Children's Museum with cousins

Evan loved touching the snake. Yuk!

Evan in the dog house.

Evan really enjoyed playing in the water. I love the little apron!

The kids had a ball in Clifford's room. Children are SO imaginative!!!

Evan's MJ tribute

For some odd reason, Evan thinks he HAS to wear one ratty gardening glove when he rides his bike. I call it a tribute to Michael Jackson!

Evan: 3 years..........Braden: 3 months

kOoZa

Last night, we went out for dinner to Christos in the Union Depot, and then to the Cirque Du Soleil show, Kooza. It was a VERY big night out for us (I even had a drink with dinner!!!). We decided to call it our anniversary celebration to justify spending money on ourselves like that! We had a fabulous time, and the show is worth every penny. Thank you to Ben's parents for watching our boys!

Braden sitting

Braden likes to sit upright in his new contraption with toys. It's kind of like a Bumbo chair.

soccer with friends

Evan, Easton, Teagan, and Reese play soccer together now for a few weeks this summer. Monday was their first lesson. It was a riot! First they played Duck Duck Grayduck (which they have never done before), then they dribbled the ball around...sort of. Evan is the only one sitting. I thinks he likes to observe a lot before participating!

Heckman summer party

Every summer, we have a lake party with all the Heckmans. This year it was on July 11, and the weather was awesome! Here is Braden with his new cousin Caden! They are about a month and a half apart. Caden is older.
Evan rode in the boat all day long.

I had to ask if climbing on the roof of the toy house is normal boy behavior. Apparently it is. Evan is not a typical boy, I guess.

Cousins Mason and Parker played with Evan on the deck. What a great day!

Evan's first Twins game

We took Evan and Kiana to see the Twins vs the Yankees on July 8. I don't know how much baseball watching Evan did, but he sure enjoyed all the snacks!

Grandma J's 60th birthday!

Grandma J took me, Evan, Braden, Kiana, and her friend, Heather to the Mall of America for her 60th birthday! How generous of her! Evan learned who Spongebob was that day. We ate lunch at the ever popular, Rainforest Cafe!

Evan's favorite ride was Diego's bus. I just love this ride face!

Thanks for the great day, Grandma J! Happy 60th birthday!

Braden: 3 months

Little B is already 3 months old! He is smiling all the time, his gas problem has gotten better, and he loves to stand up and hold on to my fingers. He is so much more alert than Evan was. He actually looks at books when I read them to him....and he even watches the TV! He still has his blue eyes (thank goodness!), and he coos to us now too.

First family road trip: 4th of July

For my favorite holiday, we headed up to Velva, North Dakota to celebrate with my mom's family. We had a fabulous time, and the car trip was A LOT better this year. I managed to keep my sanity!
During the long car ride, I realized that Braden was actually manipulating a toy in his hands on purpose! That's the first time I've seen him "playing" with something!

We drove half way up and stayed with my cousin, Jess, and her family in Fargo. She and Brian have three wonderful kids: Addison (3), Harper (4 months), and Alex (5).

Harper and Braden are three weeks apart. What cuties!

When we finally got to Velva, Evan met his new cousin, Adrian (Hannah's baby). He'll be 1 at the end of August. Evan loved playing with Jacob (2--Matt's baby) over the holiday too!

Braden was all smiles to be hanging out with Great Grandma Gerger!

We had our annual golf tournament on July 3rd. Mary actually golf ed for the first time in 20 years!!!! It was so much fun! My dad and I won the tournament!

My Auntie Kay and Uncle Larry were invited to be official judges of the 4th of July parade in town. I have no idea who actually won. The parade wasn't as good as the years past.

Evan started out with a grumpy attitude..........until he ate a piece of candy that was thrown to him!


For the first time in my memory, it totally down poured rain during the parade. That didn't stop Ben and Evan though!

Evan and Jacob got some major road rash on their knees over the weekend, so someone hooked them up with cut off socks to cover their knees for protection. How goofy looking!

It's so much more fun to go in the pool with clothes on, isn't it??!!




Evan's first time watching 4th of July fireworks at Velva City Park!

We had a great time on our first road trip as a family of four. We give a GIANT thank you to Jess and Brian, and Sandy and Tracy for hosting us during our trip. We are very grateful to have been able to spend time with you all!