Uncle A.J.'s Visit

We had a very quick visit from A.J. on Monday. He was coerced into driving to Dallas with a friend in order to pick up some musical instruments for their college band director. This was also a chance for him to check out the school he was considering for student teaching in the spring. (And does not sound too interested after being there...sad for us, but glad if it helped with his decision.) So that meant we had an evening/morning visit and wonderful time with him.











The kids were eager to play (up way past bedtime I might add!) and were pleased as punch as he built with giant Legos, flew them around the house (superman and airplanes both), humored "Doc Lorelei" by playing vet, read bedtime books and started off Tuesday with a fun game of hide n seek...just to name a few. :)


It was so fun for them and great for us to get to catch up a bit as well.

Great to see you, A.J.!

Book Of The Week

One of my favorites to read before bedtime!

This is a wonderful, "lulling story about a day in the life of a barnyard. Simple, rhythmic text about the cycle of a day on a farm, where a family of animals peacefully plays and sleeps."

Bowling and Swimming

Can you tell I have had cabin fever this week? :) Just been staying very busy each day to keep me a bit more sane having the kids all day myself.

Thursday we enjoyed meeting up with Rebecca, Kaitlyn and Hailey for free bowling. Rebecca sent me this info a month or two ago as an indoor idea. Kids bowl free. All it cost was under $3 for Lor's bowling shoes. When the kids are a bit older I can see this being a weekly event! The older girls had a complete ball. Both little ones enjoyed their turns, just hard to sit and wait, so one game was plenty (you actually get two for free). We enjoyed lunch and an ice cream treat at Braums afterwards.














Friday we drove to a Sunday School teacher get together. To explain that one, I'm teaching SS about once a month. They rotate the teachers out so they don't have to do it every Sunday. This is a last attempt to get involved and do something with our church, as we are disappointed we know very few people after being there over a year.







Anyway, the lady in charge offered up a get-together at her community pool so we were excited to go and get to get to know some more people from our church. It was a small turn out, but even one new friend is good! :) And wow what a pool! Sand around it and HUGE. The kids loved it. Makin just loves the pools that have a gradual entrance so he can touch. He keeps getting braver and braver and wanted to stay around where the water was nearly to his chin. Then he kept throwing the football out deeper for us to go get it.

I have also kept extra busy to not be too bummed we are not in Nebraska right now! We had hoped that this was our week to go and visit all of Brads family, but with work being so crazy, are waiting a bit longer to go. Friday evening is a big family get together. (Sarah and her now husband, Shaun, eloped to Colorado earlier this summer, so they are celebrating the marriage and Hannah and Karter being back from KS for the summer.) We will be thinking of you tonight Stahl family! Wish we were there!

Safari Park

Wednesday Brad had the day off. This means day off from Guttie, but still leaving around 5 pm to go into work for Oracle. Anyway, we actually had him around during the day. Hoping this is how much of next week is, as Guttie should be winding down just a bit compared to what it has been...sure hope so.

As much as I am going nuts with our "to do" list not getting done, we agreed it was a bit more important to get out and have some fun as a family, rather than staying home and doing chores. Very good for all of us. Anyway, we decided to try out a place a lady was talking to me about at Barnes and Noble, and I had seen through a Groupon deal as well. Seemed like a good indoor option. (We have loads of family fun ideas for outside...not so many for in.)

Well despite the good reviews, we were a bit disappointed. The kids did enjoy everything, especially the rides (although Makin gladly gave up his ride on the creepy robot animals to his sister, who loved it of course) and the play area, we only lasted a little over an hour there. There was a play area that had lots of tables and doll houses I thought they would be very happy to play in, but there were zero dolls/trains/etc you needed to actually PLAY with these. Lorelei's favorites were the rides and the trampoline. Just had to include the comical picture I took...very hard to get good trampoline pics! :) Oh and air hockey was another of her highlights. Brad and I are training them early. ;) Hoping to have one of these in our basement (well, if we have a basement) someday for us all to play!

Of course anything we get to do as a family is cherished time and we loved spending it together! :)

August Family Picture

And Happy One Year House! :)

Monday and Tuesday Indoor Busyness

I have been getting a bit of cabin fever being stuck inside due to heat, so I decided to make sure we got out and about indoors a lot this week.

Monday was a trip to the mall. Purely for entertainment and just plain getting out of the house. The kids spent tons of time at Barnes and Noble playing with the train table and listening to books. Of course, Lorelei also found their stuffed animals and played with those too. Makin was all train table. (Oh and of course don't forget we started with our Starbucks treats before heading down to the kids area! :) )

We also enjoyed a carousel ride. Both kids totally love it. We finished eating lunch watching the ice skaters and hockey practice.



Tuesday was a bit of a wash. Brad was supposed to be home all day, and ended up having to go in. He had to sleep in from working late the night/morning before, but we wanted to catch at least an hour with him before he left, so we were home all morning.

Reminder to fellow moms...toothpicks make food way more fun. :)

The kids and I ended up heading to Target for the afternoon to look for backpacks (no cute ones left, ordering online instead) just to get out of the house once for the day.

One cute story from our "outing" was from Makin. We don't usually peruse the toys, but today we walked through the aisles for fun. He picked up a Lego dump truck and just said "Peeeeeeese!" :) Cutest please I have ever heard, and that guy has never asked for anything before, so I was completely shocked. Lorelei was quick with her favorite saying of the afternoon, "Maybe for your birthday, Makin." We heard her say that about 100 times in the hour at Target. She also said, "Lets go look for more things for Makin's birthday." :)

I have discovered I am such an "outdoor Mom" so to speak...so am counting the month and a half left of this heat and just trying to stay busy! :)

Book Of The Week

Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You?

Didn't read this one growing up, but Lorelei was given it as a gift when she turned one. They looooooove when I read this one. So many fun sounds. :) We have the board book version and I have not read the longer one.