The August Bucket List....

The only thing that got me through the early mornings/late nights of June and July was my "August Bucket List!"  August has been a finely woven list of people we wanted to see and places we wanted to visit... at times both Brent and I have been EXHAUSTED and at other times in BLISS!  Our #1 goal for the month of August was to spend as much family time as we could while soaking up every moment of warm, sunny weather.  All too soon fall will be upon us and we will be back to work, school, clinical and the final chapter of this ridiculous grad school roller coaster we have been on! Here is a little snippet of "the bucket list!"  Don't worry I have 2 weeks left of break and plenty more to do:)

Playing at the Lake Elmo beach with Nicholas

Congrats to the Eversons on the new addition to their family!!!

Boat Ride with Ken!

A couple of weeks ago our neighbor Ken asked us if we would like to go out on his boat with him.  The boys love Ken and love to spend time with him.... they were so pumped to get to ride on Ken's boat!  We headed out to Afton to launch the boat on the St. Croix river!  Nathan and Benjamin were beyond excited for their fun night!

In heaven helping Ken drive the boat!

on a sand bar, pretending to fish.

Helping Ken steer the boat...

Ken let Nathan drive the boat "all by himself"

A DQ treat with the best brother on earth

Carver Lake Beach day with the Wiggins!

All three in the penalty box.... throwing sand

Cooking/baking with mommy!

Stringing alphabet blocks

Chalk self portraits

Look what daddy taught them....

A bonfire party at the Nohners

Helping uncle Matt break the old dresser down for the bonfire

Tim and Erica were in town so we had a little party

Lots of time with Auntie Grace

Nathan and Benjamin finally got to meet their Great Grandma Lou and Ken.  It was great to see them, Brent and I have not seen them since our wedding almost 5 years ago... we are so glad that they stopped for a visit on their way home to Chicago!

We had so much fun at Lake Elmo beach that we decided to bring daddy back and have a family date night complete with swimming, playing at the park and picnic dinner on the sand!  The boys thought it was hilarious to pretend to be sharks and to go get mommy.... a little too much Discovery "shark week!"  They simply love the sand and the water!

Nathan was sliding down the pole just like Fireman Sam!

These two... can't even imagine life without them...

Pirate Ben..."RRRRR"

St. Louis Park Splash Pad with Joe and Ellie!

Checking out the fountains!  

An early morning playdate with "etchan" (Gretchen) and Wyatt complete with breakfast... there are certain friends you simply couldn't live without! :)

A park date with the Scott family was long overdue! Nathan and Ben were fighting over who got to drive Gianna around in the car.... We played at the park and the "big boys" taught Nathan and Ben how to play lacrosse and how to long board!  My kids love hanging out with the older kids and learning all of their tricks.... we will be sending all the broken bone bills to the Scott's :)  

Big Nathan giving little Nathan a few skate board tips!

And so the journey continues....