Trip to Nebraska

This past weekend, Ronnie joined our friends Taylor, Dave, and Martine and flew to Nebraska to visit with our friends Jon and Alicia.  They work for Back to the Bible, and Ronnie was able to do some radio work there.  They also took a day to do some shooting.  Here are some pictures from his trip... looks like a great time!  

Future Cubs Fan

Well, now that the Cubs are in the playoffs, it's the perfect time to post these pictures.  Ronnie took these of Landon just a couple days ago.  I'm actually surprised he was able to capture these-- Landon usually doesn't keep hats on for very long!  Too cute!

New Van

So, we finally did it.  We broke down and bought a minivan.  Since this new baby will be here in less than three months (I can't believe it!), Ronnie's been doing a lot of research to find us a new vehicle that will be in our family for awhile.   We eventually bought this Honda Odyssey minivan.  Neither of us were too thrilled with the idea of driving a minivan around, but I have to admit, I love it!!!  Yes, I've been called 'soccer mom' several times in the last couple weeks, but it's the nicest car we've ever owned!  

The best perk: the DVD player inside.  Honestly, I used to think (prior to having children) that moms who put DVDs on for their kids in the car were lazy.  Yikes!  I couldn't be more wrong!  It's a lifesaver for those long car rides when the poor boys are strapped in their seats and can't move at all.  The only movies Landon will watch are Baby Einstein, so I've been listening to a lot of classical music lately!   Here are some pictures of the new car... and no, I don't think we'll ever put a 'soccer mom' bumper sticker on the back!   

Last Day at the Pool

Just as I was blogging about how the weather has been 70 degrees and raining, God gave us some BEAUTIFUL days to enjoy!  It's been gorgeous outside, and we've been soaking up every minute before the winter comes.  

On Saturday, we made one last visit to my parent's house to swim in their pool.  The boys love to play there, and just about the whole family showed up to enjoy a late summer day.  

Window Watching

Landon is absolutely fascinated with anything that makes a lot of noise.  One of his favorite things to do is to climb up and look out the window.  He rushes to the nearest open window whenever he hears a plane, a motorcycle, a truck, a lawn mower, a weed wacker, a bus, a garbage truck, etc.  You name it: if it's loud or makes noise, Landon will be at the window in a heartbeat.  

The other day Ronnie was outside washing the car, and I came upstairs to find Landon staring out at him.  He stayed there for about 20 minutes (which, if you know Landon, is a record amount of time to be sitting in one place) just watching Ronnie work.  I just had to capture the moment.

Trip to the Zoo

Playing 'vet' with a sick animal. 

Fun with costumes!

Catching glimpses of the dolphins.  

I painted Brayden's face.  He wanted to be a tiger.  

My best attempt at getting them to take a picture together.  As you can see, Landon is climbing out of the picture, and Brayden is about to jump on top of Landon!!  I'll have to keep trying...

A couple weeks ago, we joined my sister Kellie for a day at the zoo.  Kellie and her husband Nate have season passes, so we were able to enjoy some of the special events for free, like the dolphin show and kid's play area.  Both boys loved the kid's play area, which is set up sort of like a children's museum.  They probably could have played there all day.   Brayden really enjoyed the dolphin show, especially when the dolphins would get up on their tails and "surf".  I actually had more fun watching him than watching the dolphin show!  (Side note: When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up and become a dolphin trainer...)

We also ran into our friends Dave and Martine with their daughter Samantha at the zoo!  It was a great day, and I hope to go back again soon.

Cubs Game

A few weeks ago, we joined our good friends, Kerry and Ryan Cox for a Cubs game.  It was Ronnie's first time at Wrigley Field!!!  We had a great time, and of course, the Cubs won!  I love some of these pictures of Ronnie and Ryan singing the "Go, Cubs, Go" song and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". 

After the game, we walked down to the field to take some pictures.  It's amazing what a different perspective it is from down there.  We were way up in the nosebleed section, but hey, the tickets were free!  Someday Ronnie will have to take the boys to a Cubs game.  Thanks Kerry and Ryan for the tickets!

Dolphin Cove

Just 3 weeks ago, I took the boys to Dolphin Cove with my dad, my brother Corey, and my sister Kaylie.  (Some of these pictures were taken by Corey) Dolphin Cove is this little water park for kids in East Dundee.  Who would have thought it would be one of the last hot days of the summer?  Usually we get these really hot Septembers that sometimes even stay warm until October, but it's been pretty rainy and consistently in the 70s.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the fall... I just would love for summer to last a little bit longer.  

Anyway, the boys had a great time playing in the water and the sand.  As always, their opposite personalities were quite clear when we were there.  Landon is absolutely fearless, and so he will go down any slide, splash in any fountain, and basically walk/crawl into the water until it is right over his head.  He does all this with a huge smile on his face and absolutely no fear at all of drowning.  Brayden, on the other hand, is my cautious one.  He refused to go down any of the water slides, and carefully took his time to get acclimated to the water.  Once he felt comfortable, he was right at home in the water.  Maybe next year we'll get him to go down the slide!