Sinnard Family Reunion - Clifty Falls, IN

We had a brief and fairly uneventful work/daycare week before heading out to the every other year Sinnard Family reunion weekend!  We had a blast and now we are all spent but I will try to quickly capture the highlights!

Friday - We dropped Boomer at the doggie hotel around 630a and then we were off the airport for our 9a flight.  We did the usual breakfast before the flight and let Maci pick out one new toy for the plane ride.  She chose wisely with a Melissa and Doug On the Go "Water Wow" toy which basically makes her think she is painting with a paint brush filled with water but it just brings out the color when the water touches the paper.  It then drys and you can do it over and over and over again.  This is seriously the best toy ever for our crazy busy daughter who also loves art.  She did awesome on the flight thanks to this and the counting app on my phone :)

We got into Indianapolis around noon and then we had our 2 hour drive to the state park.  On the way there we stopped for some groceries, beer and lunch.  We made good time even with the stop and we were fully checked into the lodge and on the way to the campground to meet up with everyone by 3p.  Maci was so excited to see Grandma and Grandpa right away.  She then kept asking about her cousins until everyone got there by 5p.  Unfortunately the day had some hit and miss rain which lent itself to this lovely mud puddle :)

Who Doesn't Love Puddle Jumping with Your Older Cousins?!

After showering, we met Clint's parents in the hotel restaurant for dinner.  After dinner, we met up with my siblings, mom and some cousins to watch the US women's soccer game - so fun watching with those that all grew up playing :)  We concluded the evening by some time around the campfire before it started raining and getting too late for a 2.5 year old!

Saturday EARLY MORNING - When Maci was going to bed at 10p she said "Mommy my tummy hurt" but then fell asleep and she doesn't do this often but since it was so flippant I thought nothing of it.  Clint came in from hanging with the adults around midnight and then at 130a I hear some bubbling in the bed next door.  Poor Miss M had puked and kept sleeping.  So I yell to Clint, we shower the poor screaming tired kid as it is in her hair and we throw her in bed with us.  About 20 mins later more PUKE and everywhere this time in our bed, on Clint on the floor OH MAN!  So at 2a we made good friends the inn's 3rd shift staff.  Poor Miss M finally was feeling better by the time the 2nd bed was being made and the vacuum was ran.  I chalk it up (thankfully no more instances the rest of the weekend) to eating way too much crap and going all day long!  What an eventful evening :(

At 715a, Clint held up his end of the bargain and went on a run with Molly and I hung with my mom for some early morning chit chat.  As much as I was tired, my body wakes up on auto pilot at about 7a every day :)  Once Molly/Clint returned from their 5k run, we all got ready and headed down for some breakfast in the hotel.  The day then followed with hanging at the campground, taking a long hike to see some falls but mainly just trying not to lose the pre teen to teenage kids in the woods :)

Our Crazy Hikers!

After returning from our long walk, we got prepared for the kids games which I was excited to see what Maci would do.  She LOVED the water balloon toss, enjoyed the relay race, struggled with musical chairs and was terrified of the crazy 10 year old kids diving at the pinata :)  All in all a good time!

Maci's Idol - Aunt Molly!

We then enjoyed the rest of the evening playing corn hole with family, socializing with good people we don't get to see near enough and just having a great time!  Maci loved all the play time with her cousins and ran all day long with no nap!  This ended with falling asleep in Molly's arms on the way to the car at 1030p.  By the time we hit the hotel room, she was already OUT and stayed that way until 8a the next day :)

This Kid Cracks Me Up!

She Pushed 3 Year Old Cousin Preston on the Bike

 Someone LOVES her Own Minnie Chair from Grandma!

This Group Gets Bigger Every Time We Take the Picture :)

Sunday - We rose a little later today and did the usual breakfast in the hotel.  Afterward we checked out of the inn and headed down to the campground for goodbyes and to help pack up food.  Most people were heading home but since our flight wasn't until 6p out of Indy, we took advantage of my mom's bday and the great weather and hit the outdoor pool at the park.  Maci, Clint, my mom, Molly and I swam from noon-2p before we had to change and start on the 2 hour drive to the airport.  We all got a little bit of sun which made for a sleepy plane ride home and a 2 hour Maci nap in the car :)

As Clint and I said it was a super FUN and FAST weekend!  We are happy to have only a 4 day work week ahead of us before a long 4th of July weekend with no real plans.  We look forward to enjoying some of the many wonderful summer events that go on in our own backyard in the twin cities.  Here is hoping we have great weather and you all have a wonderful 4th!

Lots of Love,

C, K & M

Happy Father's Day!!!

Maci continues to enjoy her summertime curriculum at school which included a traveling zoo of reptiles and of course Friday water time!  I on the other hand enjoyed a busy week of compensation calibration meetings but alas the process is "mostly" done for yet another year :)  Clint was busy working on his post Africa report the majority of the week.  All in all, a pretty good week on all fronts!

Traveling Zoo!

SNAKES

Maci proudly touching the turtle while a scared Jack looks on from the crowd

Friday - It was such a gorgeous day and the rain would be rolling in at night so I headed out of work a little early to catch Verizon before the 5p Friday rush and crowds.  I was finally due up for a new phone and was quite excited to get my iPhone 6.  While I was at Verizon, Clint was at Maci's school for Daddy Day snack time (Popsicles!)  Maci was quite excited to have daddy at her school and to give him her gift - a picture frame with her in it holding a sign saying "I love you to pieces" and the photo frame had puzzle pieces all over it - very cute!  Much better than my school made homemade body scrub which HURTS from mother's day ;-)

Saturday - The day started off pretty icky with a lot of rain so we ran errands and took a nice long nap together.  Clint and I were supposed to have date night but unfortunately our sitter got sick which worked out in the end since Maci was put to bed with a 130 temp :(  Poor kid!!  Before we realized she was running a temp, we headed to Rojo at the West End for dinner and Maci was such a good girl at dinner.  Unfortunately when we got home we realized she was burning up and was very sad about it :(  She took some Tylenol like a champ and slept in a diaper.  After she was down, Clint and I again binge watched some Orange is the New Black.

Sunday - Yay Maci woke up feeling great and no temp!  Clint went for a run on his Father's Day morning and we got our cards all ready.  We went to a nice brunch together at Granite City and then picked up Daddy's annual pictures from Walgreen's for his frame at work.

Yep that about sums up the MANY faces of Maci

We attempted to come home for a nap and some household to dos but Miss M was not having a nap after all the sleep she got the day prior.  So we headed to the pool around 2p for a fun afternoon in the sun.  Fortunately Maci's random water fear only lasted about 1 hour of our 2+ hour trip.  Once we backed off and just let her decide when she was ready to go deeper etc, next thing we knew she was wanting to jump in to me, went down the big slide 3 times with daddy and finally went down the whale slide alone.  Of course we left with tears because now she LOVED swimming but fortunately that was short lived since we let her get some candy on the way out.

All Smiles After 1st Trip Down the BIG Slide

 Coming Down the Big Slide - 2nd Run

 Whale Slide Big Girl!

 Successful Pool Day

She Looks Like a Lil Boxer Heading to the Ring :)

Clint and I are now itching from a little too much sun and Maci somehow just managed a 2nd wind after we swore she was down for the night at 545p.  We will spend the rest of our evening enjoying what remains of a great Father's Day weekend and mentality preparing our travel needs for the trip to the Sinnard Family Reunion in IN this coming weekend :)

Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Summer Time Weekend Fun!

It was nice to get Clint back home early in the week and our family was quite excited to be reunited!  Clint was also able to get some needed yard work done since he was able to take the day after he landed off to recover from jet lag.  The week went fairly uneventful for both Maci and I and thankfully it moved fairly quickly into another fun weekend!

Bounce House Fun 

 Water Friday - Water Table Fun

Friday - It was a beautiful day and a wonderful evening to spend with good friends.  After work we were able to quickly meet our new neighbors to the left.  Eric (former neighbor) text us from the closing saying they were a very cool couple and we would enjoy them.  Thus far, his assumption was quite right.  We now have another Eric (easy to remember) and Amanda next door.  They have no children but 2 dogs (Luna & Nelly) which makes Maci almost as happy as them having kids :)  After saying our hellos, we were off to the Cassem's house for some fun BBQ time with pals.  Maci had a blast playing with her usual buddies Harper and Natalie but the Fike's were also able to make it and Maci was soooo excited to see her big buddy Emmett.  The evening ended with the kids all drinking homemade malts on the porch and our daughter wandering around and drinking every one's malts when they weren't looking - so typical :)  We realized we have fewer pictures of the kids these days and we decided it is because they never slow down for a picture opportunity  :)

Saturday - No more gym :( but it gives us a full Saturday!  We ran errands in the morning and during Maci's nap Clint and I started Season 3 of Orange is the New Black!!  After she woke, we had to run to Toys R Us for Nora's Birthday gift.  While there our spoiled Maci became even more spoiled because Clint and I finally gave into our thought of getting her a sandbox for the backyard under her swing set slide stand (nicely shaded).  After we got home, we ordered Pizza and Maci played in the sandbox.  She really enjoys it but I need to constantly remind her the sand stays IN the sandbox :)  I realize I also didn't get a picture of the new sandbox but I am sure one will show up real soon.  After Maci went to bed, I watched some 48 hours (love those shows) and Clint had a bonfire/drinks out back with the neighborhood guys including the "new" Eric.  I was probably asleep by 10p and Clint wasn't in until 1a - rough for him :)

Sunday - Clint got to cash in on his early Father's Day gift and went on a long day of golf with 3 other buddies.  He was off at 8a and Maci/I played around the house and had a splash day out back.  She took a great nap for me and after nap we got ready for our neighbor friend's birthday - Nora turned 2!  The party started at 3p and Clint joined us there around 330p.  Maci was very excited to give Nora her bubble lawn mower :) but they got into a fight because Maci really wanted her new baby doll stroller :(  We finally left around 5p when Maci just couldn't keep it together that these toys were not hers at all!  We finished the evening with some splashing out back and then Clint and I watched 2 more episodes of Orange is the New Black - What a Fun Weekend!!!

This will be a very busy week for me with our compensation process coming to an end but I am so excited that it is summer and nice out that I don't really mind the 1 super busy week!

Megan (Mom), Nora (Bday Girl) and Maci with "THE STROLLER"

Until next time. . .
Lots of Love,
C, K & M

Missing Daddy on a Fun Weekend!

Clint had to head for Africa with work on Monday (so quick after just getting back from our Ohio trip).  So I was taking a turn at single parenting this week (something Clint had gotten use to during my many travels this late spring).  Maci was a pretty good girl for me minus some constipation that is becoming all too familiar in our house.  :(  The week was pretty uneventful and Maci allowed me to get her down at a reasonable time each night and we didn't run too late any of our mornings either.   While I survived, I will happily welcome Clint home this coming Tuesday afternoon.

Friday - It was a nice day in the mid 70s and since I will be fairly busy at work the next 2 weeks with Compensation calibrations, I decided to hit the road around 4p.  I grabbed Miss M, we had a quick easy mac dinner at home and then headed to the splash pad/park in the neighborhood.  Miss M (like most kids) loved the freezing cold 6p water with the temps only around 72 at that point :)  Her best pal Natalie met up with us around 630p, just in time to head to the playground portion of the park.  After lots of times down the BIG slide, the girls were ready to head to DQ for some yummy dipped cones.  What a fun and spontaneous Friday night turned out to be!!!

Saturday - We started the day with our final session of Gym for the school year!  Maci was quite excited to get her medal from teacher Cheryl, the other kids got their last week but we were out of town.  We will miss our weekly gym fix but it will be fall before we know it and we will be back in the gym but as Super Beasts this time - isn't that name fitting?!  Also, Maci is going to replace gym with soccer on her Saturday mornings for about 5 weeks this summer (mis July through mid August).  We are going to do soccer with my friend Lisa's son Brody so this should be interesting - we already talked about getting our 2 year olds jerseys, cleats and shin guards - unfortunately the site says they are not necessary :( #crazymomma!  After Gym, we did a usual bagel run and then home for nap time.  After naps, we got ready to go out to our friend the Zehr's new house in Stillwater.  I was so thankful for the Cassem's letting me follow them since it was just me and Miss M.  We were having a great time playing in the backyard until some odd bug flew into Harper's mouth, he started screaming, the moms started screaming and this super bug wouldn't die when I stepped on it.  A few moments later Harper's mouth swelled and they were off to the hospital.  It turns out a hornet was what darted into his mouth after our kids were undoubtedly annoying his nest.  How Scary!  Harper got some Benadryl and was sent back home with the symptoms of anyone who would be stung in the mouth multiple times - thankfully not an allergic reaction.

 Look at the poor guy :(

After he was back home, he was ready to play and we took the kids for a walk to get ice cream before the storms rolled in and it was time to head home.

My Crazy Girl on the Drive 

She convinced me to let her watch Elmo in the Car 

The next day, Halston and John went out to see if there was a nest and sure enough, check this thing out that was hiding inside a kid's playhouse - Yikes!  I hate things that sting!!

Sunday - Thankfully Miss M has been sleeping well and so we got to sleep until a nice 8a.  After getting around for the day, we hit up the grocery store where Maci was actually quite a good helper - the M&M reward didn't hurt.  We then came home for naps and for me to get laundry and other household errands complete.  Maci woke around 230p and I took her to the pool like I had promised. However, Miss M was quite timid with the pool, not at all my fish from last summer :(  I am hoping it was just the nerves of a first time out, no daddy and cold water.  However, Maci did love the snack bar and the sand playground.  I had to drag her out of the sand playground at 5p so we would head home for dinner.  Now we are watching Frozen and I am getting things ready for the week.  We are so excited to have daddy home early this week and to have travel on both work fronts being done for some time!

The DIVA Lounging

 Snack Bar Selfie

 HA - this is the real Maci

 Sand Playground Fun

Maci's Summer curriculum starts tomorrow which means a summer of fun water tables, bounce houses and lots of Art!  We hope everyone has an equally great week!

Lots of Love,
C, K & M