Our Pergola Project

The downside of moving into a fairly new subdivision is that there are no large trees in which to give you shade. We have two boys who would play outside in their dirt pile all day long if I let them. However, it's been a hot summer so far and I really have had no desire to sit in the scorching sun. We looked for about two months at different canopy options for our back patio, but knew most would blow away the first time we get a good wind. (and we get super strong winds coming across the field behind us). After we saw a covered pergola at menards and lowes we decided we could build one to fit our cement slab and be tall enough not to block the view of our kitchen doors. The end product is amazing!! We love sitting out there watching the boys play baseball and swing.

Big Accomplishments

This weekend has been full of big changes and accomplishments for our boys. Jack learned to swim on Saturday while he, Chris, and cole were at the pool. I'm sad I missed it but am so thrilled at what he can do. This summer he also learned to finally pump on a swing by himself. Sounds so minor, but is huge for him!!

Tonight we decided to try cole in his big boy bed. We were quite sure how this would go but knew before long we needed to get him out of the crib. He only got out of his bed 2 times but it took him nearly 1.5 hours to fall asleep and had a hard time not talking to jack once he went to bed. I think jack was getting pretty fed up but then all fell quiet in the room.

My boys are growing up so fast. Not sure I'm ready for all these changes but I am thankful for healthy boys who can and are making these accomplishments.

Jack's Little Buddy

Yesterday Jack found a little bug and thought he was going to keep it forever. In comes the dramatic music as Cole stomps on this poor bug until there is nothing left but a slight stain on the cement. Well today has brought us another new friend. Jack and cole are going crazy over this bug. Cole trying to smash it half the time and Jack trying to protect it with all his might.

Baseball Days

Wow! It's been over a year since my last post on here.  It has made me think of the many many things that have changed in our family over the past year.  I will try to back post some of those events along with pictures so this can be a little more up to date.  When doing the boys' scrapbooks, I greatly appreciated the time I took to blog often and upload pics so that I already had a general tieline of what main events I wanted in their books.  Ooops!  You can see not much has been done in that departement as of late.  I have been taking pics, just not as much.  But finding time to do this...seems to be nowhere.  I hate when people complain about not having time to do this or that, so I won't say that.  I have chosen to put my time into other things but am hoping to put some (5-10 min a week) into this. 

The yard may look different from the pics a year, and that is because we finally have our own house.  We move back in November, and have greatly enjoyed getting settled in, meeting new neighbors, and doing projects around the house.  Jack and Cole have taken to baseball!  Its pretty much all they ask to do when daddy gets home at night.  We have some baseball fields at the end of our street, so when Jack is persuasive enough, they get to head down there.  Otherwise its fielding balls in backyard.  A fenced in backyard mind you!  :)  Jack has inprovd greatly with probably play on our neighbors instructional team next spring.  Cole is all boy and will hit whatever with the bat.  But is pretty good himself hitting the ball with daddy pitches.  We have a tee, but it doesn't get used much.  Jack thinks that is for little kids, and Cole would rather use as...a bat, microphone, or anything else that is not a tee. 

Pool Days

Finally finally finally some warm weather. HOT to be exact. So hot that unless we are in the pool it's been a little too stifling to be outside. Jack is a fish! Always has been. LOVES the water. Cole on the other hand....not so much. Doesn't really like baths, and doesn't like to get splashed AT ALL! Well, I have been praying about this, as we are going to Disney in a couple of days and have a really nice pool at the hotel that we are going to want to swim in, and yesterday Cole actually sat in the pool. Granted it was just our blow up pool on the deck, but it was progress. Lets hope he remembers how fun that was in a couple of days when its scorching out and we want to swim down there. Here are a couple of snap shots of the boys enjoying the water.

Colesters

Pretty sure these pictures just express who Cole is. No other words are needed! :)

Our Boy on 2 Wheels

Jack, you did it!! You have learned a skill that you will take with you the rest of your life. You learned to ride your bike WITHOUT training wheels. At just under 4 1/2 years old might I add! :) Our neighbor told us to take off your training wheels and your pedals, so you could practice coasting and getting your balance. What a great idea! You did this for about 2 weeks, then you started to coasting down the front yard. That next day I told your dad to put your pedals on, and lets give this a try. After about 2 attempts down the front yard, you were pushing yourself off, and pedaling!!!!! After a few more tries we had you pedal to the street, and then daddy took you up to the high school parking lot where it was flat for your practice. You did it! By that afternoon you were riding in the street. The next morning you got right up and wanted to ride your bike some more. And a week later, you are a pro. You can get yourself started, stop, turn circles, and you have even tried to stand up while you ride. We are so proud of you and your new love of bike riding.

Here you are on your little red rocket bike! Cruisin' down the yard!

And now we are on to BIGGER and BETTER things! Trying out the bike grandpa found at church!

Not too shabby. Side note>>>>> later that evening Jack tore off down the street pedaling as fast as could on the bigger bike, not realizing that with bigger wheels, you go faster without having to pedal as hard. Getting a bit out of control, he took to the grass on the other side of the road and the police man was turning the corner, I am running like a crazy lady trying to catch him before he has an accident, but the fence caught him first. Thanks officer Dave for being so kind to Jack and giving him the sticker! It helped take his mind off losing it on his bike! Let's just say, big yellow is put away until Jack grows another inch or two! ;)