June '13

June may have been one of the craziest months we've ever had. Ryder finished up his Kindergarten year at Dassel Elementary and I finished up my own school year, for good this time.... Due to loss of funding, my grant was not going to be funded for the 13-14 school year and since we have been debating about the idea of me staying home with the kids for the last couple of years, it seemed like maybe this was the best time to make that transition. I will say that I have never in my life envisioned myself as a stay at home mom, but sometimes things change and right now, it is what my family needs. I think it's in my nature to always look for little things to 'dabble in' on the side because I like contributing to our finances and having a little extra money to spend and because I do actually love working most of the time, but for right now, Max and I both believe that home is where I need to be for a while....

Goodbye office, goodbye career!

So after we wrapped up with school it was full throttle as we jumped into basketball camps, vacation bible school, kinderball, and swimming lessons! I think my tahoe is still recovering from all the miles she had to put on in those first few weeks :) Then we celebrated the wedding of some of our best friends, Joe and Katy Beckman in Waseca. Piper was honored to be their little flower girl, Max was 'co-best man' and we had such a fun time!! The following morning was father's day and after the long drive back home we spent the rest of the day relaxing with our little fam.... The following weekend was busy as I threw my sister a baby shower honoring my little nephew to be (at the time!) and after that, Max and I said goodbye to our kiddos and our loving bed as we dove into the boundary waters for a canoe trip with Max's brothers and their wives.... I told you June was busy :)

my basketball stud...

I passed, mom! 

My sweet flower girl (who actually was NOT acting very sweet earlier that day!) 

Piper helping Auntie Lissa open presents for baby!

let's review....

The last time I actually blogged was back in April, I think. Luckily for all of you, absolutely NOTHING has happened since then ;)

Just kidding! Here's my attempt at very 'brief' (although it will probably get long--my apologies!) recap of the last few months....

April 2013: First up--our Nashville trip! We are so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet this amazing city and we definitely soaked up all it had to offer. We can't wait to get back there!!

heading to the grand ol' opry!

we saw some great performers, but our favorite was darius ruckert!

following the opry, we headed downtown... we had the best time ever and thanks to some awesome expertise from a friend of max's--we knew just where to go. The band was incredible and the drinks were pretty delish too, obviously! Note to self---always bring cash in to the bar bathrooms in Nashville or else you won'g get to use the soap! :) 

following our late night, we found a much needed coffee shop, had some breakfast and later went on a a beautiful run in a park downtown. 

Our last night in Nashville, catching a quick drink before eating quite possibly the most expensive meal we've ever had at Etch. Seriously, worth every single penny. We had a five course meal that was to die for. We still find ourselves talking about this place. If you ever find yourself in Nashville, do your tastebuds a favor and make reservations to eat here!!

Other things we loved about Nashville: the opry hills mall (it kept me company during the day when max was working!) The home2suites hotel was fabulous and we loved the location, the frothy monkey coffeehouse was worth the cab ride  and the neighborhood (12south) that it's in is very trendy and and full of 'my people' as my husband put it ;) Prior to our show at the opry we also grabbed an app and drink at The Patterson House. We would recommend this place over and over and over. Their drink menu is so unique and the bartenders have it down to a science. It is very tricky to find since it is a 'speakeasy' establishment and we happened to have gotten very lucky to find it, but we are so glad we did!! If you can't tell, we fell in love with this awesome town.... :)

Not long after our return from Nasvhille, this little guy went and turned SIX on us!

Look at the sweet smile! And yes, the tooth fairy had just recently payed him a visit if you can't tell from the big gap in his teeth :) Ryder is the most considerate and loving little boy I know. At six years old he loves ninja turtles, sports (baseball and basketball are two of his faves), hunting and fishing, swimming, (he is a little fish!), dirtbiking, and all things boy. He loves to be surrounded by the people he loves. I am so lucky to be his mama!

May 2013: 

May kept us busy with mother's day celebrations, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and field trips!

Mother's day snuggles and coffee with my little ones! (Check out Starr in the background!)

Ryder checking the giraffes on his Como Zoo field trip!