Jimmy John's

We spent a day in May putting in docks, mowing and raking at the lake.  The boys found a garter snake and kept busy climbing on the rocks and helping with the yard work.  By the time we left, they were hungry!  So hungry, in fact, that both Henry and Walter ate their own Jimmy John's subs.

Puppy Love

Oh, these two love their puppy...except when he nips at them or tries to steal their toys.

We're pretty sure Otto has seen more than his fair share of loving squeezes, kisses, fingers poking his mouth, ears, and paws...and lots of fights over who gets to carry/hold Otto next!

As of today (July 24), Otto fills this entire chair - no room to share it with the kiddos.

Last Day of School

It was hard to say goodbye to the (wonderful) teacher Henry's had for the last two years.  Thankfully, we won't have to miss her too long, because Walter will have her starting in September.  

Introducing Otto

The boys have been begging us for a "hunting dog that we can train" for a long time.  We weren't sure that we were ready for a dog yet.  Actually, I thought we were going to get a couple of pet rats...turns out we took the plunge and added a puppy to family.  It's been two months since he joined us and we're having fun (and taking too many pictures).  Here's Otto...

 

Henry and Walter were over the moon and couldn't wait to play with Otto each morning.  We've been impressed with how well they've handled all the puppy stuff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gus and Otto taking a rest

 

Otto claimed the boys' favorite soft chair as his own.  He sleeps with his head hanging over the edge of the chair and then falls off.

 

 

 Another comfy spot

 

Another Birthday Party

We found a weekend to celebrate Walter's birthday with the Mimis and "Grandma and Grandpa Far."  There was a thunder storm and we lost power for a little while on Saturday morning.  The boys thought it was great to have a reason to get out the flashlights!  Henry's main concern was if the McDonald's in Young America had to close due to the power outage.

 

Friday Night: 

They love Star Wars shirts!

 

Opening a joint birthday gift - Jabba the Hut's Palace.  They have been talking about getting Jabba's Palace for months and then I heard it had been discontinued.  A few weeks before Walter's birthday, after filling up on Sebastian Joe's ice cream with Mimi Erin. we set out trying to locate a store still selling the Jabba Set.  We'd start out for one store while Mimi Erin called to see if they had it.  With each "No, we're out," Henry would say, "No more happy Henry."  Eventually both boys fell asleep and we found one at a Target and got the clearance price.  So you can see the excitement on their faces when they opened this gift from the Mimis and Gramps and Grandma.

Then it was time for a little sewing with the Mimis.

 

Henry and Mom working on Jabba's Palace.  He was not happy when we told him he had to go to bed and finish putting it together in the morning (by flashlight).  Sometimes we have to include not-so-good pictures of ourselves to prove we were there.

 

Cake time!  Grandma made an R2-D2 cake.

Lounging with Mimi Megan, Gus and Kenda

Showing the finished product to Grandma.

Funny Henry

Another self-portrait

BSF 2013

This year at Bible Study Fellowship we studied the book of Genesis.  It was another great year of study.  I cannot say enough wonderful things about the 5 teachers who taught Henry and Walter this year.  They volunteered a ton of time, loved my kids and shared the joy of knowing Jesus with them.  It was also a challenging year for me - making the drive each way, packing and unpacking each week, and a few other things, but it was always worth it when we got there.  I helped in Walter's class a lot, but the last day of class we were all (Walter, Grandma and myself) able to spend time in Henry's class and it was fun! 

 

With their teachers:

Walter and Miss Donna (Miss Sarah was gone) 

Miss Donna was one of Henry's teachers his first year at  BSF

 



 Henry and Miss Wanda

She did a lot of character dress-ups as she taught the lessons.  The most memorable for me was Hagar.

 

 With Miss Jill

(we were in a discussion group my first year at this class)

 

With Miss Cindy

(He had Miss Cindy last year, along with Miss Lexi who he was excited to see next door each week this year)