Summer Fun

I love these two pictures!

Jackson and Carter are getting along very well. Now that Carter is a fast crawler, though, he likes to get right up in there and see what his big brother is up to, and sometimes that is upsetting for Jackson. I explained to him again today that it's okay to tell Carter no, but that he should ask Mommy for help if Carter is bothering him. But at least he's just pushing on his body - not very hard - instead of hitting. Carter also likes to pull himself up already, and he gets this cute bounce going once he's reached his destination, until he gets frustrated when he can't figure out how to get back down without falling. I think we're gonna have an early walker on our hands!

And now for the long overdue summer updates through photos and narrative.

Over Memorial Day weekend (I know, I know!) we went up to Lake of the Woods with my family and our family friends Chuck & Meline and his brother and sister-in-law. Carter stayed behind with his other grandparents, which made it much easier for us. We were debating up to the last minute whether to take Jackson because we knew the weather might be bad, but he had been in a tent before and had done well, so we went for it. He had an absolute blast up there! We were rained on for a whole entire day and evening, and all we could do was run from tent to tent in the few moments of let-up. He took advantage of those opportunities to puddle jump!


I didn't get onto the boat much, but Curt did spend one whole day fishing. Uncle Ben, Papa, and I took Jackson for one little boat ride, but he was scared of the loud noise and fast motion, so it didn't last very long. He was pretty cute but breaking Mommy's heart at the same time while he tried so hard not to cry. :) Thankfully he has gotten used to loud noises and machines more over the course of the summer.

We had some amazing meals while we were camping. We missed the fresh fish fry and fresh french fry night, but the leftovers were delicious! Here's my dad cooking over the fire in the biggest pan and with the biggest spatula I've ever seen. Heart attack potatoes, venison, steak... mmm, yummy... Makes me want to go again just for the food!

We spent a lot of time sitting by the fire and enjoying each other's company. The campsite was super packed this year, but our group was the first to arrive, so they cordoned off a pretty big area for us. I love camping and having fires every night! We are looking forward to the next time we get to go camping as a family at the end of this summer.

Grandma and Jackson taking pictures on the phone while playing by the fire

We also spent a weekend at Curt's sister Sheila's in Duluth this summer. The kids were having a ball playing together, and their cousins were excited to show our boys some new tricks. They bought a HUGE new playground with lots of cool stuff on it, so Jackson checked that out, in addition to swimming in the pool and riding trucks down the little hill, which ended up being kinda scary for both of us. Madilyn had a broken leg this summer due to all her dare-devilry. Go figure!

Jameson and Jackson swimming naked and nearly naked

We have had the pleasure of having lots of company in Motley this summer, including Grandma Paula and Meline, Auntie Brea, and Cody & Sarah & Baby Kennadi. We have also visited all of them at their houses, in addition to spending time at the Wojos and hanging out with the bigger Beaudoin clan at Grandpa's birthday picnic. Here are some miscellaneous photos from those times.

The boys hanging out on our deck. Jackson used to like to hold Carter (for about 3 seconds, max) but seems to be over that now, which is good, because Carter probably wouldn't tolerate it, anyway!

Beautiful Auntie Brea and Carter. So sweet!

Jackson loves the inflatable pool I bought last summer for like $20! We have been too busy to use it a lot, unfortunately. Plus, there was that month of June where we didn't even see the sun...

The boys in the bath. It is so great to be able to bathe them together since Carter has been sitting up well enough. They both love it, too!

This is what Carter looks like when Mommy spikes his hair after getting out of the tub :)
This is the only picture I got of Grandpa's picnic this year - boo! We brought our pool down for all the kids, who loved it for about half an hour.


The Wojo kids with the Fedie kids. Jackson (2), Carter (7 mos), Ella (almost 2 I think) holding Baby Grace (2 months) , and Elijah (4 I think)

J & C with Kennadi, Cody (college friend and best man in wedding) and Sarah's 3 month old.
Cody & Sarah & Kennadi came and stayed overnight last weekend. The dads worked on truck and workshop projects the whole time while the moms hung out with the kids!

Jackson's new favorite thing to do: looking for foxes with Daddy's "'noc-a-lers" (apparently while wearing Mommy's shoes).

Sorry the updates took so long and ended up being a huge, time-consuming post, but I hope you enjoyed it! I also hope you readers have resigned yourselves to the fact that I am just not meant to be a frequent blogger, as much as I'd like to be and as much as I began this blog as one.

Although we haven't done anything too grand this summer, and it started with a pretty low-key calendar, it ended up being busy and lots of fun! I am so sad to see it almost coming to an end - it always flies by way too fast. I hope you enjoy what's left of yours!

Alli's Wedding

On Saturday, May 1, it was our best girl's turn to be the bride. Alli and Scott were married outside of Princeton on a chilly, windy day; Brea and I were co-matrons of honor. As time passes, life and relationships change; it is inevitable. Despite the distance that now separates us, both physical and metaphorical, and despite the busy-ness of each of our own lives, we will always share the bond of sisterhood and be there for one another. Alli was a beautiful bride, and we were so honored to be a part of her special day.

Getting prepared

The beautiful bride

She's always been good at the sassy, head-tilted pose!



Alli with her mama, Julie

Alli and her brothers (L: Matt, R: Andy, her twin) waiting to pose for the camera

Alli and Bre in a cute pose

Me and my two best girls

Back in April, we spent a weekend at Mom & Dad Wojo's with all the siblings and our niece and nephew. Jackson had a great time playing with the kids, and he now associates them with his grandparents' house since he sees them there the most. We were there for Father's Day, but Sheila had to work so his cousins weren't there, but he kept asking for them. He would hear noises and go, "Oh, it's Madilyn!" or, "Jay-man!" He will be so glad when they are actually there for the weekend of the 4th!

Maddy and Jackson in a trance while watching the show Ruby and Max

Maddy and her daddy, John, trying to get some sleep

And here's Grandpa and Carter doing the same

The big kids playing some good old Monopoly

Grandpa and Grandma with all the grandkids except Jameson (who was asleep)

And now for some random family photos: me on the new John Deere we bought, which cost a ton but was actually well worth it - Curt couldn't be happier with it, Jackson decorating Easter eggs this spring, and other photos of the kids. There is more to come, so check back again soon! (i really will get it done relatively soon this time!)

Long Time, No See

Wow, March 28th was a long time ago! Updating this darn blog takes so much time and we're so busy enjoying the boys, I just never seem to be able to get around to it. However, it is summer now and I'm down to part-time hours, so you can look for another one of those super-long let-the-pictures-do-the-talking catch-up posts... within the summer. :)

Brotherly Love

Jackson loves to observe Carter while he sits in his vibrating bouncy chair. This time he chose to do so while riding his Tonka truck around the kitchen.

I can barely keep Jackson still enough to pose for the camera anymore. Now that he knows he can look at the screen and see an image on it, he thinks he only has to be still for one nanosecond and can then come over and see the picture.

Taking turns getting diapers on after bath time. Look how big Jackson looks in this shot - unreal!!!

Enjoying a moment during tummy time

Carter is totally unaware of the mischevious grin behind him...

Hard to Believe...

... that since my last post, my first baby turned two and my second baby was baptized! They are already growing up way too fast. I will forever be amazed at how quickly time passes before one's eyes, which is never more evident than when raising a family.

The birthday boy posing with his cake and opening a present from cousins Maddy and Jay.

Carter's baptism. Curt's siblings Matt and Erin did us the honor of being his Godparents.