Happy 4th Birthday Ms. Gretzky!

Greta had her 4th Birthay party at Afton Apple Orchard. Check out her awesome Hello Kitty Birthday cake made by Carrie, of course.

It was a beautiful day for a party at an apple orchard, and not many people there so we had most of the place to ourselves!
David and Gretzky taking off to play when we arrived. They sure are quick, those two.

Gretzky riding the tire horsey.

Grandma and Grandpa drove down for the party. They'd never miss out on a party!

David feeding a goat. He didn't like how the whiskers touched him.

Mikkers checking out the animals with Grandpa Huntz. He isn't really an animal guy so far in life, unless it is our big obnxious dogs.

David climbing the tire hill.

David's turn on the tire horse.

Two of my 3 guys!

Greta and David on the Hay Ride

(wearing the adorable Halloween shirt from Grandma Mary)

Damon, Mikkers and Grandpa Huntz on the Hay Ride.

These stickers were in the gift bags from the party.
David found a new use for them.

He covered Mikko in them too!

My coworkers had a "PINK" foodday when I returned to work after the 3-Day. They all wore pink too! Love them all. Here is a picture of some of them that day.
My boys out to watch.
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Here are a couple more pictures from the 3Day I got from Amy. I didn't have any pictures of the boys out to see me so I was so glad she could give me some!
I've decided to do it again next year, I can't imagine not doing it. It was such an amazing experience.
And, the best news is...
Damon is going to do it with me.
We have a lot of work and a lot of money to raise!

Happy Birthday (Aug 23 Damon, Sept 4 Carol)!

Grandma reading David a book

David playing w/ Uncle Bob

Of course, there are a zillion toys, but the most fun was playing IN the toy bin.

Uncle Corey and David wrestling

Wheeee

Happy Birthday Grandma Carol

David wanted to play Memory with Grandma Carol but he kept getting mad when Mikko would grab the cards, so they went into David's room to play so Mikko couldn't get the cards.
Poor little Mikkers followed them and wanted to get in the room so badly.

Here he is, playing Go Fish with them!

Hugs and cake for Grandma on her birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday Winnie and Vivi

Winnie and Vivi went to Wild Child hair and got crazy hairdos for their birthdays.
There was also a facepainter who was busy with all the kids.

Mikko didn't really care for the slide that Britta brought him down.

Wheeee

David got his face painted like a pirate.

The boys.

All the boy coussins playing.

Lark Toy Store

David rode on the Loon, for Grandma Marlene - she loves Loons!
In front of the carousel. David his hiding behind the sign

Too cute!

Mikko went for a ride too!

It was the most amazing toy store, right in the middle of nowhere - can you tell David loved it!

On our way to Winona we stopped at Lark Toys. The only reason we stopped was because there was a big sign that said "Ice Cream" and we had promised David a treat. Well, we were surprised to walk into the most amazing, unique toy store. It truly had everything. It kinda reminded me of Mr. Magorium's Magic Emporium. We spent a good hour of fun. We bought David a toy "Robot arm", rode the Carousel twice, had cheesecurds, ice cream and pretzles and had our picture taken in a Photo Booth. We are considering this our trip to the State Fair because we are not going this year. What fun - check it out if you are ever going down Hwy. 61!

Heaven's Valley Lodge - Winona, MN

Chickens were running everywhere and David got a big kick out of it.

The adorable kitchen area

Dining Room

Quaint bedroom.

David loved the chickens, but Mikko HATED them and screamed anytime we set him on the ground near them.

Exploring the property

A good old swing, David could barely hold on.

Checking out the cattle

Beautiful view of the bluffs from our deck

In the morning we went to the Chicken coop to collect eggs for breakfast

Finding eggs. David called them Easter eggs because they were "colored" and not white.

A good breakfast.

Yummy and delicious.

Mikko was having a rough morning so I gave up on him and fed him cookies for breakfast. Parenting at its best.

Where we stayed.
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We spent a night near Winona at the most delightful place, Heaven's Valley Lodge. It is on a hobby farm owned by a couple. It was such a fun, unique experience for our family, even if the weather wasn't the best. David was sad to leave and wanted to stay on "Cation", so we knew it was a hit. They have cattle, chickens etc. on a hobby farm nestled in the bluffs. It was one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Minnesota. This might be our new "camping"!! Loved it.

On the way back home

We stopped at Bueno Vista Park in Alma, Wisconsin and drove up to the most scenic overlook. Thanks for the suggestion Joy Sperger!

Mommy was nervous as there was no barrier.


Lunch in Stockholm, Wisconsin
Mikko was finally in a good mood.

David picked out a lollypop at a candy store.

Kindergarten Screening and a Big Head Bump

Today I took David to his "Kindergarten" screening! I don't think he'll start next year but the school district wants to screen all kids around age 3-4.

I was completely blown away by David. He had to do a series of activities, sentence completion, copying drawing shapes etc. for a Child Development Specialist. He did things I didn't know he could do, and was super sweet doing it.

He flew through it with absolutely no concerns from the nurse. He got a way higher score that even a 6 year old would need to pass it.

And, what blew me away, is that David is now the 50th Percentile for Height and Weight. What a difference, if you remember at age 1 1/2 they were so concerned about his growth. I KNEW they were being crazy when I stopped having him go to those Endocrinologist appointments.

I was so proud of David I was almost tearing up.

OUCH

Mikko fell off the backyard play piece head first- or the "Clubhouse" as David calls it.