The trailer

The trailer to my birth story came out last night. The whole story will be released on September 2.  

Weekend at the Lake

Friday evening, Steves cousin, Haley and her boyfriend stopped by for a surprise visit. We didn't get to see them at the reunion in July so it was nice to catch up now. 

Friday morning Steve and I picked up Geneva and headed to the cabin for an adults only weekend. After a little work, we spent the rest of the weekend relaxing. Friday night we made our way to Key Largo and caught up with all the locals. Saturday mom and dad came up. We went on a boat ride, ate at The Breezy Barn, and played dice. As much as we enjoyed ourselves sharing a million laughs 'til my cheeks hurt it was hard to not think back to some other great memories that were formed at the cabin:)

Two little ones

With Chloe back in school it was just Coop and Ev today. With the rain outside we stayed inside to play. We really enjoy that the basement is so big and wide open. It's like a big gymnasium to burn off energy.  They run many laps around and around. 

Just pretending or for real?

After lunch we went to the park. Ev enjoyed riding her bike, looking at the fountain, and drinking water from the water fountain numerous times. 

Then after playing a while, she sat down and told me "pretending take shoes off." Then she runs off and I have to quickly follow her home. If you ask me it looks like she took them off for real;)

When we got back to the house she wanted to drive my car. But not before seeing my lipgloss and putting 20 coats on first. 

Coming soon!

This is the post via Facebook today that came out regarding my birth mother story. As most that know me, you know I'm a very private person. I have my family and a few close friends that I share my personal life with. So for this to be shared far beyond my reach is nerve racking to say the least. My hope and comfort in sharing my story is that it will help other women, children and families. 

Happy Birthday Steve!

I thought this published last Tuesday but it didn't. Better late than never;)

Cooper bumped his knee and needed an ice pack. Two seconds later Everlee needed an ice pack for her knee. Both of them hobbled around for 15 minutes. I'll admit I had to look away and laugh. 

Lunch time ironically went really easy. All three were hungry, ate well, and all at the same time. That doesn't happen too often. 

After lunch Chloe played pretend with the little two. Here they were having a picnic while at the zoo. 

Strawberries and pizza eaten all up and now it's time for a chocolate cake pop. 

Tyler and Micheal even stopped by. 

Tonight we had a pizza party to celebrate Steve's 43 birthday tomorrow. Earlier in the day Everlee and I visited the bakery, Sweet to Eat, and picked up lots of goodies. Chloe and Cooper made very sweet cards for Steve. I'm so glad we're able to celebrate together:)

Birthday Week

Yesterday we capped off Steves birthday week with a trip to Snus winery with the Smiths. We enjoyed listening to the band, sipping wine and many laughs. It's been a great week filled with fun firsts like going to zoo brew and attending the Sir Mix A Lot concert at the Iowa State Fair. Plus an old favorite, riding down to Indianola for bike night. 

Grill out

Saturday we enjoyed getting together with everyone. We had the Devos neices: Emelia and Oakley, with us for the day while their parents had some adult party time. We loaded up and headed to the Smiths for supper. The kids get along and play so well together it was pretty easy to add two more kids to the mix. 

Thanks for a great day! We love getting together with everyone:)

Switch up

Ev and I decided to go to the Smith house and play today. When we got there the Smith kids had their Easter eggs and Halloween baskets out. It didn't take long before Ev joined in on the fun of doing surprise eggs. The kids would bring me all sorts of trinkets to hide in the eggs, watch me put the trinkets in the eggs, and act totally shocked when they opened the eggs! It's so fun to watch their excitement. Oh to be young again;)

New Pad

Today we moved Tyler into his new townhome which he will live in for the next year or longer. We got him all set up, met his roommates, and even taught him the fine art of Walmart and grocery shopping. Afterwards, we went out for a nice supper. I'm so proud of Tyler and I can't wait to hear about his new adventures of living on his own:)

Nap time

Chloe and Cooper have gotten into the routine of singing Everlee her nap time song with me at the end of the play date.  It is absolutely adorable! Everlee picked the song "ring around the Rosie" today. The kids sit, sing softly, and then give her a hug and kiss. Very heartwarming to listen and see:)

Berry Patch Farm

Today Everlee and I joined the Smiths and Petersons to pick blueberries and apples. In the beginning Everlee was very excited to carry her bucket. By time we actually started picking berries she ditched the bucket. Apparently, it was getting in the way of her picking and eating her berries with both hands. Ava told me, "Everlee only put one blueberry in my bucket and ate the rest." That sounds about right;)

Next it was onto the apple trees. Everlee picked two. One she ate right away and one she saved to show mommy and daddy. 

After all the picking we had snacks in the car. Then it was lunch and more playing at the Smiths. Thanks for a fun day. Can't wait to enjoy some blueberry crisp;)

Homemade Surprise Eggs

Everlee really enjoys watching people open surprise egg videos on YouTube. I thought it might be fun to make our own surprise eggs. Andrea told us where to find the plastic Easter eggs and Everlee was excited to go find them. So I put the surprise inside the plastic egg and covered it in playdoh just like the video. I'd ask "who wants to open the surprise egg?" And she'd jump up and down and say "ME! ME!" First, Everlee told me to hide "chocolate" in them. So I hid one m&m in each of the three eggs. Then I hid small toys and stickers in them. Finally, Everlee wasn't eating her lunch so I hid that in the eggs and she ate it all!

Cousins Thursday

There's never a dull moment when these cuties get together. It's fun to watch them grow up together, see their personalities develop and watch them interact with each other. Getting them to all look at the camera at the same time...that's a whole different story;)

Farmers Market

Sunglasses...check, shoes on...check, chez mix...check...We're ready for the Johnston Farmers Market. Everlee was a great helper this afternoon. We picked out lots of veggies while saying hi to Tyler and Micheal and accepting many compliments on how adorable she is. Everlee told me, "I don't like sweet corn. I like cookies and ice cream." Must be how she found the bakery goods table so quickly amongst the sea of vegetables;)

Road trip

Saturday afternoon we rode the bike to Decorah. We met up with Steve's friend, Beau and his parents. We stayed at a beautiful historic hotel downtown called the Hotel Winnishiek. We attended a music festival fundraiser for The Seed Savers Program. It's a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds. After the concert we went to a bed and breakfast where the singers were staying and listened to them jam on the porch til 2am! After a delicious breakfast together this am we headed back home. Although a quick trip it was great to spend our time together catching up, sharing stories and laughing(there is never a shortage of this when Beau is around;)

Friday night date

Friday afternoon I picked up the kids for our overnight date. We went out to Big Creek State Park to play at the playground and swim in the lake. For the two hours we were there this is how our conversation went: "brigett watch this!" "Brigett look at this!" "Brigett are you watching me do this?" "Brigett did you just see what I did?" And I replied with "Yes...400 times." LOL

After I had watched all their moves we headed home. Steve opened up the Fox Hole for a private party for four;) We watched a movie that Chloe has been anticipating called Descendants. 

Cheers to my date at the movie:) Cooper didn't much care for the movie. He was too busy eating chicken legs, two bowls of Mac n cheese, crackers, popcorn and ice cream. Steve and I laughed because we've never seen the kids eat so much before. 

Steve and Chloe shared her favorite drink at the Fox Hole...Sprite. 

Sharing a Saturday morning breakfast with these three is so fun and amusing. It definitely beats a bowl of oatmeal by myself anyday:)