What a week!!

Ben is on "Block Leave" for two weeks and we are soaking up the time as best we can.  It's been a very busy week so the time has gone so fast.  Here's hoping that this next week slows down a bit!!

I decided to purchase a pool from a friend who's 2 boys have outgrown it's use.  It's harder to store than an inflatable but it's SO much tougher and seems to be a lot of fun for the boys.  I love that it came with a slide and is easy to drain, no lifting it full of water!  The boys squealed with delight when Ben unloaded it from the truck and washed it up. Lea, the neighbor girl, came over to see what the excitement was all about. They had asked to swim in it every day last week.

It seemed we had a lot of doctors appointments for every one last week that took up a lot of precious time but Ben and I were able to fit in a Tuesday night date where we enjoyed a nice dinner without the boys and a trip to Home Depot.  Ben spent Wednesday building us a small deck off the back of the house (I am sure it's against the "rules" but oh well, we love it!).  I'll post pictures next time I post.

After all that, we met some friends near Helen, GA for a weekend of camping in the Georgia Mountains.

We went tubing down the Chattahoochee River on Saturday.  It was a little longer than a 2 hour trip and we all had a great time.  Brent especially enjoyed the little bit of rapids we encountered.

Ben picked out a great campground where we spent a lot of time at the playground and even got in 9 holes of minigolf.  Ben was the coolest dad at the campground when he pushed the Merry Go Round faster than any big kid there.  All the kids kept asking him to PLEASE do it again.  Brent loved it.  Brody tolerated it.

Sunday we spent some time in Helen.  Helen is an old town that was recreated in the 60's to resemble an Alpine Village with many German influences.  We spent some time at a Model Railroad shop where the boys were so happy.  They talked about it all afternoon and begged to go back.

Per the recommendation of the Model Train owner, we ate lunch at Hofer's German Bakery & Cafe.  Ben & Mike took part in a German beer before we headed out on the town for the afternoon.

It was nearly 100 degrees this afternoon so when the rain began to fall, the boys were ecstatic to get wet.  They had so much fun that they slept nearly the entire ride home!

We enjoyed our weekend so much that we are already planning our camping escape for next weekend!





Two!!

Today Brody turned 2.  When he woke up this morning, he came into our room and we said "Happy Birthday Brody!!"  He said "it not my birthday."  When I said yes it was, his reply was "at the party my birthday."  Guess it's not official until the party.

We had a really nice get together at the Bunn's, a neighbor of the Walker's.  They were kind enough to let us host a pool party at their place.  We ate brats & hotdogs and spent a lot of time cooling off in the pool.  It was a great afternoon.  While most recent days Brody insisted on a Spiderman or Tinkerbell party, we settled on Cars instead.



Brody was wiped out by the end of the afternoon and was asleep within minutes of getting into the car.  Must have been a good time :o)

20 Down, 19 to Go!

I had my 20 week ultrasound yesterday.  Ben is out of town so I had my Aunt Carol and Chelsea join me.  It's nice to have someone share the experience.  Baby looks good but was extremely uncooperative.  The technician said every time she went to take a picture, a leg, hand or foot would end up in front.  While everything looked as it should, I have to go back in a month for another look and was told to "bring a cooperative baby next time." 

I've never had a 3D Ultrasound before so I was excited when there were a few minutes of this.  From what I could see, the baby's face looks like Brody so far.  Chelsea swears it's a girl but that may be just wishful thinking on her part :o)  I didn't see anything that would tell us one way or the other but the technician said that she knew.  It's so fun walking away guessing.

While these aren't the best pictures, I thought I would share them anyhow.

Time in Wisconsin

Father's Day 2011

Ben went fishing for the morning of Father's Day.  It was a much deserved break away from work and family duties for a few hours.  Once he got home, the boys were so excited to give him their cards that they opened them before he could even get through the door.

The morning after Father's Day, the boys and I headed to Wisconsin for a couple of weeks because Ben was due to be putting in a lot of hours at work until the 4th of July weekend.  It was so nice to spend some time with the cousins and the rest of the family... in cooler weather I must add!!

The boys loved going out on "Grandpa's Boat" and frequently ask to go back for more.

We were able to join the Johnson's at the Antioch Firehouse Pancake Breakfast.  The boys had so much fun climbing on all the trucks.

After going to see Cars 2 with Grandpa & GrandpaGrandpa, the Jones' boys were finally able to try out Grandpa's sandbox for themselves.

With all the Cars 2 excitement, Brent was thrilled to see "Doc" at Gurnee Mills.

More time with the cousins at Aunt Irm's and GrandpaGrandpa's house.

Ben was able to join us for the 4th of July weekend where we were able to get in a full day of boating with the Strub's, Johnson's and Grandma & Grandpa.

It was a nice visit and we look forward to getting back in time for the Kenosha County Fair for some more Cousin Time.

Where does the time go?

I've been slacking on this blog and thought I'd catch up on what we've been doing the past couple of months.

 April brought summer in full force to Georgia.  The boys played outside every chance they got and many playgrounds were visited. 

 April is considered the month of the "Military Child."  So Brent needed to decorate a tshirt for preschool where he marched in a parade and came home with goodie bag full of patriotic items.

 We made a very quick trip "home" to Wisconsin to celebrate Easter with family.  Even though it felt warm to those who live there, it was very chilly to us!

 The boys got to try out their cousin Logan's birthday present with the other cousins.

May brought a long weekend of camping for Mother's Day.  The boys got to do some fishing with Ben and it was nice to just relax away from housework.  We brought along the boys tractor and they loved having so much room to ride around.

 New 'Summer Pajamas' were brought out.

 We had the chance to visit some cousins in Atlanta.  It was so nice to see them play with each other.

 It was a warm day in the city so we took part in playing in the fountains.

 PaJ & MaJ came in for a visit.  We made a trip to Florida and walked the piers and played at the beach on a brief trip to Clearwater.  The boys loved the beach and made it clear they did not want to leave.

 The "Walker Wedding" was held Memorial Day Weekend.  Congratulations Chucky & Jessica!

June has brought even hotter weather.  We've been outside as much as possible but it seems like it usually ends up we do something involving water.  Brent has started to ride his bike like a pro.

 We borrowed Chucky's Jon Boat and took a ride on Lake Harding.  We all had such a great time.

 In honor of Father's Day, Ben was allowed to bring Brent to work one morning for "PT" (Physical Training.)  I didn't think it was going to happen because Ben leaves by 5:15 in the morning.  However, it just happened that Brent fell asleep the night before around 6pm and slept for the night.  He woke up at 5am saying "Mom, I can't sleep anymore."  PERFECT...off to work he went.   They did exercises and then got to eat together at the "chow hall."  They both had a nice time together.  Brent just happened to even have the right outfit.

 It was time for the boys to get haircuts.  Brody was in need of one badly and Brent's haircut was disaster haircut given by me.  They've got to feel so much better!