (gently, of course).

After church we went to David and Jeannie's house for dinner (cheesy meatball soup, as usual!) and gift opening. We wanted to get a picture of the girls with Grandma and Grandpa, but it was quite difficult - Lydia had an ear infection, Camille was tired, and Adeling kept wanting to "help." But we managed to get one that turned out nicely.

Then we tried to get a picture of just the girls and it did NOT work! Babies started crying and we knew it wasn't going to work!

Time for gift opening! Camille recieved lots of fun presents, the best of which was a Leap Frog drum that she absolutely adores. Uncle Bryan and Aunt Megan gave her one like the one they had at their house when we were visiting. As soon as she had that drum she forgot she was tired and had a blast!

This morning we did something we've never done before - we started opening presents before the sun was even up! Camille woke up at 6:30, and by 7:30 we were all up, in the living room, and opening presents. Boy were we tired! Camille's pile was by far the largest, and she had a great time helping open her presents and playing with them.

Then I had the great idea of seeing if she would fit in her stocking. It was a tight fit, but eventually we squeezed her into it!

Santa brought us all "Excavation Kits" where you dig tiny dinosaur bones out of a brick of...well, I'm not sure what it's a brick of! But Aaron has begun working on his, excavating on his brick to find all his dino bones. Apparently it takes quite a while, especially when you accidentally throw one of the bones away and have to go "digging" for it in the garbage!

Camille has beey VERY overstimulated by all of her new toys! Some she's already figured out how to work, and other's she's still working on.

We wanted to take a family picture of us on Christmas, even if we weren't all dressed up. So here we are, one of us still in our jammies (Aaron), one of us without brushed hair (me), and one of us looking just as cute as ever (you all know who)!

We pray that you all had a wonderful Christmas! Blessings to you!

jenna