Prancer

It's been a hectic week here trying to get every last bit of fun and visiting out of our trip. I don't have time to work on my recaps right now (thank God, right?) and I'm not sure how much blogging I'm going to get done until I get back to FL.

Anywhoo, I thought you'd like to see this awesome horsey we got for Rylee... for free! It was outside on someones lawn with a free sign on it. We were ecstatic! Oh and Rylee likes her too. :)

Introducing Prancer...




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MN Recap Week 8 - Part 1

Tues Jul 13: went to Paul Bunyan with Grandma Sandy & Grandpa Chip, Auntie Laurie & Uncle Anthony, and the cousins

This was Rylee's second visit to see Paul and Babe this summer. The park was a lot busier and Rylee had people to buddy up with so she really enjoyed the rides this time. She rode all kinds of rides, but this was her favorite (even beating out the carousel for the first time ever).

All smiles with Maddie:

 

On the lookout with Ben:

 

Burnin' rubber with Nick:

 

She also liked the boat ride (for those of you who are familiar) and that was definitely Ben's favorite. She needed an adult to ride with her on that so I went a couple of times and then Grandma Sandy (after I decided the constant round and round was making me dizzy!). She was too short for the airplane ride. Just wait until next year! :)

MN Recap Week 7

*I think these pics were actually from Laurie's birthday, but I forgot to post.

The four kids were watching Grandpa Chip who was setting up the sparklers and fireworks. Don't they look enthralled?!

 

Flying a kite with Daddy!

 

Tues Jul 6: spent the day swimming at Polich's (my cousin Lilly too), Big Grandpa Bob visit, July 4th photo shoot (you've already seen the results of that!), Rylee had her 1st S'more (and loved it of course!)

Picnicking with Ben...

 

 

Wed Jul 7: Jon and Rio flew back to FL :(
we spent the day at Pelican Beach with my cousins, Lisa and Julie, and their kiddos

Thurs Jul 8: park play and pool play at Gaga and Papa's (they rigged up the slide so Rylee could slide down into the pool - FUN!)

Fri Jul 9: more park play, Mommy and Papa took Rylee to the Aitkin County Fair
She enjoyed the rides (she's not afraid of heights, she loved the Ferris Wheel - whee!), the animals and the food. She had her 1st mini donut when she stole a bite of mine - sneaky!

Sat Jul 10: Papa babysat Rylee so my Mom and I could run errands in Brainerd, Mommy and Rylee had dinner solo since my parents went out with friends, pals Greg & Sara came over after Rylee went to bed for an Avatar movie night

Sun Jul 11: attended Molly's 2nd birthday/ pool party (very common in FL, not so much in northern MN!)

Mon Jul 12: played with the cousins, Ginny took us for a pontoon ride on Serpent Lake

July 4th Photo Shoot

So I mentioned we're always on the hunt for a great photo of all four cousins. A couple of days after the 4th, we staged our traditional summer photo shoot. It's always a challenge, but we usually end up with a couple of cute pics in the end. Here are my faves from this year.

Hugging on the rock wall:

 

Preparing for an all-cousin bobsled team:

 

Stepping up youngest to oldest:

 

Finally finished and eating S'mores (we find bribery works best in photo endeavors!).

 

July 4th Recap - Picnics

After the parade, it's picnic time. For many years, my parents have been hosting a picnic for the Rinde and Mooers clan. They say this was the last year... we'll see. Not that it won't be fun to head over to the Beer Gardens in the park. We missed it this year (along with the street dances - we were too tired... and lame apparently!).

Here's a pic with some of the Mooers crew:

 

Later in the afternoon, we head out to Polich's to finish out the day. Jon's cousin's, Jenny & Audrey, are always there. Love them!

 

We always try to get great shots with all the kids, but they usually turn out more like this...

 

When it's all said and done, everyone's tuckered out. Here's Rylee catching some rest on a flipped over lawn chair. Don't judge, when you're tired, you're tired! :)

 

Rylee was indeed too tuckered out to watch the fireworks. Jon and the Polich crew went out on Serpent lake and watched the spectacular show (it's Crosby's centennial this year so it was a big event). I sacrificed and went home to put Ryleekins to bed. Papa went out to the cabin to watch my Uncle Howard's fireworks display (an impressive one that had people on the other side of the Agate Lake cheering). My Mom, Sara and I watched the Crosby show from the deck. You can see everything but the really low ones and amazingly Rylee didn't even wake up from all the booming. All in all, it was another great 4th of July!

July 4th Recap - Parade

We love the 4th of July Crosby-style. We watch the parade in front of my Dad's office building. We have a great crew that comes and watches with us and a perfect view of all the action. It's also early on in the parade route so the performances are fresher and the candy is bountiful!

Rylee was much more interested in the parade this year though she thought the line of emergency vehicles (from at least 4 surrounding towns) was a little long... and a little "too loud!"

 

She loved all the music and bands (she shook her booty quite a bit) and even caught a beaded necklace.

 

But her favorite part was the "candy, candy, candy, candy, candy" (Rylee can say it just like Garfield in Garfield's Halloween).

 

A post-parade pic of the four cousins:

 

Forgot a First

I'm sure you've been skimming my recaps (I understand!) so you may have missed the story where Rylee cracked her head against the pavement while we were out at lunch. She got a little bump and cut so I know it hurt.

Anyway, we scooped her up and ran her around the side of the building (we had been eating on the patio) so we could calm her down. Between the crying and the mouth full of lunch, she ended up yaking in the bushes.

So Rylee had her first puke outside a bar! We can only hope that it is also her last. :)

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MN Recap Week 6

Tues Jun 29: More firsts for Miss Rylee - 1st haircut, 1st ice cream cone, a playdate with her new friend Tellie, and since Gaga and Papa had a rare night out, Rylee and I spent the evening with "Auntie" Sara

I couldn't resist posting this pic of Rylee enjoying her first ice cream cone. Breyer's Lactose-Free Vanilla is quite yummy apparently! :)

 

Wed Jun 30: park play, Auntie Sara came over to watch New Moon (in preparation for our Eclipse viewing the next night!), Jon and Rio arrived!!!!!

Thurs Jul 1: Rylee was so happy to see her Daddy (and her doggy)!, spent the day with the Polich clan, Mom and I snuck out for a girl's night with Sara: dinner and Eclipse (loved it!)

Fri Jul 2: Gaga, Papa, Jon, Rylee and myself attempted a pontoon ride but after my Mom was stung by a bee and others were swarming out of the steering column on the boat, we cut our trip short and raced to shore!

Here's a pic before the swarm. :)

 

After the excitement, we had a picnic and Rylee ate her 1st corn dog. This was the least disturbing photo... :)

 

We also managed to sneak in a visit with Big Grandpa Bob and Grandma Sandy's birthday dinner that night!

Sat Jul 3: met former Bemidjians/Floridians Kyle and Jody and their daughter, Valerie, for lunch in Crosslake, Rylee sustained a mild head injury while there but she was a pretty good trooper about it, then back to the Polich's for Auntie Laurie's birthday

Sun Jul 4: too much stuff for one post, I'll skip over that day and do the 4th separately

Mon Jul 5: a visit with Jeannette Smith, a bee-free pontoon ride with the my Uncle's family (Jon was with his folks and Rylee was home napping), we got crazy and jumped off the pontoon in the middle of the lake... in our clothes... getting back up without a ladder was hysterical... I thought I might drown from laughing, a big fish fry dinner at the cabin with everyone

Jon must have gone on the boat at some point too as here's a cute pic of him and my cousin, Lilly (or his "daughter" as we tease)

 

MN Recap Week 5

Tues Jun 22: another fun day with the cousins, a visit with Big Grandpa Bob who was unfortunately in the hospital, dinner with the Polich crew and an evening boat ride on Serpent Lake

Wed Jun 23: story hour at the library with the cousins (I think there was a music man that day), then we all went up to the hospital to visit Grandma Sandy during chemo (Big Grandpa Bob had checked out)
That night was a combo Father's Day/ birthday treat (for my Dad/and Greg respectively): Rafferty's pizza and movie night (Gaga sacrificed and babysat Rylee)

Thurs Jun 24: some park play, then my Mom and I had a Rylee-free night with my friend, Chelsie, & her mom, Linda - I'm not sure when I've laughed that hard!

Fri Jun 25: played with the cousins in the morning, Papa took off work early so he could take his girls shopping in Crosslake (barbie doll clothes!) & eat delicious nachos at Zorbaz

Sat Jun 26: my cousin Kyle's graduation party

Sun Jun 27: more park play, an afternoon bbq with the Johnston's (our neighbors, best pals and longtime vacation buddies when I was growing up)

Too bad their sons Ted & Dave weren't there, otherwise this would have the been the whole gang (minus me - I need to figure out the timer on my camera!)

 

Mon Jun 28: Rylee's 1st ever potty in the potty chair!

We had to sit awhile to get it, hence the breakfast and books. :)

 

played with the cousins, played at the park, put Rylee to bed early so my Mom, Dad and I could have a fire and make s'mores (shocking that it took us so long to get to this activity!)

MN Recap Week 4

Tues 6-15: Rylee's 1st ever shower (don't worry we didn't retire the white trash bath entirely, but it's nice to have options!)
spent a rainy day shopping at Ruttger's, Gaga and I had a Rylee-free night out with Heather (Rylee's Godmother) and Penney (my second Mom). Boy did we need a night out by then...no offense Rylee - it was week 4!

Wed 6-16: Rylee's 1st ever storyhour visit at our local library, pontoon ride*, night walk with Sara, followed by Dairy Queen visit with Sara and Greg (nothing says summer like hitting the DQ)
*This was also the day of the car chase that ended with a splash in Agate Lake!

Thurs 6-17: spent the day with Chelsie (one of my best friends from high school) and her 3 boys, spent the night in the back of the office due to tornado warnings

*Last summer I posted pics with Chelsie's two older boys so this year I had to get a shot of Rylee and Baby Louie...

 

Fri 6-18: played at the parks, watched the car being pulled from the lake!

Sat 6-19: another visit with Great-Grandma Signe, wasted an entire evening trying to post Rylee's Father's Day video on the blog with no success (this still burns me!)

Sun 6-20: Father's Day breakfast, park play and backyard bbq with Papa (arrival of Auntie Laurie and cousins Nick, Maddie & Ben)

Mon 6-21: played with "the cousins!"

 

 

I couldn't resist posting this pic as well. It cracked me up when I saw it on the fridge at my in-laws house. The 4 kids pretty much cover all the bases when it comes to food allergies! :)

 

MN Recap Week 3

*I think this was the week where we started getting the crappy weather... which continued for another two weeks. I remember the news anchor saying we hadn't had sun in 14 of 15 days!*

Tues 6-8: Rylee was sick with a fever and cold-like symptoms

Wed 6-9: another sick day, cancelled plans with Grandma Sandy and Grandpa Chip

Thurs 6-10: visited with my cousin, Suzie, and her new baby, Lexi
Rylee's 1st ever Rafferty's pizza (that they nicely baked with her lactose-free cheese)

Fri 6-11: played at the Brainerd Mall for lack of anything better to do
Rylee's 1st ever Taco Bell kids meal (again with her cheese)

Sat 6-12: another mall visit, Gaga and Papa bought Rylee a small slide so she could play inside (they must have known the weather was going to stay crappy!)

Handy Rylee even helped put it together.

 

Kissing the hammer for a job well done! :)

 

Sun 6-13: drizzly park play, visited with friends Ginny & Tom, helped my parents clean and reorganize their office...earned a check in the good daughter column :)

Mon 6-14: more drizzly park play, visited with friends Sharon & Greg

Fashion Show

Today we drove to Mpls for my cousin's wedding renewal and reception. I took some nice photos with my real camera, but it'll be a while before those get uploaded.

I did take some grainy cell phone pics of Rylee's fashion show last night when she was trying to decide what to wear.

I missed the first outfit which was an adorable Hello Kitty set in hot pink with the cutest ruffled shrug and skirt. Too bad!

This was option #2...




This dress turned out to be the winner. She loved twirling and swishing it around.




She also tried on her new Vikings jersey. I'm pretty sure she was saying, "Please come back Favre!" in this shot.



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MN Recap Week 2

Tues 6-1: family visit day - Big Grandpa Bob, Grandma Sandy & Grandpa Chip, and Great-Grandma Signe

Wed 6-2: played at three local parks to assess their pros and cons!

Thurs 6-3: more bounce house fun, spaghetti dinner with Grandma Sandy

Fri 6-4: drove to Fargo for a friend's wedding, conned Gaga into coming so she could babysit Rylee during the later part of the reception, visited with old college buddies!
*1st time Rylee and I have slept in a room together since she was 1 month old and I moved her into her nursery

Sat 6-5: drove back from Fargo :)

Sun 6-6: Rylee's 1st ever Paul Bunyan visit (with Gaga and Papa)

Mon 6-7: spent the day at my cousin Lisa's farm and then visited Big Grandpa Bob on his 89th birthday

MN Recap Week 1

I've been keeping a highlight log of our MN Vacation 2010. Since I'm probably the only person who thinks this information is entertaining, you have my permission to skim... and/or just look at the pictures (which is what you do already, right?!). Actually, these first few recaps might not have photos in them since I was doing a better job of staying on top of things in the beginning of our trip. I really just want to get caught up so I can start posting the new pics from the 4th of July and so on... :)

Assumptions: Rylee and I have been staying with my parents (Gaga and Papa) so most down time, dinners and evenings are spent with them. I haven't written this into the log. All activities include Rylee (unless otherwise noted), I'm just too lazy to write "Rylee and I" every time. :)

Tues 5-25: horrendous day of travel (delays, cranky baby, you get the picture)

Wed 5-26: unpacking and organizing day

Thurs 5-27: picnic with "Auntie" Sara (childhood bestie, college roommate & maid of honor)

Fri 5-28: visit with Big Grandpa Bob, Grandma Sandy & Grandpa Chip

Sat 5-29: Rylee played with her new bounce house (from Gaga and Papa), took an Agate Lake pontoon ride and visited with my "brother" Greg (when you're an only child you get to hand pick your siblings)

Sun 5-30: Mooers family picnic at Agate Lake

Mon 5-31: another family day at the lake (an emotional day since we removed my grandparent's resort sign from the property after nearly 65 years)

No Interest...

...in blogging right now. All I really want is to recap some of the trip and get some photos up, but... I'll spare you my continued complaining about my lack of Internet access. :)

I did snap a cell phone pic of Rylee enjoying her post-nap milk so that will have to suffice.




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Good Intentions

I managed to get my photos loaded onto my computer, but I still haven't had Internet access to get them onto the blog... you know what they say about good intentions!

Our past couple of "bonus days" ( as Jon and I are calling them) have been fun: swimming at Pelican Beach with my cousins and their kids and a trip to the Aitkin County Fair.

Rylee loved the rides and the fair food. She would have devoured an entire foot long hotdog if I hadn't stopped her and even snuck a bite of my mini donut - oops! Even if she gets diarrhea tomorrow, I'm pretty sure she'll think it was worth it - they were yummy!

TGIF! Have a great weekend everyone!


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Change of Plans

Rylee and I had a great week with Jon and the rest of our families. I have tons of pictures and stories to tell, but I'll get to that later. Right now I need to update you on my travel plans... or lack there of?

Rylee and I were supposed to be on a flight back to FL with Jon this morning, but we've postponed our return trip until August!

We figured since Rylee is having a blast up here and we have several more family events that she and I could attend, why not stay. I love that I can say "we." Jon was the one who finally convinced me to stay.

He gets the husband and father of the year award definitely! I know he'll miss Rylee, but he wants her to spend time with every one up here too. (Plus, he seemed a little excited to get an extension on the month of Jon - I don't think he got to do all the fun things he wanted!)

So to my FL pals, I'll see you guys in another couple of weeks. I'm flying back with my Mom on Aug 4. To my blogger pals, I'll try to figure out a better way to post and read while I'm here. Hope all is well with everyone!

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Daddy's Girl

Rylee is sooo excited to have her Daddy back. She's been following him around in true Daddy's Girl fashion today. Too cute for words. :)

This pic is a blurred out cell phone shot, but I still love it. I asked Rylee to give her Daddy a kiss and Rio wanted to get in the middle too.

I call it: pucker up!



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