The Backyard.

The backyard has been used and abused this summer, with the babies being so tough to take to waterparks and the beach we have stayed right in our own yard a lot this summer having quite a lot of fun! (but, yes I am crazy so I have brought them to the beach and water parks pleanty this summer) As the summer is winding down I thought I would share a few pictures from all our backyard fun!

It was so hot and humid the camera took a while to stop fogging over so this one has a nice summer haze on it:) 

My going to be fourth grader in just a few weeks!

Grandma and Grandpa bought this for the grandkids at their house but today we got to have it in our yard!

B even talked Dad into going in the pool, and it must be give mom the cheesiest smile you can day! 

The babies favorite summer activity... Playing in the ROCKS!

My new prop.

Leighton 14 months

Leighton and I ran outside yesterday morning and tried out my new photography prop. She didn't like sitting in it so much but I did get a few good ones!

Tourists in our own State... River Boat Tour.

So it was absolutely gorgeous yesterday and we decided we need to get out of the house and enjoy the awesome weather. So I started looking for things to do in St. Paul or Minneapolis using City Pages and Explore Minnesota websites. While I drank my coffee I started rambling things off to Crist to help me decide what to do. Well Crist has never been on a Big Paddle Boat before so we settled on a trip on the Mississippi River would be a fun Sunday afternoon. So we got everyone ready and headed to Harriet Island we took a 1.5 hour river tour up to Fort Snelling and back. The kids had fun going up and down to the two decks and watching for eagles flying. It was a great Sunday with the kids in our home state. After the River Boat Tour we headed over to Lower Town for their block party and a little live music. We couldn't stay long because the kids were ready for a nap but the music we did hear was great.

Autumn actually let me take her picture a few times today!

Leighton waiting patiently for the boat to start moving. 

 Brecken and Autumn

Autumn took this picture of Crist and I just before we left. 

The boys enjoying the view.

Hudson 

 Dad and Brecken

Leighton and Autumn enjoying a little snack.

Everyone just before the boat docked back at Harriet Island.

Nap Time

 I just had to share a couple of the babies taking a nap they are so sweet while they sleep.

Night night sleep tight.

The Big 30!

This weekend was a special weekend. My amazing Husband turned 30 today so we celebrated all weekend with one of our best friends Lisa. Lisa turned 29 this weekend so it was a great reason to get together all weekend for fun and festivities. Friday night we checked out I love this Bar in St. Louis Park with Lisa and her awesome work friends. 

Saturday I shot a wedding with a dear friend and then headed to Dugarel's Bar and Grill in Hastings to take some photographs of the Tent Dance for River Town Days. This was a ton of fun I got to work and hang out with some great people. 

Thanks for joining us Ryan, Jill, Brady and Lisa!

Lisa and I in the tent. Thanks Ryan for taking the picture of us.

Thanks for the Great picture Court! 

Court, Crist, Lisa, Stacie and I headed to Shamrock's for some awesome burgers for lunch and a shot. Court insisted on shots for Crist and Lisa's Birthday's.

Thanks to all of our friends for a great weekend. Oh and thanks Grandma and Grandpa for taking the little kids all weekend! It was fun to hang out like we used to but I missed the kids and was happy to see them Sunday night.

Sisters

Here are a few images from a wedding we went to yesterday. It was one of the most photographed weddings I have ever been to. The brides family was all into photography, as a hobby. So there were cameras everywhere you turned. Here are a few images taken by Diana Rouse. She was the sweetest woman who took some great images of my girls. I was a guest at this wedding and did not even bring my camera. Boy was that a mistake, it was one of the cutest casual weddings I have ever been to. There were tons of great opportunities to take some great images. 

This is my favorite! Autumn loves having a little sister.

A sister a forever friend.

A special thank you to Aunt Brandy for the beautiful dress she made for Leighton and to Diana Rouse for the beautiful pictures of the girls!

The 4th

So here are the only pictures I took all weekend, and by the time I got the camera out no one wanted to have their picture taken. Including the babies. I should have taken pictures on the 3rd it was sunny and everyone was in a good mood. The kids moods were like the weather on the 4th:) 

Oh well, they looked cute in the outfits I made them though.

They did enjoy the new tire swing that grandpa made for them! 

I sewed Leighton her shirt, skirt and bonnet. Just don't look at the seams to close. My sewing skills are very beginner.

Happy 4th of July!