You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them

We had the pleasure of being surrounded by family once again this last weekend. Grandma Millie spent Friday night and all day Saturday, my parents and nephew Malaki thru Monday, and Aunt Teresa, Uncle Doug, and 2nd cousin Indi on Sunday. It was busy as usual with a garage sale, trip to the MN Zoo, breakfast at Panera (a usual w/ my parents), fun in the pool, and a birthday celebration for my 29th!

Enjoying all the attention he got

"The couch is my new favorite spot, but I get stuck on the corners"

"I told you to move Lincoln! It's not my fault"

"Ok lets hug and make up!"

Can you tell who is on TV? That's right Pat from Wheel of Fortune. Whenever Max is upset we turn the Wheel on for him and all is good - also works on Grandma Millie!

Grandma Millie and Maxwell taking a nap at the garage sale

Lincoln had a great nap and then went to enjoy the grass with a toothbrush

Maxi after his nap with Grandma Millie - nice hair buddy

Storytime

Max and Grandma hanging out

Company is the best

MN ZOO

In Awe of everything he sees

A bit sleepy but enjoyed the sights

Papa pullin' the big boys in the wagon

Two peas in a pod - grandma and grandma Millie stuck together after too much walking

Checking out the monkeys

Daddy and Max

Mak and Papa swimming with the fish

Grandma's favorite part - sea turtles

Taking a break from the sun in the ribs of a dinosaur

The men on the look out for the camels

Everyone is in need of cold refreshments. Grandma Millie had her rootbeer float (something she use to share with Grandpa Rol)

Birthday Party

Beautiful flowers from Grandma Millie

So glad Charlie's 2nd cousin Indi came to play

Charlie, Mak, and Indi playing in the sprinkler

Tim and my mom made an awesome meal for the celebration including appetizers, main course, and an amazing cake

Blowing out my candles with Maxwell

Papa and his BIG boys eating birthday cake

My beautiful handcrafted jewelry armoir designed by my talented father. My dad gave me my first jewelry box on my 17th birthday and 12 yrs later on my 29th birthday I get this one. Thank you so much Dad for a one of a kind work of art.

There are no words that can tell you how much I love this picture

Grandma and Lincoln savoring the moment

Until next time

May the years continue to be good to you.

Saturday morning Tim and I headed off to Sioux Falls with Tina for her 30th birthday celebration with Chris and Mary. Some of Tina's good friends from Nebraska joined us for a great time that night. It is awesome to relax and KNOW that you are going to get a good night's sleep for a change. Tim mom, sister, and neices played, cared for, and slept with the boys for the time we were gone. We came home to VERY happy boys and one tired Nama. Knowing that the boys weren't sleeping well was hard for Tim and I BUT we knew they were in good hands and were given the love and attention they needed while Mom and Dad were gone. Thank you for all the quality time spent with our boys and quality time that Tim and I were able to spend childless. It is very much appreciated!

THE BIRTHDAY GIRL!!

May each and every passing year bring you wisdom, peace and cheer

(30 PRESENTS FOR 30 YEARS)

Wishing you all the great things in life, hope this day will bring you an extra share of all that makes you happiest

(Our wonderful Mom sent a two tier birthday cake for Tina's big day - It was amazing)

Opening her presents

The 3 HAGGAR Beauties off to dinner

Count your life by smiles, not tears. Count your age by friends, not years.

The Schweitzers

Christina Marie's escorts for the evening - her 2 wonderful brothers (in law - Tina doesn't consider them in laws)

A couple just as much in love today as the day they said "I Do"

Yeah these two had drinks all day long but MAN were they entertaining!

An awesome afternoon at WILD WATER WEST!

I think she was still claiming them at this point. Mary and I on the other hand were running in the other direction!

One happy swimmer

Safe Travels. Until next time peps! You fill my life with laughs and memories that I couldn't make with anyone else! Love you!!

Good N Ink'd

On Friday my sisters, mom, and I got TATTOOS! We decided three weeks ago that we wanted to do this together. Christina already had her angel wings and Mary had four previous ones. Mom and I were ink virgins. We were troopers, after 4.5 hrs at Thrash's. Tina added to her wings, Mary got a new piece on her forearm, and my mom did her ankle.
I wanted my tattoo to be as meaningful as possible. It was designed by Tim and represents my family. The moon is my husband and I have one star for each of the boys, the color of their birthstones. The star dust circles it all and has the birthstone color for our July baby. I will carry them all with me forever!

You Look Like A Monkey And You Smell Like One Too!

Mary and Chris threw an awesome 3rd birthday party for their big boy, Malaki Micheal. He shared his birthday with our Grandma Helen, July 6th. Lets just say everyone was soaked with water and sticky from frosting at the end of the party. So happy that we could be there for Mak this year.

Too much to do, too little time

The birthday boy loves being the center of the party

Miss Isabelle modeling in the pool

Linc stuck by his partner Papa

Max hung with Uncle Tim quite a bit

Tina and Tim

Papa and Uncle Tim cooling the babes off in the pool

Yes, the boys own swimsuits but preferred to swim in undies

Aunt Faye and Izzy blowing bubbles

Aunt Tina is always on the lookout for Mak

Izzy, Uncle Tim, and Max enjoying the party

Sizing up his cake that his Momma handmade

Who cares if it is your 1st or 3rd?!

Trains and Reptiles

On Friday the men took the boys to Reptile Gardens after they discovered the train was full. On Saturday Grandma dropped Papa and Charlie off in Keystone to ride the 1880 Train. It took them to Hill City where Gran and the babies picked them up. Papa said Charlie did great after they were on.

Thanks Mom and Dad for showing the boys a good time while Tim and I were out! Thanks Mary and Chris for making Charlie comfy for the night!

He talked about riding the train for weeks before we got home

Mak and Charlie, conductors for the day

The boys checking out the reptiles

These turtles are awesome, but hiss at you when you are in the way

Close enough Buddy!