The 4th of July

For the 4th of July we headed out to Jason and Jerene’s lake place. It was a beautiful day to be at the lake. Once we got there the kids quickly got their suits on and headed for the water. Once everyone arrived Jason fired up the pontoon and we all headed out on the lake. It was a perfect day for a pontoon ride. Jacob, Mallorie and Emily (Jerene’s sister’s daughter) rode on the tub behind the pontoon as Jason made his way around the lake. There were a lot of people out and about on the water. Later on that night we went back out on the pontoon to watch the fireworks going off around the lake. Lane and I and the kids spent the night at Jason and Jerene’s. We got up the next morning and Jason made us bacon and eggs for breakfast. Man, I should stay over more often!! We stayed until mid afternoon and the headed back home. We were exhausted but it was a great weekend at the lake!

MaKena and Jacob in the paddle boat.
They both really loved riding around in the paddle boat.

Emma and MaKena floating in the raft.

Mallorie and Emma are in the raft and Jacob and MaKena are in the paddle boat.

Karisa trying to get in her floaty.

Mallorie, Jacob and Emily getting ready to be pulled behind the pontoon.

On the boat. Jason is driving, Nate is right behind him, Vic (Jerene's dad) Peggy (Jerene's mom) Emma (Jen and Nate's daughter) and Jen (Jerene's sister).

Mom, Karisa and Pat eating sunflower seeds.

Mallorie, Jacob and Emily on the tub.

Jacob holding his baby cousin Gunnar for the first time.

Mallorie, Jacob and Gunnar.

Jason, (MaKena and Emma are sitting behind him) Jacob, Karisa, Jerene, Mallorie, Nate and Jen. Oh and Kirby Jen and Nate's dog or horse as Karisa calls him!

MaKena, Jason, Jacob and Karisa on the pontoon.

Off to Chicago

We are heading to Chicago! Justin and Laura are getting married this weekend and we can’t wait to help celebrate the big day. We are leaving Fargo Wednesday after work and driving as far as Eau Claire, WI. We’ll finish the drive on Thursday and we’ll spend the night at Justin and Laura’s new house in Hoffman Estates, IL. We can’t wait to see their new house. It seems like we’ve been waiting for this day for a long time and now it’s finally here. I just hope it doesn’t go by too fast. Regardless, it will be packed full of fun and good times.

Justin and Laura, if you read this before you wedding, we are very anxious and excited to help celebrate your big day. We are honored that you have asked us to be a part of it. We can’t wait! We’ll see you both Thursday afternoon!

The Sprinkler

Here are some more pictures of the kids playing outside in the sprinkler. It was fun to watch them run through the sprinkler. MaKena would run up to it and then step over it. She couldn't run and then jump. What goofy kids we have!!



Jacob getting ready to run through the sprinkler.

MaKena putting her face in the sprinkler.
I love this picture. Jacob was helping MaKena over the sprinkler but he ended up getting hit right in the face with the water.

An action shot.

I love how she has her tongue sticking out!

Playing with the sprinkler.

Playing in the pool

We have had an extremely warm summer this year. It’s been great. Over the 4th of July I finally took MaKena’s pool out so she could swim and splash around. Jacob even joined in on the fun. The pool is a little small for him but he doesn’t mind! It’s hilarious to watch the two of them interact and play together in the pool. Whatever Jacob does MaKena has to do. Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate and we can have many more “pool parties” in our yard with the kids!

Jacob giving MaKena a push down the little slide on the pool.
Posing for the camera.

Getting Jacob wet!

MaKena's turn!!

Hanging out in Grand Forks

The end of June MaKena, mom and I ventured up to Grand Forks to spend some quality time with the Baukols. I help Jen get Emma and Gunnar’s room organized, mom helped out with a little bit of everything and MaKena had fun playing with Emma. We ended up staying long enough for supper so Nate cooked burgers on the grill for all of us. It was fun to get out of town and hang out in Grand Forks. Hopefully the next trip up Jacob and Lane can join us.

Emma and MaKena watching a movie in Emma's playroom.
It must have been a good movie!!

I couldn't go up to Grand Forks without taking a few pictures of this cutie!!

Having fun at the baseball game

A few weeks ago mom was watching Mallorie and Karisa on a Friday night so she decided to bring the girls to Jacob’s baseball game. Mallorie really got into watching Jacob play baseball but Karisa and MaKena didn’t really care what was going on. They were having too much fun playing in the trees and running around. Jacob was really excited to see them at his game. He loves to have people come and watch him play baseball.

Mallorie, Karisa and MaKena
Karisa and MaKena

Jacob at bat.

The big guy made it to first base!

He's Perfect!

He is perfect! Just perfect! That pretty much sums up our new nephew. Gunnar John Baukol was born June 23rd at 8:09 am. Mom, Grandma Ivy, MaKena and I all headed up to Grand Forks after work on the 23rd to meet the newest addition to the Redfield clan. (Lane had to go into work and Jacob was at the races meeting Tony Stewart.) I think I could have sat up in Grand Forks all night holding him. It was hard to believe he was 8 pounds; he sure didn’t look like 8 pounds. He has dark brown hair and just the cutest little fingers and toes. Finally another boy! I’m sure all the little girls are going to love him to death. Watch out Gunnar, you don’t know what you’re in for!

Grandma Kathy, MaKena and Gunnar. (Or baby Gunnar as MaKena would say!)
He's loved already.
She's really checking him out.
A kiss for her new cousin.
Grandma Kathy, Mallorie and Gunnar.
Great Grandma Ivy with her 10th great grandchild! And Karisa keeping a close eye on GG!
The proud parents with their new baby. (Emma had left earlier with Nate's parents.)

My little baseball stud!

Jacob is just about done with baseball for the summer. He’s really enjoyed playing this year. Unfortunately his team has lost more games then they’ve won but with each game they get a little better. It’s a lot of fun to watch him play. Hopefully he’ll keep an interest in the sport and want to play for a while.

The little slugger up to bat. The poor kid strikes out more than he hits the ball but he walks away from the plat with a smile either way. I love his attitude!

Jacob playing shortstop. I think this is his favorite position.

Princess Dress

For those of you who don’t know, MaKena is in love with princesses. She loves Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Arial the Mermaid. Back in June Justin and Laura were in town for a visit. Laura brought the little girls’ (MaKena, Karisa and Emma) flower girl dresses for their wedding. When MaKena saw it she was in 7th heaven. She wanted to try it on immediately. I eventually had to hide it from her so she would forget. Sunday night rolled around and I decided, after her bath, that it was a good time to try the dress on. I know I’m bias but she look absolutely adorable. I took a few pictures of her in her dress and then we had to show daddy. MaKena kept calling me her prince, which makes sense because she was the princess! We had to dance in her princess dress and then when it came time to take the dress off and put her jammies………………………she had a fit. She did not want to take it off. I have a feeling she’ll be sleeping in her dress the night of the wedding. She is in love with her princess dress. I think she tells everyone that comes to our house that she has a princess dress in mommy’s closet. I cannot wait to see these three little 2/3 year olds in their flower girl dresses. I’m sure I’ll have plenty of pictures to share after the big wedding but for now I just have a few of my little princess in her dress. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

She likes to lift the top layer up and twirl!

I just love her smile. Can you tell I told her to say cheese!! She said cheese alright!