7 Year Itch

Last week, August 7th, we celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.   Fafa & Grammy took Brody and Colt for a few days and our friends, the Welkes, took Ollie overnight.   We went to Bluwater Bistro for dinner.  It is right by Green Lake so we enjoyed watching all the action and people as they walked by. 

After dinner we saw a movie, Horrible Bosses.  It wasn't the greatest but its always a treat to be able to see a movie with my husband.   We also enjoyed a little coffee and cookie date afterwards at the nearby bookstore.  

I didn't take too many pictures but was able to get our waitress to take these two. 

It's always a little surprising that we have been married as long as we have.  Sometimes I feel like there is so much I don't know about Brad, but at the same time I feel like I know him so well.   I can't imagine my life without him. 

And although we have our disagreements or moments of miscommunication we both continue to work hard to make our marriage the best it can be.  It can be very hard at times, especially with three little ones, but we are learning more and more what it means to be part of a great marriage.   

This is what they call the 7 year itch, but we are both just itching to make many more memories together (and as a family.)

Thanks again to Grammy & Fafa and the Welkes for watching our boys.  We are blessed!

Ollie's 1st Jeep Ride

The big boys were at Grammy & Fafa's and we were taking Ollie over to our friend's house so he was able to ride in Brad's jeep.  Just like the other boys he absolutely loved it!  He listened to some Vanilla Ice and then fell asleep from the gentle rocking of the ride.  :)   It is always so fun to watch the boys experience some of these same things. 

Block Party

We had a cul-de-sac party.  It was so much fun!  I didn't get a chance to take very many pictures.   The boys were running around playing games and hanging out with their friends. 

Ollie digging in the sandbox.

Ollie chilling on the lounge chair.

The kids watching a movie.

Ollie conversing with the adults. 

I didn't get any pictures of the adults.  They were having lots of fun too.   We had good food, some fun drinks, and great company.  We just love our neighbors!  (and we are looking forward to next summer's party)

Summer Picnic

After we picked our raspberries we had a picnic lunch with the Welkes. 

Then the kids started playing a frisbee game before they discovered the enchanted tree. 

Annika smiling for the camera.

Ollie cheering for his friends and brothers. 

Raspberry Picking

After Home Depot we went with the Welkes to pick Raspberries at Remlinger Farms.  They were very picked over so it was a challenge to pick a lot. 

Ollie's favorite thing (other than running away from me) was playing with this box.

All the kids.  Ollie, Colt, Ryker, Brody, Annika.

Other than a lack of raspberries it was a warm, overcast day, perfect for raspberry picking.

Pencil Boxes

The first Saturday of every month is the Home Depot workshop and we made it to another one.  This time we were able to meet up with Annika & Ryker.  The kids had fun pounding nails into their pencil boxes.  (I thought they were going to be kind of small but the actually turned out very cute and could be used for things other than pencil boxes.) 

Ollie can't sit still long enough to pound in nails but he sure keeps me busy.  I was able to get him on this bench to snap a picture (and to waste 30 seconds where I didn't have to chase him around). 

Making Ice Cream

We made ice cream in a bag and invited our neighbors over to join us.  It was a perfect treat for a nice summer afternoon.