Prizes, Parades and Pokey Kids

Last week, Russ was consumed by work.  It seemed that he could never get out on time no matter the plan or circumstance.  I was a bit frustrated, but by the end of the week, I got over it.  As a result of some excellent work selling club memberships, Russ earned a $300 Visa giftcard for being a top start seller for the month, and then on Friday he won a set of Twins tickets against the Sox for posting the most number of sales on Thursday.  Off our family went to our first game in Twins Stadium, and though it started out warm, we had a great time!

Later in the weekend, I wanted some plans, and called up Emily.  She invited us to be a part of the Hastings Rivertown Days parade as a part of the marching band, as Maddy was handing out candy.  Grayson was thrilled at the idea, and I thought it sounded like fun.  The boys and I headed out for the day, as Russ was working, and had a fun time in riding our first school bus together, being a part of the band warm-ups, and getting a good deal of exercise as we worked hard to carefully hand out candy and keep up with the band.  Toward the end, Grayson and Maddy's legs were pretty tired, so my workout intensified as I pushed three kids in my Sit and Stand uphill.  After the parade, Grayson and I met up with my sister and Dylan for a late lunch, and then we headed over to the Chandler house to play.  It was a tiring day, but an excellent one!

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Marking time with the band...

Along for the ride...

Our first picture together in years...

We made it to the end!!

Otherwise, summer is in full swing.  Nolan is a wonderful, talkative child who is so incredibly easy-going!!  He loves movement and being sung to.  Grayson is busy with Little School and water fun, and I am busy being a mom, but now able to go to the gym - yay!!!!  Russ is...working, but also on a great soccer team as well.  We are working on teaching Grayson about the need to be on time for events, as well as his temper (going on 4 is a challenge; my friends were soooo right!).  He is so curious about the world around him, and quick to smile, so I can't complain too much. 
The last thought I want to add...my mom.  She's had a rough go of things lately, having been hospitalized for a sickness and dehydration last week, and she's struggling to catch up completely.  I am worried, but I have to take a minute to say thank you to my mom, dad, and to the big man upstairs for the last three years; this week in 2007 we were planning a funeral and coping with a loss, and look how far we've come!!  I love you, Mom!

Graysonisms and things to remember...

It's been a very long while since I have posted a Graysonism, though we hear them pretty regularly now. This one, from the past week, still makes me grin...

The setting: Grayson, Nolan and I just finished a visit to the hernia doctor for Nolan. Grayson did a pretty nice job of being patient and careful during the visit, and was rewarded with an invite to the treat basket. He chose a sucker, and enjoyed it immensely. As we were leaving the parking ramp at Children's, sucker in hand, Grayson says to me, "Mommy, I'm very, VERY HAPPY at you right now." I had better be careful what I say, as little pitchers truly do have big ears. Even when I am ready to burst in frustration, I really love my little man...

Nolan, here are some things I want to remember forever...I can't believe you are already 12 weeks old!! It's amazing to look at the pictures from the first few days of your life, and to compare them to what you look like now! You are a fantastic eater, and a very happy baby. I love it when I get you out of bed for your first feeding each morning; you are all smiles for me!! You love the sound of your daddy's voice when he talks and plays with you, and are excited to see him each day. The things you love to watch are the ceiling fan, your safari animal mobile, and the musical star on your play mat. You often flash a beautiful grin at your big brother, which puts him over the moon with joy. You also take after your brother as a talker - you are beginning to tell us so many wonderful stories! I can always count on a smile and coo when I sing 1-5 to you, or really any song. You are also beginning to giggle a little, and I can't wait to see if you have the same contagious laugh of your brother...I love you, little boy!

Dancing fool

Hmmm...summer is in full-swing, and the boys and I are busy each day. It amazes me how difficult some days can be, as Grayson is a bit trying and bossy with me. However, I am seeing the true and absolute need for a schedule, no matter what kind of chaos life brings. When our schedule is on, I am smiling all day long.

Once Grayson was on the mend, we were able to get back to normal. On Friday, Russ and I stashed G at daycare and set out to work on the garage. It was a little tough to work together with Nolan around (the heat and humidity didn't help either), but Russ made the place look quite organized and put together with all the cabinetry and pegboard from Lifetime. On Saturday, we went to a cousin's wedding, where we spent time with the Schmidt and Richter clans, and chased Grayson all over while everyone oohed and ahhed over Nolan. It was a busy night, but fun. Grayson got to try his hand at the live band's drum set, which he adored, and he loved to run around with the other kids and our family to the music they played. Here are some pics from our evening...

Grayson tries his hand at photography...

The boys dancing up a storm.

G loves it when Mommy spins him.

Nolan is all smiles for Grandpa Bob.

Picture perfect, holiday horror...

I can't say the past weekend was one of my favorites, but what I can say is that it was quite eventful. We did start with a great Friday though, as Russ and I were given the opportunity to take some senior pictures for a friend of his mom's daughter. It was a wonderful time, and she was so much fun to work with! This is something Russ and I have always wanted to try, as I worked in a studio in high school, putting together senior pic portfolios and being an apprentice at weddings, and we both took classes on photography in college. Who knows if it will lead anywhere...regardless, it was a great time. I've included a few favorites at the end of the post, with her permission...
The rest of the weekend was kind of a bust...I discovered I'd lost my Blackberry somewhere between the car and the house, and have yet to find it, we found some pretty impressive water damage in the basement, where we found a leak earlier in the spring (we're now working with our realtor on the next steps, as this appears to be a problem prior to our moving in), and Grayson had his first brush with Strep Throat, which we are now watching Nolan closely for, though things are starting to look up this afternoon. We did try to have a few fun moments with some fireworks though, and Nolan is never short on smiles or coos lately...hopefully the rest of the week will be better. :)