Monster Truck Party

Birthday #4 was a success. Hayden requested a Monster Truck party. It was filled with food, pinata, play, and even a little stunt airplane flying from daddy. Hayden had a blast. He loved all of his gifts and having all of his friends over to play. We grilled hamburgers and had all of Hayden's favorite foods. Turkey dogs, cheese balls, cowboy caviar and chips, carrots and dip, and oriental salad.

6 Month checkup

Elsie is growing well and had a great checkup today. She is 17lbs. 10oz. and 28 inches.
She had 2 shots and handled them well. Hayden on the other hand excuses himself into the hall whenever they get the needles out because he says he doesn't want to hear his sister cry.

She has 2 teeth now and is rolling when she feels like it. She is content sitting on the floor or laying on the floor and playing with what is around her.

She is eating yo baby yogurt and loves it. She has started some veggies and likes them so far. She is quite the shudderer. Some kids gag but Elsie shudders and it is quite the display.

Ever have one of those weeks

Our washing machine started smoking and quit working, I was turning into target at a decent rate of speed and nailed the back tire on a curb which resulted in 2 new rear tires. Argh!
We were getting tired of our front loading washing machine anyway. They don't wash the best and no matter what you do they stink like musty mold.....so we are going back to an old school top loader. We found a used on from someone at Joey's work for $150. I am excited!

Today we went to visit my friend Sara at their farm. It was a hot one. Hayden and Briar had fun going down their huge water slide, running around the farm, and shoveling hay. Elsie had fun watching Weston scooch across the floor and roll around like a mad man. They are only a day apart but he is moving like crazy and Elsie is content just laying and watching him.

Wednesday we met my sister's friend and old roommate Nicole in Vinton for pictures on Elsie 6 months and Hayden 4 years.

Wisconsin Visit

Our Wisconsin visit was a great time. We saw a lot of people and spent time with both Grandmas. It was nice to spend a few days there and visit. The shower was beautiful! Leah got so many nice gifts.
The trip basically was filled with eating, visiting, softball, eating, visiting, eating, shopping, eating. They have the best food there. Best pizza, Italian, pastries. Yum.
Elsie was a good rider up and back.
Joey and Hayden were so excited to have us back they met us in Dubuque. Joey took Friday and Monday off of work. He and Hayden kept busy. On Monday they toured Dubuque. They went to the shot tower, rode the car up the hill, explored, went into WI to buy fireworks, stopped at the Ertl store in Dyersville for some more tractors and implements. Those 2 are 2 peas in a pod for sure.

First Tooth

Elsie got her first tooth while we were in Wisconsin. She is getting big too fast!
We had a great trip. We ate pizza, shopped, visited with cousins and grandparents. It was a wonderful time. I seriously love Joey's family.

Joey and Hayden met us in Dubuque on our way home. They spent the day in Dyersville checking out a John Deere tractor store. They went to see the Shot Tower in Dubuque and rode the trolly up the hill. They even ventured into Wisconsin to pick up some fireworks. They had a great time hanging out for the 4 days. They are 2 peas in a pod and have a lot of fun together.

Wisconsin

Tomorrow Elsie and I are headed to Wisconsin with Joey's mom to attend a bridal shower. We are staying for 4 days. I am looking forward to hanging out with his family and eating some yummy food. It will be nice to hang out with Joey's grandmas. Grandma Paricka hasn't met Elsie yet. She is looking forward to it.
Hopefully Elsie handles the long car ride well and loves the girl time she is going to get. :)

Joey and Hayden are going to hang out with Grandpa P for a while tomorrow. I am sure they will find something exciting to do while we are away.

Mastitis......

Ouch...ouch...very painful......ouch.....

Fun 4th

We had a great time at the farm for the 4th. We enjoyed great food and lots of activity. We swam, rode the gator, dirt bikes, 4 wheeler, horses, watched Faith and Noah in a parade, got massages, and fished. It was a blast!Joey had Monday and Tuesday off as well. He worked mainly on leveling the bathroom floor upstairs (nothing in this old house is level) so I can have a nice flat surface to lay some tile. Joey has to build the walls up in the bathroom and build in the shower. Then electrical. We will hire out the insulation and drywall. Maybe we will be finished by the end of the year?!?!? We are cramped but managing. Hayden and Elsie are sharing a room. We managed to get a bed, crib, and 2 dressers in his small room. Our basement is overflowing....the thing we need the most surprisingly enough is book storage. I am so excited to have tons of bookshelves in the upstairs. Oh and a new bedroom and bathroom as well. :)
Thursday we had a birthday party for Theo. Once Theo's hits every year I know that Hayden's is just around the corner. I can't believe he is going to be 4. Yikes. Tomorrow we have a baptism class for Elsie. Hayden is having his first ever hired babysitter at our house. It is long overdue and we have the perfect setup. Our neighbors from El Salvador have a daughter that is starting to babysit. She is going to help me out a couple of times a week also so I can run errands with just Elsie. I think Hayden will enjoy the break as well.