Uncle Tyler came to visit...

It has been fun to have familiar faces show up, Cory's brother came on Tanner's birthday and stayed for a few days. Super Aunt Wendy came to visit Sam and Alisha a week or two before, so naturally we assumed she was here to see us too, and took part in their festivities. We went to the coolest YMCA swimming pool... EVER.Maybe next time I will get a picture of all it, but there are 3 little kid water slides, tons of water fountains things, and a huge wading pool area. Oh, did I mention the two big waterslides? Yeah, we have fun there... and it is free with the purchase of your YMCA membership! Awe-some!
Anyway, we also went to the Minnesota Zoo again... they were having "enrichment" time with the dolphins, I call it a free show...

And we went to the Mall of America, of course... we actually rode the rides this time.

They thought it was awesome...

Tanner rode the roller coaster with Tyler and Cory... he is behind Tyler's head.

We found out that Kate is an adrenaline junkie... she loved the rides.

Then we went to Bubba Gumps... mostly because it is what it is.

So by the end of Tyler's visit, the biggest thing we were able to accomplish was to convince Tyler that he didn't want kids. Oh well, sorry LaNette, I guess it really will be a while before you get anymore grandkids! Thanks for coming Tyler! (and Wendy, even though I know you weren't really here to see us... I just think of us as a nice bonus!) Until next time kids... have a good one.

Back to it... someone is 5!

So during my neglect, Tanner turned 5! He wanted a pirate party, so what the birthday boy wants... the birthday boy gets! Tanner desperately wanted a surprise party, so I let him help me plan the party but told him to forget about it. Then I had the party in the morning instead of the afternoon. Cory took him to breakfast and when he came home, everyone was there... his reaction was funny.

He warmed up after a hug, it was funny. Anyway, we learned to be pirates and went on a treasure hunt... we have a playground that is a pirate ship, so it worked out to be a good treasure location.

We made a treasure box cake, okay, it is out of rice krispies because I am not awesome...but we made cupcakes, they were better than a cake.

This box showed up during the party from Morgan and Violet. When we opened the door, the delivery guy held up the box and said "Tanner's birthday?" All the kids thought it was so cool that the guy knew it was his birthday and brought the package to his party... you have to love a good coincidence! It then turned into a bit of a pinada moment as the kids tore through it in their sugar induced chaos.As always, Kate got in on the birthday goodies, new headphones from Nana...

Tanner also got new headphones and new books for his story reader.

He got tons more, such a spoiled little monkey! Anyway, thanks to everyone for helping him have a great day! We are all ready to have a fun Minnesota summer!