Halfway around the world...

Well my trip is finally upon us. Tomorrow I leave for 8 1/2 days to go to Asia. I am absolutely excited for the opportunity to travel to a part of the world I probably would not have gone to otherwise, but I definitely bittersweet to leave my boys (including Kurt) for this long. I've never been away for more than 4 nights and that was still domestic where I could at least talk to them on the phone more easily. I am really going to miss them and I hope that the time goes really fast. I know Kurt wishes that too. :) If only there was an easy way to stowe them in my luggage...

All that "wimming"...

can wear a little boy out. Today we decided to let Luke skip his nap (for the record he did sleep in this morning) and we headed down to the pool after lunch. We were there for about 3 1/2 hours and the boys played/swam pretty hard. Soon after we got home, Luke went to crawl up on the couch to watch a Mickey and never even made it to the sitting up position. He fell asleep like this and like any mother and father would do...we took a picture.

This is what summer is all about...

To say we love our pool would be an understatement. We L-O-V-E it. Not just the fact that we can swim in it, but it provides so much entertainment to us and has allowed us to hang out with our lovely new neighbors and build new friendships all summer. And I wouldn't be a girl if I didn't say I LOVE getting to work on my tan!!! Blake has been getting so much practice at swimming and Luke is just a little fish waiting to be let out of his tank. We got him a little floatie suit and he has found fins! I love watching their confidence build every time we go down there. The boys also associate the pool with snack time. They are like Pavlov's dog. I think if they even see a pool now they get hungry. No worries, we always come with the cooler well stocked...for the boys and for us.

Happy Birthday May May...

Sorry Molly, I don't even have a new picture to post of you, but we wanted you to know how much we love you and that we wish you a happy HAPPY 9th birthday. You have brought so many smiles to our lives in the last 9 years and we couldn't imagine life without you. If I tried I could imagine what it would be like to not have a few of the stains you have put on our new carpet, but I guess they are just character builders to this new house. Love you our dear sweet May May!!

Blake's 1st Sleepover...

Blake had his first sleepover last weekend and we were so happy that the honor could go to none other than his awesome cousins Jacob and Maddie. They drove all the way from Indiana to do the honors! Just kidding...we were so happy that we could be the last leg of their vacation out west. Blake really enjoyed having a sleepover in his bedroom with Jacob and Maddie. And he got to try out his new Toy Story sleeping bag that he got for his birthday. We had so much fun just hanging out at home, chillin' by the pool, taking a spin through Cabela's, teaching Jacob how to play pool, eating a yummy dinner at Rush Creek, playing pirate and "Dash", and dance party. We were so glad they could visit and hope they can come again!!

Buddies

Blake helping Jacob up after the big stunt.

"Dash" jumping over Jacob! Look at the air under there!

Luke wanting in on the action.

Don't mess with this pirate!

Luke was trying to save Jacob from the fierce pirate.

Davey Crockett...don't think so. Though he's mean enough to take on that bear!

Getting a little fire arms training from Maddie and Jacob.

Note to self - do not ask your kids to tell you what a lion says when you are trying to take their picture. :)

Me and my sister Jill. Love you!

Jacob's got some moves and he's not afraid to use them!

More dance party...

No dance party is complete without Blake breaking out his new move "shake your tail feathers." You really have to see it in person to get the full effect. :)

Such a natural.

Movies at the Park!

A week ago Friday we had a date with our buddies Chloe and Jonny to go see a movie at the park. The newly opened Maple Grove Town Greene Ampitheater started doing music and movies this summer. We had a good time going to the inaugural outdoor movie, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs," though in hindsight we probably should have arrived quite a bit earlier. We didn't end up with that great of seats so it was nearly impossible to keep three 4 year olds and a 2 year old content. They mostly had fun running around being silly and playing with the free glow bracelets that we scored. It was still a fun evening and a good chance for the boys to play with their buddies...who they won't be seeing daily anymore. :(

Time to Celebrate!

We had fun celebrating our little Luke's birthday today. We started the day with donuts for breakfast (that may have been more for mom and dad than the boys) - yummy! Then after Luke woke up from his nap we had our neighbors over for cake and some play time. Luke also enjoyed getting some new toys today...and then constantly defending them all afternoon. Blake was having a little difficulty understanding why he couldn't be in control of Luke's new things and seemed to have trouble remembering that he refuses to let Luke play with any of his new birthday toys. Sharing is always an opportunity in this house. So here are some shots from his big day. It was clear that he had a lot of fun and was such a cutie pie today!

The boys showing off the new lawn mower and wheel barrow that have turned into another "piano". This time I did almost buy 2 of each and then I thought, "why, what kid can push a lawn mower and a wheel barrow at the same time?" Well ours can. And one can even ride his 4-wheeler and carry a wheel barrow, a new lawn mower and the old lawn mower all at once if it means keeping it away from the intended recipient. As a matter of fact he just got out of bed to come downstairs and get them so he can sleep with them.

Luke putting his new bugs in his new bug keeper. He really liked this too.

Blake opening Luke's only wrapped present. It is this really cool bath toy that you put on the side of the tub and it has a motor and a spout so that you can have "running water" and not have to actually run the water. Our boys have always loved to fill cups and play with running water while in the tub so this little gadget is AWESOME! And we have already tried it out tonight and successfully had a bathtime without producing tears and tantrums when the faucet was turned off.

Hearing Happy Birthday sung to him by his friends Addison and Kennedy and getting ready to blow out his candle. He isn't used to being the center of attention. I'm glad he was today.

Licking his fingers after a quick icing taste test!

Sneaking a finger or two into the icing.

Blowing out his candle...he really did it all by himself!

Good job Luke!!

Sad that Mommy took the candle away.

Trying to sneak a kiss from Addison...good thing Kennedy wasn't looking!

Thinking "I can't believe they actually gave me this big of a piece!"

Yummy!!