Hot & Happy Birthdays!

Another busy weekend! We had Quinn's first birthday celebration in Decorah on Saturday and David's 3$#%th birthday on Sunday!

We made the decision not to leave Friday night and just head out Saturday morning. It's not fun to go for just one night, but it fits our family a little better right now. Dave got stuck at work and had a long day and I had a long day home with the kids:) I worked hard Friday to get us packed up so we could be ready to leave early in the morning but around suppertime, I felt myself just giving up. Dave had wanted to go out for a boat ride and get supper on the lake but by the time he was home and we could get started, it would have made a late night. After I made the decision to keep the boat docked and withstood the tears (Kate or Dave? you can guess:) we decided to "go to Mexico." I was excited and was also prepared to cheat on my 21 Day Fix diet and have a big ol' margarita. It. Was. Heavenly. We had a nice meal and relaxed a bit to wind down from the week.

Saturday morning, I got up early, but probably not early enough. Worked out and started getting us out the door. We left about 9:30 a.m., a little late. We got word that Quinn and Beth were going to be at Mom and Dads, so we were hoping to get there quick! The trip went really well! A happy change from our recent trips. Collin gabbed much of the time, Kate was pretty quiet and Ayden did great but fussed from Spring Grove on. 

We arrived just as Beth and Chris were leaving! We got a quick hello and went inside to see Gma & Gpa and play with Miss Q! It was a lot of fun to have Quinn up at Mom and Dads while the others were getting the party ready back in Decorah. The grandkiddos played and Collin did great (no hitting Quinn!!!) They were so cute. 

Quinn helping Gma with the baked potatoes

Playing outside

Quinn loving on Ayden:)

Quinn & Collin helping feed Ayden

We got ready for the party and headed down in the late afternoon for Quinn's big bash! It. Was. Hot. The kids didn't mind, of course, though Collin gets beet red quickly and I was worried for a bit. The party was beautiful and so lovely in Pat & Roger's backyard. We played with the kids, walked around with Quinn, had lemonade and beer from the keg:), yummy food, watched the gift paper fly and the highlight was probably the surprise ponies (two!) that came to give rides and when Quinn escaped notice and ended up under the table with three cupcakes:) Priceless. 

Gpa Wally made the sign!

The kids loved the lemonade

Kate riding the pony!

Kate & Ivy having their picnic

Ayden hanging out with Gpa

Opening gifts!

Ayden was passed around quite a bit, he ate some pears but soon enough, he told us it was time to go home to bed. We gathered up the kiddos and said our goodbyes. The kids got baths and went straight to bed. The adults stayed up for some wine and a fire out back:)

The birthday boy!

Sunday morning we had a few things planned for Dave's birthday! Mom helped me come up with some hopefully low-key things to celebrate her favorite son-in-law:) We started the day by making a rum cake - Dave's favorite cake and pretty much a tradition at this point. We then got ourselves down to Rubiayat for brunch! Andrew and Kylie came along and Tara and Quinn joined us too:) So sweet. The four kids did about as well as you would expect. There was a build-your-own bloody mary bar and extremely yummy (and quick!) food! A success. Dave and I also had Impact Coffee - which we totally loved (another Decorah gem). 

A little brunch...

End of the meal - hanging out together:)

After brunch, we took some adorable pics of the kids on a bench and then split up - men vs. women! I mean, the men and the women! Kylie, Mom and I headed over to Hallmark to see where Mom is now working! It is the newer store over by Latham Furniture and Culver's. Andrew, Dad, Dave and the kids went to the hardware store. :) The little boys were tired and a bit of a mess but us women thoroughly enjoyed our shopping! Thank you!

The four cutest kids around - Water Street, Decorah

We then all met back up again at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company to have a beer and eat the rum cake out on the patio. It was super. duper hot. So, that was a little hard. The kids were a little restless but guess what? They had TOYS there. Yes. This is our new favorite brewery. Well, it may have been anyway. Quinn and Kate played with the toys, Ayden spent time in everyone's laps and Collin was asleep in the car. So, we played magical chairs out there. I started in the car and then was relieved by Beth! She came by and let me go out so we could cut the cake and have a piece. Then Mom went to relieve Beth since, and I quote," I can talk to Erin any time!" It was awesome to have a short time with Beth as well. And when the wind started blowing our plates and forks around, we packed it back up to leave. 

I think he had a good birthday!

We said our goodbyes to Beth, Tara and Quinn (hard to do :( - but so grateful we had so much time together this weekend). We went back to Mom and Dads and we all kind of collapsed into the air conditioning for awhile. Then it was time to pack back up. The kids spent time running through the sprinkler before getting back on the road. It was a really nice afternoon. Our drive went nicely -again! Ayden slept and we put on Big Hero 6 for the big kids. We stopped in La Crosse to eat and picked Olive Garden (we hardly ever go there) but it was perfect. Dave and I had wonderful food and one more drink:) We had lots of space, the kids ate, had bathroom breaks and we tired Ayden out once again. He slept for the hour ride back to our house. 

After the kids were in bed, I did my yoga and then hopped on the scale, took my measurements and closed out the three week 21 Day Fix program I'd been doing. Turns out - it went really well! I have lost 8 lbs and a number of inches off places that make me really happy:) I wore clothes this weekend that I hadn't been able to button a month ago. I was actually pretty surprised, especially given the amount of "cheating" I did over the weekend! Anyway, I'm very pleased. I had an online accountability group and a Beachbody coach (two, actually) and I'm pretty sure that is what made all the difference this time. I'm changing habits and feeling amazing. 

It's good to be back home. I'm soaking up the last weeks without a "Kate schedule" that demands lots of driving around in the van. We still have a lot to look forward to, as always. We have friends coming this weekend and a trip to Missouri coming fast too! Kate will be starting Kindergarten before I know it! (before I'm prepared for it?!?!)

Happy Birthday, Dave! 34 is going to be a good year, I know it:) Much love to everyone that helped with the kiddos again this weekend. What a fun, hot and full couple days!