Camping

The last few weekends we have spent camping.  We borrowed Nate's parents old pop camper and headed out for some fun weekends.

Our first camping weekend we went to Codger's Cove Campground in Howard Lake.  It's only about 20 minutes from our house, so we were able to bring our boat too.  We went with some of our friends and enjoyed a "hot and windy" weekend. 

The Theme for the weekend was Halloween, so Kaitlyn dressed up as a Princess and we went Trick or Treating around the campground.   It was fun to see how everyone decorated their campsites.

Sara and Kaitlyn on their way to the next stop for some more treats.

The guys maning the candy at our campsite. 

We had perfect campsites right next to the lake. 

Labor Day weekend we headed to St. Cloud to spend the weekend camping with Nate's family and friends.  The campground was perfect except it wasn't warm enough to open the pool.  Kaitlyn stayed entertained with her cousins and some friends.  The weather was a little chilly, but we managed and still had a great time.

Hailey and Kaitlyn showing off their new matching zippy's they got from Aunty Betty.  Kaitlyn and Hailey were best buds for the weekend.  Everything Hailey did... Kaitlyn was right behind.  I asked Kaitlyn what she wanted for dinner... Her response: "What's Hailey having?".  Hailey was a big help in persuading Kaitlyn to do something we wanted her to do.  If Hailey was going to the bathroom so did Kaitlyn.

We decided to continue Kaitlyn's Birthday celebration and have a small party for her while we were camping.  We had a fun game for the kids to play, cupcakes, and opened presents. 

Playing the music game!

Kaitlyn needed a little help figuring out what to do when the music stopped, but she figured it out very quickly.

Opening Presents and cards!

Look Mommy.  I got monies!  Every card after that she just looked for money. 

Cody and Darren!

The campground had lots of fun activities planned through out the weekend for kids and adults.  Saturday they had Hawaiian Ice treats and a Medallian hunt.  We didn't find the Medallian, but it was still fun to try.  Sunday they had a kid's carnival and Bingo in the evening for the adults and older kids.

Grandma helping Kaitlyn play one of the carnival games.

Cousin Gibson getting a bath!

Happy Birthday Kaitlyn - Big 3!

Wow, we can't believe that our little girl is 3 years old.  She growing up so fast.  On her birthday she spent the day giving Nana a tour of all the parks in Mayer.  When mommy and daddy got home we had dinner, opened presents, and had cupcakes.  We asked Kaitlyn what she wanted for her birthday dinner... she said "um... Just cupcakes!" 

We didn't have candles so we had to improvise.  We used this as a teaching experience.  2 + 1 = 3. 

Opening presents from Nana.

Opening her present from Mommy and Daddy!  Yeah a new Sleeping Bag!

Kaitlyn's last night with a Nukie!

Sunday we had Bapapa, Aunty Anne, Nana, and Uncle Randy over for a small birthday party.  We had a yummy dinner, opened presents, and ate more cupcakes. 

Kaitlyn with her balloons that Aunty brought over.

I made cupcakes, but baked them in ice cream cones.  Kaitlyn loved them.

The big girl!

I was more prepared for birthday round #2.  Candles and a number "3".

Thomas and Kaitlyn playing her the new sleeping bag. 

We have been preparing Kaitlyn that when she turns 3 no more nukies.  So Friday night we took Kaitlyn to Target to pick out a toy because she was giving up her nukie.  She picked out a remote control fire truck.  Our bedtime routine includes cuddle time.  So as we were getting dressed for bed time she started asking for her nukie.  We told her that she is a big girl now and that means no more nukies.  She wasn't too happy about that.  All week my mom had been preparing her for this night.  Kaitlyn just kept saying... "but I'll be sad." 

Night #1: Lots of hysterical crying.  Than after giving up on the crying she spent the next hour sitting up and searching for her nukie everywhere on her bed.  (We have a camera baby monitor so we watched the escapade take place.)  About 1 1/2 later she gave up and fell asleep.

Night #2: A lot less crying.  Only took about 30 minutes to fall asleep.

Night #3: Only asked about her nukie a few times and fell asleep.

MN Zoo in July

My sister Anne and my mom took Kaitlyn to the MN Zoo in July.  They met up with a good friend and her 2 daughters.  Here are some pictures from the trip.

 Anne, Stephanie, Nana, Mia (2 years), Nova (2 months), and Kaitlyn at the Zoo!

 Kaitlyn visiting the Tigers!

 Nana and Kaitlyn

 Aunty Anne and Kaitlyn

 Stephanie, Anne, Nova, Mia, and Kaitlyn

 Splash Pad.  Mia had to show Kaitlyn what to do!

 Best Friends already!

 So cute!

Everyone had a great time at the Zoo.  Too bad Mommy and Daddy had to work and couldn't go!

Kanabec County Fair

This past weekend we headed to Mora, MN to spend some time at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Kaitlyn was so excited because we were going to go to the "County Fair". The whole way up on Friday she kept asking when we would be at the fair.

Friday night Grandma, Cousin Hailey, Cousin Darren, Kaitlyn, and mommy headed to the fair for dinner and some rides. Everyone had a lot of fun that it was hard to get everyone to go home for bed.

Saturday we brought the kids back down to finish up all our ride tickets before the parade.

Holding hands as on the way to the Fair.

Boat Ride!

Carousel!

Cars!

Dragon Roller coaster! They had to stop the ride because after the 2nd time around Kaitlyn started crying. She said that it hurt it her tummy!

Kaitlyn, Cody, and Hailey!

Here is a quick video of Kaitlyn singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star!" She loves to sing and combine different songs together.

Air Show

Sunday Afternoon we took Kaitlyn to Flying Cloud Airport in Eden Prairie for the annual Air Expo. We had a lot of fun looking at types of airplanes and helicopters. We also go to see a police car and a big "Crash Rig" Fire Truck.


We had a hard time convincing Kaitlyn that our time was up playing.

An airplane that would fit Kaitlyn perfectly.
Kaitlyn in a military helicopter.