First Day of School

You've asked, so here they are - First Day of School pictures! McKenzie's in 3rd grade & Lauryn's in 1st grade this year. McKenzie's teacher is Mrs. Andrews. Those of you that went to Randolph may have had Mrs. Andrews when you were in 3rd grade. Lauryn's teacher is Mrs. (Katie) Thielbar. Jamey & I absolutely adore Katie as a teacher & friend, so we couldn't be happier she's Lauryn's teacher this year. The girls were so excited the first day of school, they didn't even give me a kiss or hug before they hopped on the bus. I was crushed! ;) Now that school's in session, so are most of the girls' extra curricular activities, which means we're living in mad chaos again...lol! If we're not running to Just For Kix, then we're running to Girl Scouts, or to religion, etc. Aaaahhh, the joys of parenthood!

Summertime Vaction

A couple weeks ago, we spent a week with our friends at Sullivan's Resort in Brainerd. Aside from a few windy days, the weather was great! The adults spent most of their time lounging around & playing games, while the kids played at the park or swam in the lake/indoor pool. It was the perfect week!!!

The Kids...
A picture of ALL the kids.

Here's a picture of MOST of the kids hanging out on the bunk beds just before we settled them down for bed.

Lauryn, Belle & Abby had a great time together! They played so well together, it was unbelievable!

A few of the kids enjoying an afternoon Popsicle.


Pool Time Fun...
Kenzie & Lauryn floating in the pool.

Doesn't Lauryn look comfortable? She looks like she could fall asleep!

McKenzie & Lauryn with Elizabeth & Belle Freeberg. They had a great time swimming together!


The Guys Lounging...
Jamey & Keith hanging out just before we started our nightly bonfire.

Jamey, Keith, Joel & Cary enjoying an afternoon cocktail.


Lazy Days...
Keith & Tammy snuggled up with theirs & our kids on the couch one morning. Don't they look cute so cute cuddled up with all 4 kids?! I think they need to have a few more kids of their own!

Jack clung to Kenzie a lot during our vacation. She read to him many mornings & carried him around many afternoons. It was VERY cute!


Misc Pictures...
1st - Bethie (as Lauryn called her) & Lauryn. Lauryn absolutely adores Beth!
2nd - Jamey & Jack hanging out by the hot tub. The hot tub was one area Jamey could truly relax without having to worry about his foot.
3rd - One afternoon while we were playing a dice game, Laura threw the dice into her drink instead of the cup to shake the dice...LOL! She had to finish her drink in order to get the dice out. It was sooo funny!
4th - I just thought it was so cute the way Jack Meyers was lounging around the pool, I had to take his picture! :)

Playin' with JB

I'm sick to my stomach thinking that Bridget & JB leave in just a couple of days...ugh! Gosh, I'm going to start crying just thinking about saying goodbye!!! These pictures were taken while Jill, Deena & I played with JB at hospital the night Cohen was born. The last picture is so stinkin' cute, I love it! He must be praying for his aunties. ;)

Cohen Otto

When Deena called me at 7:20 yesterday morning to tell me she was getting ready to go to the hospital, I found myself questioning whether or not she was actually in labor. She was so calm & nonchalant, it didn't seem possible! She got to the hospital around 8:00, was in a room of her own around 8:30 & Cohen Kimmes Otto made his entrance into our lives at 9:03 a.m. He weighed 6 pounds, 4 ounces & was 19 inches long. Like most of the babies born in our family, has little to no hair but sure is cute!!!

Jill, a labor & delivery nurse, told a story last night that surprised us all! (even DJ & Deena) Apparently Deena's blood pressure dropped SO low, that Jill thought we were going to lose Deena. At that point, Dr. McKenzie grabbed Jill's hand & said "You know too much." Jill's assisted Dr. McKenzie during many deliveries & knew exactly what was going on. Jill understood that Dr. McKenzie was staying calm for Deena's sake, but she just couldn't do the same. Jill said if it would have been any other mom laying on the bed, she would have been calm too. But when its your sister, its a different story! Jill said she's never been so scared in her entire life!!! But... Deena bounced back & pushed the little guy out with just one push! Way to go Deena! Its been a long road for Deena & we're thankful that both Deena & Cohen are doing well!!! Congrats Deena, DJ, Collin & Cohen!

JB & Jamey

Jamey met JB for the first time on August 1st. This picture was taken shortly after they met. We're all going to miss JB terribly when he leaves on the 17th! We're already begging Bridget to come "home" again soon. But next time we want Rusty to come too!

Happy Birthday Peanut!

My baby turned 6 on the 12th! I can hardly believe she's already 6! We celebrated Lauryn's birthday with our family at the Dakota County Fair last Sunday afternoon. We bought the kids wrist bands so they could ride an unlimited amount of rides. If you can believe this (I can't!), my dad even rode the rides! We defiantly got our monies worth!!!

Afterwards, we had family & friends to our house for supper & dessert. I say dessert b/c we didn't have cake. Lauryn wanted me to make brownies instead. So I made brownies & Lexi wrote a birthday message in gel on top. Lauryn loved 'em!

On Lauryn's actual birthday we celebrated with supper at McDondalds. (Jealous?!) I can't believe my Peanut is already 6 & will be in first grade in just a couple of weeks! Where did the time go?!?!

T-Ball

I should have posted these pictures two weeks ago but I got a little sidetracked after Jamey's accident. These pictures were taken on the last night of t-ball. The first picture is Lauryn looking to the "coach" for a battting advice. (I just love this picture!) Like most of the team, Lauryn spent more time picking grass in the in/out field than she did fielding the ball. And if she wasn't picking grass, she was hugging the opponent on base...lol! My nephew, Devon's first at bat - instead of running to first base he ran to center field...lol! It was a fun season of t-ball!