Ellertson Girls Visit!!!

We were SO thrilled that our friends from Arizona came to visit us for 4 days!  We know it isn't the cheapest or easiest to get to us and for them to spend the time and money to see us just meant so much!!!!  We filled their time here with only lots of fun and laughter!!  Southern BBQ made by Chef Brian which was so yummy, s'mores, dance parties, swimming, picnics, wineries, shopping, Crystal Bridges trails, food truck lunch, ice cream at Waltons, Amazeum, and slip-and-slide!!!  Fun times!  Toby also gained another fan - Abbie loved Toby and was sad to leave him.  Feeling is mutual Ellertson girls - come back anytime!!!! (Of course, Seth is welcome too :)))

Kamp Kanakuk

One of Trevor's buddy from school, Tanner invited Trevor to attend Kamp Kanakuk this past week.  We've heard great things about this Christian day camp in Fayetteville and were glad that Trevor had the opportunity to go with his friend!

When we picked him up the first day Trevor couldn't stop talking about all the activities they did.  Ashley started crying because 'it isn't fair that he gets all the fun.' 

So Mommy and Ashley had our own fun the rest of the week while he was at camp.  Such as when Ashley asks 'can I stay in my jammies just a little bit longer Mommy?' the answer was always yes!

We went to the park!

We went swimming and had popsicles!

And on the last day of camp we got to go check out their program.  Goosebumps.  You could feel God's presence in each of the camper's hearts and their counselors.  Their souls sang His praises.  Smiles all around!

We were especially proud of Trevor because he received the Bumblee Bee award that only 10 campers get during the week!  This is out of 335 kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  He certainly is a leader that knows how to be inclusive and make people feel special.  Proud of our boy!!!! (The certificate said Trevor is always smiling and sees the positive in every situation.  He has a heart for others and is unselfish in his giving)

During that program though Mommy noticed that Ashley wasn't feeling so well and she started complaining that her ear hurt so we stopped by the pediatrician on the way home and ear infection it was.  This may be the second or third time she's been on antibiotics.  Get well soon princess!

Ashley's Dance Recital

There is nothing cuter than little girls dancing (in Mommy's opinion!!) and today was the day for our little cutie to dance!  She was so excited!  

Pretty sure she's going to be a ballet pointe dancer with how she poses with her toe like that!

We somehow snagged front row tickets so we had a great view!  Ashley is 2nd from the right!  Her group did ballet this year:

The finale song which was super fast and upbeat was more Ashley's style.  Everyone did a great job!

Daddy brought his little pumpkin flowers!

And afterward we hit up Braum's for hamburgers and ice cream!!

Minnesota in May and June!!

The day after school got out, Mommy and the kids headed to MN so that we could attend the Kelly family get together the next day and spend some time with Nana and Papa Steve.  We have an unwritten rule started by Nana that we try to not let more than 2 months go by without seeing one another.  Started when we moved to Arizona and continues now with us in Arkansas!  Of course the first thing that came out within an hour of arriving was Sara's old snack shop from when she was little.

On Sunday the troops arrived!  

The Kelly siblings!

Kelly siblings plus significant others!  

Cousins!!!

Cousins, Annie and the littles!

Mommy's MN tribe - pretty much sisters!!!

That night we kept Sam and Elena so the kids could have a sleepover and so that we could head to Owatonna's Memorial Day parade the next day!

We brought them back to Eden Prairie later that day and had a BBQ at Jim and Annie's before heading back to Nana and Papa's for a fun week!

Reading all the library books!

Yellow Mushroom pizza - YUM!

It was super important for Mommy to visit Aunt Alice (Grandma Kelly's sister) in Winona so one day we road-tripped.  It was SO good to see her.  The kids brought her little trinkets from their McDonalds happy meals and she was happy to see us, asking all about things.  Trevor even sang her some patriotic songs for the Memorial Day holiday.  Precious time that our souls all needed.  We got to see Scott and Carmen too.  And thank goodness we went.  Less than a week later she joined her husband Uncle Elmer and Grandma Kelly up in Heaven.  She held on until both of her boys (Scott and Roger) were with her.  So many memories of Aunt Alice - loved her honesty, love of sweets and family and her smile.  We will miss you Aunt Alice, until we are reunited in Heaven. XOXO

After visiting Aunt Alice we headed to a lookout point to see the town Mommy was born in!

Mommy's birthplace!

Then it was back to Owatonna for more fun!

Blast ice cream of course!

Then on Thursday we went up to the Cities to meet Grandma Pauline and Papa John who were in town to help Jeff and Dawn and family move into their new house.  

After that we headed to the MN Zoo.  Annie took the day off of work (!!) and we thought we were spending the day with Nana, Annie and Elena but nope!!  When we got to the zoo Sam popped out from behind a rock and surprised us!  Annie let him skip school (!!) to see us!!!  And what a fun day we had!  We miss the MN Zoo!  Year 3 for the BFF shirts!!!!

Ashley taught Elena her signature pose!  Cuties!

When we got back to Owatonna we stopped at the Blast for one last Dole Whip!  The next day we had to head home to get Ashley back for her dance recital!  Thanks Nana and Papa for hosting us, all the yummy meals, treats and activities.  Love y'all!!!