up north (day 1)...

the withers and woods families took their first family vacation together this week. We packed up both vehicles and left Sunday afternoon to go "Up North". Here are some pics from day one. I had so many great photos from our trip, I decided to break them into days. Keep checking back! Enjoy.... ready to go!
livia rode with grandma and grandpa for the first half of the trip...

sophia was " chillin' " in the car with daddy and me...

morey's fish market in motley...

1/2 way spot to switch kids and see the freakishly large fish!

finally made it to park rapids...

we ate at zorbaz and had some fun in the arcade!

water carnival with the withers....

every year hutchinson's community festival is held during the week leading up to father's day. On Father's Day, Hutchinson holds it's annual Grande Day Parade. This was Sophia's first "official" parade, and she had a great time....we all did. It was a lovely day to celebrate all dads and our community. i took some photos of the "kids" with their bob
shirts on in honor of father's day...
happy father's day, daddy!

sophia's first glimpse at floats throwing candy down the street...her face is priceless!

getting their "wave on"...

such a cutie with her pigtails, waiting patiently for more candy and beauty queens...

too much fun! i love that livia's icee matches her shirt :)

too much candy??

pedal power...

we are so happy that we have FINALLY been able to get out on our bikes recently. This spring has been quite chilly, rainy, and windy...here are some pics from the past few weeks. Lots happening now that school is out! sophia all ready to see the sights, while mom is pedaling away...we checked out the new bridge and trail addition by st. boni last weekend.
a little bit of fun, while daddy hooks up the bikes

livia and sophia practicing on their bikes...

livia is FINALLY a two-wheel rider...she is able to start, stop, and turn all on her own. She is so proud!

it was a reel-y good time...

livia celebrated her sixth birthday with her first "kid" birthday party. bobby and i decided that since she had so many new friends from school, that it would only be natural to transition out of the big family celebration into the friends birthday party. We invited 10 girlfriends and to our surprise (and exhaustion) all 10 friends made it to the party. Livia had a great time and we could not have asked for a better day! ready for the party to start "poppin"...er, hoppin'!
livia had a popcorn/movie party for her theme

popcorn boxes with goodies for the little guests

popcorn cupcakes

(the "popcorn" is actually cut marshmallows and sprayed food coloring on top)

the screen is set up for the movie projector and the tables are ready for movie bingo

playing "red light, green light"...

opening gifts, intermission

butterfly good-byes and birthday highs...

we have been so busy lately with so many birthday get-togethers and the last week of school (for livia and me) that i have neglected our blog...i promise that i will slowly catch up throughout the next week so you are able to enjoy the OODLES of pictures we have taken in the last week :) enjoy! getting ready to release the butterflies in tom and mary's backyard

(neighbors of my parents)
painted lady butterfly

livia opening the butterfly net to release our 10 butterflies...

pretty amazing!

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livia's 6th birthday

livia wearing her birthday hat at our daycare's house

after school picture

we had so MANY birthdays before her real birthday, that we took all three cakes (yes, three!) and put them together for a birthday treat!

happy birthday, livia!