FC Fireworks Show

Our church held a Fourth of July Celebration with fun games, food and fireworks. We didn't have any cash on us, so we went and ate at a Burger joint before we got to the event. (No, it wasn't Culvers this time)

We packed the picnic mat, the stroller and wagon. The kids enjoyed it! Gabe didn't know what to think about the loud noises, but no cry = good time. ;)

Gabe was one tuckered out little boy.
So was Kien. They both were SO ready for bed.

When you can change from one set of arms to another with out even waking up, you KNOW the child is tired!

Motorcycle, Bed and Rockin' Horse

This motorcycle was actually purchased for Kieney, but he has more interest in his trucks and cars. (A boy after daddy's own heart). Gabe however, LOVES the motorcycle (JUST like his daddy). He likes to push the button to make it wheelie (go figure) and make the revving noises.

Oh, my prayers now are for Gabe's safety, because if he is ANYTHING like his daddy, I am sure motorcycles are in the future.

Gabriel also is an avid climber. If there is anything that is an elevated surface Gabe will try to climb it. Kien had been jumping on his bed, which enticed Gabe to try the same. For right now Gabe is only interested in standing ON the bed. It won't be long...

Both boys like the rocking horse. This was a gift given to Kevin a few years ago that came home with Kien. We put the safety seat on for Gabe to use and it is much easier for Kien to get in and out, Gabe -not so much. (We ended up taking it off) Kien tries to "wheelie" the horse!

"Bouncy Bouncy Bouncy" says the Mommy. Gabe knows to try to make the horse bounce. He's so smart!

New TV!!

We purchased our big screen from Office Depot a couple years ago because they had an awesome deal. With a bit of research (and pre-little kiddo's) we decided that because we weren't huge gamers, (although it would be used to play the occasional WII game) we purchased the TV that lived by hours. Once we were blessed with TWO little ones, the television was used A LOT more than what we anticipated. Who knew that the hours would be used up so quickly?!

Then it happened. POOF the screen went black. We "heard" the movie but could not see a thing. Greg, being the awesome "Mr. Fixit" of the family, tried to see if he could possibly jiggle a few wires and leave it off for a few days and then it would come back. I mean, it worked a couple times like that before when we had the blatant HINT the TV was about to give up the ghost. We just let it rest. This time, it was a no go.

So, here is the replacement! We are SO SO grateful to have this! ;)

Gabe @ Maaco

Gabe likes visiting Daddy at work!

Cabellas Visit

To start the day, we first attended church and Gabe was NOT happy about being in the nursery(STILL *sigh*). So Greg went to get him. I don't know if Gabe was giving this look because he was processing the "abandonment and rescue" but once he discovered daddy's buttons he was ok. :)

Fat cheeks!! I love fat cheeks!! :)~
A couple times a year we like to take all the kids to Cabellas or Bass Pro Shop to watch the big fish and meander through the animal exhibits. All the kiddos enjoy watching the fish because they are so HUGE!

Time to Catch UP... again.

Wow, amazingly I just can't seem to keep up with everything like super woman. Sometimes, things just get left behind. It's been a very busy summer/couple of months/life...

Brandy love to read to Kien. Here she is actually showing him her year book and he is pointing out where Brandy is in the Horn Section photo.

Duke is always ready for a pose.

Gabe as you can see has been walking along furniture and toys for a while. I really think the "door" to this gate has been a huge step in aiding him to walking. He will grab the door and just "swing" with it. Sometimes it even looks as if he is trying to run!

Oops! Sometimes he falls.

Cute.

Loves to climb...

Gabe is finding many new things in his new room, including Kien's bed. Gabe has learned -without fall- how to get up and off the bed with no problems! WOW! I hope MANY things come that easy for him! :) Kien has also taught him how to jump on the bed!! lol

Beddy Bye Time...

As you have gathered, Gabe slept in our room for many months now. However, I have realized, it was time. Yes, it was time for him to try his new bed in his new room. Here is a photo of Gabe in the crib ready for his first night!

Kien was actually excited about his brother sharing a room with him.

The night was a success, although Gabe still wakes through the night for a bottle.

Kien Leading Duke

Gabe all by himself!!

So Greg has put Gabe on the car to let him sit, while standing very near by in case Gabe toppled over. Gabe figured out how to get on ALL BY HIMSELF!!! What a big boy!

Brandy Band uniform fitting

Brandy is going on her 3rd year of Marching Band. Each year they have to resize each of the students for their uniform. She has definitely grown since last year and her uniform pants were too short! I offered to un stitch them so the lady could keep the line moving. So one other student was able to get re-sized for their uniform. Very proud of Miss Brandy and her passion for Marching. :)

Post office visit

I typically let Brandy stay in the car to watch the kids or bring my double stroller when venturing off to run errands. Because I knew that I was going to be in the post office for possibly quite some time, I decided to bring them in the wagon. Of course, the events of the day were to start off with Starbucks, Post Office, Marina and then Sonic.

Here is Jeremy strapping Kien in. He is such a great help!

Gabe is being occupied by a little story book. He could care less where we are, all he and Kien know is that they are going for a fun wagon ride! :)

Kien was being especially cute in the post office, and was winning the ooh's and ahh's of "he's so cute" as he always does.
The post office workers encourage people to use the automated lines instead of waiting in long lines in the main office. So, I had 4 small boxes and a couple letters to send out. We should have went into the main area, because I caused a huge line since it was my FIRST time using this system. It didn't help the line at all since there were FIVE of us (with 2 in a large wagon). LOL! I think the amazement -and gawking stares- from other people was enough to keep them occupied while I completed my transaction.

More on the dirt project!

We picked a fine time to work on this project considering we went from a harsh winter straight to a hot summer! The forecast called for rain in 3 days of getting the dirt. In our mind's eye, we could see it being done with the four of us working together. In reality, that didn't happen. Ha!

This looks easy, but really, it is far from the very word.
So here we had to put a tarp over the top of the mound for when the rain was to come. Yes, we did get a little bit of rain but nothing as the weather man predicted. Within a day the wet ground was no longer and back to work we went.

This photo is a month from when we first put the dirt down. We thought we were going to have to seed, but from the looks of it we may not have to put as much down as we thought. Looks A LOT better!