Girls' Night Out!

Darren worked at T.I. a beautiful evening in early August. The girls and I decided we didn't want to hang out at home (and I didn't want to make dinner) so we packed up the bike trailer and headed off to the park near Rambling River, played for a while, then hopped back in/on the bike and headed to Dairy Queen for dinner and a treat. The girls were both in silly moods so we all had tons of fun!

After dinner Brynn chose a dilly bar for dessert.
Cara chose a plain cone (fancy that!).

Buggy did some dancing to the music to keep us entertained.

Cara offered Brynn a bite of her cone then would take it away really fast so she couldn't get it. We all thought this was hilarious!

Brynnie offered Cara some of the crunchies from my cone and Cara thought it was so cool her big sister was feeding her!

What a great end to the day with two of my favorites!

Rosemount Leprechaun Days

Since Auntie Key, Uncle Tommy and cousin Henry live in Rosemount we decided we better partake in Leprechaun Days. A few people (I'll let you guess who) made fun of me when I got up early to get "good spots" to watch the parade. They weren't laughing any more when I was able to get the very last two blanket spots available. The weather was beautiful, the candy was generous, and the company was even better! We had so much fun I think we'll do it again next year!

Beaner fell asleep two seconds after leaving the parade,

made the transfer from the stroller to my arms,

from my arms to the carseat, and from the carseat to her crib (not pictured-I didn't want to push my luck!)! As many of you know she is not the best sleeper in the world (she just may be the worst) and transferring rarely happens. She sure must have been one tuckered out little girl!!

Minnesota Twins

Sunday, July 18th proved to be the perfect day to attend a Minnesota Twins game at the new Target stadium. Initially we had planned on the whole family going, but that morning we decided to leave Cara behind as it most likely wouldn't be as much fun for Darren, Brynn and me. Although we had seats in the upper deck we could see the field perfectly and were able to watch the Twins come back and win in the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox.

Family photo at Katie's before leaving Cara there.
We took the train in thinking Brynn would think it was pretty cool. She (and her mom) were rather unimpressed and have decided we'll drive next time we venture that way.

Of course, we had to introduce Brynnie to the "dome" dog. For those that have not had one at Target field--it's no dome dog, but Brynn didn't seem to mind as she has never had the real thing.

She was able to take up the art of spitting sunflower seeds. At first she was a little worried because, "We can't eat them mom, then they won't grow sunflowers!" After convincing her that these seeds won't grow sunflowers she was occupied for quite some time learning how to crack the shell and find the seeds. At this point in her sunflower seed eating experience it was quite the amount of work for what she was able to get in return!!

Instead of taking a picture of Brynn and me at the game Darren had me take a picture of the Target Field logo so he could use it as a screen saver. Hmm, I see how we rate!

Brynn was acting strange and fell asleep in the 7th inning and slept until the end of the game. After we got home and took her temp. she had a 102 fever--no wonder she was acting strangely! Poor thing!!

Every Sunday the kids have an opportunity to run the bases with a parent. Since it was my first time at the field Darren let me run them with her. AWESOME!! As she was not feeling well we gave her the option and she still wanted to do it...but she cried the whole way around. I really felt bad once we got home and took her temp., but it sure was neat being down on the field!!

Minus Brynnie not feeling well we had a fabulous time and can't wait to go back!!

Not Only

Not only does Cara look just like her dad, she has also developed his taste buds. Two of her favorite things: chocolate and beer!

Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm...

...watermelon!

What a Pleaser!

Brynn informed me that I no longer have to make her bed any more because she can do it by her "big girl self." What a great helper we have!

Best Daddy EVER

After a week and three days of working non-stop the girls finally have the playset of their dreams! When we moved into our house we had a corner with overgrown weeds, a rectangular pile of cinder blocks (that were dubbed as footings for a shed by the previous owners) and a huge ugly and smelly lilac bush. We decided to clean it up a little and make our back yard a little more friendly for two little girls. The cinder blocks, weeds, and lilac bush went with little effort. The next phase was leveling out the ground (ufda-D had a lot of patience for this) and making a gradual slope to the back of the fence. Finally, it was time to build the structure and lay the sod. Unfortunately I didn't do very well capturing pictures of each process except the final stages. But believe me, it was A LOT of work for one person.

Darren was so patient in letting the girls "help" him build. Brynn really got into it and wanted to be out with Darren any chance she could. In fact there were a few times that she came in handy. For example, addind all the washers to the screws in the right order. After I would show her how to do it she refused to let me help.
Double checking the directions.

After the whole structure was built we purchased sod since the ground was dirt. Oliver jumped in Darren's truck as soon as the door opened in the back yard and did not get out of it for 3 hours. Thankfully for Ollie we needed a few more rolls of sod so he actually got to go for a ride after waiting for what seemed like a lifetime in the sweltering heat. Silly boy!!

Unfortunately we didn't realize we couldn't use the set for a full three weeks after laying the sod to make sure the roots fully took. It sure was hard for one girl in particular to look but not touch the playset we had talked about for almost a year. We are all really happy with how it turned out and use it every opportunity we can! Thanks, Daddy, for all your hard work!!

Fourth of July

Our good friends, the Eckhoffs, threw a fantastic Fourth of July party again this year! They are fabulous hosts and kept everyone well entertained well into the evening.

The kids' table...and Jeremy talking to the kids about not doing drugs...
Daddy and his mini me.

An attempt a getting a good (I'd even go with decent) family photo. We'll keep trying!

My two very favorite ladies in the whole wide world!!

Sisterly love.

The annual flag cake made by two of the Asleson girls. DELICIOUS!

Beaner sneaking cake. BTW she loved the jello cake (who doesn't?).

Peyton and Brynn rather nervously waiting for the fire works show to start.

Brynn was a trooper this year and really enjoyed the fire works show put on by Jeremy and his neighbors.

Emily and sweet Evan

The girls enjoying the light up bracelets

And last but not least a quick bath before bed!

Thanks, Eckhoffs, for a very enjoyable day/evening celebrating our independence!

Nothing says summer...

...like the ice cream truck! The Asleson girls are very lucky that the ice cream truck frequents our neighborhood almost every day (sometimes even twice a day) and one girl in our house has sonic hearing and can hear it coming from miles away, and there's no talking her out of it. Fortunately she doesn't connect the ice cream truck with ice cream and chooses some sort of cheap popsicle every time. Even Cara gets to share a popsicle with me. We LOVE summer!

Brynn and Chloe chasing down the ice cream truck. Notice the stroller Brynn just had to bring. As many of you know she is quite "coordinated" so this was a sight to be seen watching her chase down the truck while attempting to run with a stroller. She's always good for a laugh!
Darren doesn't go any where without his pussy cat in pajamas!