Birthday party girl! :)

 

Bubble babes!

 

Love me some Aubree time.

Aubree and I dropped Ayla off at school and headed out to run a couple of errands.  We had to grab a couple more things for Ayla's birthday party this weekend.  Since I only had Aubree with me, I let her walk in the store--something I pretty much never let her do.  It was like she had won the lottery.  She was so excited to walk around and look and pretty much touch every single thing she walked past.  After that, we headed over to Village Pointe to get a pair of Dean's dress pants hemmed.  She sat in her stroller for most of the time but at the end, we walked over to this giant water ball that she loves to play with.  At that point, I set her free. :)  She ran around and played, tossed pennies into the fountain, chased and jumped after a little cricket, and stopped to pick up every leaf she could find on the way back to the car.  Long story short, seeing the world through her eyes really made me stop and breathe.  I figured we'd hurry there and back but letting her take her time to play and explore was the best way for me to spend my morning.  I noticed things I'd otherwise walk past without a second thought.  Life is so crazy and busy all of the time...the simple little things that she loves and enjoys reminded me to just stop and ENJOY and SLOW DOWN.  

 

Aww, they DO love each other! We let them camp out in the living room and watch a movie while we ate dinner. They started out on separate piles of pillows. When we looked over at them a little while later, they were snuggling under the same blanket. 💕

 

Dessert by the fire 🔥

 

Flowers from my sweet hubby...13 years ago today, he took me out on our first date. :)

 

GBR!

Every game day, we put on our Husker gear...this is the extent of Ayla's "Husker-ness".  At least she has something red on. :)  I had to put Aubree's hair in pigtails so she didn't look like a little boy. :)

At the apple orchard for Ayla's field trip! Aubree had her bag filled with all kinds of messed up apples within minutes while Miss Ayla carefully hunted for only "perfect" ones. :)

 

Someday I'll miss having my cabinets look like this...right?

 

 

Go Big Red!

 

Michael Buble!!! #MBworldtour

 

Ayla's school project--she likes to eat waffles...and her plate of fave foods? Raspberries, grapes, and lots and lots of chocolatey desserts. That's my girl. :)

 

Love my girls!

 

The Cabin 2013 {Part 8: Home or bust}

We packed up and headed home on Saturday so we could have a whole weekend before we had to go back to work (and school for Ayla).  Instead of splitting up the trip like we did on the way up, we drove the entire trip in one day.  We left the cabin at 9:30 in the morning and got home around 6:00, I think.  Not bad with two kids and two dogs. :)  Aubree had a bit of a meltdown when she was well beyond her regular nap time and refused to sleep.  Eventually she passed out but woke up CrAnKy.  I don't blame her.  At that point, I wanted to throw a tantrum, too, and get the heck out of that van.  They both really did so well on the way there and home.

I told the girls to wave to Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Char as we drove away.  Aunt Marla was a very good listener and did the same. ;)

Aubree spent a LOT of time on the iPad while we were in the car.  And we were 100% okay with that.  If it kept her happy, we were all for it!

Milk coma.  I don't know what the deal is with my obsession of taking pictures of them while they're asleep.

The Cabin 2013 {Part 7: Duluth}

We went up to Duluth again for our last day.  We checked out some boats and the aerial bridge, did some shopping, and had a late lunch.  The first few pictures below are taken at a cool fountain that has a stepping stone walkway that goes through it.  The girls would have stayed there all day if we let them.

I had to post all of these...they're hilarious.  This is exactly how it goes when anyone tries to get a picture with both of the girls.  Chaos.  Aubree wanted nothing to do with it.

I want to clarify something here.  That is NOT a fanny-pack on Dean.  Swear.  It's actually his binoculars in a nifty little carrying case.  Much cooler than a fanny-pack. ;)

Ayla-selfie

By the time we were done with lunch, we were past Aubree's nap time.  We plopped her in the stroller and started walking.  She was asleep within just a couple of minutes.

While Dean was strolling around with Aubree, Ayla opted to shop with the girls.  She just had to ride this horse that was outside one of the stores we were in.

The Cabin 2013 {Part 6: Randomness}

Project time!  She's going to hate me for these pictures someday.  Nothing like hanging out in your underwear all day.

Hugs for Daddy!

Sweaty baby...I can't ever say no to snuggle time though, no matter how hot it is.

She always rediscovers corn at the END of summer.  I've tried to get her to eat it the past couple of months and now, at the end of the season, she loves it.

Even Aubree liked it! :)

The girls love being read to--I thought it was so cute to see them both sitting next to Grandpa listening so intently. :)

Dean and Grandma took the girls to what Ayla described as a "farm store."