Friday....we are so close!

This morning I woke up to the sound of large vehicles....and thought...if they wake up the babies at this hour I will kill them! But, they were quiet and when the boys woke up (on there own) we went out to take a look. Neighbor John was getting new gravel put in. It was great! We had a picnic breakfast and watched the tractor and dump truck. Thanks for the free show!

Three days and counting! (THUR)

Wednesday 4 days left!

Grammy won some more duplo legos on ebay (what a bargain!) They finally arrived today! They were a huge hit with the boys....and Uncle Dave.

Tuesday 5 Days Left!

We went up to visit Aunt Sue and the cousins this morning.

Quint loves it there,

tons of space to run! Hiking in the woods
Aunt Sue showing Quint and Ella the creek

Don't fall in like Mommy did many years ago:)

Aunt Sue doesn't show favorites...She bonds with Russell too.

Monday...less than a week!

Uncle Dave taught Quint how to dip his graham crackers in milk....

Quint thought it applied to Ritz crackers too....

Yumm......

Bathtime in the sink is a big hit. Quint played for over a half an hour!

We played blocks....but I couldn't get him to ham for the camera

In the afternoon we went to TJ Maxx

Grammy bought a present:)

The boys explored the new truck:)

Saturday (8 days to go!)

Quint is becoming quite the swimmer:) Grammy is a swim teacher so we are taking advantage of her skills. Later in the day Quint got a bloody nose. Quint thought it was a good idea to jump off the chair and fell into another chair. Poor thing, but hopefully he learned that chair jumping is a dangerous activity.

Grammy and Quint working on swimming

Momma and Russell join the party

Swim time!

Russell driving his boat, Quint buggy boarding

Can you tell he is a little dramatic?

Still, it is the cutest bloody nose I have ever seen.

Friday

It was interview day for Dave. He looked very spiffy. Hopefully he will be employed soon:) Although, selfishly I hope not before we leave we love having him around!

Finally a hot sunny day! Aunt Doreen came down with Julia, Henry, and her new puppy Isabel. I got the boys in the lake swimming multiple times to cool them down. Quint is getting very bold with his jumping in. I didn't get any pics, but I will soon.

Dave looking spiffy

Russell and Isabel played in the water table

Isabel the puppy

Julia and Henry on the surf board. I got to go out and play with them for a while and it was such fun! It will be fun when the boys are surf board playing age:)

Thursday

Today, Tim came to fix the ceiling. It was awesome, I think I could have paid him babysitting fee too because the boys were so facinated by his job! It occupied most of the morning.

During Russell's nap, Quint and I went and explored the lake it was finally warm enough. He loved it!

Tim fixing the water stained ceiling

Thank you Tim it looks great!

Quint and I walking in the shallow

More lake playing time!

Wednesday

Today was cold and rainy. We decide to head to the mall after nap. We had no goal of actually shopping so it was very successful! We rode the marry-go-round and ate. The boys had a great time. Oh ....and Grammy bought ice cream...Quint was happy.

Military Families

BK sent me this video about military families. It just reminded me that what we are doing is so minor compared to the tremendous sacrifice of military families. I can not imagine the challenges of having a parent/spouse gone for a year or more. I am so thankful for their commitment to our country, and I am in awe of their tenacity and strength. I hope that if BK feels called to serve more, that I will rise to the challenge. For now, I am very grateful that he will be back in two weeks...I am a "hot mess" without him:)
Here is the video if you are interested:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5RIHo5rh3c

You may feel it is propaganda, but in my opinion, they are amazing and their sacrifice for our country is undeniable.

Day 13

Today we felt adventurous and we went on a boat ride with the boys. It was a great sunny day, we stopped to swim, and the boys took a little cat nap. It was very fun!

Swimming in the deep!

Quint took a nap with Grammy

Neighbor John brought over some fresh blackberries. Quint enjoyed them!

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Day 12 (4th of July)

Summer at the lake is busy, but this forth of july may be a record. I think nearly 30 people for fireworks. The weather was not the best, a bit chilly, very windy, but the brave still went in the lake. Just good time of hanging out with friends. Honestly, for me it was a bit stressful, watching the boys with all the activity, but lots of helpers was nice too! We missed BK a bunch! I was especially lonely during fireworks, without my handsome hubby to snuggle up with:( Maybe next year! Julie made her famous flag jello
I did dress the boys in 4th of July gear, but they were not up for a nice group picture...this was the best I could do.

Games in the Garage

Aunt Rebecca and Russell have a special bond...its all about the second child

She assures me they are the best!

Rebecca's friends from Geneseo had a little reunion.

They are sweeties and it was great having them here.

Bec knows how to pick good ones:)