Happy Fourth of July!-The Late Edition

Ben trying out knee boarding

Jake's new beach attire

Daddy helping Jake watch fireworks

Jake with Haley, Ben, Parker, and Kelsey

Again, a week has slipped by me...

We had a great time at The Deters's cabin over the 4th. We were glad we did not go up until Saturday night because there was a strong storm that when through the area of Wisconsin we were headed to. As we drove through Danbury, WI, we noticed a lot of trees down and properties that were damaged. We stopped for dinner at a bar that had no power. They were not quite sure what they were going to do once the sun went down. They were grilling burgers and chicken in the back of their bar, but that was all you could get for food. We found out that the cabin was out of power overnight and lost a few trees, but thankfully, nothing sustained any damage.

Highlights of the weekend:

• Jake unsure of whether or not he likes fireworks. We went to the town's fireworks show Saturday night and had our own "show" Sunday night. Both nights he started out really excited and smiling, but ended up in tears and needed mom and dad to comfort him.
• Jake slept in his own bed next to mom and dad. He felt pretty cool about it.
• Jake became more daring and was jumping off the pontoon on shore in his life jacket and Lightning McQueen inner tube.
• Jake had fun hanging out with his Auntie Haley and Uncle Ben and their friends, along with Joe's cousin Andrew and his girlfriend, Connie. Connie said she would love to babysit Jake, for a reduced price. We may have to take him up on it.
• Beautiful weather during the days and nights.
• Spending time with family that we don't get to see often :)

Dinner Time at the Deters

Finally, Summertime!

Summer may have actually arrived in Minnesota. I know, it is hard to believe, but I think it may be the real deal. That is why I was not on top of posting anything this week. Maybe I was just lazy, who knows.

Joe was off this week to get some things done around the house. The main thing he did was to power wash and stain the deck. He worked really hard on it and it looks really nice. Of course, he was out there on some really warm days. I am waiting to take a picture, because it is wet now from the rains last night. The other project he did that I was really excited about was putting a storm door on our front door. We can now have the front door open without any bugs coming in to join us. It is nice to have the breeze, too. It is the little things...

Highlights of the week:

• We took Paige to her dance lessons on Monday. She was so cute in her little outfit and ballet shoes. Jake and I played at the playground at the school she took lessons at. He loves going to new playgrounds and tackle the new challenges there. The two of them were so funny chattering away in the car. At one point I heard, "Can you say it louder, I can't hear you Paige?" Was I transporting 3 year olds or 90 year olds?
• Jake tried out his new slip and slide in the backyard. He did not actually understand how to do it properly, but was really good at army crawling up and down. I learned, the hard way, how important it is to remove the slip and slide right away. We have a little patch ofgrass that is not too happy with me :(
• We made our first trip to the sand bottom pool in Shakopee with my friend Karla and herdaughter Annika. Jake will probably call her "Baby Ahhka" for the rest of her life...We had a blast full of laughs!
• Joe and I went to dinner and a movie while Grandma Bien watched Jake.
• We went to another friend's house to swim on Thursday. That was one of the hotter days this week. Jake was able to see a friend from daycare, which he was excited about. This day was the looongest day, as Jake was up early, had no nap, and wouldn't go to bed nicely. I am surprised we all made it out alive!
• We went out on the boat for a few hours yesterday. We ate lunch, fished a little, and swam. It was nice to be on the water, as it was 99 degrees! Jake didn't want to nap when we got back, but it wasn't too long before he was out on the couch.
• 

Jake the Sweeper and Dear Friends

We had a good weekend, despite the raining weather. Global Warming, huh? Not in MN. I am excited that it is going to be nice this week! I actually have a slight sunburn, but I am LOVING it!

Jake decided that he wanted to help clean up outside. He prefers to use the broom from the fire pit set...

Saturday night, I met my sister and her boyfriend Tim at our good friend Maren and her fiance' Joe's Engagement party. I have known Maren and Whitney since I was in about 2nd grade. To be honest, I cannot remember how old I was when I met them. We started dancing at the same studio growing up, danced in high school together, and finished our dancing careers (for me at least) at the same studio. Maren is a year older than Jamie and Whitney is a year younger than me. We have been close to their family forever, so it was nice to catch up with them, including their grandparents. It was a fun time celebrating the two love birds!

Jamie, Me, and Maren

The Knutson and Enger Sisters Jamie and Me

Jamie using her notes to give her "words of wisdom" on camera. She was hilarious as she gave her three, yes three, different speeches. She was dramatic, as usually. She even came into interrupt mine. We will see how it turns out at the wedding!

P.S. Blogger and I have not been getting along. Sorry for the odd placement of pictures. I give up!

What a Zoo!

Rest Stop

Yesterday, Matt, Katie, and I took the four cousins to the Minnesota Zoo. Apparently, a lot of other families had the same idea. I guess that is what happens when it is finally nice in MN in June. It was definitely an experience, especially with two of the four in mid-potty training. Lots of trips to the bathroom.

Highlights of the visit:

• Jake being really crabby and only wanting to see the sharks
• Paige deciding to walk more than ride in the stroller
• Paige getting out of the stroller while Matt was still pushing it
• Having to frantically look around to make sure the three older ones were close by. It was always Paige and Jake who were ahead of the group. Leashes may be necessary next time.
• A passerby letting Katie know that Jordie took off his sandal (he wore only one sandal after that-she did find it-she knew all he would try to do would take it off again)
• Hailey and Jake constantly asking during lunch if they could go play on the playground
• Numerous trips to the bathroom
• Sticking together with three strollers and four people walking
• Hailey telling me she couldn't feel her feet on the way to the car at the end of the day. She "literally" thought her feel fell off. Her words.
• How exhausted Matt, Katie, and I were! We spent one too many hours there...

  Jordie just hanging out

  
  Princess Farmer Paige

Paige watching the Sea Otters

Wow!

Farmer Jakey Daniel

Hay farmer Hailey

Potty Power

We have entered into a new challenge at the Deters's house: Potty Training!

We have attempted this a few times in the past and really thought he was ready. We went out and bought a stand-alone potty chair and one that sits on the big toilet. Jake would try for a few days in a row and then would refused. I was determined to really work on things this summer. Over Memorial Day weekend, we started up again. We went out and bough Pull-Ups and were using the timer to try going every 30 minutes. He was pretty cooperative with this. Then, he went to daycare on Tuesday and refused to sit on the potty. We kept at it at home, but he did not want to do it at daycare.

Now that summer vacation has started, we are in full force potty mode. We have super cool Super Hero Squad underwear now. Yesterday was our first day of wearing just our underwear during the day. We are trying to go every 30 minutes, but there have been several times where Jake has ran to his Elmo potty and has gone on his own. We have it sitting in the living room for this exact reason. He is starting to learn that "feeling" you get when you have to go. We are so proud of him! We did have one accident yesterday, but those are to be expected. For some reason, they always happen in his toy room. I will have to keep my eye on him when he goes in there!

Tech Toddler

Jake has found a new love: playing games on Joe and my phones and Grandma Knutson's iPad. He is pretty good at a few of his games. We have found some really fun puzzle games that he enjoys. The other game he is really good at is Angry Birds. He is better than I am. Jake was at my mom's house while I had a doctor appointment on Monday and I came home and this what they were doing.