The whole family...

We tried....
Fun in the boat.

Happy Birthday to me!!

I need to say a very big thank you to my hubby Derek for the greatest birthday suprise! I came home from work Friday, thinking we were going to be heading up to the lake, but instead, it was a party for me! He did a fantastic job with all the preparations. The food and company were great. Thanks Binz, Brian, and Mom for helping him out with taking care of Joey and the cake and veggie pizza. XOXO
We did go to the cabin Saturday morning. Joey had a great time in his own personal "hot tub". I filled the bucket with warm water, and he had a blast!
Joey spent Saturday and Sunday throwing rocks in the lake. Simple pleasures!
We took a boat ride Sunday, ended up at the Burgess cabin to use their outhouse. We then proceeded to steal their car and cram 7 people inside as well as "brittney spears-ing it" with Joey and no car seat. We managed to make it to the sea plane base in time to see Dale's airplane being pulled out of the water and then back to the hanger. Joey broke many laws in this half hour of the day! So we managed to trespass, commit grand theft auto and break a car seat law!
"the last sauna" before off to new orleans!

Special Auntie Day

Last night Lindsey and Brian stayed at our house. We ordered pizza, watched Saturday Night Live, and they got to see Joey before he went to bed, and when he woke up this morning. Then Linz and i went to Duluth to do a little shopping. Binz and Brian leave in less than a week 1/2 for New Orleans. We are excited for their upcoming adventure, hate to see them go, but nothing can be worse than moving to China. Thanks for the fun day Linz. XOXO

Joey's new face

This is Joey's new look... What a funny little man.
It has been warm and humid lately, no winter hats today. I kind of have a thing about being too hot or too cold. In the previous posting it was very very windy and we were outside, so I was protecting his ears. Today it was very very warm, and Joey's fair little blonde head gets all sweaty and his face gets red, so he's down to his diaper. The joys of living in MN!
Cheese!

Weekend

It started out with Hailey's 8th birthday on Friday. That means that Derek and I have been together almost 8 years. Hailey was three months old when I met Derek. She is a great little girl who Joey just adores.
Sunday we went up to North side to Julie and Kevin's. Joey got to sit on a bobcat. He thought he was hot stuff!

At the Lake

We went to Grandma and Grandpa Aho's camper this morning for some time at McKinley Park. They have a very nice beach. A very kid friendly place.
Joey has no fear of the water. He loves it!

Joey's first boat ride. He lasted about 60 seconds and then fell asleep. What a beautiful weekend we had!

Happy 4th weekend!

Grandma and Grandpa got Joey an Elmo sprinkler, which he loved. Today he was going in the turtle sprinkler though. Grandma was trying to dry him off. Anyone that knows me well knows that the 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Well, in all the packing for the day, I forgot my camera. So hopefully some of my blogging relatives will post some pictures of the Tower parade. Joey loved it, I was so suprised how attentive he was. What a fun 4th this year!
Auntie brought Joey in the water. The water is so high this year, it was too deep for him to stand by himself.
Action shot! Lindsey and Brian took the plunge. I think Gracie could qualify for the Olympics with her diving skills.

A visit from the Canadians

Mark, Crystal, and Taryn came down from Alberta from Sunday night-Tuesday. Mark went to the same golf school that Derek did in AZ. So we have not seen them in 2 years. Their daughter Taryn is one week younger than Joey, and their other daughter who we really bonded with, Emma, was at bible camp and unable to come.
We shared a lot of great, and crazy experiences with these guys. From apartment fires, bbq's, US and Canadian Thanksgivings, living life on a budget, to hanging out at the pool every weekend, the Doberstein's are life long friends who understand life on Chandler Blvd, AZ.
Joey made a new friend who is welcome to stay in MN with us anytime. We really did miss Emma Dawn though. It just wasn't the same without her. Thanks for coming down guys! XOXO

Weekend at Ernie's

We stayed at Erin and Jeff's with Grandma B and Grandpa P to help celebrate Erin's birthday and attend the Burgess family reunion at Kathie and Steve's. Joey had a great time playing with Celia.
Future model/movie star??
Baby Cal.. so cute. Mand and Brian are doing a great job!
Joey playing with his cousin Vinny, who is so handsome! He is definitely a California boy!
the cousins and their babes... although we missed the Maras's and Burgess's