planting time!

During planting season we always try to make it up to Nana and Pa's.  Planting was really early this spring and in fact they are done early! 

I definitely am looking forward to eating sweet corn earlier than usual!!

Dad always shows the boys how far the planter puts the seed in the soil 

ALL FIVE of us sat in that little tractor cab

I have such fond memories of planting and harvesting with my dad and I know my boys do too. It's such a special time...without any distractions.  No tv, or computers....just the hum and movement of the tractor and the smell of dirt...It's such quality time - especially in tight quarters!!

Kade @ 22 months

Oh my dear Kade, you are fast approaching the "terrific twos"...

You are no longer a baby that I can just do whatever I want with.  You have your own personality and aren't afraid to voice it!

This is by far your favorite thing to do...hanging out at the park.  And I do mean hanging.  I think I may even be able to get you to do the monkey bars!  The other two boys were either afraid of them or didn't care about them.  BUT you are a little monkey.

You love to be pushed in the stroller or "stwower" as you call it.  Keagan usually obliges.

You are mister figure-it-out man.  You want to do everything by yourself.....everything.  You are more independent and older than what I want to believe you are.  I just can't believe you are almost two! 

Some precious things about you:

You LOVE to give kisses and you are the best hugger

You love saying good night and good morning to your brothers.  You will run up to them and say hi Keegee or hi kayin (kellen).  You just adore your brothers.

Your cheeks jiggle when you run.

You still sometimes sleep with your rump up in the air.

I love you dear boy...we have an exciting move coming up and many adventures ahead of us.  I know you will roll with it though.

Kellen's first catch

Last year for Kellen's 5th birthday, he received a fishing pole and tackle box.  Up until a couple weekends ago, he had yet to catch a fish.  

We made another trip to Mt. Carmel to work on the house where Daddy, cousin Kobe, and Kellen spent some quality time together fishing.  Kellen's first catch was a catfish.  

He was so excited.  Kobe came running into the house hollering for me to get my camera.  So I came running out of course to get some pictures before the poor catfish died.

Kellen LOVED it.  He wanted to hold it and touch all the parts of it - especially the eyeballs.  He actually touched the eyeballs...

I kept telling Karsten to hurry up and get it back into the water before it died....it did survive quite a traumatic experience....I imagine it would be like us drowning - gulping for air - except the opposite for a fish.  How horrible!!

Anyway, we had another productive weekend there and Kevin helped us get the floors in the kitchen laid.. I also finished painting the kitchen cabinets.  So we are making progress! 

Fugiyama

We took the boys to Fugiyama for the first time for my birthday.  They have never been to a Hibachi grill before so I thought they might really enjoy it.

They were a little unsure when the chef made the huge flame but other than that they were mesmerized.

Kade didn't get much out of it but hey - I didn't have to cook dinner!

Seussical the Musical

Awhile back I took the two big boys to the spring musical at Carterville High School.  It was a story of Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who and the Circus.  

They did great and sat for the entire show.  

Carterville's new auditorium is AMAZING.  It holds over 700 people and it's just so much nicer than any other stage I was ever on in school!

Our neighbor Lauren was in the show and we wanted to go and see her.  After the show, when you can meet the cast, Keagan completely freaked out with all the make-up and costumes.  It's one thing to see them from a distance but close-up is an entirely different story!

Daddy's new sprinkler

At the beginning of last month, when it was SUPER hot, Daddy got an idea for a new sprinkler.

He crafted one out of pvc pipe, duck tape, and a few other items....it was inexpensive and the boys had a lot of fun with it.

They ran through it with all their toys and had a blast with the cold water.  Our neighbors joined in the fun as well.  The water was of course freezing so I did not participate but the boys had a blast.