My Grandma's 80th/Fam Reunion

We had a big 80th birthday bash for my grandma last weekend. We went to Sly Park. It ended up being a family reunion, as well, and was lots of fun!! There were a lot of my family that I had not seen in years (and some that Nate had not even met) and so we had a great time celebrating and re-connecting. We decided we will have a reunion every year so we look forward to seeing everyone again!!

Gotta love Chloe's dirty face...she just loved playing with her cousins & brother.

Eliot with the dirty face...too cute!!

My Auntie Karen holding my cousin Julie's son Cael.

My cousin Julie's daughter, Ayla, only 4 months older than Chloe. They had so much fun together!!:)

Me & my beautiful mom!!

Me & my beautiful sister.

The cousins with their daughters...the little ones did not want to take a photo.

My Uncle Warner with baby Kyle.

Our rugrats!

My grandma with her kids....my dad, my Auntie Karen & my Uncle Bob

Chloe with her cousin Hailey havin' fun, fun!!

Nate & I

I can write!

I have noticed, in the last couple weeks, that Chloe can write her letters pretty good, so this afternoon we really worked on writing them in the correct order & she did it (all by herself)!! I did point to where she should write the letters but I did not help her write any of the letters. I am pretty amazed & very proud of her.:)

Some ending summer fun in our backyard!

Eli can kinda eat with a spoon. I give him one with most meals...even if he just plays around with it, it is good practice...right??!!:) (like the way the food is strewn all over his tray? Ya, me too, and I just LOVE the clean up...sigh...)

New, New, New!

Auntie Amy & Uncle Trevor bought Chloe a princess backpack for preschool. Thanks, guys, she loves it! Here she is wearing it to preschool last Tuesday morn. Chloe is also wearing her new dress that Gma Julie bought for her. She also brought her sleeping beauty doll with her to preschool. She has not shared in circle time at school, yet, but we keep encouraging her to bring something with her so that when she is ready, she can share, too!!

Daddy's new due...Chloe was having fun with all her ribbons!!

Chloe's new due...Gma Julie gave Chloe fun play hair & so we were having a great time with some cute new dues!!


Eli's new due...I just decided to try out shaving his head & I think he looks pretty stinkin' cute!!:) And I thought he looked like Nate before...but man does he look like a spittin' image of his daddy now!!

I took this photo of the three of us...

Oh So Fun!

Chloe has really been enjoying preschool. She has made some very nice friends. We even had a playdate with Megan last week at Megan's house (she lives right down the street from us!!) She has learned some new songs & can write the letters C, L & O. We are so impressed! This week we went to the State Fair. Chloe & Eliot loved the petting zoo, (of course). We had a lot of good food & enjoyed a beautiful day at the fair. I worked in Chloe's class this morning. It went pretty well (except Chloe got car sick on the way to school, so we had some clean up to do when we first arrived, but after that all was well & I had a lot of fun being the parent helper today!!) Thank you, Jesus, for all these precious moments...even the stressful ones!! Chloe really wanted me to take a photo of the blocks that she has lined up in a row...the great wall of China, she said...we have been watching some of the Olympics & boy did she LOVE the gymnastics & any of the water events! She even knows some of the athletes names!!

Chloe helping daddy make the morning coffee!! She is a big helper at home & at preschool. Each morning at school the kids are assigned a different job for the day. She has been snack helper, creative corner clean up helper, composter, & Teacher Jo Anns special helper.

Some of Chloe's artwork from preschool that we proudly display on our fridge!!:)

I was so happy with my roses...so I thought I would take a photo to share.

Preschool

Chloe started preschool yesterday & our whole family went to drop her off. It was a big day for her & for us. She did so well & had a lot of fun!! She is our quiet one, so her teacher said she was very, very quiet but joined in with some of the girls & read some books, dressed up, colored & made some new friends. She is growing up so fast & we are so proud of our little bear cub!!

Our preschooler just before we took her to her 1st day of preschool.

The "signing in"...she signs her name in every morning at school (with help from Mommy) & then I have my own parent sign in book. This will encourage Chloe to write. She got her name tag on & then we dropped off her stuff in her cubby & went to check out the outside fun!

Our little artist.

We said goodbye & she smiled & waved & her first day of preschool was here & gone so fast. My baby...a preschooler...sigh...a mom moment (you can see Eli in the background of the photo over Chloe's left shoulder...he was having a great time running around & playin' with some of the kids & when it was time to go he did not want to leave).

The boy loves to play on Chloe's computer. He gets up on the big chairs in the kitchen all by himself. He is into EVERYTHING...our little motor boat! We had a fun dinner with friends last nite & for most of the nite I was RUNNING after him...that's ok, I can sure use the exercise!:)

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.