marathons and reunions

After we went to the cabin, we spent a couple of days in Minneapolis. I love that city. We got to watch the Twin Cities marathon from our front yard. It brought back some great memories...ah what it feels like to accomplish such a feat. Our house is at mile 18. I remember not being able to really stop for fear that my knees would buckle.

 My mom asked me jokingly if it made me wish I were in their shoes... and surprisingly my answer was yes. Not that my body would let me... but my mind wants it. I am so glad that I was able to do it once.

 Then we headed off to our Land family reunion. All of Great Grandma Zola's descendants that could come were there. It was pretty cool for Zola to be at the party for her namesake. She is the perfect girl for the name because she is so sweet. We got all the cousins born this year together. First just Zola and Owen- Zola sure loves him. She kept going in for a hug and pulling him close to her. She did it about 6 times or so but I got the last one of video... (at the end of this post). I love this picture. They are holding hands and Zola's expression says it all.

 Here are the three cousins: Janae 3 months, Owen 4 months, and Zola 8 months

 This picture is hilarious. Owen just flipped his arms up and smacked both girls in the face.

 ... and a couple from the cabin that I forgot to include... Here we are at Grandma Holly's grave.

 ... giving lovins to grams.

 ... my funny boy...

cabin in the fall

 Dennis was so excited to ride in the cab of Grandpa's pick up.

 GORGEOUS!!! We picked the best weekend to go up to the cabin. September is beautiful in Minnesota. We had high's of 70 and no bugs and look at those trees! It is a slice of heaven.

 Grandpa got a new load of sand for the beach. The boys loved playing in the mound.

The boys going to do their WORK. They gathered fire wood from the woods. 

Randy also installed a great swing with a great view. The rope is so long that the swing goes really high over a hill.

 "Hi Owen. You can sit this close as long as you don't take my food."

 "What are you eating?"

 "I guess it kinda looks tasty..."

 "There. Is that easier?"

 model pose

 Auntie Grandma Starr rode up on her motorcycle. She is so cool.

 We attempted to go to church but we went at the wrong time.

 Zola helped Grandma sew James' Halloween costume HEMAN.

 Zola also liked the swing.

 We attempted to take a nap on the hammock but Dennis wanted to monopolize it when we were on it. One time we even fell off.

I just love these two best friends. Owen is 4 months and Zola 8 months even tho Owen is bigger. 

 They were so cute. They kept holding hands!

 Buster would get so nervous when we went out on the boat. He walked all the way to the end of this fallen tree!

 GORGEOUS LAKE! Don't you wish you could water ski on it? You can't even tell which side is the reflection!

I think I will spend every September at the cabin from now on. :)

september catch up

9/19- Zola at 7.5 months trying out her "new" hat. 

Mommy- Daughter time while Dennis was at school. We enjoyed the beautiful weather!

 Zola is pretty efficient with getting where she wants to go in the walker. She is getting very curious about things and we are needing to baby proof again. I have found this to be a little harder since we have Dennis around playing with little legos and cutting paper with scissors.

She is so proud that she got the crayons!

Dennis' school is 20 minutes away so we carpool with two others and then have a play date in the afternoon. When it is at our house we invite Eloise over because everyone LOVES her. Here is the group: Caroline, Stella, Eloise, and Dennis.

 What cute kids...

 Zola hasn't figured out how to crawl yet.

 I read somewhere that it is fun to take pictures of your kids in places that you frequent often but wouldn't think about it. Here we are in Target. LOVE that store. Zola just started riding in the cart without her pumpkin seat. She loves it... and people love looking at her... including me :)

 We thought we were done with watermelons but this bush was hiding one from us! We got 3 watermelons this year and they were delicious! We had too much so we gave one away...

I think he's got a green thumb.

One day Dennis said, "When I said stop, Buster didn't stop." Wanting him to understand that its important for him to stop when I say stop, I said, "How does that make you feel?" 

He said, "Gorgeous". That lesson fizzled quickly.