Sharing the Cozy Coop

I took these pictures today in our backyard. As I was taking them, I thought about siblings and the process of learning how to share. It wasn't so long ago that these pictures would not have been possible because Soren did not want to share his car (or anything else) with Ingrid. He did fine sharing with friends, but when it came to his sister, he would not have it. He would cry so hard, saying "it's mine, but it's miiiieeennee!!" Often time I have the "thing" they both want, Soren trying to wiggle on one knee and Ingrid on the other...Soren would say to Ingrid, "there is room for everybody!"close to crying, but not wanting to. After a lot of reassuring, explaining, comforting (and I'm afraid yelling), Soren seems to have come around to the idea that he can share something with Ingrid and this sharing can be enjoyable.

Last day...

Pontoon boat and Paul Bunyan

Soren told me that his favorite part of his vacation was driving the pontoon boat. He was also quite taken with Paul Bunyan and has now started eating his vegetables in hopes of growing just as tall.

Itaska State Park

One of my new favorite places is Itaska State Park...the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Amazingly enough it starts out as a cute little creek. This picture shows Grandma Kathy making the obligatory walk across the rock bridge. I am thrilled that this park is only a few hours away from where we live ~ we plan to go back next month for our anniversary.

Northwoods Vacation

Good times...

Northwoods Vacation

One of the many joys of our trip was the chance for Soren and Ingrid to play with their cousins, getting dirty in the sand and take in the fresh air...

Northwoods Vacation

I love, love, love the picture of Soren and Justin. Soren's face simply says it all about our recent family vacation to the Chippewa National Forest - just outside of Bemidgi. A few highlights of our trip included loads of bonding playtime for the cousins, a 19 mile bike ride around a gorgeous lake, a choo-choo-train ride and a chance to meet Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox, kayaking, canoeing, pontooning, taking a dip in the lake (not me, but I heard it was fun), time to sit, laugh, play, relax, look out at the lake and watch the sun set.

Firefighter Small returns

Ingrid takes a turn in Soren's firefighter gear. She actually picked it up and brought it over for me to put it on her.

Humpty-Dumpty and all the Kings Men

shhhh...Soren is taking the very rare nap...



Both Ingrid and Soren have changed so much over the last couple of months. I haven't had a chance to update things on my blog... it seems that things get busier with every step Ingrid learns to take. Also, we are outside every chance we get... riding bikes, walks in the neighborhood, playground playdates, and explorations into the backyard have become our summer routine. Ingrid obviously has changed a good deal because she has learned to walk! It's dangerous, because she has no idea where she is headed and still falls a lot, but she is very determined. Soren has learned to use the potty, dress himself, take swimming lessons without Dad's help and ride his "balance" bike. In these pictures he is playing out his favorite nursery rhyme with these little figures... humpty dumpty is the egg and all the kings men can't put him back together.

A visit with John Deer

While in Illinois, we visited Great-Grandpa Boyd and paid a visit to his friend Glen's farm. Soren was in heaven, he sat on every tractor, touched every steering wheel, fiddled with every nob and ran, ran, ran. He finished everything off with a pony ride...Great-Grandpa Boyd also took a turn!

Busy, busy summertime...

We had a fun visit with Grammy and Joe in Illinois. Soren and Ingrid LOVED playing with their adorable cousins, Jackson, Madelyn and Maclean.

Ingrid's birthday party

Summertime, for me, will always start with Ingrid's birthday. We celebrated with a fun visit with Grammy and Joe and also had a party with Ingrid's fellow one year-old friends, William and Malina. The best part for Soren were the smiley face cupcakes, I lost count over how many he ate.