I'm ready for vacation.

This was a pretty big weekend for me. The Sunny Hollow Great Gala was Saturday...the gala that I chaired and have been working and working on feverishly over the past 6+ months. I have to admit it went quite well. We had a great turn out and over doubled last year's earnings. It was really fun, really exhausting and really rewarding. I wasn't sure if I was ready for it to be over, but now that it is, I am happy and ready to get some time back and get back into my normal responsibilities.

At the gala, Jer and I ended up buying a week at a cabin on Lake Superior in Lutsen. Owen was really excited to learn of this as he is quite anxious to learn how to ski. This morning Walter came up to our bedroom as I was getting ready for the day wearing sunglasses, a hat and gloves. He told me he was 'ready for vacation!' I came downstairs and found Owen had brought his suitcase up and had started packing. I guess we'll have to book it soon, although its going to be a bit of a wait for the boys!

Owen spent the afternoon painting while being inspired by nature. He's been quite interested in art these days, which certainly makes me proud. I can't get enough of his art. 

Eleven.

A couple months ago when you'd ask Walter to count he would say "1, 3, 2!" I worked a bit with him on counting "1, 2, 3" but eventually just dropped it. I was completely surprised when I heard him count all the way to 11 on Monday. He's been doing it since and when he hits 11 he yells "blast-off!"

Owen seems to be really enjoying Sunny Hollow these days. He came home today and told me about his special number book that he got today. He said he has lots of work to do in it. He's been sharing lots of number games with me and writing goals. His teacher, Gina, called me last week to see if I'd consider sending him full days after the new year as he is really showing interest in areas that could be expanded on with more time at school. I'm not sure how I feel about it, but I do know it makes me happy to see his interest and passion in learning. Sunny Hollow is a great introduction to school.

Trick or Treat!

It was fun to see the boys enjoy Halloween this year. Owen really got into it and was racing with our neighbor Aiden door to door. Walter did his best to keep up and was rewarded with plenty of loot.

Owen designed this pumpkin and Jer helped him carve it. Pretty cute, huh?!

I'm concentrating on my work.

I bet you had your money on Owen saying this...nope, it was sweet Walter! He's getting so big and is quite vocal about it these days. He told Owen this in the bath last night as he was pasting his foam bath pirates on the wall and Owen was interrupting him.

We've been thoroughly enjoying the beautiful fall days we've had lately. Yesterday Owen requested going for a walk to photograph 'wild animals'. He took lots of birds and squirrels and was so excited to follow some big paw prints we found by the lake in hopes of finding a big wild animal...no such luck!

I'm sorry if you are tired of reading my thoughts about the gala, but, boy oh boy it is coming now! Yippee and yikes! 

Walter, can I show you how to fix your stance?

We went outside to play and rake the leaves this morning. Owen decided he wanted to play baseball and that he and Walter needed to be on the Twins team. He got them both Twins shirts to put on over their jackets, got on his cleats, baseball pants, batting helmet and baseball backpack which held his glove, ball and bat, and finally met me outside. As I was raking I looked over after I heard Owen say this. I saw Owen helping Walter stand a bit closer to the Tee, encouraging him to bend his knees and hold the bat correctly. My boys are precious.

This afternoon, we took a trip to Frontenac State Park near Red Wing. It was a gorgeous fall day to get outside and go for a hike. The boys loved collecting leaves, chasing one another, playing catch and exploring. Jer showed us how to make an acorn top whistle and the boys were quite impressed and tried hard to copy.

How much longer, Mommy?

We drove to Steven's Point after school yesterday to participate in the Punt, Pass & Kick contest with Jer's work. Owen asked this pretty regularly for the entire 3 1/2 hour drive! 

Jer and the boys have been practicing for this contest for a few weeks now. Owen was anxious to get on the field and get in line as soon as we arrived. He was pretty serious about it. Walter was just excited to get a free football. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed playing around on the football field and track afterwards. Jer and Owen ended the night with a game of Battleship while Walter and I cuddled up in bed. (The boys sleep in the same bed when we are here and if they go to bed at the same time, well, they simply don't go to bed!)

Don't eat it, Mommy.

Ok, so this is a bit gross to the non-parent ear, but oh well...yesterday Walter gave me a booger to dispose of and then told me this. (Now be honest, that made you laugh!)

It was a beautiful fall family day today. We started the morning with a trip to the theater to see Toy Story in 3D. After, we went home and made some cut out Halloween cookies. We then got outside and went for a bike ride, followed by some playtime in the infamous triangle park. It was great to get outside after days of rain and snow. At the end of the day I raked our lovely yard, something we've done quite a few times already this year and never seems like work.

Now Jer and the boys are making dinner and its smelling like its nearly time for me to eat!

Like when you're 18...or 4 or 5.

In the bath tonight Owen told Walter that when he dives its 'quite impressive' and then that Walter could learn to dive once he's 'like 18... or 4 or 5.' I love hearing them talk to one another.

We've had a nice, nearly normal week. Things are coming together for the Gala, so I've been able to do a few normal things around here like play trains with Walter and make books with Owen more easily. We've still spent a fair amount of time at Sunny Hollow, but not nearly as much as in weeks past. Now I just need to take my camera out again!

I forgot to add a photo of my mom's birthday celebration last weekend. It was a treat to be able to celebrate with her. The boys are always eager to help blow out candles, play with balloons, and help open presents!

What is an anniversary again, Mommy?

Seven beautiful years ago, Jer and I were married at the chapel at Augsburg followed by a fabulous party at the Nicollet Island Pavilion. Every year we visit one or both sites. This morning we took the boys to breakfast downtown to Key's (where we ate breakfast with Joe Girardi and Andy Pettit of the Yankees) and then went over to the pavilion for a walk. Its such a fun day to celebrate and our life has certainly grown and changed since seven years ago! We're looking forward to a good 77 more years or so.

See, you need lots of layers in winter, Walter.

We woke up to a layer of white everywhere this morning and Owen was excited. After promptly getting dressed and getting out his snow boots and gloves, he asked for help finding his snow pants, hat and last year's coat. Walter soon followed suit and before long the boys were out playing in the snow while Jer & I watched and laughed from the comfort of our warm house. If only I was so excited to see the snow.

Earlier in the week my mom and I took the boys to the MN Zoo. It was a beautiful sunny warm day and we enjoyed walking around outside watching the animals and playing on the new playground. It was a real treat having my mom around all week. I got a lot done on the gala I'm chairing and got taken out to eat a whole lot. I'm not sure how I'll adjust back to reality next week, but I won't worry about that now.

You making polka dots, Grandma?

My mom was changing Walter's diaper today and when she was using wipes, Walter asked her this. 

After two straight days of rain and being stuck inside, we escaped today and went to the MOA. My mom took us mini-golfing, to the Rain Forest Cafe and then to Nick Universe for some rides. The boys loved it!

This weekend was the Fall Festival at Owen's school, we went to the Children's Theater to see "Bert & Ernie, Goodnight", and had the third annual Armstrong family talent show. It was a great family weekend.

No time to write...I have another Sunny Hollow meeting tomorrow. November 7th is constantly on my mind!

My big brother.

Walter is proud to have a big brother. He calls Owen his big brother all the time. On Friday when Owen & Jer were getting back from school, he ran into the kitchen to tell me "My big brother is home!"

Friday was an eventful day at our house. We had some of Owen's friends and their families over for dinner. As we were prepping for their arrival, I asked Jer to take Griffin out to the triangle park and throw him some balls in hopes of wearing off some of his energy. Well, a ball went into the street as a car was coming down and Griffin ended up getting hit by the car. Griffin's right shoulder got hit and he rolled away from the car, thankfully. Jer said it was the worst thing he's ever seen. He came limping over to Jer as a neighbor's dog got loose and attacked Grif. Jer and some neighbors got the dog off Griffin and Jer brought him home completely shook up. He was limping and obviously exhausted from it all. We watched him carefully through the night and on Saturday he was about 70% back. By Sunday you would never have known anything had ever happened to him. He is one tough dog. To date he has survived blastomycosis, an abusive first family, and now being hit by a car. I get frustrated by him and his havoc he often causes, but after an event like that, I realize just how special he is to us and why we fight to keep him.

My grandparents arrived here from Kauai on Saturday, just in time for the cool weather. We spent Sunday with my family and will be doing more of that in the coming weeks. I'm really looking forward to our annual talent show. Owen is quite excited about it, as he seems to win year after year. Walter might be ready to give him a run for his money this year, though.

The boys and Jer went with his family to a very artsy mini-golf course on Saturday. It sounds like it was pretty spectacular, as I'm still hearing about the different holes.

I'm pretty much living and breathing Great Gala right now. I actually need to get working on it now...

Aye, aye, captain.

As we were driving home from gymnastics tonight, Walter said this. I have no idea where he heard this, but it sure was cute coming out of his sweet mouth. 

Owen had a blast at gymnastics tonight. He showed Jer & me that he could do a headstand against a wall this weekend and then proceed to push himself up into a handstand. I tried and couldn't even feel a hair move off the ground. When I ask him his favorite part of gymnastics, he always says rings and says he loves to go upside down on them. 

Walter has a pal at gymnastics with whom he always swap toys and chases around while his brother is in the gym. Tonight they were in the little lockers playing peek-a-boo and giggling like mad. So cute.

We had a nice weekend together with a minor hiccup along the way. We played in our yard quite a bit, including a water balloon fight and an outdoor bath. We also celebrated a week of very little whining and sass with a bowling excursion. Unfortunately I got a virus and wasn't feeling so hot Saturday night...well actually I was feeling too hot! :) All is well now, I just don't know where the weekend went as I slept through a good majority of it. Either way, it sure does remind you to be thankful for good health.