Jaxson the BRAVE.....

Jaxson has been showing us all week how BRAVE he is....Jaxson moved into his bedroom shortly after Vada was born. He was so used to being in a crib that he would not get out of bed until we came and got him. We would encourage him to be a big boy...but he was still our little chicken. Well, we are now starting to regret this encouragement! Jaxson has been waking very early and coming to our bed to let us know that is "awake time". Two nights in a row he came up at 3:30! When I took him back to his bed he did stay there, but we are hoping that this is a short phase!

Jaxson continues to spend every minute that he can with Dianna. It is going to be a sad day if she ever decides not to come over and play with him. The minute Jaxson comes outside, Dianna is right over. Jaxson even went over to her house this weekend to play. We could hear them just giggling from across the street. Dianna has two roosters that just run around their backyard and Jaxson loves to watch them.

Vada continues to keep us on our toes. She wants to be the center of attention ALL the time! She is VERY demanding!! She has quite the personality and I have a feeling that it is more than just a phase. I am not sure that I am ready for it! She has also been standing for longer periods of time now by herself so I have a feeling that it will not be long and she will be running! -Oh and if you remember the little hand thing that Jaxson did when he was a baby...well Vada is starting to do it! (They just twirl their hands in circles over --happy, mad ..the hands are twirling!)

This past week I was able to meet up with my girlfriend Amy for dinner. Kid FREE! It had been a couple months since our last dinner date so we had a lot to catch up on. It was gorgeous night so we had dinner on the patio and combined with great conversation -what more is there!

Then Wednesday we went out for dinner with Jon and Lindsey to Bennihana's. This was with the kids...and was pretty interesting. Jaxson did awesome, but Vada is just at that age that it can be a little tricky to take her out. Her little high pitched squealing doesn't really help matters either. The chef did a good presentation so Jaxson thought that was pretty cool to watch.

Saturday was our first Saturday that we were home and Presten did not have to work. We did some landscaping, cleaning and other misc. tasks. That night we went to our friends and neighbors to celebrate Ashish's 10 years in the USA. They provided some wonderful Indian food and then each family that came brought one of their family favorites. We always have such a good time with them and it was a really nice celebration. After Ashish's party I decided that I still had some socializing to do. I joined another group of neighbors for drinks on the patio. We laughed and laughed ....this is always the time that you REALLY get to know your neighbors. We are so blessed to have such good friends that live so close to us.

Today we had our church picnic. Great food and fellowship! Jaxson played and played at the park and chased the big kids around because he tries so hard to be a BIG kid. He also did the water balloon toss and the watermelon seed spitting contest. I'll need a little more practice before doing that one again!

We spent some really meaningful time with some great friends this week and we are so thankful to live such rich lives....

Have a wonderful week! The Bean's

Vada eating her new favorite black beans!

This week Vada had her 9 month check up. I cannot believe how fast she is growing up! She weighs 19 pounds! She was in the 63% for height and weight and the 44% for her head. She has a clean bill of health too! Hopefully she can stay as healthy as Jaxson...both have only been seen for their well visits! Knock on wood! Jaxson was very good at the appointment this time, so after I took him over to Barnes and Noble to play with their Thomas the Train set display that he loves.


Vada continues to get into everything that she can...she is so QUICK!! She still wants me to hold her whenever I am in the same room as her...and when she wants something you will know! Presten and Jaxon are having a VERY hard time with her ear piercing squealing! Over the past few weeks my ears I think have adjusted--at least most of the time. She is trying new foods every week. Her new favorite is black beans. I made a big pot this week and she could not get them in her mouth fast enough!


Grandpa Steve and Grandma Vicky gave Jaxson their motorized jeep this week. He was so excited when he saw it! He has been doing really good with getting around in it. It has also been a good bargaining piece, because if he doesn't listen then I tell him that I will take the jeep back to Grandma Vicky's. It has been working....for how long..we'll see!


This week we also made it down to the St. Louis Park Splash Pad with our neighbor Erica and her three kids. Jaxson had so much fun! He was a little timid at first as usual, but after about a half hour he was running all over the place. We will definitely be going back!


Presten and I are continuing to try and train for this marathon....it is going so-so... I rollerbladed 9 miles today and Presten did 5! It is a far cry from 26, but it is a start.....


Have a great week! The Bean's

Mini Vacation... By Presten Bean

Jaxson and Me watching the storm!!

WOW, what a great weekend. We survived a severe weather storm in a shower room. Our tent stayed standing and no one got burnt from the sun. All in all a good weekend.



We decided to go to Taylor Falls this weekend to take in WILD MOUNTAIN and spend time Krista's family. It is an amazing water park for the whole family. So, I took Friday off so we could head out and camp the weekend and spend Saturday at Wild Mountain. We arrived to our campsite to see that Krista's family was already there. Krista's sister Katie and new boyfriend Bill were there waiting to greet us. We had a great site and we were tucked in the tree's in the nice shade.

Then came the storm. Yea, it was pretty intense. We got all set up Friday with the tents, the fire, we had dinner, went swimming, played at the park and were just relaxing when the Fire Marshall came. Telling everyone to get to the shelters because we were in the path of a severe storm that had strong winds and a possibility of producing a tornado. So, Krista and Katie took Jaxson to the shelter, while Bill and I sat on chairs commenting on every one's oohing and ahhhhing the lighting in the sky. It was rather amusing. The nice thing was Krista's parents took Vada to their hotel, so we knew she would be alright. The coolest thing was when the wall cloud finally arrived. The winds gusted and the rain came. It from hot and humid to freezing cold wind. It felt good. The whole thing lasted about an hour. When we got back to camp we were amazed to see our tents up and dry inside. The lighting kept up all night but we were fast a sleep...

Saturday could not have come any quicker. It was bright cool morning. We cooked up breakfast over the fire which was interesting seeing Krista and I hold grate so it was level to cook the eggs. It was good. I rustled up some toast and burnt it like a toaster would. Oh well what do ya do. After that Krista's parent showed up with Vada and we headed to Wild Mountain...

I heard it was a cool place to ski, however I think it is even better in the summer... One Phrase... ALPINE SLIDES RULE... Don't believe me ask Jaxson he went like 10 or 11 times. You basically take a chair lift to the top of the mountain get in a plastic sled to slide done a fiberglass chute. To make it more interesting the sled has a brake and wheels on the same lever. Jaxson didn't like the break. He pushed forward to go faster... WHOA!!! It was awesome. There were great water slides and a kids water park. We raced in go karts and had a little picnic lunch. Krista, Katie and Bill would not let me leave with out going down the black whole water slide. It is basically a straight drop down that goes under ground. It takes 5 mins to get to the top, but only 6 seconds to get to the bottom... Yea that's fast...

After Wild Mountain we headed back to camp to make dinner. We had spaghetti on the grill. Yea, it works, you just have to have a lot of wood. Or in my case go around and find some because I needed more than I thought. Krista, however came through. She found us plenty to last through dinner. We made SMOREs and called it a night. We were exhausted. Jaxson was out and soon there after were Krista and I.

All in all it was a great weekend. Krista kept us organized (because I would have forgot half the stuff we needed), Jaxson kept us on our toes, and Vada, well she let us know she was there.

Have phenominal week...
The Bean's

Summer Time Fun Continues......

Monday was our last night of soccer. We had a really great time with all the kids! They each received a little metal for participating and then we received a gift from the kids~a picture of the team and a gift card to Home Depot!! After soccer on Monday we had an initial meeting for a neighborhood watch. We decided to start the watch after several disturbances within the neighborhood. One of the Wright county deputies led the meeting to help guide us in our efforts to keep our neighborhood safe. The turnout was great --so we are very excited!

Wednesday morning Rachel, one of the girls that I used to work with at St. D's, came out because she needed a "child" to videotape for one of her class projects. She taped us playing playdough and now she has to transcribe everything that Jaxson said. He always says some pretty funny things-so I have a feeling she will be doing a lot of laughing!

We have been continuing to pick strawberries from the garden, but when Rachel was here I asked Jaxson to tell Rachel where we have been getting the strawberries from...He said "Coborns" (the grocery store in albertville)....it was pretty funny:) I guess he forgot that we get them from the backyard!

Friday, we went to Bunker Hills Beach in Coon Rapids. It was a gorgeous day. We played and played in the water and went down the little water slides. Jaxson, was pretty upset that he could not go down the big slides with Presten-maybe next year! We brought a picnic lunch and spent two more hours in the water after lunch. Jaxson finally decided that we could leave and then when he woke up from his mini nap on the car ride home he was mad because he wanted to go back to the waterpark! We rested for a little while at home then went down to lake Orono in Elk River for the 4th of July Carnival. Last year Jaxson went on the pony ride and LOVED it--this year was a total chicken and would not have anything to do with it!

We did not make it out to the fireworks because we were all exhausted. Presten and I did see some from our deck and then watch the finale on Channel 4!:)

Saturday we had Presten's family over for a BBQ and bonfire. The kids had a good time running through the sprinkler, making and throwing water balloons and trying to douse Jake with water! We had a really good time.

Today was a day of leisure--which is probably an understatement. We are all still in our pajamas! Presten and I have spent the day laying around and watching the Deadliest Catch (catching king crabs) on the discovery channel. I think that it is like a 10 hour marathon! I don't think that I have even been outside today! Everyone needs a day like that every 6 months or so --right?!

Vada has been a little under the weather. She has been sleeping a lot. She has a really runny nose and has been really drooling and is pretty crabby. Which all points to teething, so I am hoping that is all it is. Every week she is moving more and more. She can now do stairs! She is so fast that I can barely keep up with her. No big tumbles yet...... She is also starting to stand! She can make it about 10-20 seconds.

This next weekend we are going to Taylor's Falls with my parents. We are excited for another day of water slides!! -and another 4 day week!!

Have a great week and thank you for tuning into another week of buzzing with the Bean's!

Here is our next installment of our "next American Idol!"

Bowling and Fishing!

Another busy week! We had a pretty typical routine this week. Soccer on Monday and then I raced off to church for what has turned into our weekly staff parish meeting. I told them that pretty soon I am not going to know what to do with my Monday nights! We don't have one tomorrow, but Presten has another meeting at church so it will still be busy!

Thursday Presten packed up for his fishing trip and I went down to Rockwoods for a gathering to say goodbye to our Otsego Mayor. He had been mayor for 30 years! Otsego has now appointed our first female mayor-which is very exciting! She serves as a representative on the park and rec board so I have gotten to know her over the last few months.

Friday morning Presten left with Jake and Paul and headed up north for their fishing trip. Presten said that they had a really good time and they all caught a fare amount of fish-mostly bass and northerns. Presten brought some home and we are going try it out next weekend! I had the kids all weekend and tonight I am exhausted!

On Friday night we had a popcorn party and watched Meet the Robinsons. Jaxson and I had quite the time keeping Vada and Lexi out of the popcorn! Saturday we invited Nishad and Beverly to come bowling with us in Monticello. The boys had a really good time. They play so well together. Then Beverly and Nishad decided to treat us to Pizza-so that was an extra treat!

Saturday night Jaxson helped me make pigs in a blanket for supper-he thought that was sooo cool! Then we spent the night playing candyland, Dora's memory game playing with play-doh and reading books. He missed Dad a lot this weekend -so their were lots of tears! It was a little rainy this weekend so we did not get to play outside as much as I would of liked. On Saturday when I told Jaxson that it was raining out he said, "no it's not mom it is just drizzling".--the things he says!

Vada is just growing up so fast. Still no hair-but it will come! She wants to eat everything now-sometimes this makes it easier for me and sometimes harder. If it is something that I know she can eat then I don't have to make something different, but a lot of the she isn't quite ready for it. Presten has been trying to teach her to say "dada" -she actually does a pretty good job imitating. She tries so hard to keep up with her brother. Thank goodness he does a really good job including her.

Jaxson and Vada also have been having fun helping in the garden-or digging in the dirt! Our strawberries are now turning red so Jaxson has been helping me pick and -of course eat them!

Well I am off to bed early tonight! At least this week is a short week with the 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July! The Bean's

Summer Time!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We had a really busy week. On Monday, Jaxson had soccer. He had a little bit of a meltdown. He was having a hard time with Presten being the coach. He wanted his full attention and Presten could not give it to him, so that was tough. Then I was off to church for another staff parish meeting.

Wednesday morning we went to our weekly playgroup at the park. Jaxson has fun seeing all his little friends. Presten had to work late on Wednesday so Jaxson, Vada and I went to the library and then out for pizza. Jaxson thought it was so cool that we got to eat there because we usually bring it home.

On Thursday, Presten had his mission's meeting at church so Jaxson, Vada and I went and played at the park. This week was so nice-we spent almost every minute we could outside. Presten got out and roller bladed some too-he even took Lexi!! Some of the neighbors said that they couldn't watch!:) I would probably have an anxiety attack if I watched him on blades with the dog. I just keep the phone handy in case we have to take a trip to the hospital!

Friday, Presten had his head shaved at work! He had a bet that while he was on vacation that they could not get to a certain percentage as a store and they did! It was a good bet to lose, but he lost his hair!

Friday night we packed up for our camping trip. Presten had to work on Saturday morning so we left when he got home. We just went up to a KOA in Clearwater. It was only about 20 minutes from our house. This was our first trip with Vada and Lexi so we thought one night would be a good start. Lexi can get a little crazy, so we were a little worried. She had a few small barking episodes, but she did surprisingly well. We had a really nice corner site that was really grassy which was nice for her too. Vada struggled a bit. She just did not want to take a nap and she was up several times at night until I brought her into bed with me and she went right to sleep. Jaxson did a great job. He had so much fun swimming, golfing, eating marshmallows and sleeping in the tent! I think that we are going to try and go again in a couple weeks-hopefully it will go as smoothly.

Well we are exhausted and Presten leaves on Friday for his fishing trip with the guys! Have a great week! The Bean's

Here is a cute little video of Jaxson.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!!

Well Presten and I both enjoyed a long week off from work! Four of the days we spent doing our garage sale. We did pretty well. We got rid of a lot of clothes. The bigger items I think we are going to put on Craig's list. I am sure that we can find them a good home.

This week was Albertville Friendly days. My parents and sister came up on Friday to help us with the kids during the sale. We went to the carnival on Saturday and Jaxson rode on a couple of rides and played the fishing game where he won a little prize. The was also a softball tournament going on and we watched a few good games.

Saturday was my dad's birthday. We celebrated by going out for dinner at Majors and of course with cake and ice cream!

Sunday we went to the Albertville coronation. Kylie was one of the 10 Miss Junior Albertville finalists. She did a great job and we are very happy for the girls that won.

Vada is finally breaking a tooth! It is about the size of needle head, but it is coming through! She is still attached to me, but I am hoping that maybe she will decide to give me a little bit of a break--real soon!!

Jaxson is doing awesome at soccer! He loves playing with all the kids and he does a good job listening to coach Presten! He is also doing a great job riding his bike. He can now ride all the way to park!

Presten and I are starting to train for our rollerblading marathon in September. Think we can make it?? My sister and I finished it about 4-5 years ago, Presten didn't quite make it--so our goal this time is that we ALL get across the finish line!:) I think we can do it!!

I have been spending a lot of evenings at the church doing interviews for a new youth paster. I am hoping that we have someone identified really soon. It has been a great to be involved, it just requires a lot of commitment.

Well back to reality tomorrow! We hope that you have a great week too!!

The Bean's