A stroll through the park & halloween

 A few weeks ago, we decided we better take advantage of the few days we had left of an hour or so of daylight after work.  There is a wonderful walking path a few blocks behind our house, so we headed down there for a little walk before dinner.  Isaac was in a rare "take a picture of me, Mommy" mood, so I was glad I had my camera with!  Emma...not so much.  I have a lot of the back of her head.  =)

 Apparently, the walking was too much after a long day, and they decided to lie down on the walking bridge to look at the sky...

 Daddy thought it looked like a good idea, too

Emma was very relaxed on the hard wooden bridge  =)

 I love the love they have for each other, and how much fun they have together...praying it lasts!

 We went to Gertens...one of my very favorite stores, to check out all of their pumpkins

 Isaac insisted on sitting on the stools, and of course, Emma has to do everything big brother does

 Sitting in front of their huge maze

 A cheesy fake smile at it's finest  =)

 Isaac had fun carving pumpkins with Daddy, Grandpa Jerry & Grandma Lila...

 Emma...did not.  Such an adorable little pouty face, though.  

 She was not a huge fan of her fairy princess costume, either...kept saying "I don't like it!"  I guess, like her Mommy, Halloween just might be her least favorite holiday.  

 Isaac was determined to be an excavator for Halloween this year, but since his Mom was a slacker and never quite got around to figuring out how to make an excavator costume...because they certainly are not sold in stores, he settled for being a monkey.  It took a fair amount of convincing, and he still told everyone he was going to have two costumes this year.  Thankfully, I found this monkey costume on craigslist for $10 that was delivered to our door Oct. 30th...a tiny bit small, but it worked.  Being the thrifty shopper I am, I have a very hard time spending $$ on Halloween costumes that are worn one or two times!  =)  

 A very tired fairy princess out trick-or-treating

Big brother trying to cheer her up with a big monkey hug!

Isaac had a great time trick-or-treating with the kids from our small group from church.  Emma enjoyed cuddle time with Daddy while walking from house to house, and I enjoyed eating all the candy that contained peanuts and peanut butter when we got home.  =)    

Summer 2012

We had a wonderful summer filled with many great memories, which began with a stroll around Minnehaha Falls on my birthday...

If only Emma had been willing to give up her pacifier and smile for the camera, we'd have had a good picture.  =)

 A failed attempt at taking a picture with Mommy on her birthday ended in a tickle fest.

A trip to Alex to the Harrison Grandparents.  Isaac spent most of his time throwing rocks and feeding bread to the fish.

 In June, we stayed at a hotel with Grandma Lila, Grandpa Jerry and my Aunt Linda.  Isaac LOVED the little water slide.

 Out to dinner with his friend Anna

 Sadie taking Isaac for a walk

 One of their favorite places to be in the summer...hanging out on our deck

 Getting lost in the cornfield at Great Grandma & Grandpa Solberg's

 Emma in her favorite place...Daddy's arms

 Isaac couldn't get enough of the rides at Como Town

 Loving his biiiiiig popscicle!

 His dream come true...sitting on the construction equipment at the State Fair

 The giant sandbox at the Fair was a hit...of course.

 After dinner entertainment many, many days this summer

Love this girl to pieces...even if she's not a fan of me taking her picture!  =)

 Loving the raspberries from our bushes out back

Emma's excitement over finding out she will be a big sister in March!  =)

We went to a blueberry farm for the first time ever, and had a great time...even though it was 100 degrees out that day.

Emma had a hard time not eating them right from the bush

Favorite part of the trip...as Emma was walking away toward Brian here, Isaac said to me "Mommy, Emma looks like fresh air."  =)  Love it!

Our abundance of blueberries!

 Isaac was invited to a birthday party at the fire station and got to take a ride in the fire engine!

 Their favorite summer food (besides popsicles)..."big corn"

 One of countless boat rides this summer.  So glad our kids love them as much as I do!  

 They also both spent a TON of time on the beach

 Isaac playing on the beach well after dark...he'd stay there all night if we let him

 They won't eat s'mores, but sure do love "chocolate food"  =)

 Swimming suits are way over-rated

 I'm sure we had more than chips and watermelon for this meal  =)

 Fishing with Grandpa

 Another failed attempt at a good family picture...we always seem to try when Emma is wanting her pacifier and totally unwilling to part with it for 30 seconds.  Kinda wish we'd have taken hers away at 8 months like we did Isaac's...too late now!

 Conducting very important business on vacation

 Caught a big fish!

 Still not too sure about touching the slimy things...can't say I blame him  =)

 In July, we spent a week at my parent's lake home...we took Isaac mini-golfing one morning while Emma and Grandma bonded at home.

 Our little beauty

 Watching the fireworks out on the lake

 Way too late for Emma...she didn't last long

 Isaac snoozing on the boat the next day

 Isaac on his first tube ride

 My sister's dog, Cedar, knocking him over

 Fishing with cousin Sophia

Saying goodbye to Toby before we left - he passed away a couple days later.  =(

 Hours and hours and hours spent doing this this summer

 Emma couldn't get enough of the beach, either

 Isaac really wanted a red cake for his 1/2 birthday, so I gave in and made him one  =)

 So excited! 

 And that's it!  Our fabulous summer filled with swimming, boat rides, sand, family, friends, big corn, smoothies, walks, waterfalls, mini golf, tubing and so much more!

 I know it's already October, but hey...I'm doing better than last year...never did post anything on here about summer.  Oh time, where do you go???