So much for Ft. Lauderdale and our Wisconsin Dells trip

Remember that trip to Ft. Lauderdale that I told you about in the previous post.? Ya know, the one where I was going ALONE with my husband. No kids. 4 days of stress free relaxation. Yea, that one. It didn't happen. Instead, I never got out of bed. The morning we were supposed to be leaving I was getting to know our bathroom floor and our toilet on a more personal level. It was honestly the worst stomach virus I have ever had. Thank goodness my Mom was already here (she was staying with the kids while we went away) and Jamie went onto work. I was starting to think it was some sort of food poisoning since I didn't feel like I ever had a fever.. until this morning... when Hannah woke up puking. Bleh! Thank goodness I am at least somewhat better and can take care of her. Jamie is back today and my mom headed home but when my babies are sick I want to be the one taking care of them. I'm controlling like that.

We did however have a fantastic time at the Dells a few weeks ago. It was a much enjoyed break and wonderful to spend quality time with The Peterson's. We didn't want it to end!! We went to Noah's Ark Water Park and it was a blast. I don't have any pictures from that day because I let Thor take his camera and I haven't received the pics from him yet. When I do, I will share. It was so hot and packed but we had a blast!! We went swimming in the pool and in the lake at our condo. LOVED the condo we stayed in. It was right on Lake Delton with a beautiful view! Rhonda and I even treated ourselves to an 80 minute massage on morning. Bliss!

One of the many wonderful things I love about our good friends, The Peterson's, are the special friendships our kids share. Andrew and Lauren are 10 weeks apart. Rhonda and I actually had Lauren and Andrew in the same hospital, in the same exact room (in a busy hospital with roughly 20 labor and delivery rooms). Lauren and Andrew have played together and been the best of friends literally since the day they were born. :) We always say what kindred souls Lauren and Andrew are. Free spirits, artsy.. when the two of them get together they are in their own world. Fast forward 5 year later and there is Hannah and Jack. The two of them are 3 months apart. What's crazier is in the 5 years between them Rhonda and I were both doing fertility treatments, getting pregnant, having miscarriages and still ended up having our kids together both times. It has been such a joy to now watch Hannah and Jack form their special friendship the same way Andrew and Lauren did.

Jack and Hannah taking a bubble bath

My cutie BFF

Hannah, Rhonda and Jack feeding the ducks

Lauren and Daddy in the lake

Daddy flipping off the dock

Lauren and Andrew

I'm a slacker

That's all there is to it. When it comes to my blog, it has been abused. But, it is summertime and we have been busy little bees. It doesn't look like it is going to be slowing down anytime soon either. We leave this Saturday for 4 days in the Dells with our great friends, The Petersons!! Then Jamie and I head to Ft. Lauderdale for 4 days at the end of the month ALONE!! God love that man for planning a trip with just the two of us. And God love my Mom for watching the girls while we go on our trip!

Speaking of my Mom, she left today after being here since last Saturday. It is like having a second me around! Maybe even a better second me. 2 kids + 2 adults = sanity!! It was perfect timing because Jamie hurt his back over the 4th of July. He was running around chasing Bella, the grass was wet and he fell flat of his back. He was hurt but he went ahead and went to work on the 7th only to come home 4 days later worse than when he left. Luckily, after a trip to the doctor he only had a muscle strain so muscle relaxers and a lot of rest is what the doctor ordered. So, I was very happy my mom happened to be here to help out. Jamie was also very happy as my Mom pampered him with his favorite home cooked meals of hers of ham and beans with potatoes and cornbread and beef and rice.

Speaking of 4th of July, it was fantastic! Those of you who know me, know how much I love the holidays and 4th of July happens to be one of my favorites! We had a party that lasted 4 days!!! The Peterson's, The Sphilmans, my brother and Megan and my parents came up and we had a blast!

Yummy fruit kabobs!! They were a hit!

Patty, Rhonda, Pete and Jamie enjoying dinner

My brother, Ronnie and Megan! Aren't they cute!

Homemade ice cream sandwiches

Jack and Hannah

The boys made a potato gun... that's all I have to say about that.

ready to launch

What else have we been up to? We've been to the beach a couple times and that has been fun. Both of my girls could spend every day at the beach and never get tired of it. Lauren is a fish and rarely leaves the water and Hannah spends the entire day playing in the sand with her toys and running in and out of the water.

Hannah seems to be coming out of her shell lately and while we were at the beach this week she met a new friend! Hannah just walked right up to her and asked her name and the next thing you know they were new best friends and played together the rest of the day.

Hannah's turned to be buried which lasted about 5 seconds.

Lauren got buried!

Hannah and her friend

Hannah, my Mom and Lauren