Ahhhhhh-ugust!

I can't believe that tomorrow is August 1st. I suppose that's because July was jam-packed with awesomeness. So here's the run down and a few pics to help tell the stories.

We made it back to Miniapple and a few days later were reunited with our sweet daddy. We packed a wedding in there Saturday night....and then, it was on. And by it, I mean Vacation Bible School. We had to do all the decorating on Sunday (because of the aforementioned wedding on Sat...they didn't want pandas decorating their nuptials, go figure.) And Monday we welcomed 125 kids to LHUMC for PANDAMANIA. It was surreal. Made even nuttier by the fact that our own little peanut was old enough to attend this year. Needless to say, she loved it. The songs, the pandas, the people=Greta nirvana. Here are the photos to prove it

Like a perfectly-timed gift of God, we went for a few days to Gull Lake with Tyler's family on Sunday. It was amazing to have time away as a family and a great way to unwind after a wild wonderful week. Gboo and Dubs spent several days enjoying their aunts Carrie & Jayne and uncle Peter, new cousin Noah (Wes: Bebeee, bebeee....), Grandma & Papa Bruce. We spent the hottest day of the summer in the lake (made the temp of the lake tolerable), ate yummy food, played games and generally just enjoyed the slower pace of being Up North. Ahhhhh.

We returned from the lake and were treated to the musical genius of U2. Amazing show. Even in the pouring rain.

Funny Greta story of July: So one day, Tyler was driving Greta somewhere and she said ,"you know Daddy, my baby thinks she's a bat. That baby is CRAZY." He laughed and then dismissed the comment as just some random Gretaism. Then he tucked her in that night. And he saw the baby doll hanging upside down. Tyler asked, "Is that bat baby?" She answered..."yep, isn't she crazy?" The next night there were two....

Funny Wes story of July: He is really starting to talk alot and copy what we say. He's also getting into EVERYTHING these days, so he is hearing "no, no" a decent amount. We're also trying to do some signs with our words for him. So with the no, no come the predictable finger wag. Guess who's picked up the finger wag...oh yeah. It seems that our son enjoys scolding us with the "no, no, no" finger wag, at some contextually appropriate times. Hilarious....as long as he doesn't do this as a 15 year old!

We've been back for a week and we're blown away that we are looking down August's nose. Lots of work to do to prepare for Fall. One more getaway planned at the end of August with my peeps. Then it will be September and all of the great stuff that comes with getting back into a routine. BUT...I'm not ready for that yet. I'm going to live in the moment and enjoy every moment August has to offer. Crazy garden yields, more swimming, more mystery magic Mondays...We're enjoying this summer way too much to embrace September yet! More soon-ish!

xoxo

the Christiansens

Happy Fourth of July from my girlie and my guy!

We hope everyone's 4th of July celebrations were happy and safe. Ours was super.

Reason #1: Daddy was able to join us. Oh the happy babies in this house. Wes just wouldn't leave Daddy's arms. Greta kept whispering in his ear...Daddy, I'm so glad we're all together again as a family. Tender, wonderful stuff. Happily we'll all be re-united once again this Friday when he returns from his schoolwork in Chicago.

Reason #2: Granny & Gramps are still all sorts of fun. G&Granny (Nanny in Wessyspeak) with Greta in a dress Granny made for me when I was a girl. G with the turtle "Sarah" we found eating Granny's tomatoes. Greta learning to shuck corn. The grands on Gramps' belly post breakfast.

Reason #3: There is a lot of good food around this joint. And mommy doesn't have to cook it. Hey-O! HOMEMADE PEACH ICE CREAM. Oh peaches...

Reason #4: We've been able to connect with some more friends...who will even dress up with us or help us pick out a yummy scoop of ice cream. We went to the splashpad with the Potts girlies & then out to ice cream...Greta appears lost in ice cream world. We played dress up & went out on the boat with the Griggs' twosome. They participated in Greta's "ladybug play" and were quite the winning sports about it all.

Reason #5: Even when the grown-ups are talking, the little people seem to entertain each other. Wes discovers the swinging kitchen door. Wes & Greta play "walk the unicorn" (doesn't everyone love that game?).

Does it get any better than this?

Probably not. It is hard to top perfection.

Tomorrow we are packing up and heading back north. We'll have a really wonderfully busy week next week with VBS & Tyler's return to church and then we're taking off for just a few days with Ty's mom. Hang on friends, there will be more posts. But don't hold your breath for one in the next 2 weeks! ;)

We will miss our Granny & Gramps but are excited to see them again in August with the cousins to boot! If we missed you this time around Florence folks, we'll be back for the holidays!

Well hellooooo Summer in Alabama.

After waiting patiently for summer to arrive in Minnesota, we flew south to experience REAL summer. Yay for sun and warm weather. Yay for fresh peaches and berries. Yay for grandparents to love on little people. Yay. We are halfway through our time here with Granny & Gramps and so far we have:

Visited with friends from college (mine, not G & W's):

Swam

Boated

Eaten fresh fruit- alot- enough to warrant a special mention and "special" diapers

Played at the Splash Pad (well...some of us "opted out")

Played dress up & kitty/doggie too many times to count

And Greta boo caught her first fish...appropriately....a catfish (she adores cats).

Visited Gramps at the Endo Unit (mom was remiss not to take THE NURSES picture...duh)

And just plain had some fun and good food!

We have had a great week. The extra-good news....we get to see our daddy tomorrow. He's been in class in Chicago for the last 2 weeks and gets to come for a quick visit for the holiday weekend. SQUEEEE! There will also be more of the above- fun in the water, fun with Granny and Gramps, good food & good times. Greta thinks we should set down our "yanker" and stay awhile (that's anchor for those that don't speak Gretalese). We'll have more pictures to share in a few more days!

PS. Wes' words since we arrived in AL: (had Mama, Dada, & Geeta before we arrived), doggie, tree, ball, boat, NeeNee (Granny), and more (with sign). He is adding a new word a day!