Weekend in Rochester

The girls and I spent the past weekend in Rochester visiting my parents. We walked with my mom and bunch of her friends in the Komen for the Cure walk on Friday night. Fortunately for us, the rain let up just as we were getting ready to start the walk.

We walk in celebration of Grandma!

Checking out the fountain

Spinning the wheel for prizes

Avery won a pom-pom

Playing in the kids area - bubbles!

Group photo before the race

Crossing the finish line

We also spent a lot of time outdoors - playing at the park, picking strawberries from Grandpa's garden, playing at my Dad's partner's wedding reception. This girls had an absolute blast! Avery already told me she wants to go back!

First time on a merry-go-round. Morgan said: "I no like it mommy!"

Checking out Lake Springfield (or as Morgan says "Papa's Lake")

Blowing bubbles at Grandpa's partner's wedding

Morgan got brave and actually pet a dog! Huge step towards getting over her fear!

Throwing rocks - nevermind that they're wearing white dresses

The girls got lollipops from a piñata and carried them around everywhere

And Morgan pet another dog - can't believe she did this!

Morgan's new friend Jessie let her sit up in the Kubota

Avery was excited to sit up there, too

Watching all the "gooses" at "Papa's Lake"

Slow-going when you have to wait for the doll to walk

Avery and Grandpa checking out the strawberries

Avery helped by pointing out strawberries for Grandpa to pick

The girls have been getting so big lately (seriously - stop growing up!) that we have to find other options for sleeping when traveling besides the pack-n-plays. This was our first attempt at using these kids' air mattresses (or as everyone was calling them - the rafts). The girls did pretty well the first night. But, the second night they were wound up and jumping and rolling around on these like they were trampolines. It took a while to get them settled. :)

Mother's Day

On the Friday before Mother's Day, the girls' daycare put on a show for all the moms.

The girls had been working on their song in the show for two weeks. We even practiced singing it at home. Their song was "Let's Go Fly a Kite" from Mary Poppins. They pretty much just sang the same couple of lines over and over, but it was really cute. They even had little paper kites to flail about.

Well, come show time, it was a repeat of the great Christmas Show fiasco of 2014. Morgan freaked out when she saw the crowd of people. She was inconsolable. Avery didn't understand why Morgan was so upset, which made her upset. Matt wasn't able to make it to the show, so I was manning both crying kiddos. The girls continue to sing the song at home even now. So, at least, I got my concert eventually. :)

I think Morgan inherited my fear of public speaking

Despite that debacle, I had a nice Mother's Day weekend! The girls (with the help of their awesome Dad) got me some very nice gifts and cards. The flowers were beautiful! I really can't put into words how much I love being a mommy to these two little sweet-peas!

And I can't forget to wish this pig-tailed cutie a Happy Mother's Day! I love you! :)

And then there's this...

Matt was trying to get Avery to say Happy Mother's Day to me. She can't quite get the concept! She wanted to include herself and Matt in her wishes for a Happy Mother's Day - what a stinker! :)

Avery: "Mommy, find me. I hiding."

Visit from Grandma Ruth and Hunter & Beckett's baptism

Matt's mom (or "mama Ruf" as the girls like to call her) came for a visit last week/weekend. The girls loved spending time with her! There were multiple walks and trips to the park, a bike ride or two, some cooking lessons and art projects, and lots of story time.

Making cookies with Grandma

Kneading bread with Grandma

Decorating the cookies

Taste-testing the cookies

Avery even had some cookies

Enjoying a snack on the back deck with Grandma

We got a fire pit for the backyard and used it while Ruth was in town. My parents were also visiting. It was a little chilly, but still fun to sit by the fire.

A little smoky, but you get the idea

Matt and Ruth by the fire

Also, last weekend was Hunter and Beckett's baptism. We celebrated at Erin's place with brunch on Sunday morning. It was a gorgeous day, so we played outside in the bouncy house and blew bubbles! The girls were SO exhausted after all that outdoor time!

Avery and Morgan love the bouncy house

Grayson slept through the whole thing

The Wilkens

Our family

A few other pictures from the last couple of weeks...

Taking a "snooze" at the park - they thought they were so funny

Sliding with Daddy

Not sure who's having more fun!

Swinging with Papa

Gotta pick our battles - Morgan wanted to sleep in the pack-n-play instead of her crib

Two thumbs up for Strawberry Shortcake (or as Avery calls her Strawberry Cupcake)

Doesn't everyone wear sunglasses inside?

We got a new wagon and Morgan is obsessed with it! She loves riding it and pulling it around everywhere!