September in Pictures

We've been so busy that blah blah and blah blah happened and then I have been working blah blah and MAN...where has October gone blah blah?! 

You've all heard it before and are used to my excuses. Yes, it's almost November.

No.vem.berrrrrr.

Who cares though. Let's take a look back at September, shall we?

Wonderful!

We got a babsitter (we love Danya!) and went biking! Ahhh, it was soooo nice. We love mountain biking but rarely get to go anymore, which is a shame because it's one of those things you can go do and be done in about an hour and it's just so great being outside and active together. (I hit my head on a tree, but survived.)

After biking and making a pit stop at home to nurse C-rad and change, we went out for sushi. My kind of date!

Libby and I co-hosted a baby shower for Amanda and baby Wiemann back home in CC. We had it at the Rustic Corner, which turned out to be a fun and unique location. Only thing I would have changed is having installed a window air conditioner, but otherwise it was so great to be home with the kiddos and see several of my best friends in the world! Tom stayed home since we left on Friday afternoon, and my parents were great help with Conrad and Gwendolyn.

We had two egg bake options, a yogurt bar, croissants, mimosas, and rattle cupcakes. 

We had everyone write advice for Amanda...

The making and decorating of onesies was a huge hit and so fun!

Conrad...who (this would happen) had a blow out in his nicer shower attire about 5 minutes after arriving to set up...was a great sport despite getting a shortened morning nap. He snuggled with whomever had free arms.

Hattie - born in January' 13

Sleeping Conrad - born in April '13

Kate - born in June '13

Baby Wiemann - due November 5th!

Not lying, I love the moms of my best friends almost as much as I love my friends!

Hosts with beautiful (I mean, seriously?!) mama-to-be!

So after the shower at around 4 pm, mom and I were relaxing (we were exhausted) and talking while the kids napped and who knocks on the door but WESTON! Becca drove from Omaha to surprise us! I had no clue! First things first when arriving at Grandpa and Grandma's....get out all the toyssssss!

Weston stayed home to rest while we went to feed the ducks - a CC tradition.

These were some of my favorite toys to play on at the park growing up. I literally had to peel her away from the hippo and she fake cried for a good 3 minutes.

This picture is totally blurry, but I swear Conrad just loves my dad. He smiles and laughs at him at the drop of a hat. It's precious.

Helping grandma water her flowers...

We looooove Aunt Becca!!!

Conrad with Aunt Vicky

Super fun and tiring and exciting and blessed weekend!

We had some fabulous fall weather (wish it had lasted longer) so we broke out our bike trailer and used it as a double stroller. The kids loved it - I mean, Gwendolyn was giddy with excitement to be sitting next to Conrad. I can't believe we almost went and bought a double stroller when this one works just as great, if not better. It's incredibly light weight and I can even run behind it! It's perfect. We knew that when we bought it, but just hadn't used it as a stroller until now.

Conrad's first time sitting up like a big boy in the stroller!

For whatever reason, I was up five times the night of my 31st birthday (Conrad three times and Gwendolyn twice....it was one of those randomly horrible nights ha) so I didn't even hear Tom cooking up a birthday breakfast storm at 6:00 am. He made pancakes and Irish oatmeal and it was a great way to start the day. Albeit a bit tired *smile. What a thoughtful and loving hubby.

Later in the day we met our favorite play date friends for donuts and play time at a fun little spot in Hastings.

McDonald's for lunch!

My 31st birthday with my loves...

The next day we made a secret trip down to Des Moines to surprise Tom's dad as he was receiving an award from the Iowa Defense Council. He didn't know we were coming, and was quite surprised. (You know me...I love a good surprise.) We are very proud of him and the man he is both at home and at work. I'm not surprised one bit that he was recognized and is so highly thought of. 

While in Des Moines we got together with some of my best friends from college. Celeste and Jocelyn came to our hotel before dinner to hang for just a bit. 

Sophie with her little bud Conrad in the outfit she bought him.

Ryder - born March '13

Conrad - born April '13

Ella - born May '13

Malynda graciously hosted all of us for pizza - it was so great to catch up with everyone and see the adorable kiddos. Love these girls!

Best dad in the world.

Once back home, I chose "hiking" and eating dinner at Woodbury's new Punch Pizza as my birthday activities of choice. Erin, Trisha and John joined us.

Someone finds stroller rides quite relaxing.

Love squeaky clean kids in their pj's!

Gwendolyn: 

She let me put her hair in pig tails! For two cookies!

(Whatever it takes IMO!)

Front side pony?

"Yeah."

A little girl and her lamby...

Conrad:

He stayed sleeping through a diaper change...sleepy baby boy.

During church, but I couldn't resist.

4 month check up!

Playing in the jumperoo in the church nursery. Big stuff now!

This used to be Weston's outfit and I still remember one of my favorite pictures of him is when he was wearing it as a baby. Now it's my own son's turn. Squish.

Absolutely love these progression shots....

Sleeping baby...baby realizes stroller has stopped for pit stop at the park...baby makes eye contact with mommy and smiles.

Tryin' on his Tom's from "Auntie" Amanda. 

I don't do it as much anymore, but there was a good amount of time that I would have him fall asleep on my chest at night for a good 45 minutes or so and just relax in the recliner before taking him up to his room. Holding a sleeping baby? Yes, please.

The shirt seemed fitting. So naturally I bought it in two sizes.

Conrad prefers to just lay his head down when it gets too heavy to hold up. And per usual, almost always has a smile on his face.

Off to swimming lessons!