Here's what we've been up to for June and the beginning of July- this is a very long and picture-heavy post, so get ready!
Gramma and Poppa came and stayed with the boys since I had to return to school for the last week. It was very comforting knowing the boys were in good hands while I was away.
Cousin Will turned 2! He had a very fun bug-themed birthday party. Tucker still loves wearing his fun bug-catcher hat!
After Will's party, we headed up north to my parent's place to help them get their house ready and do yard work (my dad broke his foot and was on crutches so they needed a little extra help this year):
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| Tucker liked looking for birds |
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| And helping Gramma with the wheelbarrow |
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| Of course we found time to relax as well! |
Hanging out at home:
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Jared and Tucker tested out our new tent by sleeping in the backyard
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| Tucker loved it! |
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| Stompin around in the yard in boots and pj's- a common occurrence around here. |
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| Summer means lots of ICE CREAM! |
One of our favorite Saturday morning activities is walking down to the Farmer's Market. Appleton has a huge market. It's about a 2 mile walk down to it and the boys have done great riding in the stroller and enjoying yummy treats while we're there.
Going to the beach!
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| Tucker and Jared making a sand castle at Plamann- one of our favorite local spots to swim. |
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| We also love going over to Point Beach (Lake Michigan) with the cousins and Grammy! |
Playing in the basement:
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| The playroom's newest addition- a blackboard/whiteboard/feltboard combo made by Daddy |
Swimming at Grammy and Pappa Gary's pool with the cousins:
Fun at the farm! There's a free little farm near us. They have pigs, goats, calves, a donkey and bunnies. It's perfect for Tucker.
The last week of June was really fun and eventful. It started with a visit from one of my best friends, Emily. She flew from Colorado to see us. We had so much fun together! We spent a few days in Appleton with the boys:
Ems, Tate and I then went down to Chicago for Jess's baby shower: (Tucker stayed home with Daddy)
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| Friends for almost 30 years! |
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| My mom helped host Jess's shower |
Ems and I spent the day after the shower hitting up some of our favorite Western Springs hot spots:
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| Starbucks |
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| Kirschbaums (of course!) |
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| Portillo's picnic in the car on the way to the airport |
Tate and I stayed another night so we could hang out with Jess a little more:
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| The soon-to-be Momma- such a natural already! |
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| Jess and I also got together with Erin and Sarah (2 h.s. friends). Here's Tate with Callie, Erin's baby. They were so stinkin' cute together! |
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Tucker was happy to eat the smiley face cookie I brought back for him!
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June 25th another nephew was born! Meet Maxwell James Peterson! He's such a sweetie- adorable and is the 6th boy and 7th grandchild on the Stanley side. He's going to have to lots of fun with all of his crazy cousins.
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| Baby #3 for the Petersons! |
June 30th, my brother came from Seattle! It was so fun having him here. My parents picked him up in Milwaukee then everyone came back to our house for dinner and to spend the night. We then headed up to Minocqua for the week.
We had to make a stop at Poppa's farm of course. Uncle Donnie hadn't seen it yet:
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| Lunch in Wausau, we took our time driving |
In Minocqua:
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| Tate was loving using Gramma's exersaucer |
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| Poppa, the grill master! |
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| Playing with Uncle Donnie |
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| Learning to golf |
We went to Minocqua for the 4th and for a family reunion, but before that and before everyone else got there, we celebrated my parents' birthdays with a special gift from Donnie and I. We had sent letters/emails to friends and family of my parents asking them to write letters/memories or send pictures so we could compile a book for them. We ended up getting over 50 responses and were able to put it all together in a book. They were beyond surprised and overwhelmed by all the notes- lots of tears were shed by everyone!
My brother owns an espresso machine repair shop in Seattle so he gets machines a lot that people don't want anymore. Lucky for me, he refurbished this bad boy and I got to keep it! He had it sent to my parent's house so we could learn how to use it. Now it's sitting on my counter and I make a latte or americano pretty much every day (no more Starbucks for me!):
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| Tate likes lattes too! |
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| Beach time in Minocqua |
My mom's family started showing up on the 4th- we had a fun dinner out in Minocqua followed up by the Min-aquabats waterski show:
The family stayed in this nice hotel/resort down the road from my parent's so we also enjoyed swimming at the water park there:
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| Superman Tucker sporting his new bro tank and 4th of July swim trunks |
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| We watched the fireworks from the truck-the mosquitoes were horrible! |
We also went to the wildlife park in Minocqua- it was such a fun place and Tucker loved seeing all the animals up close:
All the cousins together on the 4th:
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| Tucker loved spending time with Uncle Donnie and Uncle Jeremy |
Everyone left after the 4th and Jared went back home to go to YoungLife camp, but I stayed with the boys for a few more days.
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| One of Tucker's favorite things- playing at Poppa's desk |
Driving back home with Gramma:
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| Pit stop along the way |
The boys were so happy to be home:
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| Baths are even better with your little brother! |
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| Making dinner with Gramma |
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| Happy to be home and hopping again! |
