Celebrating birthdays and family.....

Happy B-Day JP. Posing with the neighbors
Cousin Daries smacking the pinata

The b-day boy in the pace car for the first race!

Riding the real Thomas Train
Up North
Meg, Emily, Brigette, and Oliver
Getting ready to jump
Carson and George



Henry, Nick, and Carson on the jet ski

at the motorcycle hill climbs

.......................................................... Grandpa Al loves to tickle

We have been doing a lot of celebrating since the 4th of July. First was Daddy and Granny Kuchenbecker's birthday, then J.P.'s birthday, then Cousin George's, and yesterday was Lucy's First. J.P. had a wonderful birthday party at his favorite place, Raceway Park in Shakopee. We frequent the track to watch the NASCAR races and he thought it was a good choice to invite all his friends to share in the experience. The weather cooperated and 40 of his friends and some family met at the top of the grandstand for his party. J.P. was able to ride in the pace car to start the race and got lots of cheers from his birthday fan section. He was excited to get lots of race cars and Toy Story stuff from his friends. Boy is this kid lucky to have so many people who love him and spoil him with toys. We ended the party with a pinata, thanks to Aunt Krystal and her craftiness. At his checkup, he was once again in the 99% percentile coming in at 44 inches tall. He looks like a 6-yr old he is so tall. 4 more inches and he can go on the big-kid rides at ValleyFair and Nickelodeon Universe.

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Grandpa Al got to drive a real racecar on the same track the day before. We had bought him that for his 50th birthday and the kids were excited to see him driving. What an adrenaline rush. The next weekend the heat arrived just in time for the Waseca Fair. We made it about 3 hours at the Fair before we headed to the Waseca Waterpark. It has been so hot this summer and being at a fair automatically makes it 10 degrees warmer. Ugh! But we did fill up on G&G Kuchenbecker's mini donuts!!!!! J.P. was excited for George's swimming birthday party the next day so we headed back that night.

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Also in July we went to the Motorbike Hill Climbs in Mankato with Nick's parents. It was quite a site seeing young kids riding up a steep dirt hill. The boys had a good time and had aspirations to be a motorcycle rider after that. Looks fun for the kids but scary for the parents to watch your child doing dangerous stunts. The next weekend we headed up to my brother Chris' cabin Up North. It is quite a feat to get my whole family situated in the north woods, but we managed to make it work and most everyone had a bed to sleep in. The kids had so much fun swimming in the pool, playing sports, riding in the boat, and just being crazy with all the cousins. Both boys slept great. We spent one morning at an old logging camp where they serve a hot breakfast on long picnic tables. The boys explored the woods and were always on the lookout for bears. Chris bought a new jetski this year so everyone enjoyed taking that for a cruise. The drive is long but is is worth it once you get home and look at the pictures.

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In early August we took a ride on the real Thomas Train in Lakeville. Of course, it had to be super humid as we stood outside for over an hour playing with and riding the trains. Next is Carson's birthday and we are so excited. We are doing a superhero theme and have been busy shopping for lots of Spiderman, Batman, and Superman gear. We even have a real Superman impersonator coming to do a magic show for the kids!!!!

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Carson is really starting to get his own personality and we are finding him quite fiesty. His favorite thing to do is anything unsafe. Whether it is jumping off a bed, trying to swim where the water is over his head, or riding a skateboard down the driveway, he always has Nick and I on our toes. He will sit in a timeout but immediately says "I get up yet". J.P. was a very good toddler now that I compare him to Carson. But J.P. also didn't have anyone to compete. Speaking of J.P., preschool starts in two weeks and he will be going 3 days/week now. I think it will be good to get back in a schedule and start going to bed earlier. His new thing is chewing gum now that he's four. It is a big deal at our house and he asks for a piece first thing in the morning.