Halloween 2010

This year we went out trick or treating with our kiddos and our neighbors. The kids had a blast. Keenan dressed up as a Ghost and Georgia was a lady bug they were so cute. Keenan would go up to the door and say tricken(it sounded like Chicken)or treat, he was a great ghost. Georgia was getting the hang of it too by then end of the night.

October Happenings

We have done alot the last few weeks. Going to the pumpkin patch, having a campfire one night, and just hanging outside as much as we can before it gets really cold out. We are hopeful that we will have a few more warmer days. Halloween is around the corner and I haven't got the kids there costumes yet, you will see later what they are going to be. Check out the blog in a week or 2 to see pics of them.

CA Trip with Georgia

Georgia and I headed to Santa Barbara to see Neil's Brother Chris, Jenny and Asher their little boy who turned 1 while we were out there. It was the first time flying with any of our kids so I had know idea how it was going to go with her flying. We left Madison at 7:00PM and got into SB at 11:00PM there time, our time 1:00AM. Georgia was exhausted she slept maybe 45mins total on the plane, but we made it.
We headed to a park one morning and it was in the 80's and gorgeous. Most of the week it was in the 90's and one day it was 109. Later in the day we went to the beach and played in the sand and in the ocean, I could not get over how nice it was Georgia loved playing in the sand and in the water.

One morning we had Breakfast on the beach they had the best blueberry pancakes.

My little Nephew Asher turned 1 while we were there and they had a party for him at a local park. they had food, a very cute birthday cake which he loved and some great presents. He a wonderful day and you could not have asked for better weather.

Asher and his birthday cake!!

Georgia and the big blue whale!

Apple Time

A few weeks ago we went to the apple orchard. We went on probably the worst day. It wasn't raining when we got there, but as soon as got to the farthest part of the orchard to get apples it started to rain. We tried not to have that spoil our outting, but we did get soaked.

Our bag was full so Keenan started putting the apples in Georgia's hood.

Georgia had a blast getting to pick her very own apples and eating them. Keenan always has enjoyed going and picking the best apples or finding ones on the ground. We have been busy making lots of yummy apple treats since.

Up North

Sorry for not blogging in awhile, the Swanson's have been pretty busy the last couple weeks. We went up north acouple weeks ago for a week vacation. It was beautiful, The cabin/cottage we stayed at was amazing and the water was clear and sandy. The kids and the adults loved it.

Neil and Grandpa took Keenan out fishing one morning. Keenan was playing with his fishing pole in the boat and Neil said "becarful don't drop your pole in the water" and literally right after Neil said that he dropped the pole in the water. They tried fishing it out of the water, but no luck.

Before

After

Georgia on the other hand was enjoying making sand castles and then would sit on them. She loved playing in the water too, but she was a little limited on what she could do compared to Keenan.

We rented a jet ski one day and Keenan loved going for a ride. The adults loved it too. We got to play on it more when all the kids were down for naps. Jenny and Chris (Neil's brother and his wife) bought Keenan and Georgia a shark for them to ride on while we were up there. Keenan had fun riding on it while his Dad and Uncle pushed him all over.


While on vacation we enjoyed having dessert a lot. We always were having little snacks. Georgia's favorite snack on vacation was an oreo. She loved it and her face shows it.

Blueberries and Baseball

Saturday I made my first blueberry pie with fresh blueberries it turned out great and tasted wonderful. MMMM!!

Later that day Steph and Jake came down to visit and we headed to a Mallard's game that night. Keenan loved the baseball game, he was so content watching the game.

He also learned how to crack open a peanut.

He was soo cute.

Georgia stayed with our neighbor while we took Keenan to the game. They have a 6 month old baby. Georgia had so much fun being the big kid in the house. Next summer she will enjoy going with us.

MN Fun

This past weekend we went to MN to see Family and Friends. We had a blast. Saturday was a very warm day so we went to a park in the morning and played with the kiddos. Then when the kids went down for nap Neil and I went for a ride. We rode to Rochester which was only 9 miles and 30 minutes away on a bike, but we decided to go to the mall and get an Orange Julius on this very hot day. On the way back the wind had picked up and it seemed to be hiller going the other direction. Anyway we rode about 33 miles total and I got some nice tan lines. That night we took the kids to the Stewartville swimming pool for Family swim time my friend Steph and her husband Jake joined us. Keenan had sooo much fun, half of the pool is a wading area with fountains and a small slide and a spray gun he did not stop bouncing in the water. Georgia liked the water, but she hung on to me most of the time. She did like going down the slide.

Then we dropped off the kids at my Parents house and went out to eat with Steph and Jake it was nice to get away for a little while. The kids had a fun hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.

Sunday we went up to the Cities for my Oldest Brother's Birthday Party and to hang out with his Fiancee Kate we met some of her family and talked about wedding plans, we are so excited for next summer. Chuck gave Georgia a pink, pony purse and Keenan a golf bag with clubs, they had so much fun playing with their new toys. Georgia hasn't put her purse down, she is sooo cute.

Subaru Cup Pics.

She was soo happy watching the races.

Georgia sleeping during the Pro Men's Race. Behind us was a very difficult section that the races had to ride down and about 100 people cheering and ringing cowbells and Georgia slept through the whole thing.

Neil at the start of his short track race.
Neil during the short track race.

They would get soo close to those poles.

Sleeping during Neil's short track race. Sooo tired they had a very long weekend.

Swimming lessons and backyard fun

A couple weeks ago Keenan had his first swimming lesson, He loved every moment of it. Georgia had her first lesson last week she took a little time to warm up to the the feel/idea of the water it was a little cold.
Neil would count to 3 and he would want to jump in before 3 he just could not wait any longer.

We also got a slip and slide for the backyard. We have a slight hill in our backyard so it makes it very fast to go down. I think next year Georgia will like the water sports more, she is not a fan of getting splashed besides tubby time.
Keenan and Georgia had a blast finger painting, I thought this activity is best done outside.

Madison Half Marathon

On Sunday, May 30th I ran my first half marathon here in Madison. It was a very senic venue, it started and finished at the Capital. The crowd of people all around the race route was amazing. My Parents came down that weekend they cheered me off the start line. Neil and the kids came down to the race on the bikes with Neil's Parents and they all chased me around. I saw them at mile #4 and it was so fun to see someone you knew. I saw them again at mile #9 which was a much needed pick-me-up, as I was starting to get really tired. It was a very warm, humid day, and they actually stopped the Marathon at 4 hours due to the heat. I was very excited to be done and was very tired and sore the rest of the day. It was a great accomplishment and it was fun to hang out with everyone up at the capital afterward.
Thanks Neil for chasing me around with the kiddos and for the Hot Pink Sign and being so supportive, it was a lot of fun. Thanks to my parents for coming down and cheering me on it felt like High School when you would chase me around from gymnasium to gymnasium for volleyball. And to my in-laws for coming down and supporting me during my race it was fun to have you there.

Pictures of the Race and After
Mile #4 feeling pretty good and soo excited to see my Fam.

Mile #9

"The Pink Sign"

(After the race on the Capital sqaure) Keenan loves jumping over Neil's legs, he is a really good jumper.

Georgia wanted to jump over Daddies leg too.

Mini golf on a Sunny Morning

Everytime we drove by the Mini golf place Keenan would ask to go, which is just about everytime we go somewhere, because its right down the road from our house. So we finally went this last Sunday. Keenan was really excited when we got there. He got his very own tiny golf club and then he got to pick out what color ball he wanted, he choose orange of course his favorite color.

We started out on the first hole we told him to try to hit the ball in the hole and he knew exactly what to do. We did not keep score, but he probably would have beat me. Georgia was a little small and doesn't really know what to do with the club so she watched and would go and pick up the balls.
When we were done playing mini golf we went inside to cool off. They hava an arcade and an indoor mini golf course. They had the biggest basketball hoop and ball, and Keenan had fun trying to throw the ball in the hoop. We will have to go back on a rainy day and play the course thats inside.

Camping pictures and other random May pictures

Keenan having breakfast after a restful night sleep in the pop-up.

Our campsite.

This use to be my shirt.

Mother's Day in Janesville, they were so cute going down the slide together.