Is this really summer?

Our new hydrangeas seem to like the crazy weather!

So. I don't know about you all, but "summer" here in Moorhead has been fairly lame weather-wise! We've had ridiculously chilly temps. I don't believe we hit a temperature above 90 in the entire month of July...and those that may have reached 80 were pretty few and far between. I realize this may seem like something NOT to be complaining about... But come on! We all know that winter will be here in a short amount of time, and I would like to have the opportunity to enjoy a couple of sizzling summer days before it's time to dig out the boots and long johns! I need those toasty memories to get me through the -50 January nights! Where has summer gone? Will it make a final appearance anytime soon?

Ahhh. Well, other than my qualms about the weather...and LACK of summer-e-ness around here, we've been quite a busy little bunch! We hit up a great hotel down in the Elk River/Otsego area. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who is a fan of water parks! The Holiday Inn NW Minneapolis (as it is titled) has a great indoor water park/pool area! There was a fun kiddie pool that had mini slides for the little ones... even Maija got to splash and play! And for us bigger kids, there were three super fun slides, a lazy river, water basketball hoops and more! We had such a blast spending a little quality family time together!

We also had an opportunity for a family golf outing one decent July evening. Yep! Daddy, Caleb and Brady were all swinging clubs, and Mommy and Maija strolled along as the cheering section! It was a lot of fun for Mom to get to watch the boys in action! Maija was not as impressed with all the golf skills that were on display, but she made it through 6 holes without too much complaint!

Quite a trio!

Brady strikes a pose!

The Gunderson crew came out to Moorhead last weekend for a visit! It was so wonderful to spend a couple days hanging out with them! Unfortunately I did not capture many shots while they were here... I got one of Micah and Maija sitting together... The rest of the time the other four goonies were busy playing, watching movies, and telling "stories" at all hours of the night! Thanks Gunderson's for making the long drive to come stay! We had so much fun with all of you! Come back again soon!

Sooo big! And SO darn cute!!!

Happy 8th Birthday, Caleb!

Caleb is now 8 years old! Amazing how quickly the years seem to whiz by! We had an eventful weekend of celebrating the big #8! We spent an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese...with games and pizza and fun. Grandma and Grandpa Burak came out to visit as well, and we took in the fair AND spent some time swimming at the grand pirate ship pool at the Holiday Inn! Lots of fun!

Happy Birthday to you!

He is smarter than a 5th grader!

New game for the PS3

Pizza at Chuck's!

Check out the intense focus (and tongue!)

Serious competition!

Love this "action shot" at the skee-ball lanes!

Racing cars at the fair!

Goin' for a ride!

The big slide is always a must!

Hi Brady!

Who's gonna win, gonna win, gonna win?

Summer thus far....

Summer is finally here and in full swing!

Here are some of our latest happenings...

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Brady & Maija having a little cozy time!

Maija enjoyed attacking Mommy's ice cream cone!

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Wedding fun:

Well Manda...

You grabbed my camera...

Captured many great shots

at Steve & Shana's wedding...

one of which included this

LOVELY shot of yourself!

I felt it was my duty to share it with everyone!

Love you! :)

The very adorable Barnacle's.
Jesse & Mykell

This is one of those moments where everyone at the table

was doing the "smile and nod", right Damon?

Josh's wedding...

Such a lovely couple!

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Batter Up!!!


Brady cheering on Caleb and his team

Miss Maija after her nap in the park


Pool fun with Luc & Sydney

Maija's 1st outing in her baby pool...

She was not too impressed at first!

The grass was much more interesting!


Brady the water bug!


Having fun with Uncle Matt



Our beautiful girl...





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4th Of July!:


S'MORES!




We had sparklers, colored smoke bombs, noise makers,

and a variety of "on the ground" fireworks

to celebrate the 4th!

New Pictures!!!

Easter morning....

Checking out treasures left by the Easter Bunny!

Good Morning!


Mr. Brady...
"Well, that absolutely figures..."



Maija is now 6 months old!!!
And has TWO bottom teeth!


Such a cute girl!

Trying sooo hard to sit up all by herself!

The big MILE RUN day!

Here is Caleb, closely followed by his good buddy Gage!

Caleb finished with an outstanding time of 7:32!

Gage crossed the line 2 seconds ahead!!

Super speedy boys!

Ready to eat!

These are a few pics from the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago:

Yes! This is an actual picture I took of some Clown fish...
They don't even look real!


We thought this guy was pretty neat.

It's a Pigtail Ray

I love his "smiling" face!

The completely relaxed and massive iguana!

Chicago!

In celebration of our anniversary, Matt and I took a trip to Chicago! Happy 6th!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Burak bravely agreed to take care of the kids for us (thank you so much again!!!). So, we we set our plans and took off on our first ever "fly away" trip together. We had such a great time taking in many of the sights of the city: Sears Tower, Wrigley Field and a Cubs game, Museums (Matt's fav was the Museum of Contemporary Art...be sure to ask him all about it!) The John Hancock Observatory, an architectural tour on the river, as well as an incredible performance by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! We enjoyed mostly nice weather, with only one rainy day. We ate PLENTY of fantastic Chicagoan treats...Chicago Style hot dogs, famous deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati's, as well as "the best steak ever"...

It was so wonderful getting to spend a little one-on-one time with my husband, my best friend... I'm so grateful we had the opportunity! Let's go back again someday!


This photo was taken from our tour on the river...

The building in the center back, with the big, yellow globe on top was our hotel!

We only stayed for 3 innings of the game...

And Matt got several inquisitive looks as well as

a couple comments for wearing his Twins baseball cap!

Here was the zoomed in view of the Navy Pier from the

94th Floor of the Hancock Observatory

6 years of Marriage....and almost a decade together!

I love you!

Big news!

Hello all! Yes, I know... Once again I have not done very well at keeping this page updated. I apologize. I will do my best to get some photos up soon!

ANYWAY!! Back to the big news from the Saari household! After many, many weeks of crankiness, drool, chewed fingers, teething rings and baby orajel, Maija's first tooth has FINALLY made its way through! Very exciting! It's barely sticking through her little gums, but it is definitely there and it's sharp! (which is at least another reason to be thankful for her being a bottle baby!) It's so amazing how quickly she seems to be growing and changing and figuring out the world around her. Sometimes I wish there was a pause button for life...