On the Road Again...

So first, Happy Birthday to Preston... (he is holding Tanner)

You are a pretty awesome uncle!

And Cory's grandpa! (he isn't holding Tanner!) They share a birthday... how fun right?

And we also went to Boise last weekend to be entertained by these people...

And see these people...

Okay, so maybe not in such an ungrateful tone, but we really did have a great time! SO thanks to Sam and Alicia for letting us stay! I am sorry my children were high maintenance-ish! They really aren't always like that! I swear! And thanks to Wendy and Pauline for letting Aubry, Alicia, and I come to your super fun family, home, personal enrichment (whatever it is called now) night!

It is crazy... I haven't seen Aubry in 2 1/2 years and it was like no time had passed! That is the mark of a true friend is it not? And Claire reminded us so much of Jeff that it was as if he was there, with us... just in a very short, feminine version! Ha ha! Just kidding, we love you Jeff and Cory was bummed our trips didn't line up better! But congrats on your difficult decision to build a house! Yay!!!

Well, during our visit, the Balukoffs and the Ricks (that's us... in case you we confused by the third person...) went to Camelback Park. Cory and Sam went biking, while Alicia and I stayed with the kiddies at the playground. The ride nearly killed their bikes (although they were man enough to handle it), Cory's axle bolt thing stripped out for his front tire on the ride the day before, and he popped the back tire (fortunately unnoticed until we made it home) ... and Sam's chain broke (fortunately again, he had a tool in his backpack to fix said problem), this left him with about 4 gears to work with. But they made it back. But just before they did, Tanner decided he needed to climb this...

I was excited to chase him up it! But impressively enough, we both made it in flip flops! One day Alicia and I went out to Sam's parents yard and cut flowers and made a few arrangements... someday I want a yard that I can do that in... I love flowers... anyway...

And this was Tanner's favorite thing...

But anyway, thanks again to everyone who made Boise such a fun trip!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

So I know, it is the end of your big day, but it is never too late! Besides, I already told you happy birthday on the phone! I hope that your day was wonderful and that you don't feel any older because you don't look any older! I think you look cute in this picture, I have no idea how old you are, maybe 5... oh just 24 short years ago! Happy Birthday!

Love, Us

Last Day of School

So sadly enough, today was Tanner's last day of school. He is pretty sad that he won't be going back to Mrs. Nikki's in the fall. I think I am going to just do a home-school preschool next year because we won't be in Minneapolis until school is starting, and I don't know anyone out there. But that is okay, I think it will be fun! So this is the treat we made for the party...

We made a lot of them...

He had so much fun, there were a couple of stations for games, look at the determination on his face during the egg walk... (she hard boiled the eggs...so smart!)

And he loved the soccer obstacle course...

I was in charge of the water balloon station with an old friend (Melissa Smith). Tanner had fun tossing the water balloons with his friends Tristan and Ethan... Tanner and Mrs. Nikki...

Thanks Mrs. Nikki, you are awesome! We will miss you!!!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad!
You're my favorite dad in the whole world! Thanks for everything you do and for being an awesome Pop! We love you!
Love, Us

As of late...

First, my apologies for leaving the mean old hag up so long. Moving on...

Once upon a time, my building was an awesome place to live, not only have there been some really cool neighbors over the years, but we have had nothing behind us. But in the short time since the snow's departure, there have been construction workers aplenty. It first started with a mens complex across the canal...

But we have no need to worry about that now because we can't see past this building going up on the other side of the fence...

Good thing we are not permanent fixtures here, huh? Although many of you would be to differ!

Well, here are the kids... Kate likes popcorn, a lot...

and Tanner likes to do this... your guess is as good as mine!

Have a nice day!!! Thanks for visiting!

Have you ever had this experience?

You take your kids into the store and the moment you walk in, everything turns sour. A tantrum begins, but you only need one item, so you pray that you can just make it quick. You are rushing though the store, trying to keep the tantrum in the cart, and while you are grabbing that one item that you need, an old woman turns to you and makes a snide remark about your lack of parenting skills. Perspiration breaks out on your forehead as you feel yourself flush with embarassement. You want to bite back, but is it worth it? No. Is it polite? No. The next best thing is to escape. Flee, before the tears that you were already holding back make their way to the surface. You pay for the one, single, blasted item that you needed, and get the tantrum contained in the car. Thankfully, you have large sunglasses that can cover the tears that are now welling and can no longer be blinked back. The tantrum makes it all the way home. You are still warm and are so grateful that it is raining and windy because it cools your hot cheeks. You get the tantrum put away into the bedroom and sit down on the stairs crying, trying not to hate that mean old lady...

I did today.

Tanner loves Morgan

So my sister Ali brought her little girls to Nana's house last weekend and Tanner was very excited. He and Morgan are only 8 weeks apart and let's just say she is his favorite. We went and saw this again... love it...

and we were going to go to the zoo, but alas our nice weather did not hold out... so we went to Leo's Place and ate yummy pizza, played in the playland, and tried our luck at the arcade.

It is always a good time. Thanks to Nana. These babies love you!!!

Anyway, it was fun to have Ali, Violet, and Morgan up here. Hopefully Brad can come next time!