First day of school pictures were a full-on rat race this year! With every kid starting on a different day, at a different time, and with a different schedule, getting everyone dressed, where they needed to be, and in front of the camera felt like an accomplishment all on its own—but we did it! Leo…

Another trip back to one of our favorite places: Custer! This time, we got to bring the extended family along again, making it even more fun. We stayed at Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort and spent our days exploring the grounds on nightly walks, swimming in the pool, hiking the Sunday Gulch Trail, enjoying time at…

After committing himself to working hard late last fall, Noah set a goal for himself: make the high school soccer team. He trained all winter and all summer, and after two weeks of preseason camp and a week of tryouts, I’m so happy to announce that he did it! His first challenge was a weekend…

We had a great last “side quest” day trip with the kids on Saturday. Willow had to work a double, so Blake and I loaded up the boys and headed into Minnesota for a day at A’MAZ’n Farm. There was SO much to do — huge tube slides, a giant petting zoo, black light mini…

What a weekend in Waterloo, Iowa. With the extreme heat in the forecast, Blake, Willow, and I made the trip while the boys stayed home with Grandma and Grandpa. As much as they would’ve loved to come, they definitely would have been miserable in those temperatures. Friday morning kicked off with individual competition. This was…

We spent the day in Sioux Falls at the Air National Guard Base for the Sioux Falls Air Show, and it was an unforgettable experience. The boys loved exploring the aircraft on display and spending time in the activity area, but the highlight of the day was watching the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Thanks to…

Our second summer side quest took us on another adventure to places none of us had explored before. This time, Bodhi, Leo, and I loaded up the car and headed toward Sica Hollow State Park, Nicollet Tower, and, of course, a very important final destination—the Purple Cow in Webster for ice cream. Neither of the…

One of my favorite things about this summer has been how full our yard has become. At almost any given time, there are a few extra boys hanging around our house. The soccer net is almost never empty, and if they’re not kicking a ball around, they’re making up some new neighborhood game that somehow…

If there was ever a weekend that perfectly captured summer at the lake, this was it. The fun began on the 3rd of July, when we spent the day at the lake with the Cramonds and Will. It was one of those perfect summer days filled with sunshine, boat rides, swimming, and plenty of time…

This summer, Bodhi, Leo, and I decided to do something a little different. Instead of filling every day with plans, we created our own “Side Quest” series. The idea is simple: pick a place we’ve never been before that’s close enough for a day trip, hop in the car, and see where the adventure takes…