Summer 2016

I can't believe how fast this summer went by!  We filled up the weeks with constant activity!  Emmett had a ball and it was nice to stay busy.  I was pretty tired at first but Nora started sleeping more by about August.  I had lots of help from friends watching over Nora and letting Emmett play with the other kiddos. We went to the pool, made several zoo trips (Denver and Colorado Springs), went to Cheyenne Frontier Days for the rodeo, had our first carnival experience, also first round of stitches for Emmett:(, and rounded out the summer with a lake trip over Labor Day!  For having a newborn, we didn't take much downtown!I think it was a fantastic summer filled with fun and adventure!

Little Tiger on top of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs.

The kiddos showing off their face paint!

The train table won!  Emmett ended up with 3 stitches after jumping on my yoga mat and sliding into the train table edge.  Not pretty:(

Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo.  We went twice this past summer.  The first outing was a bit of a disaster!  There was a huge hail storm that rolled through at the end of the rodeo. There were reported tornadoes about a mile north of us.  We were under tables in the tent taking cover with security before they could move us into a safe building.  The kids were champs and we survived!

2nd round at the rodeo was a whole different experience

Hannah meeting Nora for the 1st time

The carnival was a fun event for the kids.  Kinda feel like I'm looking at 13 years in the making!

4th of July

As soon as we returned from Illinois, it was time for the 4th of July!!!  Looks like we are starting an annual deck party for the holiday.  We had so much fun this year with a slip n slide, corn on the cob, fireworks on the golf course, and tons of yummy goodies!  I just love our neighborhood!  We all enjoyed hanging out on the deck and watching the kids play in the yard before we walked up to the top of the golf course for the fireworks.  I'm pretty sure the adults and kids had an equally fun time!

We had a few blankets out for the cooler weather. 

Reese held Nora for most of the fireworks.  Barley is in the background with his thunder vest on.  He's my big scaredy cat;)

Nora's Newborn Photos

Before we left for Illinois, we had Nora's newborn photos done at our home.  We were trying to fit so many things in before leaving but we got it all done;)

Illinois Time

Mike and I decided it would help me out tremendously to stay with my parents the first 3 weeks of June.  We packed up the car at the last minute and drove back to Illinois over Memorial Day weekend.  Mike stayed for a few days and then flew back into Denver for work.  Mike's schedule of a week home and a week gone was daunting to face with a new baby in the house.  Mike would be off for 3 weeks at the end of June.  I didn't feel ready to face solo parenting until after his vacation time.  My parents graciously took us under their wings for most of June.  My mom was concerned that Emmett would be bored at their house and miss his friends.  I thought this would be a great adventure for my kiddo.  He would have to find things to do to entertain himself and learn a different way of life:)  He handled it like a pro! He loved being on the farm!  Everyday consisted of "baby" tractor rides (the lawn mower), playing with Oma and Opa's toys from my childhood, adjusting to a new sister, and helping my Dad out in the shed.  We went on a couple of overnight trips to Rockford, Crystal Lake, and Geneva to see family/friends.  Mike was able to fly in for one week and spend some time with us while we were at my parents house.  I think it was hard for Mike to miss out on those weeks with watching Nora grow and spending time with Emmett.  We all managed though and had a great time with my family.  I loved being back home and just having some extra helping hands!  Emmett was so sad when we left my Mom and Dad's house.  He really enjoyed his time in Dwight and I'm glad he got to experience some of my upbringing!

Baby Tractor rides

Barley wasn't complaining!  He loved being on the farm

Emmett had s'mores for the 1st time 

He loved them!

All of the Prindiville's came over to meet Nora

We spent Father's Day in Rockford with my Grandpa

Emmett and Grandpa spent a lot of time together while we were in town

My kiddos playing together

We all went out to eat for Mom and Dad's anniversary

Emmett loved the Children's Museum in Bloomington