Lauren's Pajama Party

Lauren had a couple of friends over for a pajama party. The girls arrived in their jammies and we had a whole evening planned with girlie things. A movie and popcorn concluded the evening as they all snuggled in the make shift cozy bed that Lauren created before her friends arrived. It was a fun night filled with many little giggles.

A Big Day at the Niemeyers

Today proved to be a big day at our house. We were able to celebrate three of the greatest children in our world. Gavin was dedicated to the Lord at our church service. Lauren turned 5 years old on June 27th and Ethan will turn 7 years old on July 19th. In an attempt to simplify the celebrations we decided to do it up big on June 29th. Everything was perfect. Gavin was a little angel during the service. Lauren loved her Mariposa cake and all her girlie presents. Ethan finally got what he has been wishing for...Lego Star Wars and a Wii system! Almost all our family was able to be there for the fun day. We thank God for our children and look forward to seeing what God has in store for them all.

I had to include this photo. After a big day, Lauren fell asleep with her Princess Bible that she received from Grandma and Grandpa and her Wacky Bear Una by her side.

Our Wacky Bears

Ethan and Lauren got Wacky Bear gift certificates for their birthdays from our friends the Petersons. Ethan, Lauren, Gavin and I spent the morning at the Wacky Bear factory creating Rex and Una. As you can see they had a blast and the final products are definitely lovable! What a fun and memorable experience. Gavin even got in on the action as you can see.

A trip to the pool

After a long hot day in the house with a mom who is crazy about trying to conserve energy, a trip to the city pool was in order. After a quick dinner, the five of us packed up and headed to the pool. Gavin splashed his feet in the water that felt refreshing at first, but as the weather cooled down and a breeze came up, the kids started to shiver. We were successful though, by the time we stopped for a Waldo's smoothie and got back to our house, nature had cooled it down.

Gavin is 8 Months

Gavin turned 8 months old in June and he has also gained two new friends this month (by default because their moms are my friends :)) Miss Mackenzie Lynn Groth was born to my grade school/high school friend Jamie and her husband Aaron on June 4th. She is adorable and we can't wait to meet her. Mr. Benjamin Harley Stuewe was born to my friend Tracy and her husband Bill on June 19th. We were very surprised by his early arrival and we will be visiting them later today! I know I will look back on this when they are all running around playing together and wonder where the years went. Enjoy your amazing time with those precious new babies Jamie and Tracy! Love you all!

Our Little Mermaid

We had a little accident at our house on Tuesday evening. As I was turning to the sink to dump a pot of sweet corn water, Lauren stepped toward me and we bumped and some of the very hot water spilled onto her back. We took her to the ER where they fixed her all up. It was a pretty sad evening, but she is doing so amazing. She has a two week old scab on her knee that she has complained about more than her back. Many of her friends and family have been praying for us and we know that she has been pain free because of God. While she is getting her bandages changed she says "here comes the mermaid" because Mike wraps the bandages around and around her torso. She has been a trooper throughout all the dressing changes and extra showers to clean her wound. Thanks for your prayers!

Here is the actual burn area. This was still about four days ago before all the dead skin flaked off. It is really looking great. I found a swimsuit shirt that has 50 SPF that she can wear to the lake/pool this summer. It will protect her back and still give her that cute factor :)

My first Tractor ride

Ethan and Lauren started riding on the lawnmower with dad early and still love it. It would be only fitting to get Gavin riding too. On this beautiful evening Gavin sat with me on the porch and watched Lauren go around and around with Dad. Then when Lauren was done, daddy took Gavin for a couple of spins around the yard. He loved it!

Ethan's realization

The first day of summer vacation started with a sleepy eyed Ethan walking into the living room where I sat feeding Gavin. Ethan's realization was equipped with a cute statement: "I don't have to go to school today, so I get to spend the whole day with Gavin."

The End of a School Year

Gavin was a tropper during the month of May as we sat through many fun milestones: Lauren graduated from Preschool...Ethan had his Awards Night at AWANA...Mom's softball team had their last game...and finally Ethan had his last day of Kindergarten. Bring on summer!!

My favorite day!

I love Mother's Day. A day to revel in the amazing task that God gave me of raising three beautiful children. I bought these outfits for the kids last July when I took a bunch of youth to Florida for a conference. Gavin was a bulge in my tummy at the time. I couldn't even imagine, as I was buying the outfits they would wear the summer after he was born, what an awesome addition he would be to our family.

A True Bubble Bath

Ethan and Lauren enjoyed a bath full of bubbles and I snapped a few pics to remember.

My brother and Me

Still Drooling at Six Months

We went to Gavin's 6 month appointment today. He was 19 lbs 1 oz. (75%) and 16 inches long (50%) with a head circumference at 50% too. Again Dr. Knudsen said he was perfect. Gavin is still drooling with nothing to show for it except wet shirts. We were sure that Ethan would lose a tooth when Gavin got his first tooth. He has been chewing and drooling for over two months. These past six months have been a whirlwind of blessings and we are so thankful to have Gavin in our family. We thank God that he choose us to be Gavin's parents.

I saw Gavin kissin' Mommy

Gavin was giving me lots of kisses one afternoon. The kids thought it was quite funny. He would grab my neck and face. As you can see on the second picture he got a hold of my hair too, almost as if he were trying to hide the kisses.

The Eyes Have It

I just had to capture Gavin's beautiful baby eyes. It has been said that IF I dressed him in pink he would definitely pass as a girl. I promise I won't do that Mike!! :)

Trading my tooth for a merry-go-round token

Ethan lost his first tooth! He went into the bathroom to wash his face and came running into our room with his tooth in hand a little awestruck! He said that he was just wiggling it and out it popped. The tooth fairy left him two tokens for the merry-go-round at the mall and a half dollar.

5 Months Old

This past month has been full of milestones. Gavin visited Dr. Knudson at the end of February for his 4 month well baby visit and he passed with flying colors. 16 lbs 12 ounces (90%) 24 inches long (50%) with a 80% head circumfrence. Dr. Knudson asked if my other kids had large heads and I said no, but then got to thinking about my dad and brother who have to be sure to get hats large enough to fit their noggins. Big heads - big brains!! Gavin is talking and laughing all the time. He loves to spit and blow bubbles while copying his big brother. He is constantly chewing on something which results in many drenched bibs during the day. In the past couple of days he has started to become more stable as he sits up. Last night he sat by himself for about 30 seconds before tumbling to the side.

Easter and Grandpa's Birthday

We traveled this past weekend to Willmar to celebrate Easter and Grandpa Dave's birthday with the Niemeyer's. It was kinda a bummer as Grandpa Dave wasn't feeling well. The kids enjoyed hunting for Easter eggs and getting to play with their cousins. Gavin got a cute little stuffed animal that he loved.

Giddy Up Cowboy!

Here are a couple of pictures of Gavin's bedroom. Since he is STILL sleeping in his bassinet in our room, we weren't in such a huge hurry to finish decorating. He has a cowboy themed room complete with a picture of his Grandpa Oscar dressed in a cowboy costume when he was little.

Dressed for Game Day!

Mom started softball this week. She is excited to have good weather so that they can be outside practicing and playing instead of inside. She loves softball and her involvement with the kids. This is her 10th year coaching softball at St Peter High School. She started out coaching 8th grade but has worked her way up to her current status as Assistant Varsity taking lead of the JV/B Squad. Gavin decided in lou of this special day, he would dress in his game day outfit.