Vacation - building cars

We took the boys to a place on the Branson Landing where they could build their own car. It's like Build a Bear, but it's cars. In other words, Luke and Evan's dream day.

Oh my it seemed like an eternity before they could decide on a car. They went back and forth, back and forth before finally deciding on their cars.

Check 'em out. This place has it all figured out. You pick your car, tires and wheels and head over to the build station. They get to screw the base to the car frame, put the wheels in the tires and pop them on. After that, you're done. You can then go try on different spoilers, hood ornaments and other car stuff that I know nothing about and buy them if you want. Fun times.

Just check out the smile on his face. He's so excited.

Here's Ev in the process of building his car.

This shot is blurry but captures Evan's excitement and personality perfectly.

Vacation - a day on the lake

So, J and I decided that we couldn't go to the lake this year without renting a boat. I am so glad he pushed for this, it was an absolute blast. When we got to the Marina the boys immediately headed for the dock so they could feed the fish and turtles. I must admit - after seeing these GIANT fish begging for food (seriously), it made me a little nervous about getting into the lake. However, I overcame that thought and decided to relax and enjoy what the day would bring.

Even Kate was amazed by those enormous things!

From the start all Evan wanted to do was "get in lake". Poor guy, the search for the "perfect" spot took a little longer than anticipated due to one minor hiccup that we weren't planning on - no anchor. What? Really? Yes, that's right, no anchor. So . . . we had to find a spot calm enough to stop and swim and hope that the boat wouldn't get too far away from us in the process. It was a bit tricky at first and the kiddos were getting antsy, hot, hungry, etc...

However, we found a spot and this is the response we get. Pure bliss. : )

Sweet girl. Honestly, we drag her around from place to place more than I care to admit and she just hangs in there with a smile and little complaint. All she needs is some attention, snacks, a place to rest and she's good to go. Lucky us, right?

Apparently Luke likes to play it safe when swimming in the lake. Take note of the life jacket, his muscles and the noodle. I think you're good, buddy. He loved it.

What a great day to be on the water. Thanks, daddy.

Vacation - pool and biking

We just got back from an awesome trip to Branson, MO. Justin went with his family several times growing up, but this was my first trip there. It was great. There is so much to do there. We only scratched the surface, but what we did do was just perfect for us! The kids love swimming, so lucky for us our hotel had an indoor and outdoor pool. Luke was facinated by the fact that there could be a pool inside, he got quite a kick out of it.

Yes, Kate was as patient and cooperative as usual. She hung out in her stroller when she wasn't hanging out in the pool. She is such an easy going girl. (I know, I sound like a broken record).

Evan is a dare-devil (broken record, again?). We purchased these "life jackets" in Florida this summer and they really have been the best purchase. The boys have so much more confidence when swimming. Evan has so much confidence (or something like that) that he has started jumping in and wants us to throw him into the pool. I don't think he even closes his eyes, much less his mouth. He goes under, bounces right back to the surface smiling and says, "again".

Don't be fooled by this picture. Although, Luke can now "swim" on his own, he absolutely does not like to go under. So this picture may look like he's about to be tossed and dunked, it's an illusion. Dad is going to safely catch him as he comes back down. No going under for Luke. No sir.

Kate doing her favorite new move - waving.

Look how excited Luke is to have his picutre taken. Isn't that sweet?

Great photo-op off the side of the road. The boys loved looking into a REAL racecar.

Watching the rainbow trout swim by at Dogwood Canyon (I plan on dedicating an entire post of landscape pics of that place soon - sooooooo beautiful).

We rented bikes and carts for the kids to ride in. For 2 people that are out of shape, we biked (with kids in tow) 6.2 miles! The kids enjoyed it, too. We made various pit-stops so they could get out and run around, but otherwise they just hung out and took in the awesome surroundings. Kate started out the trip in a cart by herself, but she wasn't too happy about that and the weight proved to be too much for Daddy, so she teamed up with Luke and all was right with the world after that. (It didn't hurt that he was feeding her yogurt melts half the time : )).

After 3 nights of sharing a hotel room and running the kids ragged, Evan pooped out. He just couldn't take it anymore. This kid was sooo tired that J lifted him from the cart, bought water from the gift store (while holding him), changed his diaper, and put him in his carseat all without waking up. Poor buddy. Now we're getting back into our non-vaction routine. Good times!

Little Miss Kate

This sassy gal is 10 months old now and boy-o-boy is she into EVERYTHING. This is one of her favorite past times: playing, chewing on and toting around shoes. Kind-of gross, yes.
She's also pulling up to a standing position all the time. She has even gotten brave enough to let go for a few seconds. I wonder how long it will be before she starts taking those much anticipated first steps?!?

Waving to me, Daddy, her brothers and anyone that looks her way is also something Kate loves to do. The other day we were out to eat and she waved nearly the entire meal. Needless to say we had lots of people come by to say hello to this friendly little gal at our table. It's pretty cute.

Here's short list of things Kate is up to:

~ she has started eating "big people" food. Such as, cheese, yogurt, rice, noodles, bread, diced fruit, small bites of hamburger, chicken, turkey and of course yogurt melts and puffs. She can't get enough, actually. I really don't think she'd stop eating if we didn't cut her off!

~she's now a professional crawler - she gets to where she wants in a hurry!

~FINALLY sleeping through the ENTIRE night. Thank goodness for this!!!

~weight 21 pounds, 13 ounces (81%), height 30 and 3/4 inches (99%)

Love you, Kate!!!

Imagination at play

Just looking at these pictures makes me smile. Here's to many more dress-up and mask making days! We love you boys!

More summer fun

How can summer be coming to an end so quickly? It only seems like it has just begun! I say that, but then I realize how much we've been able to do. I think part of the reason I am dragging my feet for summer to end is because our Luke will be starting pre-school in just one short week! My goodness, how has that happened?!?!So, to live out our fast approaching school year, we have been out enjoying as much as we can as a family. It's only 6 hours a week - yes, I know, but it's the beginning to a long road of rushed summers and the anticipation of a new school year.

I can't even wrap my mind around this little one being in school. Oh my.

Luke will do great, of that I am sure. This rambunctious fella. Hmm, I wonder how he'll feel about his big brother being away from him for a couple of days a week (ok, 6 hours!)? He'll probably relish the fact that he can play with any toy he wants without big bro interfering. Not that he won't have to share - Little Miss will make herself be known, for sure. I'm hoping that I get some one-on-one time with Ev, just him and me. We've never really had that, so maybe this will be our chance. Here's to Kate's naps schedule cooperating!

Ahh, summer. How I love thee.

Just pictures . . .

Evan, 2 years

Kate, 9 months
Luke, 3 1/2 years

Our 3 sweeties

We recently bought a new camera and I decided to take it out in the yard with the kids and give it a whirl. I have TON to learn, but LOVE it and have found it with me constantly. I think I may be driving J crazy with the "excessive" picture taking. Ah well, he'll get used to it and maybe the "newness" will ware off?!?! Nah. I can't believe how big the kiddos are getting. My goodness, it really does go so fast.

Kate - 9 months

Oh my! We're only 3 months away from our baby girl turning 1. How did that happen!?!?! Kate is developing quite the personality lately. Here are a few things that she's up to nowadays.
-crawls everywhere
-pulls up on everything
-eats like a horse and definitely knows what she likes and doesn't
-talks all day (very loudly at times)
-protests when she doesn't get what she wants
-has started to really irritate her big brothers by interrupting their games and car rolling
-started sleeping through the night! (well you need help finding your pacifier on occasion)
These are just a few of the wonderful things that this lively and sweet baby are up to . We love you, Kate!

Notice the pony tail! Ahh, what a big girl!