Fun Summer Days!

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We have spent the last week at home enjoying the beautiful weather and taking in the joy of summer - FREEDOM! We have visited the pool and spent many moments outdoors and playing with Cade's new train. Enjoy a few photos!

My Two Summer Hobbies!

One of my new found hobbies is maintaining my flower garden and landscaping around my house. My parents helped me out a couple of years ago by putting bricks in as an edging to our flowerbeds, and this started my excitement for maintaining our landscaping. Last year, Curtis' mom helped us by splitting some of her flowers and donating them to our flowerbeds. My parents sent a couple of flowers to our home, as well! We also had a few flowers left-over from our move-in, so that helped too! I have added a few here and there (I am primarily a perenial fan!), but when I go to a greenhouse I am still EXTREMELY overwhelmed. I do so much better when someone who knows what they are doing coaches me through raising the flowers she is familiar with! Plus, this is a little hobby that I can maintain because Cade loves being outside!



This spring I redid the edging on the north side of our home to make the flower bed a bit smaller. I then rearranged our hostas (shade lovers) to make them look nice! I also planted a lot of grass on the north side of our home, and it actually came in! So we have grass and not weeds!

So if you have any good gardening tips or thoughts, let me know because I am always up for learning!
















So I am a bargain finder!!! Many of you may not know that I love GARAGE SALES!! While growing up my grandmother would come visit and we would spend many weekends garage saling!! Well, I may have taken a few years off, while in college, but I have picked up the habit again and enjoy sailing again! I have gotten almost ALL of Cade's clothing, shoes, and toys at sales. I have even found clothing for Curtis and myself!

The picture below shows a few of my bargains today. I bought 1 skirt (Limited), 6 shirts (Maurices), 1 pair of Khakis (Maurices) for myself and spent a total of $2!! And for Cade I got 1 pair of Old Navy jeans, 2 pairs of windpants (Nike, Polo), 2 pairs of swimtrunks (Old Navy), and 1 dress shirt (Old Navy) for $4.50! And that was just 2 sales!















So if you would ever like to find a great deal or would enjoy some entertainment come garage sale with me on a Friday morning!

Happy Birthday to Cade!

This has been a wonderful week of celebration for Cade's 2nd birthday!
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We celebrated on Thursday with a full day! Pop and Daddy took Cade fishing in the morning - IN THE BOAT! Cade got his first boat ride and they even caught a FISH! We thought he might last 10 minutes, but he lasted 1 hour and 15 minutes! Daddy and Pop had a GREAT TIME! We don't have pictures because I wanted the boys to be focused on Cade and not the camera (I was a little worried).



For lunch, Mommy brought Hope and Eli over to Grandma Bev's house for spaghetti, cake, and presents! Nana even joined us for a great birthday meal! Cade loved all of his presents. His favorite would have to be his BRIO train set (Mommy found a great deal at a garage sale!!). Thank you to everyone who sent cards and gifts to bless him.





Cade wants to play with his trains all the time! We have never had a toy that has kept his attention like this does!

Mommy made a catepillar cake for Cade!

On Friday, we had a few families over for a little party in the evening. We celebrated with food and fun! Cade had a great time even though he was a bit exhausted from the week's activities.

Date to Wrigley!

Curtis and I got the opportunity to go to Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play this last week. I earned a $250 gift certificate from The Pampered Chef last year with the quantity of my sales, so we decided to spend the money on our trip to Wrigley! Cade stayed with Pop and Grandma Bev, and Mommy and Daddy headed to Chicago.

It was soooooo hot, but soooooooo much fun! We had seats in the bleachers with the sun shining down on us, but a great view of the field. It was the first throw-back game at Wrigley. So the players were wearing uniforms from 1948. And the best part for us was that the concessions were the price that they were in 1948 for the first hour. So we got Pepsi for $1 and hot dogs for $1 too! We enjoyed Atlanta's batting practice and had many balls flew our way, but none into our hands. We had the chance to see many Cubs come out to right field during warm ups to have batting practice, as well!

Atlanta led most of the gave 2-0, but the Cubs came back and won 3-2 in the 11th inning. In the bottom of the 9th inning, one of the Braves fans behind us said, "It is Jim Edmonds, he can't hit." And crack, the ball went sailing over the outfield fence and the game was tied! The pitched walked in the winning run in the 11th inning. We had a great time, and it was a great way to spend the day together.

And in case any one of you were watching the game on WGN, Curtis was on TV! And he almost caught a ball from Fukudome after warm ups in one inning. A man 2 rows in front of us grabbed it right before it got to Curtis. Curtis says that "they had a moment."

Thanks Pampered Chef for a great treat!

Chiefs Game!

Cade and Mommy hurried home on Sunday morning, so that we could spend the day down in Peoria at a Chiefs game with Pop, Grandma Bev, and the Lambert family! We were only an inning or two late . . . not too bad!

Caleb was the most excited about this event. He has definately followed in his Pop's footsteps (and Uncle Curtis')with his love for the Cubs. He was so excited for this game and loves baseball.

Aunt Kim took all of the kids to play in the playground and inflatable jumper during the game! They all had a blast. Very HOT and very thirsty when they finished!

And the best part of the game was running the bases at the end of the game! Yep . . . Cade did it . . . HOME RUN! I loved the reaction of all of the kids when we got to experience this event.

Caleb . . . "Yes"

Aly . . . "What are bases?"

Jake . . . He watched the groundcrew rake the field. (He loves to do work)

Cade . . . "Yep"

Trip to Iowa

Jessica had a planned trip to Iowa before the Lambert's were to arrive, but because of the funeral our plans did not work out as perfectly as we were hoping they were. So Cade and Mommy headed to Iowa for the weekend to visit Grandpa Bill, Grandma Glenna, Uncle Jeremy's family, and Grandma Bents!














My 94 year old Grandmother was inducted into the Hall of Fame in her little town. During the town festival, she was a part of the parade! My dad, uncle, and aunt went with her in the parade. They drove my uncle's Corvette in the parade! We received A LOT of candy and goodies watching the excitement!














IT WAS VERY HOT and EXTREMELY WINDY! There were tornado warnings out when we left town, and by Sunday my Grandmother was stranded in her town because of all of the flooding around her.

One of the exciting adventures of our trip to my Grandma's was how we got there. We had the lucky privilege to ride in my brother's new (but used) RV. Cade LOVED the "camper." And now EVERY TIME we see an RV or pull behind, we hear "CAMPER."














We even got to hang out with our cousins in Iowa for a few days too! Sage, Brody, and Julia were with us on Friday at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and of course on Saturday for the parade adventure.














Cade's favorite phrase of the weekend was definately, "Grandpa Bill." He could not stop saying my dad's name. We even made a song that we sang on the way to their house and on the way home. He would throw a Grandma Glenna in there every once and awhile! He loves his Grandparents!!

Before we left to head home we had to celebrate Cade's birthday with Grandpa Bill and Grandma Glenna, so we had a birthday breakfast party! I took a cute video of him blowing out the candles on his muffin, but it would not load. Happy 2nd birthday Cade!

Life with the Cousins!

We had a big week with a visit from Curtis' sisters family from Kansas. We had many long days, but great days full of fun and memories. From baseball with Pop to getting fish kisses in the fish tank, Cade loved playing with Caleb, Aly, Jakey, and Anna. He could not stop saying their names all week. And his first words when we have gone to Curtis' parents house this last week has been "Caleb . . . Jakey . . . Aly"

We had a great evening playing at Nana's house. The kids raced around and around Nana's house many times during this evening. Nana slept really well that night - must be the joy of great grandchildren or they just plain wore here out with their energy.

Cade's favorite item to take with him is his baseball glove. You will notice him holding Caleb's glove in the picture above. Once he found Caleb's glove at Pop and Grandma Bev's he would not put it down all week. Thanks for sharing Caleb!





















Jake and Cade are only 8 months apart! They found moments of delight and moments of . . . fighting. (I don't think I am ready for twins). The boys discovered that Grandma's fish, Bubbles, will kiss you when you stick your fingers in his tank. They laughed and laughed!

Hello Grandpa Bill & Grandma Glenna!

Sorry that the movie is sideways . . . I didn't know how to fix that. I haven't put movies on here before because it always takes at least 20 minutes, so hopefully this one will work!

Cade is excited about visiting his Grandpa Bill and Grandma Glenna tomorrow! We have had such a busy week already with the Lambert's in town. Our little trip to Iowa will make the week a crazy one! We are looking forward to it, though.

As we wait for the video to load . . . So on our trip to Michigan and back home I read a book called The Shack. It was a great read. I couldn't put it down for the first 5 chapters, at least. I am not a big reader, but I was really drawn into this book. I won't tell you what happens in the book, but it is basically about a man wrestling with God as to why "bad" things happen. So check out http://www.theshackbook.com/!

Fishing with Pop!

Last Thursday before we left for Michigan Cade, Mommy, and Hope went to see Daddy and Pop down at the Canal. Pop took all of the 8th graders from PCA on a field trip to fish, ride bikes, and explore down by the canal.

The three of us decided to join the action! We enjoyed walking along the banks of the canal. The kids discovered a goose, many bird noises, and a frog croaking. Both, Cade and Hope loved it (and I believe that Pop did too)!

We did not get to see any fish because no one caught anything while we were there. But Cade did try, well at least he enjoyed moving Pop's fishing pole around a lot while it was in the water (a great fishing technique!)

A Weekend Trip!

This last weekend we took a trip to Michigan for Curtis' grandfather's funeral. Grandpa Odell passed away a week and a half ago, but the funeral was not until Friday and also a service this last Saturday. We saw many of Curtis' family members, I think all except two cousins and their spouses. So it was a family reunion of some sorts. I know that it was a very hard weekend for Curtis' dad. He made it through with lots of prayers of comfort; thank you for those who were praying.








Tom and his siblings!





















Curtis and his cousins . . . The Grandchildren!
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Curtis' sister and her family from Kansas joined us for the trip up to MI. We took a little side trip on the way home, stopping by the Warren Dunes in Indiana. The kids jumped right into Lake Michigan, even though it was 2 degrees (very very cold)! Cade was shivering, but did not want to come out. We had a great break from the car. Cade has not stopped talking about the "water." He always says "water, brrrr, cold, FUN." It is such a gift from the Lord to see joy in the lives of your children.

WATER!!


On the beach with Daddy!

Peoria Chiefs Evening Out!

We enjoyed a little family event when we went to watch the Peoria Chiefs play this last week! The Chiefs are a fsingle A farm league team for the Chicago Cubs (our favorite). When did not think that the team was very good this year, but we always enjoy the atmosphere of the ballpark. Ryne Sandberg is the manager of the team, so it was pretty exciting to see a hall of famer!

Cade was not into the game much, but did enjoy the atmosphere, as well!

It was FREE hot dogs and peanuts night. Cade didn't eat the peanuts the traditional way, but enjoyed the shell and all! He wanted a ball very badly towards the 4th inning when we saw an old man handing some out to some children down the row from us, but it was not his lucky night. We didn't get a ball, but we did have fun.