Busy Saturday + Go Hawks!

Our Saturday started out by hitting up the Farmer's Market in Decorah.  I love the Famer's Market!  After that we headed to the grocery store and back home.  We just had to try out Landon's Hawkeye jersey to make sure it fits.  Believe me, if it didn't fit, we would have to find a new one ASAP.  We've got to be prepared for the opening game next Saturday.  Yippeee!!!

It fits don't you think?!

After lunch, Landon napped while I cleaned the house.  We then headed to Grandma and Grandpa's to visit Eryn and Nolan.  While Nolan was with Papa at the Fire Station, Eryn showed Landon what it was like to play with girl things. 

That was cool for a while, but Landon is a boy after all, and decided he really didn't care about the baby, but the stroller was pretty rad!

Then it was time to head to Fire Station to see just what the boys were up to.  The kids enjoyed what they love best about the fire station - Grandpa lets them try the gear on. 

My best attempt at a group picture.

The hat had to match the hawks outfit.

The plan from here was to go home.  Landon did not think he had enough time with his beloved cousins, so it was back to Grandma and Grandpa's for just a little more play time.  Nolan was so sweet and offered to let Landon ride his bike.  This was a new experience for Landon and he loved it.  He couldn't quite get the peddeling down, but he sure tried. 

Our evening ended with the three of us enjoying supper at the White House and then to some friend's house for a few budweisers a social gathering.  Yes, we were all up until 11:30 pm.  I can't think of a time that Landon was up that late!  Our Saturday sure was a busy one.

Happy 31st Birthday to me!

Well, I ended the weekend by celebrating my 31st birthday.  I never know why the child celebrates the birthday and not the mother.  I mean I didn't really do anything 31 years ago, it was all my Mom.  So cheers to you Mom!

To be honest, the day was just like any other.  Groceries, laundry, cooking, etc.  I did get a special "Happy Birthday Mom.  I luve ju.  Ju are my family," from Landon.  That made everything feel pretty great and may just have brought a tear to my eye.

I got lots of love from my friends and family, and that felt great.  Some great cards, a couple lottery tickets (I won $2), a beautiful pair of earrings, some money and from Jeremy, a gift certificate to get my truck detailed.  (I gave this to Jeremy for Christmas.  Jeremy just recently put it towards getting his truck detailed and it turned out AMAZING!)  I raved for several days, and he decided to give the gift back to me.  As for the money, well, I think that is going in my new furniture fund (which is about full-yipee!)!

The best gift was all, was my baby falling asleep in my arms at bed time.  He hasn't done this in months.  It was a good day.

Merrill Family vaca: Minnesota Zoo!

It looks like summer is almost over.  Ugghhh....  We decided last minute that if we were going to take any kind of vacation, we better do it quickly.  So we packed our bags and headed up North for a quick little weekend in the Twin Cities.

We arrived late Friday afternoon and checked in to the hotel.  We stayed at the Hampton Inn, in Burnsville.  Nothing fancy, but it received high ratings online, and I can see why.  Our stay was awesome.  The staff were extremely pleasant, the atmosphere was fun, and everything was super clean!  It was so quiet, that we had no idea anyone else was around us! 

We then went out to find some supper.  There was so much around us, but it was super crazy everywhere.  We settled on Chilli's.  Um, it was ok.  Landon did not touch his supper.  All he wanted was the pool.  Good thing we had that TV and microwave back at our hotel room.  It came in handy later. 

After our time at the pool, we headed back up to our room where Landon decided he was finally hungry.  Then it was time to get some rest as we had a big day planned at the Zoo on Saturday. 

We decided Landon would probably sleep better in between us in the king size bed.  Well, Landon slept well, and Jeremy slept well, but I did not.  Those little feet were like magnets and were stuck to me most of the night.  Finally it was time for everyone to wake up!  We hung out in bed for a few minutes to get caught up on the weather and mickey mouse club.

After a great breakfast at the hotel, we decided to pack up and head to the zoo early before it got too crazy.  Good thing we took a look at the stroller - we had a flat tire.  Have no fear, Target was just down the street.  After a quick tire change in the parking lot, we were off!

The Zoo was a blast.  It was warm, but mostly cloudy so it was really just right.  There was so much to see, I'm sure we didn't see everything.  Hope you enjoy the slideshow.  There were just so many pictures that I wanted to share, this was the only way to do it!

After the Zoo, we made a quick stop at Ikea, and then it was back on the road.  It was a quick vacation, but it was a memorable one!

Our new addition...

Ok, not really, but I had you going for a second!  We are dog sitting little (or not so little) Ms. Cooper.  Isn't she beautiful!!  Cooper is finally settling in, just in time for her to go home.  I think the first day she was wondering where she was at, and had to deal with Ms. Sassy Pants - Elke.  Elke hasn't exactly given Cooper the warmest welcome, but Cooper has been nothing but sweet to Elke.  Landon and I were playing in his room last night as Elke and Cooper were laying down in there as well.  I thought it was kind of funny that the dogs in the room out-weighed the people.  Gotta love 'em!

Happy 85th Birthday Grandpa H.!

Today we celebrated my Grandpa's 85th Birthday.  It was a perfect day.  Temps were in the 70's, and there was a great breeze.  It really could not have been more perfect!

The day was made for playing games, and taking pictures.

And with this many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, there were a lot of pictures to be taken.  First a picture with all 8 children.

The grandchildren.

And the great-grandchildren.  There newest one is just 21 days old, and there are several more on the way.

Everybody all together now.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!  I wish him many more years of health and happiness!

Winner winner chicken dinner

Today we headed to Cedar Falls where Jeremy's Jeep club was representin' at Holdiman Motors Jeep Mania. 

Landon and I held up the tail end of the Jeep convoy.  There is a great family that lives near us who went as well.  Between the five of them they brought down three jeeps.

Once we got to Cedar Falls we checked all the Jeeps in.  It was just getting started, so Landon and I headed out with the Mother and Daughter who were part of the Jeep convoy and did a little shopping.  I dropped them back off and met up with a dear friend for lunch.  Here is where the bad wife comes into play.  By the time Landon and I got back to the Jeep Mania, Jeremy was already done with the obstacle course and the judging was complete.  We totally missed everything.  

We made it back just in time to see Jeremy get his trophy.  He won second place for trail readiness.  Yipee!!

In fact all three places were won by Mississippi Valley Jeepers.  Wheee!  Jeremy was so proud of his second place finish - he said it's the first time he won a trophy all by himself.  So proud that he is going to keep the trophy at the shop for all to see instead of at the house.  Even better, ahem, wink, wink!

After the festivities wrapped up we were all tired and ready to head home.  Only one of us got to nap on the way home, and it wasn't me...

On a side note, I may or may not have gotten these really rad running shoes while shopping today, and I may or may not have had to break them in when I got home.  What a great day!

Wheelin'

Despite it feeling like it's 110 degrees, the boys were outside doing some rock crawling with their Jeeps.  

A few weeks ago, Jeremy had a couple loads of boulders delivered.  Today, a couple local guys from his Jeep club came over to help move the rocks around. 

I stuck around just long enough to deliver lunch and take a few pictures.  It was hot out!

Landon was happy to stick with climbing the rocks on the road, not off the road.

Cookie monster

We were up and at 'em early this morning!  Is it out of the norm to start baking cookies at 6:00 on Sunday morning?  

Landon loves to help me eat the cookie dough make cookies!  He has this fun little apron that he has to put on when he helps me in the kitchen.  It is definitely more masculine because it has monster trucks on it don't you think?

Landon loves to dump everything into the mixing bowl.

He quickly forgot about the cookies once Mikey Mouse came on TV and the chocolate chips came out.  I promise Mom, I'm just holding the bag.

Really, I'm not eating them, I'm just holding the bag!

Ossian Fest Parade

On Friday night, Cathy and the kids met up with Landon and I and we headed over to Ossian Fest.  The parade started at 7:00 and the weather was perfect - unlike last year when Landon and I went, we were bundled up in our sweatshirts trying to stay warm.  Do you remember?

Anyway, this year we had just as good of a time.  Landon wasn't really interested in catching any candy.  He was content to sit on my lap and watch.

We saw everything from clowns...

 to the bat mobile...

to Grandpa...

to a jeep from Daddy's Jeep Club.

We had a great time!

30 months old

Today, Landon went in for his 30 month appointment.  Landon is doing very well and is developing right on track.  Landon weighed 29 pounds and is 35" tall.  He ranks between the 10th and 25th percentile in both height and weight.  No shots this at this appointment, so we both walked out happy!  

After a little grocery shopping, we headed home where Landon settled in for a nice long nap.  This evening we are headed to the parade in Ossian with the Sabelka's.  By the way, the weather is perfect outside!