Now THAT was a full weekend!

This weekend was non-stop fun! 

 

Friday night Brent left for his annual fantasy football draft at Greg's, stayed the night, headed to the church softball state tournament in Faribault on Saturday, then had another annual fantasy football draft at Ethan's Saturday night.  Oh, and that's just what Brent did Friday and Saturday:) 

 

The kids and I were on the go too!  

 

Cally and kids came down Friday to stay with us while the guys had their plans.  Friday night we all had dinner at our place with Audra and kids, had Flapdoodles for dessert, and a walk to the park before dark. 

 

Saturday morning we were up and at-em and headed to Red Barn Learning Farm. 

(More pics on Shutterfly)

The kids and I had lunch plans with my mom, sister, and some friends at Ground Round, then we headed home for a late nap for Nora (and me:)). 

After nap, we spent a couple hours at the Soldier's Field Pool cooling off on this hot weekend.

Annalise in the fountain

Nora lovin the pool

On the move

Sunday we rejoined Brent and headed to the Think Mutual Bank annual employee family picnic.  It was a hot one, but a great time as always.  The kids enjoyed a petting zoo, pony rides, and bounce houses and we all enjoyed lots of great food, chatting with Brent's co-workers, photo booth fun, and caricature drawings. 

Petting zoo

Literally moments after this,
she was screaming with fear over the tortoise:)
In her defense, he was kind of bulldozing
 his way around.

Pony rides

Nora tolerated it for a couple minutes:)

 



Family caricature:)



I especially love Nora's:)

Once again, Nora needed to get home for a nap, but Luke and I were then off to his buddy Logan's birthday party. 

Tonight, we enjoyed a quiet dinner at home and are staying inside to stay cool.  I...am...beat!

Nice and easy caprese pizza for dinner
with tomatoes and basil from the garden

 Next weekend, we need to get down to business at home with some outdoor projects.

High Five for Friday

Some fun moments from this week...

Being silly playing puppy tug-o-war in the tub with a toy

She was so proud to be sitting on Daddy's
lap and pushing the buttons on the keyboard.
She's look up at me with a big grin:)

#1

Four Daughters Winery
We had a lovely double date with friends Friday night at Four Daughters Vineyard and Winery in Spring Valley, MN (just 20 minutes south of Rochester).  It was all of our first times visiting the winery and we had a wonderful meal and time chatting.  We shared a baked brie appetizer, tasted wines, enjoyed dinner, and splurged on desserts:)  Remarkably, I even found a wine I liked...I've never liked wine.  It was a great night with good friends:)

#2

Gold Rush!!!
Three years ago, I went to Gold Rush with my parents for the first time.  I thought, "I'll give it a shot, there may be fun things to see" but I really wasn't too enthused with the idea of "antiquing" (aka: digging through old stuff) with my parents (they love antiquing:)).  Little did I know that my first visit would make me an annual attendee!  This year was the first year I spent an entire day shopping at Gold Rush and the weather was perfect: 70s and sunny!  My Aunt Ruth and cousin Steph met me for some shopping and lunch.  It was a wonderful day!  My only complaint is something I can only blame on myself...I found a couple end tables that I liked but didn't purchase them right away...when I went back a couple hours later they had been purchased:(  But, I did get a couple fun items:  a  metal flower for the front door, a couple metal hooks to hold hand towels, and an old door header that I plan to add hooks to for a towel rack in the bathroom.  (I have plans to paint the bathroom and change up a few things...I'll be sure to post pics:))  Oh, and if you think you want to check out Gold Rush next year, it's always the third weekend of August...mark your calendars!  I plan to be there:)

Fun metal flower for the front door:)

#3

Crabapple Harvest
I already posted on our crabapple harvest, but I also wanted to update that I did try a pie/crisp recipe.  It was a little tedious coring 6 cups worth of crabapples, but the pie turned out good and tart and went well with ice cream:)  I used a frozen pie crust, this pie filling recipe, and the topping recipe from this crisp recipe. I plan to try this crabapple bread recipe next...I still have a lot of crabapples left:)  

#4

Time as a Family
We have been thoroughly enjoying the beautiful summer and trying to get in all of our "summer bucket list" items that we haven't yet done.  Tuesday night we went to an outdoor movie (bucket list item) at the farm of a family from our church.  It was a beautiful evening for Luke and I to enjoy Tangled under the stars and blue moon with friends:)  Wednesday morning the kids and I made a trip to the public library for some play time and for Luke to turn in his summer reading form (bucket list item).  Then, on Thursday night, we all went to our final Thursdays on First for the season (bucket list item) and enjoyed dinner and browsing the fun vendors.  I am so grateful for our time together before Luke heads back to school and schedules erupt with school year activities.

Exploring and reading at the library

This boy loves to sort things:)
A boy after my own heart;)

Checking out all of the fun toys at her height

Love these two!

#5

I know my dad is not surfing the web during his retirement to see this update, but he is busy playing babysitter and chauffeur and it is not going unnoticed:)  Yesterday we had a big rain storm in Rochester around the time that most people were heading to work for the day.  I was extra grateful for Dad so I didn't have to wade my way to work (literally, there was water backed up in many streets and yards) on my seven block walk from the car.  He was also able to help my sister with a ride to work when she had a later shift and couldn't find parking a space in any employee lots.  But, this is only the tip of the iceberg.  Dad drives mom to work daily and willingly gives his time 4 days a week/5 hours a day to watch our kids while I work.  If you know my dad, you know he'd do anything for my mom, my sister, and I, but he has certainly expanded that giving nature as our family has grown to include son-in-laws and grandkids:)  

Dad's valet lot in front of the house
(mine and Bridget's cars:))

Crabapples!

When we moved into our house nine years ago, I knew I wanted a blossoming cherry or crab apple tree.  Within five months, we found a snow crabapple tree on sale (it gets white flowers in the spring, hence the name).  I LOVE blossoming trees in the spring so I knew I wanted one of my own.  I didn't give much thought to the actual fruit it bore in the fall:)

 

Fast forward nine years later and we've finally decided to do something with our crabapples, other than feeding the local birds:) 

 

Let the harvest begin!

Nora watching Luke and Ethan out the
window while they picked

They really got into picking and did a very
thorough job where they could reach

A little while later, Annie climbed the
tree so she could do some more picking
(I have no doubt Ethan would have been up
there had he not already been in an arm cast:))

Our harvest (as far as we could reach in the tree) = 14 lbs
or 3 ice cream buckets full

 I plan to try some recipes with them soon.  Any suggestions on recipes you've tried???

 

I've pinned a few on Pinterest so far.

Lately with Luke

Since I haven't had a great way of updating on Luke, I've decided to start regular installments of "Lately with Luke" (similar to Nora's Notables).  

Here's what's been happening Lately with Luke:

• He has been reading, reading, reading and loving the Magic Tree House books specifically this summer.  We've been getting him hard or electronic copies from the public library as he swiftly reads through them.  I even enjoy reading the non-fiction companion guides to the fiction books:)
• He is growing quickly!  He's now wearing size 2.5 shoes, is tall enough to go on water slides at the pool, is getting more molars (I think they're his 6 year molars...he's slow about getting teeth:)), and growing out of size 7 shirts (they're getting too short).  I can really tell the difference in how his face has matured when looking back at pictures from last summer when Nora was born.  He is now the perfect height to fit under my elbow when we're both standing (picture my arm around his shoulders at elbow height on me).  I cannot believe he's already that tall!  And, he's been really tired recently, so we're wondering about another growth spurt!
• He is looking forward to starting football for the first time.  He's got all of his gear and has been practicing running, catching, and throwing in it with Daddy in the backyard.
• He, like his sister, loves his Daddy:)  He particularly loves snuggles with Daddy in the recliner before bed each night.
• Our sports loving boy ordered his first pair of rec specs to be prepared for the upcoming football and basketball seasons.  He's pretty excited:)
• He is becoming more and more responsible with his chore chart responsibilities, helping out daily with Nora, helping in the yard/garden, folding laundry, and just being a wonderful helper:)  His servant's heart is such a blessing.
• He is a speedster!  He loves running and racing against anyone, including himself:)
• He loves to be instructed/coached.  He is constantly asking for ways to practice sports skills and loves working toward a goal.
• He learned how to tie his shoes!  This task was a long time coming, not because of Luke's disinterest, but rather our lack of focus as parents.  We just kept buying goes without ties...it was easier...I know we're pathetic.  But, we bought Luke new shoes with laces and knew we needed to teach him.  He was really motivated because of the new shoes and learned the "bunny ear" technique from his Aunty Bridget:)  Thanks Bridge for picking up where we left off in parenting:)

If you've ever met Luke, you know he is a sweet, sweet soul.  We are beyond blessed to call him ours and we have thoroughly enjoyed watching him become the boy he is today.  I'm sure there are many adventures ahead and we have no doubt they will be fun with our little man.

Enjoying sweet corn from the garden.
And, yes, he can still eat it even though
he's lost his four front teeth:)

An example of how he fits into
the crook of my elbow

Amazing big brother loving life with Nora

How cute is this boy?!?!

 

Nora's Notables

Since my baby girl has hit her one year milestone, I'm going to switch it up and try periodic updates (let's hope I remember) instead of monthly updates. I've decided to coin these updates "Nora's Notables":)

Without further ado, Nora's recent notables:

• She now has 3 baby teeth and we believe she's starting to work on a fourth (running nose and a little fussy for a couple days)
• She is getting more adventurous (I use that term liberally)...she will now tolerate the grass enough to walk around in it (while holding our hands), but she still hates sitting in it:)  She will literally sit in one place and whine and complain without her situation but will not crawl to remove herself from it. We've also learned a new term thanks to Nora:  hastenburaphobia = phobia of grass
• She is learning more of her abilities.  She explored the tunnel on the big toy at the park recently.  It was adorable.  She loved making her baby sounds and hearing them magnified in the tunnel.  She crawled back and forth countless times from one tunnel opening to another:)
• She is 100% Daddy's girl right now:)
• She is now tall enough to look out the front window at our house and Papa and Gma's house.  Last week when I walked to my parent's after work, she was standing at the window chattering and waving at me.  I think she really enjoys seeing what's going on and feels pretty proud of her new discovery:) 
• I think I've mentioned this before, but she still loves books and "reading" to herself.  It is virtually impossible though to read a book to her.  She hijacks the book and makes it impossible to read to her.
• She loves Momma's shoes.  She sits in my closet and puts the shoes under her legs like she's trying them on:)
• She adores her brother and will be in for a rude awakening when the he goes back to school in a couple weeks.

Our little lady is so much fun and I love the exploration stage she is currently in.  She keeps herself occupied well when confined to one floor or the other of our house, crawling from room to room exploring, chattering, and pulling herself up on things to find even more.

She loves stealing others' sunglasses to wear

Walking in the grass!  Finally!!!

Pure sweetness:)

High Five for Friday

#1

Running the Little Miracles 5K, read about it here.

#2

Ely Trip with Beckmanns and Moyers
We had a great trip to Ely for a few days away at Timber Trail Lodge with my family.  We had a great cabin with plenty of room for all of us and enjoyed our times playing games, eating, fishing, eating, shopping, eating, exploring the North American Bear Center, eating, and enjoying our time together.  We never have a shortage on food:) 

Even on vacation she's Papa's girl:)

#3

We're in between sports seasons and it's been lovely to have our evenings unscheduled, especially during this beautiful weather!  We've been out on walks, taken trips to the park, and enjoyed time in the yard and garden.  I'm especially trying to soak in as much summer as possible while it's still ours:)

#4

Luke, Nora, and I hit up the RAC pool on my day off this week.  It was only in the low 70s so not many people were at the outdoor pool.  It made for a very relaxing time for Nora to explore and for Luke to go down the water slide without a line:) 

Swimming with my loves



Nora was not a fan of any of the water spouts

#5

Less than a month until our Alaskan Cruise!

And, for your viewing pleasure...a few cute shots of Nora:)

$1 baby sunglasses...I couldn't resist

Tired girl snuggling in the hallway with her
blanket and bear while I got ready for work

Remembering Grandpa

A year ago this week, we visited Grandpa Beckmann (or "Grandpa from the Farm" as Luke knows him) so he could meet Nora (then 3 weeks old).  We had a nice visit at his apartment and walked to lunch at Jake's Pizza a few blocks away.  My mom was with for our visit and both she and I told Grandpa how great he looked and got around for being 85 years old.  Little did we know that this visit would be one of only two times Nora got to see Grandpa and that only four months later he would be gone.  I am so very grateful that Luke has several memories with Grandpa to remember and share with Nora as she grows up.

Thinking of and missing Grandpa this week.

Nora meeting Grandpa for the first time, August 2012

Little Miracles 5K

Last Saturday I ran in the second annual Little Miracles 5K at Silver Lake.  This was the first year I ran in the event, but I think this will go on my list of runs for the future.  I sign up for charity runs to keep myself motivated throughout the summer, but I also like to support causes that are important to me and our family. Little Miracles is certainly near and dear to us.  The organization, Our Miracle Babies, is a local group started by "mothers who have coped with pregnancy complications, premature infants, infants with medical conditions, pregnancy loss, and infant loss."  As many of you know, we experienced three pregnancy losses between Luke and Nora.  Saturday was a beautiful event to remember what an incredible blessing Luke and Nora are to our lives and how fortunate we are to have them both.  Part of the event on Saturday was a balloon release for babies who have been lost.  It was so beautiful and symbolic to see the balloons floating away and glowing with the sunlight.  Another symbolic part of the day was the route for the 5K.  We started on the west side of Silver Lake, ran clockwise around the lake, then followed the bike path on the east side of Silver Lake/Zumbro River to the Oakwood Cemetery entrance and back to the west side of the lake where we started.  The symbolic piece was turning around at Oakwood Cemetery.  Just as you enter Oakwood Cemetery on the right is the Isle of Innocence, an area dedicated to babies and young children who have passed.  We have attended a couple services in the Isle of Innocence that Mayo's OB department holds twice a year for those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.

Little Miracles 5K Route

All in all, Saturday was a beautiful day to remember and to run.  I even had my best time for the summer (I don't remember any times from past summers, so who knows about personal best:)): 28:10!  I finished 33rd out of 124 women and 78th out of 197 for all runners.

Me and my miracles

High Five for Friday

#1

Brent and I enjoyed a date day last Saturday in honor of our 10 year anniversary.  Nora spent the day with Gma and Papa Picker and Luke spent the day with Greg & Cally at Water Park of America.  Brent and I had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory at Southdale Mall and browsed a few stores after.  It was so nice to spend time with my man and being able to give him my undivided attention for some real conversation.  I was reminded how much I really enjoy my husband and his company:) 



My handsome lunch date

Mmmm...

Tired boy on the ride home after a
day at the waterpark

#2

We had a fun photo session with the lovely Kristin Knudson of Kristin Knudson Photography on Sunday evening for Nora's first birthday.  We had a perfect evening for an outdoor session at Mantorville Park.  Kristin was speedy in getting our pictures edited and they will be available on her website until August 14th at: http://kkp.shootproof.com/picker (password "Nora1").  We are so excited to have these beautiful pictures to remember this time in our lives with a seven and one year old:)

#3 

Shared a lovely Wednesday with my kiddos.  More on our day at this post.

#4

Finished out Luke's baseball season with a great game!  More on the baseball season at this post.

#5

Enjoyed these precious moments below with the ones I love.   

Got his Highlights magazine in the mail,
got comfortable on the couch,
and started reading. 
Love it!

 

 

Snuggling one morning while I got ready for work

Nora, the grass-hating baby, actually
walked in the grass this week!
I know it sounds ridiculous,
but it's a milestone:)

Baseball Season

This week concluded Luke's first season of actual baseball (albeit coach pitch).  His first year of baseball last summer was t-ball. He was blessed with the opportunity to have the same coach as last year, who he loves.  He also got to play with several of the same kids again.

It was amazing watching how the kids progressed throughout the season.  At this age they got 5 pitches from their coach and got a lot of experience playing a variety of positions in the field.  Luke said his favorite positions this year were playing at first and third base.  He liked them best because he made a lot of plays when he played each of position and even made a few outs.  I think he enjoys being "in charge" of a base a little bit too;)  (Can you say first child?;))

This season also presented a few challenges for Luke with batting.  He hit a mid-season slump and was really struggling getting a hit.  He was very discouraged and putting a lot of pressure on himself each time he was up to bat.  We had a few rough games with big emotions and wanting to give up, but we were proud of our boy for sticking with it and trying his hardest.  (This was also a big learning time for mom and dad.)  The last couple weeks got progressively better and he ended the season with a great last game filled with both hits on offense and several plays and outs on defense. 

Overall, it was a fun season with lots of great weather to enjoy two games a week.  Our little sports-minded guy sure loves his sports seasons, learning more about each sport he plays, and getting stronger at the skills needed.

Please enjoy some pictures with me from the season.

(Going backward from end of season to beginning)

 

Finished the season playing against daycare
friend, Kya.  Carson, on the left, is also a friend
from daycare who was on Luke's team this season



 

The Bats with Coaches Zach and George
after their last game

Coach Melanie ready with cookies for the team:)

Nora providing additional entertainment
on the sidelines:)

Waiting to bat

Chatting with Coach Melanie



Playing first base

Nora was a trooper at two games a
week for seven weeks



Some other regular attendees:)

A few guest attendees:) (Miss Jada)

Entertaining the squirm worm

Playing with Gma

Sunny games

Playing catcher at the first game of the season

First game of the season

Oh, how I love this boy:)