The Picker Family: Summer of 2015

When I type Summer of 2015, I am totally singing "Summer of '69" in my head;)

I digress. We had a wonderful summer of 2015 and my lack of blog activity can attest to how much we enjoyed being outside, being with friends and family, and simply soaking in the summer.

I did post about June, but I'm here now to reminisce on a July and August.

July

July started off with Luke spending a few days at his cousins' (Mekhi and Annalise) house, which meant Nora and I had a few days together at home while Brent worked. Luke had a wonderful, of course:), and I was reminded what it's like to spend dedicated time with a three year old. We did crafts, worksheets (aka "homework"), and busy work for her little hands and she loved it.

Craft Time

Wearing her new Elsa dress from her cousins

Snuggles after Luke returned from a few days away

July also brought Nora's birthday. We spent an afternoon at Oxbow Park and Zoo with Beckmanns/Moyers and dinner out one weekend. The next weekend we had a party at our house with the Pickers and a few friends. Nora was SO excited for her party and had very specific expectations: balloons, cake, gifts, and party goers. We served her favorite foods: pizza and mac n cheese and had Minnie Mouse ice cream cake.

Three Year Old!

One of mine and Brent's favorite summer event is also held in July: the Basilica Block Party. This year, we met my cousin Steph, her husband Richie, Greg, Cally, and Mekhi on Friday night for Weezer and Nate Ruess. Luke also joined us for the first time and enjoyed the concert, though the sell-out crowd was a little much for him. Saturday night, Greg, Cally, Brent and I went back for more. Brent and I watched Fitz and the Tantrums and had a GREAT time!

Luke climbed a pole
to see above the heads

Richie and Steph

My boy

Steph and I

Luke on Brent's shoulders
(all 75lbs of him!)
Mekhi & Cally

July also brought time at the pool, grilling out with friends, two baseball games a week for Luke, track and field camp for Luke, and play dates with Luke's friends.

Playing Dress Up

Pool Fun with Piper

Stole my flip flops

Luke and Piper

August

August started off with Luke leaving again! He spent his first time away at Pine Haven Christian Assembly at youth camp. He's been to camp twice for family camp week (where you stay with your parents and siblings in a cabin), but he was old enough for third and fourth grade camp. The first year of camp is only Sunday to Wednesday. We were blessed with the opportunity for Luke to ride to and from camp with a good friend and his son. Luke had a great time and I was impressed with his responsibility in taking care of his stuff while away and sharing the spiritual topics he learned at camp.

Luke and Eli before
leaving for camp

Family pic before Luke left

The second week of August brought vacation for the entire family. We spent Sunday to Thursday at a cabin in Hayward, WI with Beckmanns and Moyers on La Courte Oreilles lake. We had great weather and enjoyed a relaxing week together on the water. Check out my album on Facebook:)

The rest of August was more low key and we enjoyed more time at home. We were pleasantly surprised to get a text from our friends in Florida (Kyle and Callie) telling us they would be in Minnesota for vacation. We were blessed with the chance to have them and their kids at our place overnight and to visit them at their family's church in Mora, MN to hear Kyle share his testimony. We only get to see them every 1-2 years so it's always great to catch up.

Landyn and Luke playing catch

Nora and Miles getting into mischief:)

Sweethearts

Landyn was enthralled by Luke:)

Bonfire fun with special friends

Cuties!

Miles and Nora

Once again, Landyn intently listening to Luke;)

Sunday after church

On the home front, we started potty training Nora the end of August. After a rough first two days, she had a great first week in her pull ups and we're very proud of her! We are still certainly in the "high alert" stage where we ask her often about needing to go, but she's also doing much better at telling us when she needs to. (Update: Potty training is certainly a process and we're certainly not done.)

More August fun: