Besties

 I got to visit my best friend Lindzy in Iowa this past week! Boy was it fun!  We have so much fun together, just hanging out and our kids have fun together too!  Ela had her first day of 1st grade so we got to hear all about it. Addy and the boys can pass at triplets and little Drew Man was just along for the ride.  What a sweet and perfect baby!  We played a lot with Handy Manny tools, which Chase and Owen had to take to bed with them, went to the park, went to Menard's to play on their play equipment and had great meals.

I also got to catch up with my other good friend from college, Raneen.  Lindzy and Raneen are best friends from high school, I met Raneen the first day of college (she lived a few doors down from me) and met Lindzy through Raneen.  Lindzy and I joined the same sorority and we all were friends.  We had some crazy fun times together and still love to get together. Raneen has 3 kids, one of which is the same age as C&O&A. 

 Baby Drew

 Buddies!

 Chase playing with the Handy Manny Tool Set

 My long haired boy

 Owen showing me his Handy Manny tools.

 Ela home from school acting very silly (you're so funny Ela!)

 The kids on the last day-Owen, Addy, Ela and Chase

 Addy, Chase, Kate, Owen-all born within 12 weeks of each other.  The boys on July 1, Addy on August 10 and Kate on September 26th. 

I love this shot-it's like Addy and Owen have a secret they are laughing about.

Every time I leave I'm sad I forgot to get a picture of Lindzy and I.  What was I thinking?

Owen's Coloring

Owen did some great coloring the other day!  Check it out!  He mostly stayed in the lines and I was so proud of him. He really took his time and was very steady (using his right hand Mom).  This is the first attempt he's really made at coloring in an entire object.  I guess as long as it's a car he'll do anything.

ZOO

Two weekends ago we went to the MN zoo and had a great time!  It was perfect weather-overcast, chilly for a MN summer day, and early (9:00 a.m.).  We had so much fun watching the animals and running around.  Cousins Sophie and Gavin showed up too and we had fun running and playing with them too.

 

Looking at the penguin exhibit.

 

The turtle family

 

The Russian bears we saw were amazing! Never before have I seen bears this close or this active.  The two bears you see in the background were playing, biting, rolling around in the water and were just amazing.  We were right in front of the glass and several times one of them was slammed up right onto it in front of us.  Surprisingly the boys were not at all scared.  I was holding Owen and his body was not tense at all, which it normally is when he is scared.  We watched for about 10 minutes in awe.

 

Chasey at the dolphin show

 

Owen giving me a sideways smile

Mommy and boys at the Dr. Seuss exhibit

 

Daddy and his Chase

 

Mommy and her Owen on the tractor ride to the farm

Chase tentatively touches the goat in the goat yard.

Owens pets the goat too.

They were having a farm festival with all sorts of tractors, face painting, music, food, etc.  Owen got a pink piggy painted on his face and Chase got a chick.

 

Owen takes interest in driving the old John Deere tractor

This tractor had a cool little seat for kids.  Chase and Owen too turns sitting in it and felt like kings.  Chase drove the tractor in this pic.

Chase drives the big tractor.

Chase liked the little seat a lot!

The most funny part of the day was watching the boys dance to a band that played children's music.  It was like we had taught them to perform.  They were both just hams, moving their arms, freezing in the last position they were in when the music stopped and making funny faces.  We laughed and laughed and all the parents thought they were good dancers.

Owen dances and Chase looks down at his feet.

 

Chase does the "chicken arm"

 

Owen busts a move

Owen spent some time in this pose along with another little girl

Owen and Sophie at lunch laughing.

 

The Three Musketeers being their usual goofy selves.

 

Doesn't it look like Chase has a girl friend? He looks so proud to have his arm around Sophie, who looks not so interested.

I caught the 3 of them playing in the ATM booth.

 

Daddy finished off the day with a special treat! Owen loves it!

 

Chase eagerly looks at his treat.

Our First Trip to the Dentist

 Chase and Owen had their first visit to the dentist on August 5th.  It was supposed to be our only trip of the day, but due to a rescheduled swimming lesson, we also had that in the morning. I was worried.  I was worried they would be over tired and would just cry.  Once again, they amazed me.  My boys are so great!  Not trying to brag, but I was so proud.  Whenever I doubt they always surprise me.  Of course the dental hygienists and dentist were fabulous, so that helped!  They got to look at all the tools, touch them, pick their tooth brush and get to know the place. Then they climbed right up into their chairs, laid down and opened their mouths like they had done this many times before!  No tears, no complaining, just perfect little boys.  They cleaned their teeth, flossed, applied fluoride and counted.  The boys have nice teeth, a little close together, which means crowding in the future, and nice bites.

 

Chase lays so still and gets the toothpaste sucked out. 

 Owen did not want to wear the sunglasses to keep the light out of his eyes-oh well.  He lays still and was very compliant without them. 

 Big AHHHHHH

 Chase looks so cute and ready to go!  Love the glasses!  Look at him hold on to his toothbrush!

 Once again, Owen clings to his toothbrush and look at him! So big!  He loved the suction machine!

 Chase

Chase getting his teeth flossed. They looked soooo little in the big big chairs.