That’s right, they love me so much they came to stay with me in my one-bedroom apartment for an entire weekend!! We went to Dinosaur Park, went swimming, went to Storybook Island, had a picnic, played at the park, and of course, TOOK PICTURES!!

Jonas will be four years old in less than two months!!

Jonas loved Dinosaur Park – as soon as we ran up to one dinosaur, he would spot the next one and run to it. Pretty much the fastest trip to Dinosaur Park ever.

The next day we went to Storybook Island. Same thing happened again – Jonas ran from one storybook scene to the next. Isaac was a bit more laid back – as in he can’t run yet so it was much easier to grab photos of him. :-)

He is 11 months old and he loves to pull himself up your legs and grab your hands and start walking!

After bath time, Lance went to pick up some pizza for supper and we had a chance to get some more cute pictures showing off Isaac’s new teeth and haircut! Remember when he had almost black hair when he was born??

The background is my ‘grandma quilt’ – she always made crazy quilts with her fabric scraps and a couple years ago for Christmas, my mom finished two of her unfinished crazy quilts and gave them to me and Ben. Isaac will never know his Great Grandma Braun, but he is certainly as cuddly as her quilts! :-)

My brother got a Nook for father’s day, but I have a feeling someone else is getting a lot of use out of it, too. Jonas is definitely his father’s son. :-)

Thanks for coming and visiting me, boys!

July was incredibly busy. In the best way possible. When I was planning to share July’s edition of ‘laura loves…’ I had so many fun sessions to share with you, and then I went home for some needed family time, and then another fun session to share, and then MORE family time.

So, now that it’s AUGUST I now have a moment to share the things I was loving the most in July!

1. kid food – my brother, his wife and their two boys came to visit me this past weekend and I had SO MUCH FUN shopping for kid food for my older nephew. (Buying food for a 3-year-old is much more fun than buying baby food for an 11-month-old…) I was finally able to blame getting Coco Puffs and Trix on my nephew! Not that I don’t mind buying sugary cereal (I do it all the time), but this time I felt just a little less guilty. And the snack foods? So cool!! They make applesauce in a squeezable packet! No mess! No spoon needed! The nephews might have gone back home, but these snacks are definitely still being enjoyed. :-)

2. Aunt Carla – my aunt lost her battle with esophageal cancer this past month and I was able to spend a few days with my family and travel with them to her funeral. I definitely miss her and the way her eyes would tear up during a good laugh, but I know she is in a better place and no longer suffering. I’m so thankful to have the flexibility in my career and understanding from my clients to take some personal days to be with my family on such short notice.

3. Glee – it’s hard for me to watch a new show without starting from the beginning, so while I was in Sioux Falls staying with my bff Jill, she got me started. And I couldn’t.stop.watching. I enjoy Brittany’s crazy comments, Emma’s sweetness, Sue’s outrageous threats, Puck’s guitar playing, and Artie’s Safety Dance.

4. Audible – turns out it’s a lot easier to read a book on the boat/in the car/at the pool/while doing laundry when it’s an audiobook. I’ve already ‘read’ Heaven is For Real, Something Borrowed, Bossypants, and I just started The Help. Any other audiobook suggestions to add to my list?

I love having things planned. I have different calendars within my Google account to keep track of personal projects, business meetings, things to do, and birthdays+anniversaries. I map out my route for running errands so that I make the least amount of left turns possible. I categorize my grocery list by where the items are in the store.

But it’s nice when things happen unexpectedly. Like when a friend needs a ride and we end up spending the day chatting and walking together. Or when a client comes over to pick up photos and stays for ice cream. Or when flowers are delivered to my apartment ‘just because someone loves me.’ :-)

1. I hiked a mountain. F’real. From what I gather on summitpost.org, it’s a 3.5 mile (one way) hike with 1,100 feet of elevation gain. I couldn’t have done it without my best friend, Jill!! Thanks for not letting me quit!! :-)

2. Staycations. I enjoy playing tourist AND tour guide. :-) Here’s me with Lance’s family in Custer State Park.

3. Party Rock Anthem. I don’t know about you, but I’m shufflin every day.

4. The Gilmore Girls. I just finished season five, and if you’ve ever watched the Gilmore Girls, you know how crazy-exciting the season five finale is. Season six is the only one I don’t have, and I’m hanging on a cliff!!

5. Armadillo’s Ice Cream Shoppe. This past weekend their flavor of sherbet was raspberry cheesecake. And now I have a half-gallon container of it in my freezer. :-)

6. Bagel Thins. They’re the perfect snack size!

For the past three weeks, I have been on three almost back-to-back staycations. First, my bff Jill was here for a long weekend. We ate, we hiked, we laughed. Then, Lance’s family came to camp in Custer State Park for a long weekend. We shopped, we grilled, we walked. And for the past five days my parents have been staying at my apartment. We drove, we cooked, we baked. Kuchen. correction – kuchens. One recipe made six ‘pies.’ We made two strawberry-rhubarb, two apple, one raisin and one craisin. And now I only have one strawberry-rhubarb (saving the best for last) and parts of one apple and the raisin. I might have had three slices for breakfast today, but it’s okay because “I’m on staycation!!”

Now, back to ‘work’ and regularly scheduled programming. Coming up next – John + Rachel‘s wedding at the Chapel in the Hills!!!