Owen and Chase's Friend bday party

We had Chase and Owen's birthday party at our house on July 11th from 10-12.  We had a blast!  The boys wanted it at their house again, so all their friends could come over and play.  I can't believe how big they are now.  They have been wearing these birthday hats since they were 1 and I see Chase still has his blankey in this photo!

Hattie, Owen and Chase

7!!!  So excited!

Sweet twin brothers.  Such a blessing.

Mommy and her boys

Oh I love these two babes.

The friends!  Sully, Will, Ben, Chase, Mason, Owen, Freddie, Owen, Tysen, Owen, Aiden.

Jeff made a scavenger hunt for each boy.  Chase is reading the clue and then they all take off to find it.

Owen's excited about it being his turn.

Looking for clues

Eating lunch

Owen and Chase

Chase and Owen and their good friend Ben

Well, Chase, Owen

Trish's wedding

My dear friend Trish got married, which brought to town my other dear from Heidi!  We had a great weekend celebrating, catching up and having fun as friends.  Shannon is in the picture below too, she lives in Mpls so I get to see her more often.

On the Potty

I started potty training with Hattie in July but wasn't real consistent with it.  On days that I really helped her out, she did great. Then I would go back to a diaper because it was easier for me.  Here she is in July telling me to "Do".  Go!  She learned early on that she wants privacy, mostly because the boys always ask for privacy.

Hattie Poses

Looking for bugs in July

A teeny tiny bow atop her head.

My Conversation with Hattie

Oh this girl, I could just eat her up!  How sweet is she?  It's fun to talk and ask questions now as I can get a little information and she for sure knows (and has known for a long time) what I'm asking.

Bedtime for Hattie

Bedtime for Hattie lately has been interesting.  She's getting better about going to bed, but it can take her awhile to fall asleep.  We've had a 9:45 and a 10:30 bed time this past week.  I've been trying to put her to bed at 7:30 so she can get the much needed sleep a 2 year old needs.  She needs to have books, babies, bottles, pacis, her puppy, her blankeys, with her.  Last night she wanted diapers and wipes for her babies.  I heard a big thunk at one point and it was a picture that she had knocked off the wall.  She felt badly about it.

So, last night at 10:30 when I went to bed and checked on Hattie, this is what I found. I should have known this would happen.

 The wipes are all over the floor and in her crib

Hattie and all her "stuff".  Poor girl there is no room for her!

Snuggles and Kisses

Hattie loved to straddle me looked at my face bouncing up and down while laughing kissing rubbing her nose on mine, giving kisses and just hugging me. She puts her arms around my neck and snuggles her head into my neck. Best ever!

In the morning Hattie yells for Daddy.  She then bosses him around and she either wants to go downstairs and have " oney toat" (honey toast) or come in to snuggle with me in bed.  Jeff drops her off in bed and she giggles and smiles and gets under the covers as close to me as possible.  She smashes her cute little face up to mine and says, "Mommy" in a sweet drawn out way.  Then we giggle and cuddle and I kiss her irresistible cheeks.  She wiggles around and is just so dang cute. Then she growls which means she wants to watch "Daniel Tiger" on my phone, or play the monster app.

Camping in July with BFFs

In late July my two BFFs from college, Shannon and Lindzy, and our families headed to Clear Lake, IA for a camping trip.  We all camp, but hadn't done it together. We had a blast!  The kids loved it, we loved it and Hattie actually slept in the tent!  It was a win-win.  The first night we got there around dark.  We had time to set up the tent and check out the playground, before heading to the beach to see it.  We had a fire and played and then we were off to bed.  Hattie slept in her pack n play and the boys were between Jeff and I.  They couldn't fall asleep at first and Jeff and I were so tired!  Finally everyone passed out.  The next day they rode their scooters and bikes, Hattie drove her baby around in the stroller and played with the big kids, especially Ela and we went to the beach in the morning, which was great!  The kids had a blast. Hattie got to nap in the Bjork's airconditioned camper.  We headed to the pool after nap because it was so hot!  Again-super fun.  Kids were going off the high-dive, and Addy belly flopped. :(  We had a super fun taco dinner, smores and the kids crashed. 

 LOVE This shot!  Hattie's pig tails stick out the sides of her head and she's holding her doll or blanky.

 Chase, Abby, Ela, Owen, Addy, Isaac, Drew and Hattie

 Little Cheeks

 Owen wearing his glow necklaces from the night before-a huge hit on the bikes!

 Chase getting ready to scooter ride

 My campers

 No showers for us!

 The whole gang

Jeff and Owen-like father like son

 Hattie's favorite place to play

Hattie and Ela

Curly

Hattie has the best curly hair when it's humid and boy has it been humid!

I think she looks like my mom in this picture!  Plus My mom's eyes are always closed in pictures. :)