Whew!

Nate bought me shutters for my b-day & we finally made the time to paint & install them. I think they look so very nice...they are small but they add so much. Just a little accent around the two windows that lead to our front door. Thanks, babe...the paint job is awesome!! Oh, & Nate installed a screen/storm door on our front door about 2 months ago (if you click on the photo & look at the front door you can see that it is there but it is hard to see as it is white as well as our front door is white). We are able to keep our front door open to let in natural lite & still have our air/heat running because the storm door is weather tight (the door changes from screen to storm door when you close the window with the screen on it the screen rolls up into the door & the glass window replaces the screen which makes the door weather tight...hope that makes sense). We love these home improvement projects & look forward to doing more!

The kids play really well together & LOVE to play in Chloe's room. So, as long as the door is open & I can check on them regularly, I do not have a problem with it. But, if it gets too quiet, I know they are into trouble...or maybe just asleep after a hard morning of playin'. Pretty stinkin' cute!

Chloe's cheer class has sadly come to an end. Last nite was her last class. The gym is shutting down for awhile until the economy turns around. They had a fun last class stunting, dancing, doing their motions, & jumping on the trampoline. The coaches bought the girls some ice cream & gave a present to each of the girls...a new sweatshirt!! We told Chloe that when God closes one door, he opens another. So, we are a little sad but are looking forward to the new doors: like starting preschool (in 2 weeks)!! Her teacher came for an in home visit last monday afternoon & Chloe really likes her (Miss Johann). We look forward to being apart of this program.

Eli & Me

Eli & I had a Mommy & Me swim class this week. He was cold & scared most of the time so he was not very enthusiastic about the class but we made it through. He did learn to blow some bubbles & kick & float (back & tummy) & he put his eyes in the water several times. He did not like the scooping (holding your breath while Mommy "scoops" him under water) & he was not happy about being "passed" from me to the instructor & then back to me (see photo below). His best skills are kicking/floating on his tummy & sitting on the side of the pool & jumping in to me (he actually really liked doing this!!) All in all I was very pleased with the class & had a lot of fun spending time with my boy & visiting with friends.

Jumping in from the side of the pool to me.

He is smilin' now!:)

Kickin', & floatin'

Being "passed" from the instructor back to me.

Some summer fun at the water park.

Chloe has been putting puzzles together for awhile now, so I thought it was high time that I put a photo of her accomplishment on the blog!!:) (it is my bragging right!!:) )

Happy 8th!

We celebrated our 8th anniversary yesterday. Since we did not know Nate would have that day off until 1 week ago & then battling the flu for the last few days made for very simple, but very fun plans for our anniversary. Grandma Julie is visiting with Aidan & treated us all to the zoo & then we went out to Mimi's for lunch. Then home for a little rest & off to take Chloe to cheer class. We are so blessed in our marriage as it has grown & flourished over the years thanks to Jesus being our focal point. I have the best hubby ever!! We look forward to many, many more wonderful years together!!:)

Those crazy married kids...& lovin' it!:)

Aidan, Eliot & Chloe ready for the zoo!

Chloe & the chicken.

Eli & Chloe lookin' at the peacock

Chloe & Eli with the Grahm

The boys.

The bears.

Best buddies asleep & still holding hands...(sigh & wipe a tear)...so precious!!

Fun at Mimi's

So much better to be in the cool a/c!!

Aidan & Grahm enjoyin' lunch

Chloe at Cheer Class stunting with her buddy Angelina. "GO TEAM!!"

Final 4

Okay, I know, 'nough swim photos already!! I just can't help it...she learned so many new skills & had such a great time that I just had to share these last few photos. The last two days of swim class they took the kids in the big pool & had them do a lot more deep pool pencil jumps, breath holding, floating with eyes in water, floating on their backs, kicking to the instructors, noodling, etc. They had to do all these things in order to pass the swim class. And she did!:) The last day of swim class was a bit chilly but she still had a great time.

Chloe proudly showing off her certificate of completing her swim class. (And she is eating a piece of sugar candy...she is excited about both, & a little cold.)

Chloe is in the big pool noodling with Miss Rachel.

Chloe about to go under water

Chloe was lookin' & wavin' at me & I didn't catch it in time...oh well, still cute.

Our Little Swimmer!!

Chloe has been such a champ with her swim class. She started lovin' it after a few days & now can do so much in the water...she amazes us! She has come so far now that she is no longer afraid of the pool. It has been fun to watch her grow over the last two weeks with all the new skills she has learned. We are so proud of our bear cub!!:)

The pencil jump with Miss Anna

Backwards on the noodle with Miss Lauren

The alligator walk all by herself!!

A cute photo of the boy.