May & June 2015

I can't believe it's been 2 months since I've been able to update this blog.  It HAS been crazy busy though!!  I guess it started the first day of May too!  That was the day we got Blossom!!  She's our sweet blue doberman rescue dog.  She was about 10 months at the time (we decided to make her birthday July 5th - Hana's "Half Birthday" because she is Hana's dog.  Well, Hana will tell you that.  I thought she was my dog.... Knute says she is, every time she does something naughty!  At any rate, we've all fallen in love with her (although Lucy might disagree some days!) and she fit into the family right away! 

I should mention that she came from a rescue is south Texas, right by the Mexico boarder... A few days after she arrived, we had snow.  Let's just say she was not a fan!  It was so funny waiting her jump around in the snow.  Actually, after a while, she seemed to get used to it, but her favorite spot was by the fireplace (which we turned on for the first time this year, I think!!) She's a funny dog!!

May also brought a out big block party.  Unfortunately, it rained all day and then that turned to snow!!  It was freezing, but we all had fun.  A firetruck even came (per our request) and the kids got to go in it.  Hana, of course, also managed to jump in the drivers seat for a few minutes.  Glad they took the keys out!!  Hana also went to her first Kentucky Derby Party (wearing her best matching hat!) and that was fun!  Knute won the tri-fecta! 

We had a nice Mother's Day with my mom this year.  It was the first time in MANY years we were together for that day, so it was extra special for me.  We took her to brunch at Rob, because we knew it would not be busy.  She really enjoyed the music on the jukebox, especially Earth, Wind & Fire.

We went to a few other parties, including our friend Irene's 40th and neighbor Liam's 6th.  Hana had fun on the slip n slide and hitting the pinata.  At the end of the month, aunt Gayle and uncle John came for a visit.... mostly to see my mom, but they stayed with us and we had a blast, as usual!

Perhaps the most EXCITING thing that happened in May, was that Hana "graduated" from Pre-School!  They had their annual Spring Sing at Bethany and afterwards, Hana received her "diploma".  She is all to happy to tell you that her teacher, Mrs. Alicia (especially) and Ms. Nicole tell her she was the smartest kid in the class and they will miss her terribly.... In fact they "don't know what they will do without here there!"  It's nice to be liked so much!  Hana had fun with Ryvers & Bleu (and Kaya too, although she not pictured here.)

I should also mention, Knute started to demo our kitchen floor after a month and a half long fiasco with HomeDepot (I'll never shop there again!) and as I type this on June 25th, it's still not totally done, but we hope to put the toilet back in the bathroom tonight!  Finger's crossed!

June brought more parties and trips to the park!!  Glenn & Jane came to visit and to celebrate his birthday!!  We all went to Fresh Fish Co... His favorite, because they offer your age as a percentage off... although, now that he's in his 80's, they usually just give him his meal for free! 

Hana at her (former) favorite park - MacWilliams, which she calls Dinosaur Park! 

Hana's new favorite Park is Belleview Park.  We celebrated her friend Kaya's birthday there and went back again the following Tuesday after swim lessons.  Knute was fishing in Canada on his annual trip with his dad, so I took a vacation day and we went crazy!  Although we didn't play in the river or have a duck race, like at the party, we did get to ride the train again (twice) and went to the petting zoo.  After that, we went to Noodles for lunch, Cold Stone for ice cream after that and then shopping to finish getting Father's Day gifts for Knute.  Later that evening (after seeing my mom with cupcakes that we made) we even went to Hana's favorite - Red Lobster with the Turner's.  Busy day!!

Knute & Glenn in Canada

Last weekend was Father's Day.  Knute was home for the first time ever (I think?!?) since we had Hana!!  His annual trip was moved up a week this year, so it worked out.  He got to open his many presents and cards and pictures (mostly from Hana) in the morning and take it sort of easy most of the day.  Hana and I went to the salon for a trim.  Well, I went for a trim.  I ended up having 9-10 inches cut off to donate again and Hana decided to get a trim that turn into 4 inches.  She looks so adorable and her hair looks so healthy now!  I've been trying to talk her into a trim for months..... But bringing to the salon was apparently all I needed to do!  She couldn't wait to jump in the chair!  Afterwards, we stopped at Bonnie Brae ice cream to get some Butter Brickle for Knute and Leif & John (their Father's Day present from me!)

That evening we had the Balk's (Erika is back from a semester in Malta!!) and Nelson's over for dinner to celebrate The Longest Day Alzheimer's awareness fundraiser.  We're Team Barbie.  We had a nice time and made s'mores and ate Sonja's perfectly decorated cake.  I don't think Knute ate again until the next night... we all had too much to eat.  But it was a nice time.  

 

Next weekend is the Turner's party and then it will be July... which is just as crazy.  Actually August is too.  A lot of fun things are planned.... including Nordic Fest in Decorah, the Minnesota State Fair and some special surprises for Hana.  OH!  And after she finishes Rainbow Trail Lutheran Day Camp this week, she starts summer school (it's actually called camp) at her new elementary school 3 days a week until "real" school starts in August.  We want her to feel very comfortable there when school actually starts in August.  Exciting times ahead!!