Catching Up

. . . with daily life around here.

Eating strawberries right out of the carton before I get them from the van to the kitchen.

Going to watch tractors/skid loaders/excavators/etc. working around town (it is hard to see the bulldozer and tractor in the distance below). Sometimes we watch from the van and other times we get out and have a snack while we watch. I love having a boy!Greysen and Abram love to read books on their own in Abram's bed. It is so darn cute!
My favorite picture from this summer so far!There has been a lot of baseball going on around here.

And lots of fun with daddy.

Playing cars (at the table that was my sister's and mine when we were little!).
I couldn't resist this picture. Abram can be found in one of these pairs of shoes on any given day. Someone lined them up (I know I like to be organized but it wasn't me!). There is something about little shoes that I just love.
Hanging out with the gf. Yes, they are still dating!Looking very handsome in my favorite p-poppers of all time. I bought these in Thailand when Brady was a baby (that would be 9 years ago). I'm so glad my sister kept them for me to now have.

I will never get tired of watching my baby boy sleep.

Birthday Party

We had a birthday party on Monday . . . even though the birthday girl, Zahra - our oldest, 8-year old daughter was not here.We celebrated in the morning with banana muffins and eight candles.
All the cousins and some friends (Owen and Jaida) sang "Happy Birthday". . .
And blew out the candles.
All in Zahra's honor. It was the perfect little way to celebrate her life and our love for her.

A Few Recent Outings

Over the weekend we finally rode the train in Boone. We have had tickets for it since Abram's birthday (which was all about trains if you remember).My friend Molly was visiting us for the weekend so she came along, too. It was fun to have her along - especially since she helped keep me from having a complete panic attack going over the high bridge suspended in the air - or so it seemed from my perspective. I have not experienced that much anxiety ever!
Getting ready to leave.
The little man started off having a good time. The popcorn helped.

This was the much lower bridge. I was okay with this one.

A rare moment of Abram sitting still. The train ride was an hour and 40 minutes. Due to a shorter than normal nap that day, let's just say the ride was about an hour and 30 minutes too long! But, at least now he can say he rode a train. Maybe his dad will take him again sometime when he can enjoy it more. I will definitely stay home that day!
On Tuesday Kate and I took the kids to Ledges State Park.


These two little guys are just about inseparable whenever they are anywhere outside together.

Part way through the long hike back up the winding hill.

We drove into Boone and sat on the curb to watch some of the RAGBRAI riders ride into town.
Pouring water on each other was definitely more fun for them than watching people on bikes!