Mille Lacs, MN

I traveled with Kelly to Mille Lacs, MN in September. She was singing at the Grand Casino there with Neil and all of the family came in to see us! Mom and Dad came in, too.

Kelly during rehearsal . . .

The rehearsal audience!

Kelly, Eric, and I after rehearsal.
Mom's family and friends . . .

Some of Dad's family . . .

Kelly, Aunt Julie, and I after her show . . .

More pics with Zieminski's . . .

Aunt Bonnie, Kelly, me, and our cousin Jeff. We had so much fun this night! I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG LONG time.

"jacket"

Labor Day Weekend with Whisenants

We spent some time with our cousins on Labor Day.

Nana and Papa surprised us with a visit on their way back from the lake house!

My babies with their Papa.

Give me a "T"

Aunt T came to visit us! We always love when she comes - she makes us so happy. :)

Marek getting cozy, curling up with "dog" in the tray on our ottoman. . .

Doesn't actually look very comfortable but I still wanted to crawl in there with him!!

Edamame!

Thank God my kids love this! It's sometimes the only protein Marek gets in a day - he's not a big meat eater. :) And I'm also grateful that Costco carries this - bulk!

Madelyn's New Dance Class

Madelyn started dance again this year. She's blue this year for tap/ballet. She has hip hop for 1 hour and tap/ballet for 1/2 hour.

Trying on her dance clothes before dance . . .

Such a princess!

Hannah Arnold Turns 2!!

Little Hannah turned Two exactly one month after Marek.

Have your cupcake and eat it, too!!

Happy Birthday, sweet girl!!

Random Park

We love finding new parks near us. We took the kids to one we found while driving around looking for houses.

Just swingin' . . .

Marek getting assistance from daddy . . .

Marek pickin' up speed!

Daddy being crazy . . .

Marek's Actual Birthday - 7/7

My little man is 2. It's hard to believe. He's my baby! His party wasn't until July 19th but we celebrated on his actual day at home with presents and cake!

Opening his presents (with help from his big sis, of course) . . .

Playing with his new blocks -mommy has to help . . .

Putting his new puzzle together. "I did it!"


The cake - shove it in, son, shove it in.

He looks just like his daddy . . . :)

Happy Birthday, big man!!

Fourth of July - Leakey 2008

Theresa (Tommy's cousin) and her boys joined us in Leakey for the 4th. Their first Leakey experience. It was a blast!

JULY 3 - the Arrival

All of the cousins enjoying the Frio!

Mari's first time to Leakey - she kept saying "I love it here - it is so beautiful!" Marek loves his Mari. :)

Chillin' in the Frio . . .

All smiles :)

I love my little man . . .

Brock fishing for rocks . . .

We headed over to Aunt Lynn's and Aunt Bobby's property.

All the second cousins . . .

Teddy's first rope swing experience. . . over a river none-the-less!

My sweet angel . . .

Holding on for dear life!

Willy's first rope swing experience . . .

Canoeing down the Frio . . .

What is everyone looking at?

We found another rope swing and daddy found a tree with steps built in so he decided to jump. So wrong. When we're in Leakey he thinks he's 12 again.Mid-air - he looks terrified!

The plunge.

Madelyn catching fish with daddy's cousin Sandra . . .

Great success!

Waiting in line for the rope swing. Cousin Randy giving everyone a push!

She looks so little way up there!

WEEEEEEeeeeeee . . .

Later that night back at the house. . .

Dziadek giving dance lessons on the deck before the feast.

The feast - it was GOOD! The good Doctor cooked all day for us.

The "Kids" table + Mari . . .

JULY 4th - The Big Day

My guy and me resting before the festivities. . .

My sweet angel face.

The annual Leakey 4th of July Parade. The Stavinoha/Oley float was "We 'DIG' Leakey" because of all the construction. Very cute!

The crew . . .

My little construction workers. . .

Uncle Brian took Madelyn to get a Patriotic Tattoo.

Here she is telling the nice lady where to put it . . .

Checkin' out her new ink . . .
So cute.

That night, Brian and Jessica had picked up some fireworks and gave us a show!

Dr. Oley being safe . . .

JULY 5th - Relaxation

Mimi and Aunt T relaxing on the porch.

Marek, my little cowboy.

They really do love wine . . .THE CLIFFS!

Jackson went first before I got there with the camera.

Willy was next! Mid-jump.

The big splash!

Teddy did it too!!! He's only 6!

One last river stop - Aunt Tootsie's place at the springs . . . Yet another rope swing . . .

Jackson swinging really high!

Letting go is tough - the springs are COLD!

Willy letting go at the top!

Teddy - ouch!

Momma and Maddie being goofballs . . .

:)

Daddy and Mads - last jump of the day!
One . . .

Two . . .

Splash!! Madelyn not so happy . . .

The water is SOOOOO cold at the springs. Coldest part of the Frio!

Sweet Solari's

Solari boys excited to be at their first rodeo!

My poor baby girl was wearing flip flops and wanted to join her cousins in the calf hustle.

She could hardly move in all the mud and horse manure!

Here it is on video - my poor princess. :(

Aunt T trying to make Mads feel better with some funnel cake. Makes ME feel better!

With her soiled little behind, she went to pet one of the cowboys' horses.

We had such a great weekend full of family, food, fun, food, Frio, food, "Fourth" Festivities, food, and friends!

Thank you Dziadek and Mimi for another FABULOUS FOURTH!