Memorial Day 2011

The morning of Memorial Day, Nolan, Ellie and I spent it at the zoo with my friend Katie and her daughter.  Jason finished at the duplex early afternoon...yay!!!  We invited Jason's sister Anne, her husband Justin, and friend Terry over to grill out. 

It was a great afternoon spent on our deck watching Nolan play in the yard and Ellie taking a nap.  Yummy food, drink and memories.  Nolan made us all laugh as he played on his mini ATV...he kept trying to keep a bottle of water in the cup holder.  As soon as he would start moving, it would fall out.  EVERY time we heard "uh oh!" and he would get off to retrieve the bottle and try again.  This actually entertained him...and us, for quite awhile!

A VERY tired Ellie and Aunt Anne

Don't remember what this tantrum was about...but he was standing inside and pressed up against the door and yes, that is Cheetos on his cheek!

Nolan still loves to give baby sis kisses...Ellie is still looking exhausted.  She didn't nap ALL day until later on the deck.

Awwww...finally a peaceful nap!

Yummmmmmmmm...watermelon

Mommy's Girls...plus kids Weekend

Jason planned on remodeling one of the duplex bathrooms for Memorial Weekend.  The thought of spending a 3 day weekend at the house as the only adult sounded depressing for me...I love spending time with Nolan and Ellie, but after a few days of just us, it gets a bit tiring.  So, I called one of my bestest friends in my life, Katie.  Luckily, she was free!!!!  Katie and her daughter came up on Saturday and stayed until Monday afternoon.

Katie is one of my best friends.  We were roommates in college and I love her dearly.  She has such a big heart and is an amazing listener, advice giver, mom and friend.  She is there for me always...Love you lady :)

Katie's daughter has the same big heart and beautiful smile as her mom.  I cannot believe how grown-up she is becoming...don't grow up too fast!  She was such a HUGE help with Nolan and Ellie.  Nolan really looked up to her.  They played together at the park, laughed at the zoo, and most important to Nolan...she read him his bedtime stories.  I was quietly listening in my room and heard him giggle and ask "again" when she was done.  She was patient and read them again :)  Thank you M!!

The zoo has a Dr. Seuss theme going on right now...

This visit he decided to be a chicken!

So silly...

Turtle 1...

...and Turtle 2

Pa-pa Hickman Visits

Last week Jason was going to be very busy and away from home.  He had his golf league on Tuesday, Twins Game on Wednesday and then starting Thursday, was gone from sun-up to sun-down at the duplex (remodeled one of the bathrooms).  So...I decided to see if my Dad was interested in coming up to Minneapolis to spend time with me and the kids.  He thought it sounded like fun!  Dad spent Tuesday thru Friday with the Holthaus crew!!

The weather had been forecast to be 70's and sunny all week...well, they only got that right for one day *sigh.  Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty low key.  They were mainly spent just relaxing and hanging around the house...lots of play time outside and throwing the frisbee for Maya.  On Thursday, we went to the zoo.  It was a gorgeous day and Nolan loved showing Pa-pa (upgraded name from Buh-pa) around his favorite zoo exhibit...the farm!

It was very special to see Nolan, Ellie and my dad interact for a few days.  They sang songs, did a little dancin' and Dad got in lots of kisses!  Grandpa is welcome any time!!

Closely watching a tractor plow a field

Feeding the "baa's"...this is how Nolan refers to sheep

The debut of Miss Ellie's new sun hat!

Too cute huh?

Another Ames Visit

I can't believe how fast the weeks are slipping by.  Nolan, Ellie and I spent 8 days at my parents a few weeks ago and I'm just now getting around to posting the pictures!  Below are a few that show what we were up to!

A few highlights:
- We went to the Des Moines Farmer's Market on opening weekend...the first nice weekend.  Yikes was it busy!...and warm!  Little Ellie does not like the humidity.  She decided to scream the entire time.  Not fun when you are stuck in the middle of 40,000 people!  Oh well, we tried :)  We went with my parents, sister and 3 nephews.  Even with Ellie's cries, there were lot's of fun memories, and a new game with Grandpa.

- One day my mom took the day off work and we decided it was time to get Nolan his first pair of 'real' shoes.  Up until now, he hated...and I stress hated to wear shoes.  He didn't like anything going across the top of his feet.  They are wide and fat!  If you put shoes on him, he would stop in place like his feet were in cement and just scream.  Thankfully, we had found some sock shoes that got him through the winter.  This spring I thought he was ready for real sandals.  My mom, dad and I took him to the same shoe store my mom used to take me shopping as a little girl.  Nolan thought it was pretty cool...they have a mini kids door they can go through and then have a bridge inside to walk across while they try on shoes.  It was a successful shopping trip and Nolan now owns his first pair of Teva sandals!

- Definitely NOT a highlight, but worth mentioning...Nolan had his first visit to the Ames McFarland Clinic :(  One night he was having soooo much fun running back and forth from the room I was in with Ellie, out to talk to Grandma in the kitchen.  On a return trip to see me, he tripped on his own feet and fell head first into the corner of the couch frame.  Instant tears and HUGE bump!  I called First Nurse and they told me the signs to watch for a concussion.  After a night of Nolan rolling around saying "Owwwwww" and holding his forehead, we woke up to the swelling being worse!  We decided it was in our best interest to have it checked out at the local clinic.  He was fine!  The doctor told me something new.  She said, the bigger the bump on the outside, the less concerned she is of the inside.  Who knew?!  He still has the signs of a bruise today and it has been a few weeks...it was definitely a big bump!

Nolan took a nap and arranged for a few 'friends' to join him...I did not do any of this!

Mowing the lawn with cousins

At the park with Grandma Hickman

His new shoes made climbing so easy!

Another visit with my friend Jennifer and Rosie.  This time we were joined by my sister and nephews.  Here, the kids are playing in Rosie's room...not sure what!

A new favorite thing to do...have Grandpa Hickman pop bags!!  We went through a lot of fruit snacks that week :)

Attempt at a picture of Grandma and Grandpa Hickman with the grandkids...Nolan was grumpy because he had a headache from his fall. I HATE that Nolan has his pacifier in...

All the Hickman cousins.

Playin' in the Rain

This past Saturday was another rainy weekend...*sigh.  Jason was in the garage working on a couple projects and Nolan was playing his sidekick.  Jason popped his head inside to let me know Nolan was outside playing in the rain.  My first instinct was "NO!"...but when I saw the pure joy he had splashing around, I thought, "what the heck..."  I am trying to learn to be more carefree and not so uptight about dirt, schedules and to-do lists.  What better way to learn to relax than by watching your son enjoying a little mud :)

Difficult to get good shots...I had to stay under the protection of the entry-way

Not really sure what was capturing his attention at this time...

Action shot of some good old, muddy water splashin'

Preparing to strip him down and right into the bath!