We started week 4 out with a hike to the falls. We know that this is a beautiful spot that might not be here much longer. They need to do work on the dam and that means they will have to drain the falls. I made it a goal to get out there before that happens. The boys love walking around in the falls.
Our hike was made better by going with friends.
We stopped for a little snack.
Spencer was making art and trying to sell it! He's a little entrepreneur. He's been working on making ninja stars.
We watched Matt's (who is the manager at St. Croix Sports) little boy Parker so he could go to a meeting. See I could totally handle 4 boys!
Spencer makes a good big brother.
I took the boys strawberry picking for the first time. I think I enjoyed it more then they did.
Spencer and Easton enjoyed picking them and looking for the biggest strawberry.
While Nolan just ate the ones he picked.
The lady that works there taught the story about the King Strawberry to the kids.
Spencer finally wanted to get his hair cut….
Only the first girl messed it up so we had to go in and get it fixed. This girl offered to wash his hair. He thought that was fun.
Easton's working on applying his own sunscreen.
Ryan took the boys to the Hudson Booster Days carnival.
Spencer was feeling brave and went on this crazy ride!
Here he is upside down.
When you go to the carnival you have to have corn dogs for dinner!
The boys had fun and they think the carnival should be there year round.
Our baby birds are finally full grown and they've left the nest. It was fun watching them grow but I won't miss having them there.
Our neighbors Chris and Amanda and their annual 4th of July BBQ before the Hudson fireworks.
Its a great night with neighbors and friends. Here's all the lovely ladies from the party.
One of our neighbor boys is really good at performing magic so he put on a magic show for everyone. It was great.
After the party we went downtown for the fireworks.
The kids have fun running around and doing sparklers before the show started.
St. Croix Sports was represented in the annual 4th of July Booster Days parade in downtown Hudson. The kids look forward to throwing out candy. Ryan said the streets were packed with people this year more then any other year.
We celebrated with family and friends.
Grandma Nancy came for the party.
Nolan was excited to open his gifts and his best friend Jake was there to help.
This kids did lots of swimming...
Tubing….
and water skiing.
It was a great day to be on the water.
I'm happy to say all 3 boys can water ski with the training skis.
Here is a glimpse at the great firework show that Grandpa puts on…
We took the littles to the Eau Claire Air Show to see the Blue Angels.
Spencer wanted to take a picture with my camera. Too bad I have a white speck of dust or something inside my camera lens!
The kids were excited to see and be able to get in some of the planes.
They also tested their strength with pull ups.
They crossed the rope bridge..
Went in some Army tanks. (Don't mind the creepy guy in the picture)
We watched as a parachute guy came down with the American Flag.
This is one of the reasons why I hate being in crowds with our kids. It's a constant head counting game. It does help to have them all dressed a like.
Spencer attempted more pull ups.
We are thankful Grandma and Grandpa got us tickets in a tented area as it was HOT! We got to the air show really really early and had a lot of time to kill.
They gave sky jumpers high fives.
They were still waiting for the blue angels.
We saw a plane land on a truck.
They waited and waited…..
More waiting….
Finally it was time...
and they lost focus.
I still enjoyed the show. I'm guessing if we ever go again we won't be going that early. Instead we will go right before the show!
Josie is learning to like the water. She's been pretty nervous to go in almost acting like she doesn't know what to do. I'm guessing by the end of the summer though we won't be able to get her out of the water. Ryan has been working with her and getting her comfortable fetching a tennis ball and being in the water. She's liking it more and more each time.
We cooled off after the air show with some tubing.
Spencer looking board because Easton asked for a slower ride.
Even Josie got to go on the boat this time.
Seriously Spencer comes up with some crazy ideas.
But Ryan was right there to encourage him. Here they were going to get Spencer on Ryan's shoulders!
Josie like riding on the boat and did really well. Zoey used to like riding up front also.
Baseball and T-ball finally wrapped up this past week. The boys enjoyed playing but I'm ready to have 4 nights of our week back.
Nolan and Jake are a little confused about where the game is being played.
Grandpa surprised Easton and came to his last game.
Here are some signs that Nolan is growing up….
Working on riding without training wheels.
He's also mastered the monkey bars.
Week 5 went to the beach...
We also went to the pool.
I realized this trip how much my life has changed from 3 years ago. Even going to the pool was a lot of work. Getting everyone's swim suits on with swim diapers. By the time I would get their sunscreen on they would be blowing the whistle for the water break. We would maybe last an hour or 2 at the most. This year the kids were pretty independent. Easton and Spencer could do the diving board and water slides. They are great swimmers. Nolan was happy and content playing the shallow end. I finally feel like I'm moving out of the constant busyness of the toddler phase. Don't get me wrong they are still a lot of work!
Our good friends Sarah and Steve had birthdays this week. So we had a red/white and blue birthday party for them.
Meet Sarah. She is my friend from NYC. Sarah also has a pet pig. Sarah asked me awhile back if I would watch little Olive when they when back for their visit.
Well here's Olive…. She's with us for 2 weeks. This should be interesting!
At first they liked each other….
Now Olive isn't sure what to think, and neither does Josie
This is what Olive does 75% of the day.
I brought her with me back to Eau Claire.
I had my 15 year class reunion and this is the only picture I took! This is my friend Laurie and we've known each other since we were little kids.
We also had our family reunion this weekend at my parent's. These are the only 2 pictures I took…
Hadley and Nolan want you to think they are all sweet and innocent...
But they have a crazy side. Or at least Nolan does.
Nolan I can't believe you will be 4 this week. You seriously are the cutest little boy!
He likes helping me fold..
He loves Paw Patrol...
Never a dull moment. Here he's wearing grandpa's boots
But it can be tiring to be that cute!
