Ridunion 2013

Is this heaven?

No, it's Iowa.

This is where we spent 4 days last weekend and I have to say, it was pretty heavenly! Our 4th annual summer "Ridunion" took place in Panora, IA on Lake Panorama. In addition to the Ridnours, this year's festivities included the wonderful Jensen clan too (Aunt Cindy, Uncle RJ, and cousins Pat/Sarah and Chris/Kristin and their kiddos Campbell and Reid). 

Katelyn warmed right up to Aunt Cindy and Sarah. Fast friends, ya think?!

Grandma Kathy's birthday was on Saturday. She got to wake up to birthday snuggles from her two favorite littles. A happy birthday indeed. Katelyn's birthday observations for Gramma were:

- You're 30 years old.

- You're very tall.

- You might have white hair soon.

Mmm-kay :)

Wasn't long before Michael and Katelyn took their first dip in the pool (Kate kept laughing at that expression: "What's a dip? What do you mean by dip?" :)

Another little friend took a dip too. It's safe to say she liked loved it.

It was so nice to just spend time together in a new, fun, serene place.

The weather was perfect so we spent a lot of time playing games outside. Ladder golf, bubbles, "bally-ball" (for volleyball, as Katelyn said), playing with rocks, fishing at the lake, and of course swimming!

Katelyn and Campbell did great with ladder golf and had fun perfecting the toss. 

Here's Reid showing his Gramma Cindy how it's done...

See these two seesters? They made the weekend happen. Thanks, Mom and Cindy!!!

It's a bird, it's a plane... it's Katelyn!!

 I love the imagery of Daddy's hands always there to catch his girls. And don't you love Katelyn's jazz hands? You can almost see it by her hands just how much she's loving this!

The pool was a hit with this one...

and this one too! Not surprisingly, Kendall kicked and splashed the whole time. Our little water baby for sure!

Funny story about my hat below. I was looking for something to cover my head (tick fear!) during all our outdoor time this summer. I was feeling pretty cool, hip, trendy after I bought this fedora so I tried it on for Katelyn. "You look like a farmer!" Well then. 'Preciate the honesty. No better place to wear a farmer hat than Iowa, right?! 

Bubbles never get old. Katelyn could blow bubbles all day long. And she loves trying to catch them on the wand.

More ladder golf with Gramma. 

Campbell and Katelyn are good little friends. When they first reunited, they grasped hands immediately and ran off to play. So sweet!

Sunday morning we went over to Cindy and RJ's place on the lake for lunch. 

Unfortunately the lake was off limits for boats due to heavy rains and dangerous debris (giant logs and tree trunks!) floating in the water. We couldn't ride in the boat, but we still had fun!

The girls loved seeing their Ridnour uncles again. Kendall and Ryan are good buddies :)

Katelyn got to borrow Aunt Cindy's charm bracelet for a bit. Oo-la-la!

Sunday was also Father's Day. We had fun celebrating all the dads and honoring them for their most important work and title: Dad! I made this for my dad and it was fun to present it to him :)

Later, I moseyed on down to the lake and came upon this...

A daddy and a daughter fishing together. Enjoying the beautiful scenery. Talking about bait and worms. Casting the line and reeling it in. Propped up on the rocks. Bare feet and flip-flopped feet. On Father's Day.

♥♥♥

After her fishing practice, Katelyn thought she'd share some tips with Papa :)

Meanwhile, Kendall was having fun with Daddy inside. She was laughing and laughing about Michael tickling her with this ball. Contagious giggles!

Chillin with Uncle Mitch...

And then fell asleep with Gramma Kathy. Is this peaceful or what?

After the lake, we went back to our B&B for some family pictures by a photographer friend of mine, followed by more pool time and a longstanding Iowa staple: Casey's pizza. Taco, pep, and veggie. Mmm-mmm-good for the body and soul!

Once the girls went to bed, we played games, ate cake for Father's Day and birthdays, and laughed, laughed, and laughed. So fun!

Monday morning came way too quick and we all parted ways to our respective home states :( But not before Ryan and Kendall had some quality time...

It was an awesome weekend full of good times, fun memories, and wonderful family time. We're already looking forward to next year!

A Whirlwind Lately

Whew, what day is it? It's mid-June already?! It's been a whirlwind around here! The weather is finally summer-like which means tons of outdoor time, Katelyn began swimming lessons and gymnastics last week, Michael's been a traveling man for work heading to Chicago and then New Jersey/New York, he also got promoted and began a new job at Target (way to go, honey!), I had a birthday, both grammas had birthdays, we had some very special visitors, and this past weekend we enjoyed a 4-day stay at a beautiful bed and breakfast in Iowa with my immediate family (plus aunt, uncle, and cousins - more to come on that). Oh and Father's Day was in there too. But what's summer without all that fun stuff anyway?! Here are some photos, Kate quotes, and recaps on what we've been up to lately. Enjoy!

Kendall is almost always awake to see Daddy off to work in the mornings :)

Got any cheese?! Kendall loves cheese slices (and the Hawkeyes!)

Reunited and it feels so good! (With our favorite parks after the winter hiatus, that is.) We have had many play dates at the park with friends and MOMS Club. 

On June 8, I had a birthday. Aren't Saturday birthdays especially great?! I enjoyed some blissful "me time" (a facial - ahh...), some wonderful family time (cake, games, and outdoor fun), and ended the day with "just us" time - a date night with Michael (wonderful dinner followed by a nightcap drink). We joked that we're 1 for 6 on our New Year's resolution of a monthly date night! But hey, at least we're on the board now! And it was just what we needed.

This image brought me a smile one day... indeed a moment that made me stop and give thanks.

We've been through countless sticks of sidewalk chalk already this summer. This wagon road covered the whole driveway complete with stop and yield signs. (Chalking it was the best workout I've had in months!)

One raining morning, we just relaxed together talking about what we could do that day. Love this armful of girls!

Katelyn and Kendall are interacting constantly these days - it's a joy to see!

Aunt Ronda, Uncle Joel, and Gigi stopped by one afternoon on their way up to Northern Minnesota. We're so glad they visited and all of us girls had fun playing with them!

Katelyn has had some zingers lately in the quote department:

- Examining a little scratch on her ankle: "Maybe my bone is broked or something..."

- "Here's my point, Daddy..." Oh. Boy. She's only 3.

- Looking at some weeping willows: "Wow, look at those hairy trees!"

- Kate was in her room for quiet time and heard Kendall making noise downstairs. Through the monitor, I heard: "Kendall, can you say "dada"?" I've also heard her scold Malone through the monitor for barking, "No barking, Walone. No!" (That's another thing - she calls him "Walone" :)

- We've been reading a book with dinosaurs in it and ever since, she refers to "dinosaur rex" instead of tyrannosaurus rex. Can't blame her really ;) 

- "May I please have some college cheese?"

- I think I've mentioned before that Katelyn interchanges the words "give" and "bring" sometimes. The other day, we were trying to fix a toy of hers and we weren't sure it would work or not but said we'd definitely give it a try. She responded with, "Yeah! Let's bring it a shot, Daddy! We can bring it a shot!"