On The Go...

Easton pefers to eat his hands when trying to feed him. This can get VERY messy!

Those eyes just melt my heart.

I will continue with where I left off last weekend........

After leaving Madison we drove to Milwaukee. We stopped on our way in to get a bite to eat. Spencer must have been going through a non eating phase as it seemed like we could hardly get him to eat anything.

Later we checked into the hotel and waited for the rest of Ryan's family to show up. Spencer was so excited to see Uncle JB and we made the mistake in telling him that he was going to see him before we even left EC and so just about every 5 minutes he would ask if we were going to see JB. Uncle JB and Spencer went swimming and then we all went out to dinner.

Back at the hotel the boys all played football. Uncle JB and Ryan were showing Spencer how not to behave when the football got stuck up in a tree. Luckily we were able to use the pool stick to get it out.

Sunday was a rough night in the hotel. First, we normally use the hotel's pack and play when we travel (its one less thing we need to pack) but when they brought in their roll away crib it looked like it was from a 1920's horror movie and I quickly said no way would Easton sleep in that. So I made a little bed for him on the floor with blankets and the sheet that I brought. Everyone was finally tucked in and ready to sleep but that's when Spencer started coughing. He had that nasty croupe cough all night long. It got to the point where he could hardly catch his breath or he would almost throw up. I think Easton was the only one who got a full night of sleep.

Monday I called around to see if there was a clinic I could run Spencer into to get his cough checked out. I wasn't getting much luck as most places just told me to bring him to an ER. I decided I would just wait and see how he did that day. His cough seemed to get a little better as the day when on. Spencer, Easton and I found a local park to play at while Ryan did some things with his dad at his grandma's.

Monday evening was Great Grandma's visitation. Ryan and I both agreed that it's the visitations that are always the hardest. Both boys were very well behaved and there were a lot of friends and family there who had never met them before. Unfortunately Great Grandma never got the chance to meet Easton but according to all of her friends she talked about them both often.

Tuesday morning we left bright and early as we had a 4.5 hour drive to Rib Lake where Ryan's Grandma would be burried. We stopped about 30 minutes before we got to Rib Lake to let Spencer run around and burn off some energy and we were able to feed Easton.

Ryan's Grandma loved Cousin Subs so in honor of her that's what we had for lunch.

As sad as it was to say good bye to Ryan's grandma we know she is in a better place. It was also gave us the chance to re-visit other family memebers that still live in Rib Lake that we haven't seen since our wedding. After the burial we put both boys in the car and within minutes they were asleep. We decided that we better take advantage of them sleeping and miss out on the lunch and get back on the road. Both boys slept the whole way home (another 2 hours).

About 20 miles from home our low fuel light came on in the car. I made the statement that I wish we could just get home cause I know if we stop for gas it will wake both boys up. Ryan then said "oh we will be able to make it the line isn't even on empty yet." Well just as we got off our exit the car started slow down and as you guessed we were out of gas one mile from our house. Luckily we don't live to far off the exit so while Ryan ran home to get the gas can, Spencer and I watched Toy Story in the back while feeding Easton. What a way to end our trip!

This weekend was Country Jam. Thanks to Krenzelok's for putting up with me for two very fun filled days. Also thanks to Mike and Suzie Twite as Kari and I got to try out VIP on Saturday. When Kari and I were coming out of the food area in VIP one of the performers (LoCash Cowboys) was running around VIP so we were able to get Kari's picture with him.

The boys hung out with Grandma and Grandpa Friday night. They went to dinner and once again we heard about how much Spencer LOVES fish and tarter sauce (Ryan and I both are not fish fans).

On Saturday morning we had Easton's 6 month pictures taken along with some family pictures. I can't wait to see how they turned out. At one point she even got in the water to get some close up ones of us on the dock. Hopefully I will be able to share some of the pictures with you next week.

Later Ryan headed home with Spencer. He's working on finishing our landscaping and thought Spencer would be able to help. Grandma offered to watch Easton so that he would be able to more done faster. It's not offten that Grandma and Grandpa get to spend some alone time with just Easton. They took him for a boat ride and they fed the ducks while out on the boat.

Both Ryan and I are looking forward to just being at home next weekend.

Weekend Away...

While Spencer brings toys to bed...

Easton falls asleep playing in his toys...

This is his Uncle Sam beard that they made at school...

Spencer has had a big obession with golf lately. He woke up one morning at 6:00 am asking to watch golf on TV. He's taken his golf set to bed everything night and even points out Tiger on TV. Also, instead of watching his nightly cartoons, Spencer and Ryan have been watching a recording of the 2010 US Open!

We’ve had a very busy week with lots of changes going on. Sometimes life takes those unexpected turns and let’s just say we’ve had a few of those this week.

I started my week by training at one of our hospitals. Our endoscopy center supplies the GI support for 3 of the major hospitals in the Minneapolis area. Basically that means as nurses we go to the hospitals with our Doctors to provide care for patients who are in the hospital or for whatever reason may need more assistance and monitoring that we can’t provide in our outpatient center. I think I’m really going to like the new challenge and change.

On Wednesday the boys and I headed to EC. While they hung out with Grandma I was off to the dentist and a hair appointment. Just as were thinking about heading back home some big storms rolled in so we hung out a little bit later then we planned. Grandma kept Spencer entertained with ice cream.

Thursday we went to the pool with some friends. Easton stayed back with Grandma. He had been running a little bit of a temp for a day and even though I think it might have been from the teeth he’s working on I just didn’t think he should be out in the warm weather. Spencer LOVED the water. I think he was the only one that wanted to be in the water. At first he just liked walking around in the water and then he discovered the little kids slide and when he got to the bottom of that slide he turned and saw the “big kid” slide and immediately wanted to go down. I on the other hand wasn’t so sure he would like it. Finally after listening to him whine for it I thought fine, I will let him go down once and he will realize he doesn’t like it and that will be that. Well I was wrong he loved it and went down it about 30 times. He was good at getting up to the top by himself so I just stood and waited at the bottom for him to come down. A few times he got pushed to the side by the bigger kids but for the most part he held his own. We had a great day and can’t wait to go back.

On the top of the slide....

Where did he go?

Unexpectedly on Thursday Ryan got a call from his dad letting us know that his grandma was in the hospital and not doing very well. He was on his way up here from Texas. A few hours after Ryan’s dad got here she passed away. Ryan was very close with his Grandma and even lived with her for awhile after high school while he played hockey in Milwaukee. It was a shock to us all and she will be greatly missed.
So with a quick change of plans we started packing for a weekend away. We started our trip by going to EC for Finley’s Handy Manny birthday party. Spencer had fun playing with all the kids and Easton enjoyed being held by everyone. We also got a surprise when Jake Dowell (who plays for the Chicago Blackhawks) stopped by for a visit. Spencer was excited to meet a hockey player and was just in aww of him. After the party we started on our drive to Madison.

Maddie on the left is just over 2 weeks, and Elle is on the right she is 6 days old. Aren't they the cutest!

The boys in their Handy Manny Hats.

Easton's face cracks me up in this picture.

First taste of cake.....

Meeting Jake...

We stayed in our usual hotel Saturday night. I was worried both boys were going to sleep in the car the whole way down and be wide awake when we got to the hotel. Spencer actually was awake most of the trip and so we were all pretty tired when we got there. Sunday morning Ryan’s sister Rachel along with Matt, Caden and their newest little one Noah joined us for swimming. Grandpa Ron and Grandma Nancy also stopped by for a quick hello before we were off again. I will fill you in on the rest of our weekend next week as we are currently on the road again for Ryan's Grandma's visitation and funeral.

Baby Noah...

Caden and Spencer breaking from swimming for a snack.....

Spencer just hanging out with his Handy Manny hat on.... don't most little boy's wear their Handy Manny hats to the pool?

Easton sound asleep while the big boys swim.