Our {2015} Summer Bucket List

You might not be able to tell by looking out the window (it's currently windy and raining), but summer time is here! Schools are wrapping up this week and I'm seeing a lot of summer to-do lists popping up on Pinterest. 

Summer time is my favorite. This will be my last summer with only two kiddos in tow and although my belly is only going to get bigger and my amount of energy smaller, I plan to make the most of it. So, for the first time ever, I'm creating a summer bucket list for the Danner family. (I don't know why I've never  done this before, I love lists!) I've scoured the internet, asked friends, resorted to previous favorites and I think I've managed to come up with a fun and doable list. 

The Danner Family's 2015 Summer Bucket List

*Summer Reading Program at Our Local Library*

This is fun and easy and great for toddlers, pre-schoolers and adults! All you have to do is record what books you read during the week, then take the list into the library for fun prizes. Addy has always loved being read to and Remi has really gotten into books lately too. I got a Kindle for Mother's Day so I am sure the 3 of us won't have trouble getting those weekly prizes. 

*Barnes and Noble Reading Program*

I learned about this one through someone's blog. If you read 8 books over the summer and record them in their Reading Journal, (download online) you get to pick out a FREE book from their Reading Journal list.

*Swimming Lessons*

$$-$$$

Addy loves being in the water and I'm anxious for her to be able to swim on her own. There are a few places in Albuquerque where she can go every morning during the week for two weeks. I'm leaning towards lessons at our public pools, they seem convenient and affordable.

*Kids Bowl Free*

I heard about this last summer but have yet to try it out. All you have to do is register your kids online and they can bowl free at Silva Lanes! You do have to pay for their shoe rental. This would be a fun outing on a rainy day or if we need a break from the heat.

*Zoo Music*

$$

I don't know any of the bands on the schedule this year but I am hoping we can make it to one of these. It's such a pretty venue and the zoo is a lot of fun at night when some of the nocturnal animals are more active. And who doesn't love a picnic with live music?

*The Alameda Spray Park*

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I call this "Addy's Happy Place." We've been going to the spray park ever since Addy was just a year old. It's so much fun and so cheap! And with no deep end, you don't have to worry about anyone drowning. It doesn't open until 11 so we usually pack a lunch and hope that no one falls asleep on the way home. 

*Homemade Ice Pops*

We've already made a few batches of homemade ice pops this year. Our strawberry ice pops were a hit! Our second batch made of bananas and cantaloup that I threw together has been sitting uneaten in the freezer for months, because they're gross and way, way to sweet! We need to redeem ourselves in that area.

*Uptown Target*

$-$$$$$$$$

We could do this all year but everything is more fun during the summer time right? The Uptown Target has a parking lot underneath it, an elevator and an escalator for carts which is all very exciting when you're 4 and almost 2. Their cafe overlooks another Starbucks cafe, which is odd but it's also a fun, bright place to kill a little bit of time and watch the cars go by. Some of my favorite memories of Addy and I waiting on little brother to arrive were spent there.

*Picnics in the Park*

We have a lovely little park within walking distance from our house, sadly it's hot and completely awful during the summertime. This summer we will be exploring the town and finding new, shady places to picnic. There's a nice park on the westside with a duck pond and we found the park in Corrales to be really nice, with huge trees.

*Book Store and Flying Star on Rio Grande*

The flying start on Rio Grande is my favorite during the summertime because you can sit outside and the kids like to watch all the dogs that also like to sit on the patio. Theres a cute little book store next to the restaurant where we used to go to story time. We've since outgrown their story time but I think the kids would enjoy reading books there.

*The Zoo or the Aquarium/Biopark*

$-$$

Note to self: invest in a pass! 

If you don't have a pass, this could get a little pricey. If you do have a pass, you could go to the zoo just to see the polar bears and head home not feeling like you wasted $15. Or you could go to the aquarium, which takes 20 minutes to walk through and get lunch at McDonalds afterwards. The pass allows you 

to be flexible. 

*Summer Movie Express*

$?

Every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10 am at the Cottonwood and Regal Winrock Theatres they are showing G and PG movies for a $1. Neither of my kids have seen a movie on the big screen but this seems like a great way to give it a shot!

*The Corrales Pool*

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This is our favorite pool in Albuquerque. We had Remi's first Birthday party there and everyone seemed to like it. Theres a slide and an inclined entrance. I tried to find out when they open on their website but the link didn't go anywhere. Hoping they will still be open this summer!

*Date Nights!!*

Pappadeaux's patio, dollar movies….. any other suggestions? I can't get past Pappadeaux at the moment.

I think that's about it. 

What's on your summer bucket list? Please share!

October in the 505

October is a great month to live in the 505.

First morning of the fiesta we walked to the park// Remi's first balloon experience // hot air balloon // spotting balloons from the backyard

Having a little chat // my handsome men // holding his head up // addy reading to Remi

Cousins 4 months apart // thinking about rolling over // addy likes to be as close to me as possible while I nurse Remi // bundled up to watch the balloons

Last weekend of the fiesta with Uncle Perry and Aunt Nic // my brother and my babies // Remi and Dad // keepin warm

Girlfriends at the park // hello playful // such a good helper // me and my bot

bed head // bath time for Remi // girls night out // me and my kiddos

selfie // mamaw and her great grand kids // fall painting // getting ready for Halloween

Remi and I usually spend the early mornings together and he used to always fall asleep so easily in the quiet. He doesn't do this much anymore

Grandma Jo came to visit, Remi was his charming self

My "little cooker" and Remi the Rat from Ratatouille 

September in the 505

I've had this post sitting in my drafts folder for weeks and I finally found the time to finish and publish it. Life with two kids doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging :)

I've been hoarding quite a few pictures on my phone from this past month of cute little kiddos. I smiled to myself as I uploaded them on the computer today. I just love our little family and a phone full of goofy smiles and silly faces is an indicator of a good month.

Tummy Time // Gramps and Remi // Dancing in the puddles // Granmarie and Remi // 6 weeks // Addy and Gran // Papa and Addy // Pretty Little Lady // Whale Shirt!

Besties // Haircut Time // Really really dirty feet! // Cousin Tummy Time // Me and My Little Guy // Ah! Siblings // Dandelion // Chillin' // Sweet Sleeping Baby 

Hanging out is sissy's room // Goofing off with Dad // "I'm callin' Gran and Papa" // Our Little Football fans // Little Mister // Big Sister is a good helper // Brr! Getting Chilly // Brother and Sister // Fall Overalls

Even though this picture is blurry, it's a great example of how we usually eat breakfast; Addy in her highchair and Remi in the bouncer next to her.

Gotta love her sense of style; a necklace "to make me special," shades to go outside and mittens because the screen door was too hot to open.

Remi had his two month check up in September and weighed in at 12 lbs, 2 oz!

We had a Breaking Bad party to celebrate the end of the series.

That wraps up September. Can you believe we are already half way through October?!?

P.S. In case you're not overloaded with pictures from this post yet, here's another cute one I found of Gran and Remi from Labor Day weekend. So sweet!

July and August in the 505; Catch Up Time

Two months worth of iphone photos organized and in one post; a short account of what the Danner family was up to in the months surrounding Remi's birth.

Obviously, the biggest event of the past two months was the birth of our son, Remington Danner. But before the little guy came along, we spent several days at the pool, enjoying some our favorite summer time snacks.

Remi, came a day after his due date and just like his big sister, ended up having to spend a week in the NICU.

LIFE IN THE NICU

The day we got to take him home was a special one and that week flew by as we adjusted to life as a family of four. Before we knew it, July was over and August was upon us. 

Brother and Sister // Chillin' in the Boppy // Snuggle Time with Mom // Ring Around the Rosie // Nap Time with Pappa // Hangin' with Granmaire // Big Guy! // Gramps and Remi // Sweet Cousins

I turned 28 in August (yikes!!) and Matt surprised me with his own version of a Breaking Bad tour through Albuquerque!

Los Pollos // Jessie Pinkman's House // Jessie's Other House // The Dog House // The Grove // The Laundry // The Grove // Crossroads Motel 

What a fun and crazy couple of months! 

Here's to Fall almost being here!

June in the 505

There's one word that comes to mind when I think of the month of June: hot.

Thursday was probably our hottest day yet. My car was parked in the shade for about an hour and when I got in, the temp read 120. Yikes! It's been so dry that the National Forest has been closed, which is why our 37 week celebration picnic didn't work out. Thankfully, it looks like we might get some rain this week.

To stay cool, we spent a lot of time at the pool, made a lot of milkshakes and stayed in doors for the most part. Here's a little glimpse of June in the 505:

Little Blondie // Yardwork // Storytime with Gran // Hanging with Baby Everett // Stretches with Gran // Photo by Addy // Shopping with Dad // Watching the lawn get a hair cut // "Tending to take a nap"

Life with Addy, we love this girl!

The whole gang, can't wait to add another kiddo to the mix!

Happy July everyone, hope you are finding ways to stay cool!

You can check out what we were up to last June here.

May in the 505

May has come and gone. Sumer is here. Life is good in the 505. 

These monthly recap posts might not be the most exciting thing to hit the blogesphere, but I love looking back at them and they are super helpful when making family yearbooks.

So, with that said, here's a little look at what we were up to this past month.

 Giggles with Dad // Miss Julie and Baby Colton came to visit // Riding the Merry Go Round // Addy got a bike // Watching Golf // Our Little Gardener

Lunch date at Target // Bubbles with Granmarie // "Look at me Momma!" // Coffee Date with friends // Swimming Lessons // Sweet Girlfriends

In addition to play dates, swimming lessons and a new bike, Addy got to spend 4 days in Las Cruces with her Gran and Papa where she went on coffee dates with Papa and planted flowers with Gran. I would share some of those pictures too but my computer is freaking out, so that's all for now.

Happy June friends!

April in the 505

It seemed that April was the month for battling sickness in our house. All three of us were down with something at some point and I learned that my pregnant body is awful at fighting off colds after suffering from one for two weeks. Thankfully we have two great sets of grandparents that are always wiling to help out when Momma needs some rest.

It wasn't all sneezing and coughing though, we did enjoy quite a few good days and even got to celebrate Cousin Carter and Matt's Birthdays.

Donuts for Carter's Bday // Chillin' with Baby Bear // Saturday Morning Pancakes // A Good Reminder // Matt got his golf buddy back // "I look good momma!" // Baby kisses // The book must have been thrilling // New shades for Momma

Matt did a lot of work in the back yard, planting trees and bushes with his little helper.

Yard work is dirty business

 Addy went on several adventures in her thingamiger,

And enjoyed Saturday morning outings with Mom and Dad.

The last weekend of the month was spent celebrating Matt's Birthday. Addy and I made a cake for a little get together where "Dada's friend's" came over.

There goes another month! I'm praying that May treats us a little better and that all of us manage to stay healthy.

Easter and March in the 505

March was a busy month for the Danners. It began with a shower to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our newest nephew and ended with the little guy's arrival on Easter weekend. In between, Addy turned two, Momma's belly continued to grow and Dad somehow managed to stay sane in a house full of rather emotional girls.

Spring Wreath // The expecting Mommas // Lunch outside // Bubbles // Making Addy's Orange Dress // Sick little lady sleeping on Momma // Happy Birthday Adelyne // Trying to catch a family pic // Grandma and the Birthday Girl

Happy St. Patty's Day // Being two is tiring // Big Girl at her two year well check // 22 Weeks // Sweet Quiet Time // Surprise Sleep Over with Carter // Kite Flying // Carter is a big brother // Meeting Baby Everett

On Friday morning we got a surprise visit from Cousin Carter. He stayed at our house while his Mom "went to the hospital to get baby brother." 

Welcome to the family Everett Bear!

That also happened to be the same weekend as Easter and Grandma's Birthday. It was a big weekend and poor Addy ended up sick (she likes to pick days where she's expected to dress up and smile for pictures to come down with a cold). But even with a sick, grumpy two year old, we managed to have a nice, laid back weekend celebrating the resurrection of Christ with family.

"Easter 2013"

This was Addy's first year to hunt Easter Eggs and she did a great job. She's been hiding them in the house ever since, in the same spot under the ottoman.

That's what we've been up to lately. 

Happy Belated Easter friends!

February in the 505

Although February is the shortest month of the year, it seemed to drag on a little this time, possibly because we have a lot to look forward to in March; three family Birthdays (including Addy's), a baby shower and hopefully the first glimpse of spring. I love spring!

So here's what we have been up to while we anxiously awaiting the change of the season.

Tea Time // 18 Weeks // Makeup! // Cute Girl // Juicing! // Sleepy // Mom Daughter // Who's Ready for Spring // Happy Monday // Dress Like Dad // Baby Lovin' // Smile!

Family Game Night

Sleep Over with Cousin Carter

Siblings!

Someone Got Their Hands on Mom's Phone

Happy March!

P.S. Check out what we were up to last February here.

September in the 505

I'm having a hard time remembering what all we were up to this past month. But from the photos I've taken, I can tell you that....

Addy turned 18 months old....

...and entertained her buddy Sophia, Piglet, Mr. Monkey, Bear and Lady Bug with a show of some kind. But it looks like she was the only one paying attention.

She also had fun dressing her animals in shoes and other clothes that she's out grown.

Addy got a new hat...

...and rocked the pig tails on several outings.

Momma enjoyed some extra snuggle time...

...and Dad bought Addy a new toy.

Grandpa stopped by a few times...

...Mom and Addy went shopping...

... and Dad built a jungle gym on the bed!

We spent a lot of time outside...

....went to story time with our friend...

... and watched some Saturday morning cartoons.

Grandma and Grandpa spent a lot of time in Oregon waiting for Baby Tate to make his debut, but they managed to stop by for a visit on their way home.

Grandma Ree spent some quality reading time with Miss Adelyne.

And the most exciting thing about September was that my newest nephew, Tate Jackson came into our world. Unfortunately, he's in Portland which happens to be miles away from Albuquerque. It's absolutely killing me to not be able to snuggle that little guy but I'm looking forward to our trip up North to see his cute face in person.