Sara and Tom

When we met Sara a few Easters ago, we knew we liked her.  As time went on, we grew to love her, as we found out what a kind, thoughtful, considerate person she was.  We saw how she brought out the best in Tom, and we hoped that they would be a forever match.  We knew she would be a wonderful addition to our family.  Fast forward through a couple of years dating, a wedding proposal, lots of planning, and the wedding date arrived!  

Eric and I were thrilled to be a part of the wedding party.  My Mom and Dad agreed to take the kids for the weekend and were staying out at the huge cabin at Holiday Acres that Kim and Kari gifted us.  We were excited to be kid-free, for the first time since Simon was born!  After a fun evening at CT's Deli for the rehearsal dinner, we met the next morning at Tom and Sara's house to get ready.   Tammie agreed to do our hair at the house and there were some other stylists there, as well.  We got ready and did pictures by the lake before we headed to the church for the main event.  

The ceremony was beautiful and was St. Mary's Church, where Sara had gone since she was little. After they made their promises and exchanged rings, we got on a bus to head to the River City Tap for a drink.  There ended up not being a lot of time between the ceremony and reception, so after that first stop, we went on to Holiday Acres, where the reception was.  After a cookout-style dinner, a few shots (thanks, Bret...), and some toasts, it was time for the dance.  Uncharacteristically, I didn't leave the dance floor all night.  I was having so much fun and I just didn't want to sit down, despite Eric's desperate attempts.  He just couldn't keep up with the dancing machine.  We did have some battle wounds to show for our night of frivolity...I must have burst a blood vessel in my hand, because the next morning it was black and super swollen and painful.  Eric could also hardly move because he threw out his back in his mad attempt to keep up.  It was all worth it though.  It was a fantastic day celebrating two very important people in our lives and we wish Tom and Sara a lifetime of happiness and love.   

Toofers

This little sweetie got not one, but TWO, new teeth this past week!  He's been a bit fussy, but nothing too terrible.  I can't believe how fast he's growing!

Horse Show

Our goal this past year was to get Booker to at least one overnight show, so we decided to tackle the WSCA show in Cannon Falls.  Being that I just had a baby a few months before, I definitely had not had much time to ride or get to know Booker, but we thought we would give it a shot.  We also thought Livi would have a blast, getting to be around horses non-stop for a few days.  We were right about that.  She helped brush him, ride him, clean his stall, and bathe him.  She did get a little wet during his bath and the second we got back to his stall, she stripped completely down to her underwear in the middle of the barn aisle because her clothes were wet.  I just about died laughing, especially since her dry, clean clothes were still packed in the suitcase in the car, quite a ways away.

The first day of the horse was a bit rocky.  Everytime anyone started to clap, Booker would get really nervous, spook, and dance all over.  He spooked in the middle of my showmanship pattern, and while Livi was riding him in leadline.  I had to quickly pull her off while we were in the lineup because I was worried she might get hurt.  After that class, I took him out to lunge him for a while, but he didn't seem like he had excess energy.  It was purely the applause that was getting to him.  I saddled him up and got on him in the warm-up pen for my English classes.  But, the second the applause happened, he started scrambling again and I had to call for Amy to come hold him so I could get off.  I scratched the rest of my English classes.  At this point we realized we had not put his ear plugs in, so we decided to try that.  It definitely seemed to help because though I could feel him tense slightly during the applause, he was able to hold it together.  I had much more successful Western classes, thank goodness.

We decided to stay for English and Showmanship the next day to try to end the weekend on a high note.  I had a very nice showmanship pattern and got a second place.  We got a decent ride in HUS and placed third.  My final class was Equitation and we had a very nice pattern. We ended up winning our class!  This was the first blue ribbon I've won in a LONG time.  It felt great, especially since we had such a challenging day the day before.  We've still got some kinks to work out, but I was really happy with our second day performance.  Horse showing is so fun for me, and I think it is so cool to have the opportunity to do it with a three generation team!

Five Months

First Day of School

Today is Olivia's first day of 4K. To say I miss her is an understatement, but I am excited for her to learn and grow and make new friends. She was not nervous in the least.  When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she told me "a stranger." Perplexed by this, I asked her what she meant. She told me she wants to be a stranger who tells other people about God and Jesus. I was still confused, but then remembered back a few weeks ago when I went on a rant because a Jehovah's Witness came to our house and started chatting up my kids without me there, and I was not happy. She must've heard me say that I was upset that a stranger was at our house, and somehow found her life's work? Become a Jehovah's witness? Be a missionary? Or just scare little kids by talking to them without their parent? I don't know. She is a peculiar, wonderfully unique little girl and I can't wait to hear all about her first day.

Nolan was a slightly apprehensive about wanting to start the school year, mostly because he didn't want to be away from home five days a week and only home for two. Aside from that, he was confident and didn't seem nervous at all.  I am really happy with his pairing with Ms Kaster, as I think her structure and routine will be a great fit for him, and because I think she will challenge him and help him to grow.  I can't wait to see what he accomplishes!  Have a great first day, buddy!

Everett's Baptism

We decided to brave a trip with our brood for Everett's baptism over Labor Day weekend.  The first leg of the trip went well and we managed to make it all the way to Eau Claire before we needed to stop for lunch.  The kids loved their meal at Milwaukee Burger Company (we did too), but when it was time to get back on the road for MN, Simon was less than impressed.  He cried and fussed and we had to stop a few times to try to appease him.  Thankfully, we made it through and arrived at our BEAUTIFUL hotel room that Eric had found for us.  We splurged and upgraded to a suite, complete with a huge bedroom, separate living area, and kitchenette, which made making and cleaning bottles so much easier.  The kids were so excited to use the pool, but when we went to get their swim gear from their suitcases, we realized something terrible....we left Olivia's entire suitcase sitting on her bedroom floor at home!!  She had nothing to wear, no toiletries...absolutely nothing.  Thankfully there was a Target nearby, so while Eric ordered a pizza back at the hotel for the kids, I went to stock up on everything we needed to get through the rest of the weekend.  Dress clothes and shoes, toothbrush, underwear, pajamas, swimsuit...we needed everything.  Eric told me to grab a bottle of wine, but thanks to those wonderful MN laws, Target doesn't sell wine.  We decided to use Door Dash and ordered some Cheesecake Factory cheesecake delivered to our room instead for an after bedtime treat.  It was amazing.

The next morning, we headed to church for Everett's baptism.  He has grown so much and it was wonderful to be a part of his special day.  Afterward, we headed to Luke and Annalyse's house for lunch and were back on the road again for our trip home.  Simon made it until the last hour or so before he started fussing and we needed to stop.  It was definitely challenging traveling that distance with the kids in tow, but we're glad we did it and glad we got to witness God's special love for the newest blessing in our family, Everett.