Crawford County Fair

We took the kids to the fair Tuesday night. We walked around and looked at the animals & the exhibits. Ava is pretty small for the rides & I didn't think she would like them much anyway. Of course we also had to eat some fair food.

Both kids loaded into the stroller

Ava & Daddy looking at the pigs. She was scared to death of all the animals. I don't know what has created this fear. She loves talking about seeing animals but then when they are close she is terrified.

She liked the duck pond better than the actual ducks.

Daddy with his babies

Here's the proof: He's a thumb sucker.

Mommy & Ben's Day

Last night the group of us that stamps together met at my house. Alli & Landon were going home with my mom afterwards because Martha was busy today. Ava thought she should go too. She kept saying "I wanna go bye-bye in grandma's car". Needless to say the 3 "big kids" had a slumber party at Grandma's. I haven't talked to mom yet to see if she got any sleep. Ben & I spent our time at home just hanging out. It sure is quiet here without Ava.

He is still a little short for the Jumperoo but he does like it.

He's wearing his Notre Dame polo. I think he looks like a coach - look out Charlie Weis.

Doing some stretches.

Landscaping

What a wonderful weekend to do landscaping. Who would have thought we could have had such cool weather in July. We spent the entire weekend working on the landscaping and got it all finished. I absolutely love it! After 2 years of wanting to do this project I had it all planned out what I wanted and I think it turned out great. Jeff kept saying that he never even notices landscaping but he has already started noticing other peoples. He even liked a lot of the plants I picked out. He was talking about more we could do. Thanks to everyone who helped - Mom, Martha, Jeff K, AP, & most importantly Jeff for putting in a lot of time into this because he knew how excited I was about it.

Ava tried to help.

Alli looks like quite the supervisor.Tilling away

Most of the plants after we unloaded the trailer.

Front

Looking from the west

East side

West side

New kids pictures

Here are a few pictures I have taken of the kids the past couple days. I took pictures of both kids after church today and some of Ben yesterday. I thought they turned out cute.

Cheer Camp

No pictures to post this time - just thought I would say what we were up to.

This Wednesday through Friday is cheerleading camp. We usually go away for camp but this year decided to stay at home and have someone come to us. Today was the first day and it went really well. Last night we met Marty & Saundra in Effingham and sent the kids home with them so I am sure they are having lots of fun with Nana & Poppy and Mimmie.

We have also been working on landscaping. Jeff got the sidewalks poured and they look really nice. I think this weekend we are going to try to get most of the plants in the ground. I am very excited. I have been anticipating this for 2 years. I will definitely post some pics later on.

The kids are doing great! Ava is working on potty training. If I would be just a little less lazy about it she would have it mastered but we are well on the way. Next HUGE challenge is to get rid of that silly pacifier. Man does she love that thing. Ben was almost 15 pounds at his last doctor appointment. He is a big boy. You would never know he had been sick. Nana called me today and told me he rolled over. He kept getting stuck on his arm at home. Time sure flies. He was 3 months old over the weekend.

July 4th

Even though the weather was not nice we had a good 4th. On Saturday, we headed to Jeff's parents with a van full of kids. Martha & Jeff were going to go to Lake Shelbyville so I volunteered to keep the kids. Because of the bad weather they ended up not going but I was looking forward to having Alli & Landon so they still went along. Having 4 kids under the age of 4 was a piece of cake. It actually was easy but I had lots of help.

Alli & Kirsten watching fireworks at Nana & Poppy's

Blake & Hannah

Ben's 1st July 4th.

On Sunday, Ben said he had had it with all these kids. He was taking a nap with daddy.

Landon was using this decoration as a fancy duck call. His dad would be proud.

All the grandkids - Nana likes to provide matching shirts for all us on the 4th.

Matching mommies & babies. Ben & Gage aren't going to be happy if we continue to dress them alike.

The kids decorated cupcakes at Nana's. It was a mess but they had fun.

Fun with Friends

On Thursday, Martha & her kids and our friend, Kimberly & her 3 kids came over to play. The kids had so much fun. The most shocking part was with 7 kids under the age of 6 the 3 of us moms got to visit - usually the kids prevent us from doing that.

Kaitlin (the oldest of the all 7 kids) & Alli

Grant loves the Gator - he is all boy!

This was so cute. Landon didn't want to participate. To tell the truth this picture was kind of staged. They did it on their own but we didn't have our cameras ready.

Sand & water - so much fun.

Landon still breaks out the cheeser for the camera.

The future Mr. & Mrs. Ben Patchett. Alayna is 4 days younger than Ben.

Here is all 7 of them.