Happy Birthday Riley!

To my wonderful Riley: 

The middle of July was just the perfect birthday date for our sweet baby boy to arrive. In the middle of summer when life is easy and everyone is carefree and laidback. Almost a perfect match to the personality of Riley. 

7 looks so good on you, buddy. 

                                           

                                            

We have spent the day celebrating you in the many ways we know you love life. Dad went in a few hours late to work and we had a big breakfast complete with cinnamon rolls, sausage, and fruit. You got to open your presents from us. Payton and Jayden both made you their own gifts to give. Payton was sure to pack a huge hyvee grocery bag full of homemade cards and letters and pictures for you. She also picked up some items from garage sales (like slippers) and shopping with grandma for you (like Chapstick). Jayden found a flower for you at the park yesterday and colored some Mario pictures for you.

We headed to the library for a special travel museum event they were hosting. We all had a blast watching and participating before finding and checking out a million items. I type this as you are resting over quiet time. The rest of our day will be focused on you and reminding you of how loved you truly are.

With each and every birthday of my children (and my spouse and myself) I try to really reflect the time we have had together. This year hit me a bit hard as I still feel like Riley is so little. But long gone are those times of him coming to me and saying, "mommy, I hold you," anytime he wanted me to hold him. Or those times he would yell, "hello, it's me riley (pronounce wiley)," when he woke from nap each day. He doesn't need my help to dress or hold my hand as we walk or cross the street, although sometimes now I get really lucky and he still reaches for me on occasion. 

Riley, you may look like your momma and hear from so many people about this but your personality matches your father so much. That is probably why your bond with me is so strong. You are the the ying to my yang. I am so very thankful for you and your hugs and your huge heart. My old soul that tries so hard at life. Dream big, sweet boy. You are so brave and so strong and so very loved. 

You are my sunshine.

Love, Mom

June Recap: Outside time, swimming, and camper woes to tell

 As I write this, we are about to celebrate our own 4th of July celebration. It is mind blowing to me how fast June went and, I know I write this every single month. The time just flies by. So many sayings from my childhood seem to find a way to ring true the older I get. But, boy, life sure can be fun and sweet and full of so many good things when you choose to see it that way. 

Oh, June, our first full month of no school (for the big kids at least). How we adored you. While walking the side road we all made wishes with the weeds. Although I am not 100% sure what my children wished for but I wished for this sweet, sweet season of life to never end.

   

While outside watering one morning the kids and I stumbled on a baby bird. His mother was nearby and she was very frustrated with us so close so we let it be. When we came back a few hours he was gone and we hope he learned to fly and is now one of the robins we see daily outside.

In June, we wrapped up preschool for Jayden. He gave his teacher some flowers and fresh eggs and we wished her well. Until next school year will we see again.

I found a few pictures of the sunset on my phone and I am so lucky to call this place home:

I love movie days lounging with my kids but we don't seem to do that as often as we should (unless we're sick). I have been super purposeful a few times this month to squeeze this in while we all have good health:

We have lived here for 8 years now and rarely see deer. BUT, this may be our summer. We have 2 deer that we have seen frequently and it gets us so excited. 

Riley has even sat outside trying to call them. It is so precious to watch.

I have lost count of the coffee shop trips we have made but surely it is one of our favorite ways to celebrate life and soak up time with each other. 

We did get some work done as well. The kids were put to work pulling up the camper flooring?

Have I even mentioned the camper?!?!? Maybe I haven't even though we bought at the end of June. Hey, we bought a camper:
                                    

She is a real beauty from the outside but has turned out to be a real piece of work on the inside. What we thought was a minor soft spot and split flooring ended up being a real mess underneath. My husband and father-in-law (bless his heart for saving our angry selves over this purchase) ended up tackling and completing the project in just ONE weekend. We were so thankful for this weekend and getting the flooring taken care of. We still have yet to camp in it but (in real time) this week will be our week. So, stay tuned for the July recap. 

We fixed the floors and I ended up purchasing covers (handmade by someone else) for the furniture. It is a fresh start for us and we are ready.

                                              

Our new dining table chairs

While my father-in-law worked on the camper with my husband, we (ahem, the kids) took full advantage of our time with grandma. The kids convinced her we needed sour cherries picked and crisp and pie made. To which, she obliged even though I am not so sure she really wanted to. But, my kids were so thrilled and my heart is so grateful for her:

                                                         

                                           

                                                          

We have also been outside more than ever, which is how we are in the summer. Bike riding and gardening as it 'tis the season.

Kale

Potatoes

Raspberries ripening on the vine

Jayden and I got out for a little date together and went to the park. It was so fun for us:

I also got out and got some alone time this month. I signed up at the library to make a tumbler and I will definitely be back to the library to make more items:

We have an annual event called Swedish days every July and it is so, so fun. We attended the parade and all the middle of town activities after. 

Our walk to the parade

                                                               Waving to all the floats!

                                                                So many activities after:

Even small carnival rides were there!

We also celebrated Father's day. Here are the kids giving their dad all the homemade gifts they made him:

I sure hope he enjoyed his day and felt how loved he truly is by us. He works so hard to provide for us and he is also the one known to always bring the fun. 

Thanks to my husband, the pool is also up and we are using it a ton!

After swimming we tend to swing.

You know how we got my in-laws for a weekend to work on the camper. Well, we also got my mom to visit for 5 days! And, it was pure bliss. She came as I begged her to watch the kids while Monte and I went on a date night. A huge rarity for us.

We went to a mobile escape room and our team won! We were randomly put with people we didn't know and it was so fun for first timers! And it was free, put on by the library!

Then, she chose on her own to stay for 5 days to which I had zero arguments or complaints. This time is still soooo incredibly fast and the list of things we wanted to do with her is still super long. But, we did get some park play in with tennis, coffee shop time, and lots of fun moments on the property:

                                                             Playing tennis with grandma!

Some of my favorite people in the picture above and below. 

Our house also got a facelift and we are so thrilled with the results:

                                        

My mom had let everyone spend $5 at the dollar store and, to my shock, I was included in that so I snagged myself a little project:

I found a random picture Payton took of the boys swinging:

Another picture she took of Jayden running on the dirt roads behind our house:

I also noticed on my nightly walk on the property at the end of the day that we have a very special kind of tree. A mulberry!!! And we had no idea as it was a random pop up tree (we assumed weed variety and maybe mulberry is a weed I am not sure). But we have felt so blessed by this:

We also went and ran to the town our school is in to run a few gifts. One for a good family friend just because and one for a friend who broke her arm. We also spent the morning there pretending to live there and rode bikes all morning with friends. It was so fun.

One thing we have done this summer (and struggle sometimes to stick to) is have each kid make one meal each week (with help). This night, Jayden chose pizzas:

Our town also had a fun day with another round of bounce houses and games and food:

The kids made a list of summer things they wanted to do and one of the only things listed for Riley was bowling. So, you bet we made that want come true:

                                               A night of bowling was so fun for all of us. 

The kids also took swim lessons at the city pool this year. It was a crazy two weeks of every day pool class but the kids had a blast and we were excited to celebrate the end!

I think what the kids loved most were the snacks and vending machines though! This picture above is the first (and only) day that I let them use the vending machine for snacks while they waited their turn for swim. 

The boys and I also messed with my camera a little bit more:

I know that I have talked about the pollinator bed before but here is a picture we got this month of the kids with their project, the bee hotel:

And, wrapping this up, I have some final pictures of just general every day life out here for us:

                                                                       Daily harvesting

                               Swinging and spending so much time together, mostly outside

The kids reading before bed. Payton loves to read a book or two to her siblings.

And that was June for us! So busy and so fun and so full of life. I am grateful for this season and all that is in store for us in July. Happy 4th of July!