Memorial Weekend

We had a great Memorial Weekend in Red Wing! We spent Saturday enjoying the warm weather and hanging out outdoors with my family. Eric and Nick enjoyed some cigars and beer while Robert splashed in the pool and my mom and I relaxed on the patio. Robert wasn't too sure of the pool until Uncle Nick joined him for some splashing and playing with the toys. For dinner that night we roasted brats on the fire pit and after Robert went to bed we also had some yummy s'mores!

Sunday morning was a little more relaxing and spent mostly indoors because of the icky humidity that had moved in. Mom, Robert, and I all spent a good portion of the morning napping while the bigger boys played on their computers. That evening Eric, Robert, and I went to visit my good high school friends. Sherry and her hubby Mark were in town for the long weekend and so we went for dinner at her mom's house and our friend Abby and her daughter Lucy joined us as well. We had a great meal (thanks to Mark for grilling the shish-kabobs) and were even able to somewhat get Lucy and Robert to eat a little, they especially enjoyed dessert time! It was great to see everyone and for Robert and Lucy to hang out. I really treasure the time we get to spend together and just wish we were all closer and could do it more often.

This morning we headed home to get a little work done around the house before another crazy work week starts. Robert enjoyed being home so much that he took a 4 hour nap! It kind of ruined our plans of going grocery shopping but it was nice to spend some time relaxing without any agendas before going back to work tomorrow.

Here are some pictures from the weekend and a video of Robert at swim lessons last week. We hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday weekend and were able to take a little time to thank our troops for all they do to keep us safe!

Lucy loved the puppy (or Racoon head) at Milbrights!

Celebrating Lyric's Birthday!

We spent today celbrating our niece Lyric's birthday. It was a couple of weeks later than her actual 11th Birthday but we had fun anyway! Larry & Mary made a delicious meal that included Lyric's favorite...Ribs and of course with cake & ice cream for dessert how could you go wrong. Robert had a great time playing with all of the Hemplers and was especially fond of Uncle Adam's new ottoman. It was the perfect height for his new found love of climbing as you can see in the pics below.

Robert also enjoyed playing with the Birthday girl and below is a quick clip of giggles and lots of love between cousins.

In other news I am finally entering the last portion of my pregnancy. A few weeks ago I got below 100 days and now I'm almost in the 60s and enter my 30th week tomorrow, the counter at the top of the blog is both good and bad depending on my mood. This pregnancy is definitely different than it was with Robert. A couple of weeks ago I started experiencing muscle pain in the lower uterus and at my 28 week check-up I was told that I need to go on moderate rest. So my plan was to work at St. Kate's as planned and then go home and let Eric pamper me. :) Well Eric has been wonderful but Robert doesn't like not having mommy be as active so I've decided to take it a little easier at work and depend on all my wonderful students and co-workers a little more than usual. The pain has gotten better with more rest but this weekend I started having some contractions on a pretty regular basis. Luckily after an hour or so they went away and haven't returned but I'm sure my doctor will have something to say about this tomorrow at my appointment. I'm hoping this is a sign that unlike her brother she will come before or on her due date but I'd still like to get to at least 37 weeks before we meet our little girl. So here's to taking it an easy or at least easier than I have been!

Mother's Day Weekend!

After a busy week we took the majority of the weekend to rest and relax in Red Wing with my mom and brother. It was a great time and it was nice to be with my mom after coming off such an emotional few weeks for her and all of us. Slowly but surely things are starting to come together for all of us and during times like this I am so thankful to have such great support in my family!

During our time in Red Wing we watched 3 Twins games, took 4 naps between the 3 of us (me=2, Eric=1, and Robert=1...he needed more but is so excited to be at Grandma's that he forgets how to nap!), played at the park, and had lots of yummy food. Definitely a great Mother's Day weekend for both myself and my mom. Below are some pictures of our time at one of the parks in Red Wing.

Robert walking to the playground pointing at the cool things!

Uncle Nick and Robert playing on the bumble bee

Nick & I teeter tottering...I don't recommend doing this when 7 months pregnant!

Playing the drums!

I'm a big boy! Going down the slide by himself!

RIP Grandpa

After a long few years and an especially rough few days my grandfather passed away on Monday. He has suffered with numerous health problems over the last few years and as hard as it is to say goodbye it is reassuring to know that he is no longer suffering.

He was a long time professor and choir director at Gustavus Adolphus College and the college had their school flag put at half staff for the week along with a special tribute on their website. They also arranged for choir alums to sing two songs at the funeral and we were all shocked to see 50 alums show up for the tribute and many more sending their love and thoughts to the family. The funeral was very special and done in a such an amazing way to honor all the wonderful things he accomplished in his life.

Nick, Mom, and myself at the flag

4 of the 5 grandchildren at the flag

Today was also my cousin Parker's 17th Birthday, we celebrated with candles in his fruit for breakfast and then a DQ ice cream cake as a mid-morning snack...YUMMY!

Parker hanging out with Robert!

When we got home this afternoon we pulled out Robert's tunnel that attaches to his tent. He had fun playing with something new and before bed tonight we took this picture of him inside the tunnel. He loves crawling into anything & everything and keeps us on our toes. His giggles, hugs, smiles, and kisses are so wonderful and definitely reminds Eric & I that no matter what goes on around us he is the light at the end of our tunnel and we are so blessed to have such a wonderful little boy.

As for Eric and I we are both keeping extra busy with work and juggling all of life's demands. Eric is taking a class every week through Keller Williams and spends a lot of his evenings and Robert's naps busy working on his real estate projects. I'm in the middle of some bigger pool rentals and trying to get everything wrapped up for this school year and getting everything ready for the summer. I have also officially entered the 3rd trimester and am definitely noticing the change. It is hard to not be able to pick up and do as much with Robert as I would like and to keep the house as clean as I'd prefer. It is a good thing that our little girl is so demanding and is good at giving me a good kick (or 10) to remind me when I'm doing too much.