We're gonna Win Twins, We're gonna Score!

Except for they really didn't. The Twins actually played a pretty horrible game Sunday when we went but we had fun anyway! We bought tickets to the game for Gabe as his birthday present this year. They had never been to a major league game before so were super excited to go. We also found a good deal on a hotel so went up and stayed overnight. My parents graciously agreed to watch Ezra so we could go,Ezra definitely would not have enjoyed the game.

We headed up Saturday morning and made a quick stop at Cabelas on the way. The kids loved the animals.

 

After our stop we made our way to the mall in Roseville where we finally found the boys reasonably priced Twins shirts and ate some lunch. After lunch we went to Como Zoo and Park. It said on the website to park and ride the free shuttle because parking is limited and very busy. They were right! After discovering this for ourselves we parked and rode the flamingo shuttle to the drop off point by the Como Park Conservatory. The kids liked looking at all the plants and gardens.

After looking at the gardens the kids were ready to go see the animals! Unfortunately I think everyone in the state of Minnesota were going to see the animals that day as it was super, super busy. I didnt even really get pictures in the zoo part just because the opportunity never presented itself there were always too many people. After shaking the crowds a little we took this picture. All the people made us a little crazy:)

We rode the very crowded shuttle back to our van and decided to try our luck at Como Lake instead. We knew they had paddle boats to rent and Gabe had been dying to try them out. Fortunately the lake was MUCH less busy and we were able to rent a paddle boat and paddle around the lake.

Gabe and Ty rode on the back of the boat and Callie in the middle. Gabe really wanted a chance to pedal so we docked and I got off so Gabe could pedal. Ty of course really wanted to also but he is still a bit too short to reach so he settled for steering instead.

 

After a great time on the lake we went to check in to our hotel. We ate some supper late and then walked a LONG ways down to the river to watch fireworks(Minneapolis was celebrating aquatennial so they had them that night). We sat on a bridge and watched one of the best fireworks shows any of us has seen(and Carl and I have been in Washington, DC on the 4th). They were great. My camera doesnt do well in dark settings so no pictures, you'll just have to take our word for it. The kids were tired but did great walking a LONG way back to the hotel to crash. The next morning we went for brunch at Hell's Kitchen where we had the most awesome Lemon Ricotta hotcakes ever! Then we checked out and started heading to the game. We walked again and the kids wanted their pictures taken in front of various things. Ty and Callie wanted theirs in front of the fireplace in the hotel lobby.

 

Here they are at the "checkpoint" what they called this fountain near our hotel. I think they were just happy to see it each time we walked by because that meant we were close to our hotel.

Mustaches and funny faces in front of the planter.

They also wanted pictures on these bikes which turned out to be an omen. As we neared Target Field and saw several people selling tickets it occured to me to ask Carl if we had ours. The look on his face said it all and the kids and I went ahead to wait at the stadium while Carl trucked it back to the van to get the tickets out of his bag. He got them and then rode one of these lovely, green rental bikes back to meet us, so while I didnt get his picture on the bike you can see what he rode:)

While we were waiting for our tickets we took some pictures in Target Plaza.

When we got in the gates we finally found the pink Twins shirt Callie had been wanting! She also found a purple Twins hat that she used her money from Grandpa Tim to buy(the boys got throwback batting helmets). We got the kids some lunch(ballpark food prices never cease to amaze me) and found our seats.

That Sunday was kids day at the park so after the game the kids got to go on the field to run the bases. They were pretty excited! It was hot down on the field! Here we are making our way around the warning track, we had very strict reminders not to step on the grass.

There goes Ty(#7 jersey) starting out at first base with Gabe and Callie coming behind him.

 

Coming home!

And the accomplished base runners as we were leaving the field. They decided those bases were much further apart than their little league bases and the field much bigger :)

 

After this we walked back to our van and headed for home. We had a couple tired little base runners.

 

And one who said he wasnt tired but I'm pretty sure he was at least a little tired.

We had a great weekend and are hoping to get up to another Twins game sometime soon. Maybe next time Ezra will be able to sit still for more then 2 seconds and can come too.

 

Random

I'm not sure favorite is the right way to describe this picture but I do really like it. Gabe had a hard time with Grandpa's passing and funeral and this just conveys the love he had for him so well. Props to my dad for catching the moment.

 

We finally were able to have our first fire and smores of the season the other night. It was a messy acticvity.

In between all the craziness of being up home for the visitation and funeral we did manage to get to Hickory Park for Ezra's birthday sundae.

And I finally got his picture in the chair. I didn't attempt to take him to the basement to the original big chair this time since he disliked it so much last time.

 

 

Ezra is 1!

Ezra turned 1 on the 29th. While our plans were changed a little with everything going on with Grandpa we still managed to have a nice little party for him. He loved his cake once he figured out it was sweet. He actually loved tearing it apart and then throwing it on the floor. He wasn't so sure about the candle on the cake and Carl got it blown out right before he grabbed it.

 

Ezra wasn't so sure what to do with his presents either plus he was starting to get sleepy but he did manage with a little help to get them open.

 

We also celebrated Gabe's birthday with family as well. He loved his baseball cupcakes.

He also loved all the baseball themed gifts he got. It was a nice little party even though the location and time were a little different then expected.

Grandpa (Updated)

* My Mom wanted me to read this at Grandpa's funeral. As I was reading over it the day of the service I just felt I needed to add one more paragraph so I've updated this post to include all of what I read that day.

 

My Grandpa Duane went home today. He waited until the day after he and my Grandma's 56th wedding anniversary(and Ezra's birthday). Our hearts our heavy with sadness as we will miss him so much. He didn't talk a lot but that was part of his charm.

I cant count how many times I called their house and Grandpa would answer "yep, Hello" everytime. I will miss that. I will miss him getting irritated when someone said they didnt like a certain type of food being offered at mealtime because I'm pretty sure Grandpa would have eaten grass if that was what was being offered, and I will miss his laughter when he watched The Andy Griffith Show on TV. I will miss his many mumbles, and yeps and his love of all foods(coffee, black licorice and popcorn).

I will miss the way he lovingly referred to Ty as Red. He got such a kick out of his red headed antics and temperament. I will miss his prayers before meal times at the farm and seeing him in his overalls each time we came to visit. I will miss his bald head and all of the jokes to go along with it.

Grandpa loved his wife, loved his family and loved the Lord. That is why missing him is not quite so bad. We know that Grandpa is Home now and no longer suffers the ailments that plagued him in his last days here on Earth. I love you Grandpa for your example of loving your wife through sickness and health, for raising your family to know how to work hard, be kind and respectful to others and serve the church and those in need around them. We look forward to seeing you when God calls us home. I truly hope you are enjoying the green pastures and still waters. It sounds right up your ally, and the bonus is you don't have to bail hay in those pastures:)

Just to close I encourage you to think about what your children and grandchildren will say about you when you're gone. Will you be remembered for serving others and the Lord, for being a hard worker and kind to those around you. We rest in assurance that Grandpa is with his Lord in heaven not only because he professed his belief with his mouth but because his life showed fruit of loving and serving God. Let your words not be empty in saying you are a Christ follower let people also be assured of your everlasting eternity by your life here on Earth. God blessed my brother and Me with a wonderful Grandfather and my children with a wonderful Great Grandfather and maybe most importantly my husband and I with a shining example of marriage through thick and thin, sickness and health, drought and flood. Let your life exemplify Christ as well.

 

Gabe Turns 8

Gabe turned 8 on Sunday! Doesn't really seem possible. In fact, it is kind of scary how quickly 8 years has gone. He woke up to his requested birthday breakfast of cinnamon roll waffles.

 

We unintentionally put trick candles on his waffles and had fun trying to get them blown out. Finally they are all out.

After breakfast and everyone got ready we headed to Ankeny to meet Uncle Pete and Aunt Kim for lunch. They had birthday gifts for the boys and were heading home from being in Algona for the weekend and since the next surprise of the day was located in Grimes it worked out well to go to Ankeny. After lunch we headed to Skyzone for Gabe's next birthday surprise. Skyzone is a trampoline park. They LOVED it. Carl jumped with the kiddos and decided it was much more difficult then it looks and that he is old:)

 

When we got home they really wanted to go to the Aquatic Center so Carl took the 3 bigs to the pool and I stayed home with Ezra. When they got back it was time to meet Grandma and Grandpa for birthday sundaes at Hickory Park.

 

That night Gabe was determined to stay up until his birth time(11:08 pm) so he and Carl had a special birthday date to Man of Steel. Gabe had a great day and is looking forward to his party this weekend.

Better Late then Never Update

Clearly its been awhile since I've updated. Little hands apparently walked away with our iPad card reader so pictures have remained on our camera the past few months. I broke down and got a new one today so figured I'd put it to good use.

Ezra turned 11 months old on May 29th. He did not like going down to the basement to sit in the big chair. Evidence.

Since the chair in the basement was clearly not going to result in a good picture we tried upstairs instead. Still not the best shot but at least no alligator tears and screaming.

Shortly after Ezra turned 11 months the boys had their last day of school. Ty finished EK and will go to full day Kindergarten at the same school as Gabe in August. Here he is with his teacher Ms. Colleen.

 

Gabe finished up his last day of 1st grade. Here he is with his teacher Mrs. Pittman, whom he adores and had a hard time being excited about summer because he was going to miss her:)

Baseball has been a huge chunk of our spring and summer this year. I did manage to get a few action shots of each of the boys. It was fun to see their improvement throughout the season.

 

We've also managed to make it to Reiman Gardens once so far this summer. The kids really liked this big grasshopper.

And I tried to get a good picture of the 4 of them.....yeah

 

Callie loved these dark purple Iris.

And we had our own personal photographer snap a picture of Carl and me.

I am usually not in pictures so I tried to be in a few(even though being in pictures is not my favorite thing) so here is my girl and me.

And my baby and me

And this is just cute and just Ezra:)

 

We've been enjoying summer break so far and not having to get up and be some where. We celebrated Gabe's birthday on Sunday(post to come) and will have a party for him and Ezra(sniff, sniff) on Saturday. Hope the summer's treating you well.