Best of Friends...

...and worst enemies sometimes! But that doesn't usually last long. Just until someone gets his toy back!

I have to share these pictures that I just LOVE! So wish they were better quality, but they still tell a good story!

Corn!

While I was in Galena a few weeks ago, and Craig was at his parents, he brought back a little treat for the boys...and me...

CORN!

I found a pool recently on clearance at Target and was saving it for just this purpose! The boys have been enjoying it immensely, thus I have been enjoying it too!

It's the perfect indoor activity now that the weather is changing. Well, perfect as long as the corn stays in the pool...which the boys are doing a pretty good job with!

Pumpkin Festival

Our toughest decisions lately on the weekends have been, just what to do with the boys...since there are SO many options around here! It really is a good problem to have I guess!

Last Saturday we decided on the Pumpkin Festival at Wagner Farms. First up on the to-do list was a tractor ride!Then we rode it again of course!

The boys enjoyed looking at all the animals,and playing in the straw (or was it hay? I can't remember which!)Gage even got to milk a cow!We had a nutritious lunch of chocolate chip cookies and potato chips.Gage's favorite thing was being buried under pumpkins. And although it was very chilly and blustery, we had a great time!

Counting

My baby isn't a baby anymore! He's talking more and more, helping pick up toys and whatever else I ask, and he's growing hair!! (I realized that as I was looking at pictures from last year recently!) He's even counting to 10 now...and beyond! I caught him in action at lunch today:



Big brother Gage had to have his turn too!



Oh how these two crack me up!

Girls Weekend!!

A tradition is born: Girls weekend in Galena over the Annual Craft Fair weekend!

Remember last time we went and how cold it was??? What a difference two years later! It was downright hot this year!

And I was not 7 months pregnant this time! Two reasons to enjoy it even more!

Oh, how we had fun shopping, laughing, eating, drinking, and no responsibilites... It was heavenly! And came to an end much too fast!

We stayed in a lovely B&B over the weekend. It was my mom and sister's first B&B experience! Captain Harris Guest House
We had the entire lower level (The Captain's Quarters) to ourselves! What a treat!

My mom and I met at our B&B late Friday afternoon, and Holly met up with us on Saturday morning. We hit the Craft Fair after breakfast, then shopping downtown in the afternoon/evening. On Saturday night we went to a magic/comedy show, and sat in the front row, no less! We were amazed by his simple tricks, which we couldn't even figure out sitting so close! So fun!

Dining at one of our fave's, Fried Green Tomatoes.

More eating and shopping on Sunday.
Mom found a walking stick for Russ!

Enjoying a yummy, and messy, shake at Dirty Gurt's!
All too soon our fun weekend came to an end. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Boys Will Be Boys

I do not know where the time goes. Or what I am doing to pass the time.? Have you ever thought back on things, such as naptimes, and wonder "What have I been doing with myself?" Well I couldn't tell ya! But I do know that time flies and I am busy doing something! So I apologize for my sporadic posting. I am going to try to be more consistent (especially for you family members who anxiously await!).

Lately we have been busy enjoying this beautiful weather outside while we can!

I just have to giggle at my BOYS! They are attracted to sand, dirt, water, mud, you name it, like a magnet! If it's dirty, they are all about it!

We were at my mom's sometime in early summer and the boys were playing outside in her backyard, in the dirt of course. She was trying to persuade them to play in a cleaner place and they didn't want anything to do with it. I had to remind her that "they're boys Ma, that's what they do." She only had girls mind you.

Sometimes I want to keep them from getting dirty too, and then I remind myself that I need to let my boys be boys. A little dirt won't hurt anything. And hey, if it keeps them busy and happy, I am all about that!

The Beach

Wow it has been much too long since I have posted! It is really something when your husband reminds you because he keeps looking for a new post and it's not there...(especially when it's my husband).

We have had lots of visitors over the past few weeks! And the sad thing is I don't have many pictures to prove it! I am not sure what my problem is that I am not grabbing my camera. I have been telling Craig that I need a new camera...one that I will like using! So I am hopeful when my birthday rolls around in a few months...

First my mom and Russ were here for part of their vacation. We had fun celebrating my mom's birthday. Then Kevin & Hannah and their boys were here for a week. And today we just said goodbye to Craig's parents after they were here for a few days. My boys have been spoiled! Now it's back to reality - just boring old Mom and Dad!

Some of our favorite times lately have been at the beach. It is pretty cool to live near this:


Gage likes to dip his feet in the water.Eli is content just playing in the sand.Craig likes to play too, and I just enjoy the view.

Fun Times in Chi-Town

I keep telling people we meet how much we love it here! Mostly because of so many options of great things to do and places to eat! One of my favorite finds so far is a place called Nibbles Play Cafe. It's a place where you can order food and/or coffee and the little ones can play! They often have theme parties there like a Thomas Party:
The Conductor came and sang songs and did games with the kids. Gage was a little reluctant to join in at first. It wasn't long until he got right up there too!He even waited in line with Daddy for his turn at the game. Getting a prize was a good incentive! Eli wasn't interested in the games and songs this time, but he sure loved the cupcake decorating party we went to the next week! Gage didn't mind it either! We found a fun hot dog joint called Portillos! We've been there twice already! Wow, that is a big drink for a little guy...
And finally, here is Gage getting his first Chicago haircut...in style!
Oh yeah, things are over the top here in Chicago Land! Can you see why we love it??

Gager-Goo

My little Gager Goo (a nickname from my sister) is growing up! I realized that one day recently when I looked down at him in my arms and noticed he has arm hair!! And leg hair too?! No more baby arms and legs! I wondered when that happened?!

I also realized that we can understand everything he says now too. No more words or phrases mixed in with gibberish. And boy he is cracking us up with what he is saying! I have to share:

One night, during those long days/nights when Craig was working in Chicago and we were by ourselves in Ames, I was putting the boys to bed and Gage said, "Eli cranky." And I said, "Yeah, and you're a little cranky too bud." And he said, "Yeah, and you cranky too Mama!" Oh it made me laugh so hard! Such a great note to end the day on.

Then one day before we moved we were walking up the stairs side by side and Gage was saying something that I couldn't quite understand. So I asked him to repeat it and he said, "It's a long story Mama, it's a long story."

Whenever I have Eli and Gage both on my lap, or we are sitting together somewhere, Gage always says, "We a happy family!" It melts my heart everytime.

We were eating dinner one night recently and he turned and put his feet on my legs so his legs were stretched out. Then he leaned back and said with a sigh, "I relaxin!"

With everything that he is saying these days it really makes us realize he is paying attention! When I wonder where did he get that, I can usually remember, or catch myself saying, a word or phrase that he has picked up on. What a good reminder to watch what I say and realize what kind of attitude I have!

Our new mailman's name is Bob. I don't really even remember telling Gage that, but the other day when we were driving he saw a mail truck and exclaimed, "There's Bob!" I just went with it and agreed, knowing it probably wasn't our Bob. Then he spotted another mail truck and said, "There's Bob again! There sure are a lot of Bobs out there today." (Now, his speech isn't quite that articulate so you have to imagine it's more like "dare" for "there" which is so much cuter anyway!)

Gage makes me laugh a lot, those are just a few classics that I could remember. So often I think, I need to write that down. It makes me excited to think of Eli talking a lot and making us laugh in a year from now! I will leave you with a comical video that captures both of our boys at their best! Enjoy!

What a Day!

So many things to say, what should I post first?! Let's see, how about this...
Our doorbell rang at 4:45 this morning. It was Bill, our next door neighbor, coming to see how we were doing and if we even knew about this:We had heard thunder all night long but did not even think about the possibility of flooding! We went down to the basement and discovered about an inch of water covering the floor. We were actually lucky, Bill's family already had water halfway up to the ceiling in their nicely finished basement! In these early morning hours we also received calls and texts from other neighbors wondering how we were doing, as well as various men showing up to help. Our house and the Johnson's next door were the hardest hit.

I have never been in this bad of a water situation before and felt a little panicky. I asked Craig if we needed to evacuate! I love this photo! The boys were so fascinated by all the water. They really wanted to go outside and "jump in the muddles" as Gage said!



All morning it continued to rain and we were worried about the basement! Craig sandbagged around the window well, but other than that it was just a matter of waiting and watching. By late morning the water finally started to recede! The peak of water in our basement was 8 in. Unfortunately all the flooring was damaged and the walls will also need to be replaced, but we were able to salvage the furniture thank goodness.

By early afternoon the water had receded quite a bit. You can see our sidewalk again! The neighborhood kids had a great time frolicking in that murky water!

After the boys woke up from their naps we went outside to check things out! What a remarkable difference! We spotted some visitors in the field behind our property... Our day was not quite what we expected, but it was a fascinating one at that. We marvel at the awesome wonder of God's design in nature, and the blessed hearts of the neighbors that surround us! What a beautiful picture of community we saw firsthand today. So thankful.