Happy Birthday, Brian!

Today was Brian's birthday! Poor guy, it was a fairly crazy day devoid of any celebration! We awoke to the remnants of Hurricane Ike. It rained and rained and rained!! The water was flowing over the road between our house and church. In our seven years of living in this house, we have never seen that happen! This picture was taken late in the afternoon after the water started receding!


When we got home, we found our sump pump was not working right. So, Brian and the boys put on their old "yucky" clothes and went down to check it out. It was an easy fix and now it is working better than it ever has!

So, what did the birthday boy do this afternoon? Watched football and napped (still in his "yucky" clothes)! And he was quite happy with doing that! Now he is well rested and ready to cheer on his Steelers tonight! By the way, we are planning a celebration at a later date when we won't have to "float" to town!


Jacob got a tiny baby Moses in a basket today at church. Lizzie quickly claimed it as her own. It is a tiny little thing. This afternoon she went outside and was "baptizing" Moses in the puddles in the driveway! It was pretty cute! Here she is drying him off.


Some of you have asked about our house. It is still on the market. Luckily, the one we want is still on the market too. Brian meets with our realtor tomorrow. We are thinking about pulling it off and calling a contractor about making changes to this house. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Super Hoosier Strikes Again

We sent Zach's, AKA Super Hoosier, picture into the Big Ten Network's website. They posted it at: http://www.bigtennetwork.com/blogs/blogs.asp?topic_id=113

Check him out!

Apple Orchard

Yesterday after church, we went out for some yummy Mexican food and then headed to the local Apple Orchard. It was a fun time. The kids played, picked apples and played some more.

Lizzie thought it was fun to pick apples.


Brian was making fun of me for taking so many pictures so he "spontaneously posed" with a cheesy grin. I threatened to put it on here since he was making fun of me. So, here ya go. . .

You just HAVE to take a picture with the bus!!

And how do we know it was a successful trip? Jacob got filthy!

It really was a fun day. Next up. . . making applesauce!! They all say they can't wait to help. We'll see how they like cranking that food mill after the first batch!!

Super Hoosier

Zach is so excited that we get the Big Ten Network now! Our local cable company finally settled with the network and we will get to see MANY more Hoosier sports! Zach has been pumped up all day to watch IU football this evening. He put on our IU flag with his Indiana football jersey and rode up and down the street today! I told him that doing that in Illinois territory is a good way to get hurt!!

Check him out!

The kids had some friends over to play today. Then, the neighbor boys came over. We had quite the house full. Zach and his friend started a business making and selling bracelets. Here they are showing off the goods.

I am still amazed at how big of a mess three little bodies can make while playing "house!"

Gotta go get ready to watch the football game! GO HOOSIERS!!!!!

Ewww Gross!!

Lately, whenever Brian kisses me in front of the kids, Zach immediately buries his head and says "sick!" This morning, he walked out of the office, shaking his head while saying, "I will never kiss like that in front of my kids!" What a hoot. Then there is Jacob. He yells, "Ewww gross. That is disgusting," while running out of the room. Then Lizzie . . . her new thing of late is to say "You are getting married. You got married there," while pointing to our wedding picture. I think that she thinks that every time we kiss we are getting married. Then, of course, she goes on to tell her daddy that she wants to marry him too!

We certainly get a chuckle out of the kids. It is hard to believe that one of these days, Brian will give me a kiss and there will be silence because they will all be grown and kissing their own spouses! Ahhhhh!!!!! I feel a premature case of empty nest syndrome coming on. But that too shall pass after I eat dinner with these nuts!

Kids. . . drive ya nuts, but can't imagine life without them!

Playing In The Rain

It has been scorching hot this week. Since our schools aren't air conditioned, the boys and I have been coming home hot and exhausted. The pool has helped cool us off a little. Tonight, though, some much needed rain made its way into the area. The kids had a great time playing outside in the rain. They love doing that! I have to admit that the nice cool rain felt pretty good tonight!


Lizzie was frustrated that she couldn't take her shirt off too, but she still enjoyed herself.

Zach loves Legos! When he stops dribbling a ball through the house and it gets eerily quiet, we can usually find him in his room building something. Check out his latest creation . . .

TWO WHEELS!!!

This morning, we woke up to Jacob begging to try to ride without training wheels again. Flashes of yesterday went flying through my mind. Did I really want to try that again? Nope! But, Brian, being the glutton for punishment that he is, took the silly things off again! This time, Jacob just took off!! He is riding without training wheels and the entire neighborhood should know by now thanks to the cheers we all sent up!!

Check him out!

Then came the first "race" between Zach and Jake. Zach gave him a "seven second" lead.

And finally. . .the first braking injury and the first band-aid! There were no tears and begging for the training wheels back though, thank goodness.