Almost There...

Inside Looking out
Tim did an amazing job perfectly aligning the lattice. Of course the whole deck is amazing if you ask me!

All the handrails, lattice and deck are done. All that is left is the Pergola top and we are also going to add a bench off the front...that way there is a place to sit for roasting marshmellows in the fire pit...I guess the fire pit will come after the deck is done. The Halloween party this year will be held outside on the deck...rain shine or snow. :) Prepare your costumes accordingly!

The Fix it Shop

Lucas working dilligently taking apart the engine to his car.
There are some moments of cooperative play at our house. Thought I would share one of them. Lilly kept honking her horn for her repairman to work faster but Lucas thought it was pretty fun that Lilly was driving while he was re-building the engine. Thanks for the great toy Nana and Papaw!

Take me out to the ball game...

Tim's parents were in town this weekend. They watched the kids for us while we went on a much needed "child free" rendezevous. Thanks guys! Then Sunday afternoon we took Lilly, Gram and Gramps to their first Indianapolis Indians Game.

We forgot the blanket for the lawn seats...but still had a good time.
This was Lucas' second Indians game, but first this year. Unfortunately the season ends next weekend but better late than never right?

Lucas' favorite part wasn't the baseball players, watching the game, or the ballpark food...but it as running down the hill to tackle dad and then running back up to do it all over again.

Good times had by all. Thanks for coming down to see us Gram and Grandpa!

Cookie Monster

So I had given Lucas a little bag of Mini Fudge Stripe cookies, there were only three in there and I know he ate at least one but then a few minutes later he comes over to me and says "Mommy Lilly ate my cookies"...I didn't belive him at first until I walked around the corner...

And there she was covered in chocolate holding the crinkly bag- Caught! Not to mention that there was chocolate all over her dress and the carpet. (We had a similar episode of a stolen banana a few weeks ago). Lucas didn't get as upset about that one though.
Wrigley tried to help me clean up the mess. Lucas cried for more cookies...of course that was the last bag. And Lilly just looked so innocently at me playing her new crinkly bag toy. I think she is going to be a chocoholic like her mommy. Sooo...I guess this means no more snacks out by tv unless supervised or that George the Monkey is not on to distract Lucas from his precious cookies.

All grown up...

Here is Lucas with his Superman Backpack that is as big as him!

Today was Lucas' first day of school. Well...it was really it was his first day of daycare, but he likes to call it school. It is a "Parents Day Out" program at a church here in town that he will start going to two 1/2 days a week. A little way for mommy to get some work done (hopefully)and Lucas to have some social interaction with kids his age. He threw a fit b/c he wanted to stay and play when I picked him up this afternoon so I guess that means he likes it!

So big already...

Miss Lilly turned 9 months old last Saturday. We headed up to my sisters house this week and took some pictures- she is a natural.

Pretty little princess (notice the new clapping she has discovered!) Standing tall with mommy.
Ready for the beach! We could really use a vacation!
G-L-A-M-O-R-O-U-S

(sing the song with it!)

She is really such a little doll! Looking so old already. Don't have her 9 month stats yet since we postponed our doctor appt due to ear infection check-up, but I do know that she is ranked 100% adorable! ;)

Our Son the Monkey

When you think you are "childproofing" you house...think again. Or maybe it is our fault that there are "no touch" airplanes (Tim's) on the top shelf of the bookcase. I don't know, all I know is how are you suppose to keep anything out of their reach if they climb up to it or push a stool over to climb in order to get to it. Our son is a monkey...and I am guessing his sister will only follow in his footsteps.

Congratulations to the Clarks!

Samantha Jean Clark, August 7th @5:00, 6lbs. 14oz.

(pretty small for a Clark baby!) We finally got to meet her last night and she is beautiful just like her mommy.
Well, if you think all my friends do it spit out babies...you are pretty much right. This is the latest and greatest! Congrats to Mom, Dad and Neil the big brother! Neil- Lucas can't wait to tell you all about having a little sister...mostly good stuff.

Opening of the State Fair

The Indiana State Fair has begun! It officially kicked off yesterday at dawn with a Hot Air Balloon race. This is something we are going to try and make a family tradition every year to attend. We went last year, but it was rained out and we only saw a few balloons even still inflated. This year was a totally different story... Lucas thought all the balloons were amazing.

It was a toss up for his favorite...the football or the Pepsi Can.

Can you see the first one that took off way in the distance?

This was all of them...the last to take off is at the top and if you look way at the bottom middle of the pic and you can see the first three really really tiny.

Here is the family after they were all off the ground. It is an AMAZING event to watch and would highly suggest it to anyone. You do have to rise early though...by the time the sun was up over 1/2 of them were off the ground! Good thing (at least for yesterday) I got two early risers.

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Lucas' cousin Hannah turned 3 today! We celebrated with her last weekend when they were here at good old Chuckee Cheese. I actually think that is the first time I had ever been there. The kids had a great time and I even got to play some skiball...I mean Lilly played skiball!

The Birthday Girl.
Hannah and Lucas driving the Safari Jeep.Lucas showing Papaw how to hit those moles!

Even Lilly got to check out some rides/games at "the Chuck".

Lucas back away from the cake! It was a weekend of cake...first at Chuckee Cheese then back at my parents, then my parents party was the next day. Lucas survived the sugar comas...and we survived the running and running and running in circles.

Starting to look like a Deck...

Yes folks...there are finally some stairs up to our deck! These have actually been on for a few weeks now and it has been pretty nice to be able to go up and down these vs. jumping off the side. They are like a new toy to Lucas who likes to jump off of them. (It is great how easily a 2-1/2 year old is amazed).

The finishing touches (forgot to take earlier pics).

Tim showing Lucas how to properly build a stair.

(Don't be jealous of my very tan buff husband ladies!)
Nice Stair. (that is suppose to come off like nice shoes...if you know what that means)

Here is the big stuff we got accomplished this weekend- deck hand rail (done) and ballisters (50%). I think the ballisters are my biggest addittion to the deck so far...Tim has pretty much built the rest of the deck by himself. I am so lucky to have such a handsome handy husband.

Here is the latest and greatest pic (taken this morning). The end is actually in sight...we think. And you know what that means...Deck party coming soon!

Traffic Jam in the Living Room?

Lucas lined up all his cars in the living room earlier this week. It was actually kinda funny b/c they were all behind the tractor. Those slow tractors are always backing everything up...(if you live in the country that is).

Lilly the little floor roller thought all the cars were great. I am sure one day she will be lining up all her dolls in a row just like Ashtin and Jenna.

More Party Pics

Two great dads entertaining their kids.
Aunt Jo Jo and Uncle Tony.

Lilly with her great aunts...I think she might look like a Bishop.

Sometimes I see my nanny in Lilly's eyes too.