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Future American Idol?

House Guests

We have been lucky enough to spend the day and night with Carson and Sophia while their parents pack up their house for their big move to the north side of town tomorrow. We started out the day at the park and the kids all played on the playground for a bit.

Sophia stayed busy staying cute (as always).

Then the boys headed off to explore, Carson didn't make the picture as he was too fast down the hill.

We had an abrupt ending and the 2 stooges headed to the vehicle to find the 3rd stooge.

The 3rd Stooge, I'll just refer to him as Co-Pay, was already in the van waiting to head to the doctor. He was running down the hill and his head beat his legs down. Not sure what he fell on but he cut both is forehead and eyelid, both are swollen now and are kept shut with a glue (no stitches necessary). As you can see from the below picture he was in a bit of pain:)

Sophia had an evening snack and kept her eye on the boys while they watched Peter Pan before heading to bed.

The boys all wore their Cars PJ's and headed to bed out on the porch.

The boys are asleep and I just asked Nick if they were cold and he said, "Carson has six blankets on him".

Family Time

This weekend we headed to the center of the state. I was able to spend a little time with both Nick's family as well as my Aunt Madalyn, Maggie and Michael.

Saturday we had a shower for Shana, Dan's bride to be.

In the afternoon the boys headed to the Great Grandparents with their cousins.

That night the cousins camped out in Angie's backyard.

The Day With Mom

I taught the first two days of camp this week and Nick took the next two days of the camp. So I got to hang out with the boys, I didn't have to do much entertaining yesterday because the neighbors were having some landscaping done and both boys stayed pretty busy watching the the workers.

During Geremu's nap Cullen and I made a big cookie. I let Cullen decorate it, he had a little trouble controlling where the frosting went because it came out of an Easy Cheese type can (not made for 4 year old hands). He had a good time decorating it and it was delightful to eat!
Later in the day the boys played outside in the sprinkler and little pool, I went inside to get the boys an afternoon snack and when I came out, Cullen was looking for something....
Geremu was dressed in a very similar get-up but he didn't seem to notice that anything was missing.

Today we did a lot of playing around the house in the water again.

Sophia and family came over to join in the fun.

The Day With Dad

At the beginning of this week I was busy teaching an Engineering Day Camp so Nick had the boys all day. Nick sure did pack the days full (so there was no room for naps) and the boys had fun.

One of the days they went to a local state park and hiked.

Cullen caught a toad and Vanna/Geremu is showing it off.

After the hike they cooled off in the lake.

That night Nick took them swimming.

Weekend (Part 2)

Sunday morning after mass Meredith was baptized, such a cute family!

Introducing Simba opps, I mean Meredith the news member of the church.

Erik hanging out on father's day with one of his boys, Andrew.

After the baptism we headed back to Megan's for a little lunch and to spend time with the family. On our way out of town later in the day we met up with Maureen and Abinet, one of my very good friends that flew in from New York for the Mehaber and to see us. We met at a pool and the boys enjoyed some swimming and hanging out before the long car ride home.

Maureen and Abinet

On the way home Cullen said, "Hey you know what's great? Geremu's Opian (Ethiopian) friends are my friends now."

Yep, great, our family had such a wonderful jam packed weekend!

Follow the leader...

Father's Day Weekend (Part 1)

Our weekend was so packed that I'm posting in 2 posts to include as much as I can. Nick came back from his week at MSOE last Thursday night. When Nick got home the boys were so excited to give him his father's day gift they had made that they jumped the gun and gave it to him then.

Here the boys are busy making part of their father's day gift.

Another part of Nick's father's day gift was a BIG cookie, take note of all the frosting on the top of the box. I let the boys hold the cookie on the way out of the mall and clearly it was not held upright. Below the cookie you will notice the father's day cards the boys made, Cullen's was so cute and Geremu's was interesting:)

Friday morning we headed over to Minnesota early. We stopped on the way to see Nick's grandparents and enjoy a little ice cream. We also made a stop by the Mall of America. Cullen enjoyed Lego Land and Geremu enjoyed a few rides. We arrived at Katie's house with some very excited boys.

Megan took Geremu for a spin.

Curtis and Cullen hanging out.

We woke up early Saturday morning and headed north to a park to meet up with our travel group from a year ago. Everyone from our travel group made the trip to Minnesota except one family. It was so nice to see everyone and the kids. It's amazing how much the infants have changed in the last year.

Geremu and his friend Digamo at the park.

Nick played a little soccer with Abinet.

From the park we headed to the Mehaber (Ethiopian Gathering) where we met up with my parents and Katie's family. We met so many friends that we feel like we have known for the last year or so (through following their blogs) but really met for the first time. This may be hard to believe but everyone was just as cute in person as they are on their blogs, turns out pictures don't lie (with the exception of Tony's height). I was so busy talking to people that I really didn't take many pictures, I sure do wish I had taken more.

The boys were tuckered out by the time we headed back to Megan's, this was the scene in the car shortly after leaving the parking lot of the Mehaber.

From the Mehaber we headed to Megan's house. Megan had a little party to celebrate the baptism of Meredith that was to take place the following morning.

Nothing says party quite like home run derby. After the meal we all headed to the park to play. I'm certain that Cullen enjoys Megan Hugs more than baseball, sorry Pop.

The crowd, Andrew and my mother.

Geremu after the big game, making sure he had dirt everywhere.

Miss Nick

Today was a beautiful, hot day and we enjoyed it playing outside. Nick comes home tomorrow night, just in time for our fun weekend away. Since he has been gone Geremu asks about him when he is in trouble or when he is put to bed, for both his nap and at night. He fake cries and says, "miss dad" or "miss Nick".

Here are some pictures of our fun day in the sun.

This last picture is from our evening with Katie, Billy and their kids.

Cousins

Today the cousins hung out and had a good time. We left my parents house tonight but will be back with the family later this week in MN for Meredith's baptism. Here are a few pictures of the boys hanging out together.

How could I leave out the only girl? Here's Baby Meredith chillin'.

The Family Arrives

My sisters arrived today with their kids and my cousin Brigit to party the motha down! The real party actually started after the kids went to bed. Here are a few pictures of today.

Megan and MaryCate

Megan and Meredith
The boys - Andrew

Pure CrAzInEsS

Today Geremu wasn't as afraid of Mt. Tiki