Our new backyard toy

It has to have a safety net! It was my only condition to buying this monster.

The kids sold the playhouse to contribute funds and now we have something new to mow around.

We are having a wonderful time on it and I can see that the toys just get bigger and better.

Ahhh good bye toddler toys - Hello big boy toys!

EAA Airshow reconnecting with old friends

We were so blessed to see some old Air Force buddies at the EAA airshow this past July. (It would have been 20 years of service had they all stayed in - WEIRD!)

Henry brought his son Eli, and Dave's son Collier over to our house for a fun sleepover. Collier is David's age and Eli is Caleb's age so it was extra fun for everyone.

Then at the air show we reconnected with Gino, but missed seeing his sons since they didn't arrive until after we left.

We laughed and laughed as we always do when we are together.

Funny how those men all had sons and not daughters. Hmmm.

Here are some pics.

Caleb's 1st loose tooth

Caleb seems to accomplish his "milestones" earlier and with greater gusto than David. If David was in the fast lane, Caleb would need to be in the faster lane. (Let's hope that doesn't mean Nathan will be in the fastest lane!)

Caleb has been wiggling his first loose tooth for about a week now. It turned grey today and he was able to twist it 90 degrees. He just wanted it out and endured a good amount of blood and wiggling in order to just be done with it. Finally dad was able to just pull it out. I was so excited for my Caleb to have his first jack 'o lantern smile!

He is a thinker, that Caleb. He doesn't like to be with a lot of people, and isn't exactly a socialite. So he spends a great deal of time watching, thinking and calculating. He isn't fooled that there is some 'fairy' coming into his bedroom at night to bring money. (as you can imagine we don't do much pretend play that involves fairies here) So he just comes right out and asks if mom and dad are the tooth fairy. John told him yes, we are indeed the tooth fairy. After a second he asks if he will still get money, now that he knows the secret. Of course! He is broad smiled, dimple faced. Not only does he get money, but he is in the "know". He has a secret from Nathan and he and David both have the inside scoop. This is great!

So one last time I read him the book "My loose tooth" and I can feel the radiant smile next to me as I read: " Hooray, hooray, hooray, I shout! My tooth, my tooth, it's finally out!" I turn and see this brilliant jack 'o lantern smile. What a great moment, worth every cent of the dollar that will be slipped under his pillow. And in my head I hear the song "You're gonna miss this.... You're gonna want this back..." I will live off that jack 'o lantern smile moment for a long time.

Bye Bye Diapers

9 years and 26 days, but who is counting?

That is how long we have been changing diapers. Thank goodness that is over. The diapers budget will now slide over to the grocery food budget; which is rapidly increasing.
(David is up to my chin now and Caleb looks like he is pumping iron in his spare time.)

Once more we commando toilet trained a son. Nathans' first day was about enough to make me quit, but by day 3 he was getting it. Did I mention we have no carpet in the living room anymore. We have beautiful wood floors now that I LOVE!!! Good thing because he peed on it alot.

We haven't had a single accident since day 5. I don't even have to ask him if he needs to go. He tells me with enough time to make it to the bathroom. Good Job Nathan!!!!!
We are now going in public again. Good thing too, because we had the 4th of July festivities, and all those baseball/tball games.

Now that the carpet is gone and Nathan is out of diapers, I wonder how long it will take before I get bugged repeatedly for a dog. HMMMMMM.

Here is a picture that I just couldn't resist

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David turns 9

Half way to 18 - unbelievable!

David went to Crescent Lake Bible Camp the week of his birthday so we did not have a big party like normal. His birthday was on a Sunday so we had Grandpa Paul and Grandma Lynn here. We had a sleepover with the cousins and that was a good time.

At church this Sunday I noticed a family with 2 grown sons (early 20's my guess) standing in front of us. I was struck but just how fast these 9 years have gone and just how fast the next 9 will go. That soon our pew will look more like that one, but will have 3 wide shouldered sons.

Our food budget is growing and our fridge is always empty. I am always cooking. I am trying hard to remember to stop and enjoy the moments, taking mental pictures to file away. Life is so

good.

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Play Ball

A picture of Caleb at his first Tball game. Trust me when I say this coach doesn't stand behind him when he has bat in hand any more.


The boy is all gusto. His swing is full of force and purpose. However he has little to no use for playing the outfield. He checks out mentally until it is time to bat. The way he plays is picture perfect for his personality. He is overjoyed that he has his own cleats,, he is convinced they make him run faster.

Between his and Davids games and practices we are at the ball field 4 nights a week, and loving it.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School this year had a wild west theme. We were privileged to bring our day care girl Olivia with us and and got a few cute pictures.