The OC Fair

I realize I'm on a posting spree... but I'm anxious to get in this last birthday post so I can publish our blog book of Kyle's 2nd year. We've decided to do a party every other year and take Kyle somewhere fun with a friend on the off year. So to celebrate Kyle's day, we took him to the county fair. We hopped on our bikes and gleefully passed the miles of cars waiting to park!

 Mr. Excited!

 Up in the Ferris wheel. We drive by on the way home and he always comments on the "round and round."

 Kyle's 1st roller coaster. He asked to go again and again! And again!

How adorable is he?!

 The funny mirror.

The petting zoo.

 And another ride on the roller coaster with Papa! This time hands up!!

 Cheers!

 Papa love.

All done! Tired but happy.

Then a stop at Nick and Will's for a gator ride. Kyle drove his friend around and around.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kyle! XOXO

Happy 2nd Birthday, Kyle!!

Two years ago today: 

At 7:08 am, we welcomed our son, Kyle, into the world. It was the best day of our lives. We thank God, now more than ever, for this beautiful gift. 

We've had a fun birthday week of visits with family from Chicago. My brother and sister-in-law were in town earlier this week.

Then GG came on a layover. And hopefully, if stand-by flights cooperate, we'll welcome Auntie Ray tomorrow! 

Kyle woke up today to fun decorations and a full presents table. Thank you, family!

Kyle loves his scooter from his Great Aunt Cindy. He's been practicing on one his friend has and was excited to have one for himself!

Kyle made the day fun. Just look at his enthusiasm. He opened every present by himself and loved playing with his new toys.

 Then Auntie Michelle and I took Kyle for a wagon ride to a neighborhood pancake spot for breakfast.

 

We sang to him and he blew out his candles at least 3 times. He kept saying, "More candles!"

Then Grandpa, Grammie and Auntie Michelle came over for dinner and birthday cake. This was my 3rd cake attempt. (Long story!) Actually, after giving up at midnight last night, my mom offered to help me out. She made the cake and frosting and gave me frosting pointers so I wouldn't ruin yet another one! I'm clearly not a cake designer and I doubt my kids will have the same tradition both Rudy and I had growing up with amazing cakes made by our mothers. What a lot of work! :)

Kyle wasn't critical though, and loved his "Rear Rear Firetruck!"

Kyle had a great day! Birthday #2 was so fun because he could anticipate his day (a few days out) and enjoy all the little and big things we did to make it fun. He was a sweetheart! We love you, Kyle!!

Murdo, South Dakota

Love this town. Love it's people. Dearly love my grandparents and all the memories we have together. Absolutely love making new memories here with my son. 

A favorite and daily stop to the Drive-In. Auntie Michelle wasn't with us last year, so this was fun to watch her experience all her "firsts" with her nephew.

I remember last summer, Kyle tried his first ice-cream cone here and wasn't too sure about it. Look at him now! :)

Another daily favorite is a trip to the pool. Kyle really enjoyed this kiddie pool with his Auntie Michelle.

Some guy time throwing rocks with my younger cousins.

Helping Grandpa Hal, Grandpa and Uncle Maco get ready for their golf game.

Kyle's first golf lesson from Uncle Maco.

Pedicures for everyone!

Visiting the Labrier ranch with my friend, Lavonne.

Yay!

We rode on a hay baler. Kyle LOVED it!!!!!

Keeping Kyle off of the controls while my friend worked was a challenge!

Uncle Maco flew my dad and Grandpa Hal all over South Dakota from one end to the other. We went down to the town's airport to see them land. 

Then Kyle wanted to work these controls, too. (We were on our way to swim when we got the call they were landing, hence the swimsuit and "muscles" Kyle is wearing.)

Our famous "under the tree" pose. Michelle took the picture here.

Then switched with my mom here.

We already miss you, Grandpa Hal and Grandma Pat. Kyle still mentions your names. :)

Road Trip

Our 8 hour drive from my friend's house in Minnesota to my grandparents' house in South Dakota went something like this: 

Rest stops on the side of the road. Not the interstate, mind you. Just some country road. 

SD Stateline. The most beautiful sign there is!! I remember as a little kid, driving for 3 days to get to South Dakota.When we reached Vegas, my brother and I'd be about done. So when we finally saw this sign, it didn't matter that "home" was still 3+ hours away; we knew we were almost there!! And like a horse going home, our car always has a way of speeding up once we see her. It's fun to share this excitement with Rudy and Kyle. They both really love it there.

 That is, once we get there. By this point, Kyle had been in the car for at least 5 hours. It was rough!

We were going to stop and see The Falls in Sioux Falls, but before we could get that far, we passed a tractor lot and just had to stop. All the doors were unlocked so Kyle got in every single one of these things and was in heaven.

I love my family. And I love the memories we're making.