Arrowwood with the Roslansky Crew

We headed back to Arrowwood with the Roslansky family (compliments of the resort after the rock incident last year).  Brian flew in late Thursday and Uncle Jim picked him up since Sara and crew would be up early Friday to start on our adventure.  Although we didn't get started as planned because we forgot the hats Nana Jeanne had planned for the boys to wear so we turned around mid-trip to get them and boy are we glad we did!  The boys loved them and didn't want to take them off! 

Such goof balls!

Nana always does a great job picking out clothes for the kids to wear for our picture (makes it a lot easier on everyone too!)  Cuties!

This was the first time the Roslansky cousins were seeing each other this trip and they picked up like no time had passed.

Nana and Papa Steve with their four grandkids!

So silly!

Might as well get a quick family one of us too!

And JR and family!

The girls were best buds!

 Couldn't get enough of each other!

On the way up to Alexandria the Sara, Annie and the little girls drove together.  They played peek a boo for a bit...

...until it was sleepy time!

After a pit stop at Pizza Ranch the boy car fell asleep too.  Well, not Uncle B or Jim but these little ones decided it was worth the $1 JR promised them if they shut their eyes!

Since we didn't get an entire group picture back at Jim and Annie's house we got one as soon as we checked into our cabin at Arrowwood. 

Pretty cute group if we do say so ourselves!

Since it was nice out we took advantage of the weather and headed to the outdoor pool.  Ellie was practicing her cool look!

After lots of swimming and a dinner of Mexican food we played outside.  Nana always comes prepared with gifts for the kids and they had no problem putting them to use!  Fly Dusty!

Annie was smart and insisted that they bring the wagon and thank goodness she did!  It was a hit (and helped with the unpacking and packing)!

Not only are we a pretty cute crew but we are also lots of fun!  Papa Steve brought the beer frisbee game and there was a little competition going on!

We even had cheerleaders!

In the morning after Papa Steve's yummy pancakes that the boys always request, we had fun playing in our room.  The kids really are so good together!  It just brings joy to our hearts being all together!

 

After that we headed to the indoor waterpark for some fun (plus it was cold and dreary out). 

After that adventure Nana Jeanne and Papa Steve had to head back to the Cities to attend a memorial for a good friend of theirs that died unexpectedly earlier in the week.  So while the kids all napped (amazing what $1 will do for the 4 and 5 year old)...the big kids played a new card game....that is until JR gave up because Sara was winning.  LOL  And also LOL...how Annie kept her feet warm during the game!

Sam was first up so he got some special time with Uncle B playing transformers. 

Then when Trevor got up Annie and Sara took the two boys over to the Activity Center to make cookies!  Yum!!!!  (Do you want a cookie with the candy??)

When the littles woke up they joined us.  Ashley and Trevor were excited to play with some toys!

Instead of a cookie, Ashley was loving the popcorn!

Something new at the park was this zipline.  The kids LOVED it!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

Even Ashley got a turn!  Big girl!

To kill some more time prior to Nana and Papa Steve returning we spent some time at the playground.  It was great!  There was big equipment for the big boys and this little slide for the little girls!  Everyone was in Heaven!

Daddy what are you doing?

A favorite activity of the girls was to climb under Uncle B's legs..over and over and over!

They sure love him!

 Sunday morning was rainy so we headed back to the waterpark for more fun!  Trevor was pointing out the dark clouds here.

 

Diva was very into stealing Daddy's juice.

Trevor and Sam were into going down the slides by themselves!

Elena was all about Auntie Sara...even felt comfortable enough to poop in her swim diaper while Sara was holding her.  Twice.  Quite the experience!

Big boy Sam!

Ashley liked going down the kiddie slides with someone! 

Just had to lift her at the end so that she wouldn't get too splashed with water!

 After getting back the girls waned to sun themselves in the little chairs. 

The boys didn't nap this day so they played a little ipad...

...and some go fish!

But then Trevor got tired so Daddy laid down with him and pretty much everyone else was resting too so Sara and Nana took Sam to the activity center for his cookie!  He may have had two :-)

That late afternoon the Rassmussen's (the Roslansky's old neighbor in Waseca) popped over for a quick visit and the kids put on quite the show dancing and laughing!

Coloring rocks is always a favorite!

And then the girls were off!

We think they were saying they wanted some s'mores in their cute matching outfits!

Uncle Jim was keeping them entertained with bubbles while dinner was made. Ribs...yum!

After dinner we headed to the lake to get some pics of the kids.  But the big kid had to take her shot at the zip line!  Fun for all ages!

Apparently the lake wasn't that cold!

Sam is a good poser for the camera!

Buddies!

 

And then Ashley started the fun with just going for it and getting all wet!

It wasn't long until everyone followed!

So much fun, so little time!

We even had a beautiful sunset!

We wanted to get a picture of the four of them but Elena wasn't so sure. 

With a little coaxing though, she was game!

 Uncle B took some panoramic photos.  Turned out pretty cool!

 Such a beautiful and peaceful lake!

 

One last time on the zip line..you know, to help dry off!

And then it was s'mores time!!!!!

And in one of the cutest moments of our time together, a kissing picture!  It's because of this love that Jim and Sara came into the picture and from there we kept growing with the addition of Brian and Annie and then four wonderful kids.  We are blessed for each other and for this time together.  We look forward to it every year.  Thank you for all of your planning and cooking and cleaning and gifts and the list goes on and on.  We love you Mom and Dad Roslansky!  XOXOXO

Bye Bethany :-(

Our most wonderful babysitter Bethany is headed back to college (University of San Diego where Brian went) and we are most sad about it.  Because of her (and a neighbor) Mommy had 3 mornings a week of sitters to watch the kids all summer so that she could go to the clubhouse and work on Cool Carats stuff.  It was nice knowing they would be in good hands with Bethany.  It was also because of Bethany that Sara and Brian got to take numerous date nights or nights out with friends.  Bethany didn't really need her own social calendar did she?  LOL  Luckily she feels the same way about us as we do of her so she loves spending time with the kids.  When she left the last morning we all had a few tears.  :-( So it isn't goodbye, it's see you later Bethany!  When are you back for your first break? 

Robbie!!!

So this is probably going to be huge news to some given how vocal Sara had been about getting another dog.  She did not want another dog and had no interest in being responsible for one but she knew that Brian really really wanted one.  And since marriage is about compromise she compromised this time.  Matter of fact, our future family dog gave him a well-thought out card for Father's Day saying that we would look for one after Christmas (date chosen because of all of our Fall travel).  Brian's reaction was less than stellar because it seemed so far away so Sara kind of just forgot about it.  She wasn't very happy with his reaction given how big of a step it was for her but whatever.  Life goes on.  And then Dash came up on Sara's Facebook page and it got her thinking.  A rescue dog that was already trained wouldn't be that bad....

But we didn't talk about it or call until Sara was talking to her good friend Julie about a dog (they have two) and Julie insisted she call about Dash (she too had seen Dash on Facebook).  Sara emailed but Dash was already taken a few days ago.  Well low and behold a few hours after Sara let Julie know that, the below picture shows up on Sara's phone from Julie.  Sara asked who is that and Julie responded 'it's your dog.  Robbie Hillins' Huh??  Did Julie get this dog for us?  We wouldn't but it past her but we were hoping that wasn't the case LOL.  

 She said there was a lot of interest in Robbie through the Arizona Small Dog rescue and when we didn't call right away she called and let Sara know that he was still available and matter of fact Julie said she heard Robbie say 'Mommy Hillins' in the background.  :-)

Well Sara had sent the pic of Robbie to Brian along with a video and he wondered if we should go see him because he had called about Dash and learned that he was already adopted.

 Well he called and hit it off with the foster Mommy Sherry and agreed that we would go see him that evening.  There was a lot of interest in Robbie with people coming the next day so if we really wanted him we would have to move quick.  Awww...that face!!

We went to see him and it was instant love for Mommy!  Robbie didn't bark.  Weighed about 9lbs, didn't shed (she wore black to verify) and was excellent with the kids!!

 Robbie liked us too!  And the kids really liked him!

 We decided that Robbie would be our doggie!  Wow!!  Our first family picture!

It was kind of weird leaving Robbie there that night knowing that he was ours but he was scheduled to get neutered the next day and it only made sense that Sherry would take him.  Lucky for us she sent a lot of pics of our new doggie over so that we could continue to get to know him!

That face!!

He loves toys and nylabones so we will be sure to get those for him for our house!

 Robbie did great for his surgery!  Poor doggie looked so tired post-surgery!

That night he slept like a baby.  

 

Side note, he does go in his kennel but after Sherry could trust him that he was potty trained he got to sleep on a bed!  On Thursday evening we went over to see our little guy and give him a special toy.  We brought him a Mickey water bottle thing.  He definitely does not discriminate against toys and much prefers to hoard them. 

 Side note: He was supposed to come home on Wednesday after his surgery but then we found out that the shelter had a rule that for dogs that came from County had a 10 day health holding period just to make sure everything was okay.  We of course were disappointed but it made sense.  We could have bent the rules but seeing that Sherry was going to keep him during our upcoming trip to MN, rather than go back and forth after his surgery, we agreed to the rules and agreed to go see him when we could.  When we left that evening Robbie got kisses from Ashley...

 ...and Trevor!  Lots of love for our little guy!

 So a little back story on Robbie.  We aren't entirely sure how he ended up at the County animal shelter but he was there for 3 days before he was going to be put to sleep.  That's their policy!  If you lose your dog, you only have 3 days to find him or her before he is euthanized.  So sad!!!!!!!!!!  So he went on the E-list Tuesday at 5:30am and luckily Arizona Small Dog Rescue swooped him up and saved him!!!  We saw him Tuesday at 8pm so what a day for Robbie!!! 

 He reminds us a bit of Randle except that he likes his kennel, plays with toys and doesn't seem to have separation anxiety.  He's a smart puppy.  Auntie Sherry is training him well.  He definitely knows sit, wait, shake and is working on lay.  We're pretty lucky that Sherry was there to be his foster Mommy.  She is so good with him!  Robbie will miss her two doggies, Mickey and Boo but hopefully our two kids will be enough entertainment for him.  He will also get to go to work with Brian frequently so that will be fun for him - and Brian - too!  So there will be lots of updates as Robbie (new name TBD) joins our family!  Yay!

Raft riding!

We had quite the weekend...totally using our babysitter every night before she goes back to college!  On Friday we went to watch bull riding with Katie and Neill who had never been (so much fun!) and then on Saturday we watched the sunset and had dinner at Tonto Grill before having 9pm massages!  Sara's massage was wonderful...Brian's not so much :(  Other than that we spent a lot of time in the pool!  We now have two kids who like to go in the raft and paddle around!

Mommy has enough room for everybody!

Lately the kids like to pick little battles with each other....always around 'she's my Mommy' and inch closer and closer trying to push the other one off!

Mommy's response?  Always 'I have enough room for everyone' XOXO

Fancy Hair

One day when Mommy was in the shower she asked Trevor to go get Ashley a bow because she was asking for one (the girl wakes up patting her head requesting a bow before even getting out of her crib!  Love it!!)  Well she came back with a whole head of bows!!!!  As you can see that is not what she wanted!

 The ironic thing about this is that about a week ago our friend Remy's Mom just did her hair this way!  Trevor must have ESP!  Remy however thought hers was pretty cute!  Precious!

 

But speaking of hair, we had to post this one of our cutie.  Mommy came home one morning from work to Ashley looking like she was 3!!!!

So fancy!

Then another time Trevor did Ashley's hair with every single bow he could reach in her room.  This time though - she loved it!!

 Look for this style in a fashion magazine near you soon ;)

Garage Organization!

We were a little sick of seeing so much clutter when we pulled in the garage so we finally did something about it.  After seeing our friends' Bobby and Julie's overhead storage rack we knew it was perfect for us too.  Plus Sara has been a crazy lady getting rid of all of the baby stuff that was all in totes filling the wall on the left! And with $50 off at CostCo the time was right!   Brian is such a hard worker and put it up himself!!  Then the next day we spent time purging and organizing and this was the end result.  Woo hoo!

Ashley's School!

Starting mid-September Ashley will be going to Primrose (aka fire truck school where Trevor went) three days a week.  We feel it is super important for her to have consistent socialization and with Mommy's work picking up it will be good for her to have time with friends at school.

We got to meet her teachers and Ashley had no problem leaving our side to go explore!

Trevor was so excited to show her the fire truck playground set!

We think she will be just fine and really enjoy it here!!

So Sad...Ashley is getting too big!

Ashley has outgrown one of Mommy's favorite outfits for her.  :-( Well, one that we bought....she has a lot of her older cousin's clothes that we love just as much too!  Ashley is lucky that Auntie Dawn has such great taste!  But this was one of the outfits that just spoke to Mommy.

Our tall girl is just too tall for this adorable romper. 

Little model :-) 

Luckily, one of Sara's friends bought this from us for her daughter so we'll get to see it around still :-)

More Summer Fun

We are continuing to have a wonderful summer of fun!  We stay pretty busy but also stay inside a lot.  So every single toy has been touched this summer.  A favorite right now is the mega blocks because Ashley and Trevor can play with them together!  Trevor enjoys making robots...and gets really sad when Ashley knocks them down or they just fall down on their own!

Ashley definitely loves getting her hair done and having her picture taken.  We had just talked with Uncle Jim on the phone and Mommy said should we send him a picture.  Ashley nodded her head and gave a big ole' cheese to the camera.  She loves her Uncles!

We attended a Frozen party at Claire's house and boy was that a hit.  The funny thing is that when it came time for pictures the little ones and the boys couldn't be found...but the girls...well they were all glued to Anna and Elsa!

 Gracie (who wore Ashley's old Cinderella outfit!) and Ashley much preferred to just play in one of the play rooms!

 Daddy (aka baby whisperer) helped watch our Godson Maddox during the party!  So precious!

Our friends Sharon, Connor and Kennedy got back from their 3 week summer trip (!!) so we of course had to have a play date right away.  We went to AZ Air Time and had a blast.  Ashley went everywhere the big kids did!

One day Trevor requested that we make a gingerbread man and fortunately we had all of the ingredients.  Ashley got in on the fun too.  Probably the two most decorated gingerbread men you have ever seen!  They like sprinkles and other toppings!

Trevor had one of his first playdates where the Mommy doesn't come too and it went really well.  A few little tiffs on Trevor's part but Jack is pretty easy going.  He turned 6 in June and will be going to Kindergarten soon!  We made cookies, jumped on the trampoline, played playdough and played a really long time building Legos in Trevor's room.  We'd say it was a success!

We also are finishing up swimming lessons.  When he finishes 8/14 he will have had 8 weeks of lessons going every day Monday through Thursday.  He really improved a ton having lessons so consistently.  He ended up having 6 weeks of private lessons (part by plan, part because the other person didn't show up) and 2 weeks of group lessons.  He definitely got more out of the private lesson and will see if it will work to do that again next summer with Miss Emily because Trevor's goal is to be on the Fireside swim team!  He should be able to!  He has a great dive, front stroke with side breathing and back stroke.  We are so glad to not have to be so worried about having him in the water!