So what have we been up too? Well, probably the most exciting event was Jaxson’s ROCK STAR birthday party!! We celebrated his 5th birthday with music, guitars, microphones and LOTS AND LOTS of dancing! I really can’t believe that we have a FIVE year old! Jaxson has really matured into a smart, animated, funny, sweet and enduring little boy. He is always so willing to help when needed while also be very independent. He pays very close attention to details and points out things when they aren’t quite right. Jaxson will be going to preschool for one more year at St. David’s Center before starting kindergarten next year. He is very excited to start tomorrow, especially because he knows and loves his teacher! What a great way for him to start the year.
A few weeks ago we had our annual canning weekend with Chris and Kristin. We canned and canned and canned!! Salsa, Pickles and Tomato Sauce! We are very excited to enjoy all our hard work- all year long!
A Minnesota summer would not be the same without the Minnesota State Fair! We went opening day, not really by choice, but because it was the only day that Presten could get off work. However, it was a beautiful, cool day. We woke up bright and early to arrive before the crowds. The kids keep telling me how much they want to go back! I can’t really blame them- food, rides and animals- it doesn’t get more fun than that!
The last weekend in August we went to the Minnesota Zoo with four of my girlfriends from college. (we missed you Erin(:( ). It is amazing how all of our families have grown, but we are still able to pick right up where we left off. I think we need to make this an annual event to ensure all our little ones grow up knowing one another.
The new Bear addition to the MN Zoo is super cool! We were getting ready to leave and Jaxson said, "I want to see bears ONE more time!" And we were glad he did- we watched these two bears wrestle with other for a good half hour!
This is how close the bears are to you!
The MN zoo also added a splash pad and the kids SPLASHED AWAY!!
My handsome boy!
After the day at the MN Zoo, we headed downtown for the first pre-season Vikings game. YES- it was a marathon day! With a nap in the van on the way over, the kids were rearing to go for the game! The most exciting part of the game was that we got to sit on the field! It was SO cool! The players from both teams were just steps away from us. This was Vada’s first game- hopefully she doesn’t think that every game we get to sit down there! She had fun- eating popcorn and hopping up on the ledge to see the players.
This bucket was gone when we left at half time!
Still smiling after a 12 hour day!
As many of you know, Presten has been working 6 days a week for the last 3 months or so. We are not complaining, but it has been a lot for him- AND for me:). So amidst all the craziness Presten planned a little one night get-a-way for us! On Saturday night Chris and Kristin watched – Jaxson, Vada and Lexi so we could have a night out. We went to the House of Comedy at the Mall of America . It was the funniest show – EVER! We laughed and laughed and laughed, for an entire 90 minutes! We will defiantly be going back! Then we stayed at the Hyatt in Bloomington. It was the best night sleep I had in a very long time. Thank you Chris and Kristin for being the most loving, selfless, genuine and fun friends that we could ask for. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. The kids had so much fun- cooking, baking and swinging and just being crazy!
And now the rest of the weekend has been spent cooking and freezing breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the school year. We have muffins, pancakes, hot pockets, enchiladas, penne pasta, barbeques, taco meat and cookies! No need to be stressed out about meals- at least this month- I think we are ready!
Tomorrow morning should be very interesting…. As many of you know, Vada had her open house at school on Friday and it didn’t go so hot. As soon as we got in the classroom she started screaming that she did not want to go to school. Vada is a pretty difficult child, mainly because she is so independent and strong willed. She has a VERY difficult time sharing, she is obsessive about washing her hands or using ‘germ juice’, she colors on herself almost every time she has a writing utensil, she loves getting into things that are behind closed cupboards and she gets carsick- A LOT, to name a few. She has a lot of quirkiness to her and I hope that the teachers can figure out :). Despite all the challenges- she is one of the funniest girls I know- we laugh and laugh at her! She loves to help- ALL the time, she really cares about her brother and hates being separated from him, she always says ‘thank you’ and she loves playing kitchen and babies. We love our little turkey butt!
Presten is gearing up for the Northshore Marathon this next Saturday!! We are heading up to Duluth on Thursday to have a long weekend together with the kids! We have some neighbors and my sister a few of her friends coming up to skate too. I decided to take a knee this year – because my knees are literally killing me! :) Maybe next year, but this year we are excited to have the kids watch daddy cross the finish line! It will be a fun experience for me to be on the other side of the race- as a spectator.
We have had such a fun summer that we have decided to have it extend all the way through September! With a trip to Ludlow’s on Lake Vermillion coming up too!
We hope that you have all had an AMAZING summer! We are looking forward to best Minnesota season- FALL!
Love to all, The Bean’s
My handsome boy!After the day at the MN Zoo, we headed downtown for the first pre-season Vikings game. YES- it was a marathon day! With a nap in the van on the way over, the kids were rearing to go for the game! The most exciting part of the game was that we got to sit on the field! It was SO cool! The players from both teams were just steps away from us. This was Vada’s first game- hopefully she doesn’t think that every game we get to sit down there! She had fun- eating popcorn and hopping up on the ledge to see the players.
This bucket was gone when we left at half time!
Still smiling after a 12 hour day!As many of you know, Presten has been working 6 days a week for the last 3 months or so. We are not complaining, but it has been a lot for him- AND for me:). So amidst all the craziness Presten planned a little one night get-a-way for us! On Saturday night Chris and Kristin watched – Jaxson, Vada and Lexi so we could have a night out. We went to the House of Comedy at the Mall of America . It was the funniest show – EVER! We laughed and laughed and laughed, for an entire 90 minutes! We will defiantly be going back! Then we stayed at the Hyatt in Bloomington. It was the best night sleep I had in a very long time. Thank you Chris and Kristin for being the most loving, selfless, genuine and fun friends that we could ask for. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. The kids had so much fun- cooking, baking and swinging and just being crazy!
And now the rest of the weekend has been spent cooking and freezing breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the school year. We have muffins, pancakes, hot pockets, enchiladas, penne pasta, barbeques, taco meat and cookies! No need to be stressed out about meals- at least this month- I think we are ready!
Tomorrow morning should be very interesting…. As many of you know, Vada had her open house at school on Friday and it didn’t go so hot. As soon as we got in the classroom she started screaming that she did not want to go to school. Vada is a pretty difficult child, mainly because she is so independent and strong willed. She has a VERY difficult time sharing, she is obsessive about washing her hands or using ‘germ juice’, she colors on herself almost every time she has a writing utensil, she loves getting into things that are behind closed cupboards and she gets carsick- A LOT, to name a few. She has a lot of quirkiness to her and I hope that the teachers can figure out :). Despite all the challenges- she is one of the funniest girls I know- we laugh and laugh at her! She loves to help- ALL the time, she really cares about her brother and hates being separated from him, she always says ‘thank you’ and she loves playing kitchen and babies. We love our little turkey butt!
Presten is gearing up for the Northshore Marathon this next Saturday!! We are heading up to Duluth on Thursday to have a long weekend together with the kids! We have some neighbors and my sister a few of her friends coming up to skate too. I decided to take a knee this year – because my knees are literally killing me! :) Maybe next year, but this year we are excited to have the kids watch daddy cross the finish line! It will be a fun experience for me to be on the other side of the race- as a spectator.
We have had such a fun summer that we have decided to have it extend all the way through September! With a trip to Ludlow’s on Lake Vermillion coming up too!
We hope that you have all had an AMAZING summer! We are looking forward to best Minnesota season- FALL!
Love to all, The Bean’s
Vada's Naptime Adventure this weekend! When we realized what she did, she said "daddy, I tried to do a good job!"
So pretty Vada!