Fun, Family & the Fourth

We have had a busy week leading up to the Fourth of July at the Davlin household! Ryan and I both had family from out of town visiting, we celebrated my Mom's birthday and it was the Fourth of July! I love summer because of this reason. It seems like you get together with family more, there are more things to do and you can just enjoy being outside.

Our week started off at my parent's house for dinner to see my dad's cousin Kris and her husband Jim from Oregon. It was so nice visiting with them, it has been forever! Wish their three girls could have come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MoMo & BoBo (my Mom & Dad) on her Birthday

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ryan's cousin Heidi and her two kids, along with his cousin Abbey, came to Springfield for a week to visit and we got to spend some time with them, along with their mom, Ryan's Aunt Kathy. After work we went over to Memo's house (Ryan, Heidi & Abbey's grandma) for dinner and to have some fun on the golf course. Memo lives on a golf course so the kids always enjoy running around and playing when no one is on the course. Heidi's kids are close in age with ours so they always have a good time together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nolan and Nora were so worn out from running around and playing golf (Ryan's Aunt was giving them golf lessons) they slept in late the next morning!

The 4th for us was a laid back-get a few things done around the house- kinda day. Exactly what we needed! After naps, we went to the Cicci's house for a cookout and the kids got to play outside. We had such a great time and the kids were so good. It was relaxing to hang out and watch them play. When it was close to firework time, the kids were still up and doing great so we went to Memo's house to watch the fireworks on the golf course. The kids loved the fireworks! Nora would run around screaming and giggle each time a firework went off! She was full of energy while Nolan was asking for his ni-nights and wanted to go home so we packed up the car and the kids went right to bed.

 The next morning we got going early to Centennial Park to walk a trail and let Nolan ride his bike. After he rode his bike on the trail for a little bit, Ryan took his bike back to the car and ran to catch up to us. Nolan wanted to get out of the stroller and "run" like Dad and I were while holding Well's (our dog) leash. We told him that he could get out of the stroller to run but if he didn't keep up he had to go back, thinking it would last for two seconds. Wouldn't you know it...he ran the whole way! Ryan and I kept looking at each other in disbelief but he was determined to jog while holding Well's leash! I liked it because it made me jog alongside him. It was weird to see a three year old running with his dog down a trail. Nolan made a lot of people laugh! 

When we were done, we went to my parent's house to cool down and swim. Aunt Sara joined us and Nolan and Nora showed off their new swim moves. Nolan no longer clings to us the entire time and can swim from myself to Ryan. Nora is like a little fish and is totally fearless!   

 

 

Later that night, we went took the kids to a wedding and had such a nice time! One of my best friend's mom got married and we were so happy to help them celebrate. What a great couple! After the ceremony, we went to Saputo's for a dinner reception and to our surprise, our kids were angels!They were polite and stayed in their seats! It probably helped having good food in front of them:) I know Ryan was thinking we can now do this all the time but I'm sure it was a one time thing! (Plus they were not-so-good at the church.) Nolan made a new friend while Nora laughed at everyone's jokes. We really enjoyed our kiddos! After the reception, we came across a few water fountains outside so we stopped and let the kids play before we headed home. What a beautiful night to be walking around downtown!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Hill Family Wedding!

My cousin Kayla got married over the weekend and we had a great time helping the happy couple celebrate! Ryan and I love a good wedding! We usually go as a couple but this was a family wedding so we brought the kids. Let me just tell you the night goes a little differently! Some of my family stayed the night so we decided at the last minute to get a hotel room and the kids could crash whenever they felt like it. It sounded like a good plan that morning but that night we (Ryan) were ready to pack up the car at 10:00pm and take them home! They finally feel asleep and I got to go back down to the wedding to have some fun and helped out with the clean up crew.

 

Here are a few pictures from the day...



Kayla and I before the wedding.

 

 

 

My sister Sara & I.

 

 

 

The kids at the church. They were napping during the ceremony and came after to take family pictures. So sweet!

 

 

 

My cousin Jared and Nora. He is practicing being an uncle with my child! Haha! (He will be a uncle in August!)

 

 

Daddy and Nora on the dance floor. We had a few "practice" dance parties at home so the kids were ready for the dancing part of the wedding.

 

 

Mommy and Nolan

 

 

Both kids actually told us that they wanted to go ni-night...and it wasn't late either! Too bad they didn't go right into the room and fall asleep...that would have been too easy!

 

Watching two toddlers on the dance floor was exhausting for Ryan and I (as well as our helpers) but they were even more exhausted. We all had a lot of fun! We have another wedding this weekend and the kids are coming as well...think we are nuts? Stay tuned... 



It's getting easier...as of right now!

I went right to the computer after putting both of the kids to bed today to document this moment. Both kids were put into bed (Nora then Nolan) and they did not say a word, cry, want out of their room, ask for a glass of water or something to eat, didn't want to be rocked or read another book, they just laid down and went to sleep...WOW! Loving this afternoon because it probably will not happen again for awhile:)

I think I will lay in the sun and read a book now!

Nolan turns 3!

I'm sure I will be saying this every year from this point forward but I can't believe how old he is!? Nolan turned 3 on the 17th of this month and boy did we have a great day! He woke up to birthday balloons, presents, got to eat breakfast on our special birthday plate and coffee mug, (I let him pick out all of the meals for the day) went blueberry picking and swam at MoMo and BoBo's house before we had lunch. After the kids took a long nap (they were so worn out!) we had a family birthday party that night. The next morning we continued the celebration with some of my friends that I get together with that have kids the same age (along with Ashley who the kids adore) and had some fun in the backyard with the kiddie pools and sprinklers.

Nolan's smile it so contagious! He's a fun-loving, smart, energetic, hardworking (he "works" a little too much sometime) and is so thoughtful. I am thankful for everyday that I get to stay home with him. We have a lot of fun together! It is an honor to be his Mommy and I look forward to watching him grow and learn as he starts preschool this fall!

 

We picked way more than this but most of them ended up in their tummies! Nora didn't even have a bowl full, she just ate them right off the vine!

 

 

Nolan and MoMo swimming.

 

 

After lunch and naps, we got ready for the family birthday party.

 

 

Nolan picked a Caillou themed birthday party.  Both kids watch the show daily! They love it!

 

 

MoMo makes the cakes for all of the birthdays. What a cute cake! Homemade icing...yum!

 

 

 

 

Go Cubs!

 

 

MoMo & BoBo with Nolan

 

 

Cheese'n with the birthday boy:)

 

 

Nana and Papa Tom with the big boy!

 

 

Nolan & Mommy

 

 

Nolan with the "Greats"

 

 

Just another picture with Aunt Sara. I think they could have they're own photo album!

 

 

I did not have a chance to take pictures when the kids were over but my friend Jen caught this moment...picnic inside after enjoying the water activities. It was hot outside!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Nolan!

 

 

 



Father's Day 2014

Ryan's first Father's Day (three years ago) was spent taking our first baby home. It was a bitter sweet day, not only was it Ryan's first Father's Day without his Dad but we were so excited to go home as a family of three. I remembering smiling to myself when I realized that would be the day Nolan would come home. It was extra special. It's funny how things work out the way they do.

This year, Nolan's birthday did not fall on Father's Day or the same weekend as it has for the past two year so we had a lazy, laid back Sunday! Ryan got to sleep in, lay on the couch, watched sports, played outside with the kids, ran a few errands and enjoyed the nice weather. He deserved every minute of it...even though he kept referring to Father's DAY as Father's Day WEEKEND:) We ended the day with a nice dinner at my parent's house!

Cheesey moment before they unveiled the gift!

 

Since it was Father's Day WEEKEND, here are a few more pics from our fun family weekend together!

 

We went to Hyvee for the first time. I think Nolan had too much fun with the shopping cart and we went home with a few more things than planned!

 

 

First trip to ice deli for the summer.

 

 

Waiting on the porch for the boys to get ready so we decided to have a little photo shoot! She cracks me up, loves taking pictures...and that smile!

 

 

We had some time to pass before a store opened on Sunday so we made a pit stop at Stake n Shake for an early lunch.

 

 

The kids LOVE milkshakes! A "special treat" they call it.

 

Thanks to Ryan for all the things that you do for our family and for the wonderful Father you are! Our kids absolutely adore you and I love seeing parts of you in both Nolan and Nora. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads!

 

 

 

 

Clubhouse Fun

It was a rainy spring day and the kids and I got out of the house to run a few errands. They were use to playing outside now and didn't like the fact that we had to stay inside. On our way home, we stopped by my work to say hi and ended up going home with our very own clubhouse! They had just received a large shipment and the girls thought it would provide hours of entertainment. They were right! The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to get home and put it up! It took up a large part of our back living room, which didn't bother me because it kept them occupied for awhile! Nolan and Nora both decorated their new clubhouse using crayons and markers. I cut a door at the front of the box (almost left it alone!) to get in and out a little easier for the kids! Oh how I miss the days when you knew they were safe in the pack n' play!