Evergreen State Fair 2011

We had a great day at the fair today. The boys did awesome. We even stayed a lot longer than I'd planned! Grandma and Grandpa met us there and hung out with us for awhile.

Luke still wasn't quite tall enough to ride some of the rides by himself, so once again, Mom had to get a wristband and tag along.

Nate liked the carousel at first but then started whining at the end. Luke just watched himself pop up in the mirror the whole time!

I figured since I paid the big bucks for a wristband I'd better get a thrill myself. Chance took a video of me riding this one, but I'll save you watching it and summarize it. It dropped really fast and I screamed.

We went through the new animal building, which was AWESOME by the way! Nate LOVED seeing the animals. He kept pointing to the animals and telling me what he saw. Here he is looking at the bunnies.

Luke didn't like the rooster's crowing.

Doggy!

Pig races!

We decided to let Luke try out this jumping thing. He had to go get strapped in without us and I was really proud of him. He was so brave!

Ready to go home!

I wasn't kidding

Sometimes, when I'm busy, I just have to look away and pretend he's not doing this...

SLEEP!

This video seems fitting for our family at the moment. Luke has decided to come sleep in our bed at all hours of the night and Nate has been waking up several times a night, not to mention he's up about 6:30am every morning. I had a request for this and decided to post it on my PRIVATE blog, so please no reposting - Chance would kill me, and he may be sleep deprived enough to actually do it! We made this back when Luke was "little, baby Luke!"

The Wedding

My sister got MARRIED! This summer was filled with lots of wedding stuff so I'll give a very brief summary. I (with the help of Heather) threw Trisha a bridal shower. I realized I had never thrown anyone a shower before, so I did my best. I think it went well. I was so busy I didn't get any pictures but it was really funny getting to see Trisha's family and friends!

Then it was bachelorette party time! Okay, so it was one of the tamer ones I'm sure, but I wanted to make it just how Trisha wanted. It took lots of begging from Heather and I just to get her to wear her "Bachelorette" sash for some of the night!

The party started with dinner at Olive Garden. Yummy!

Then we headed to the casino. We helped "sponsor" some roulette spins for Trisha, but luck was not on her side that night. However Dani (our cousin) had some luck showing us how to play craps. I still don't get it though!

We planned to get our dance on at a club at the casino, but the turnout and band was not what we were hoping for.

So we drove to a few places till we found some Karaoke! Everyone was a good sport and did their best to entertain. I'll spare you the videos, as there was more than enough embarrassment that night, we don't need it to go viral! I'll give you a taste... Jeri... Me... Salt n' Peppa's "Shoop".

I hope it was a memorable night for Twish!

Then it was time for the big day! The wedding was awesome, Trisha and Lane did a great job planning it. Again, I was so busy running around helping Trish and tending to the boys, that I didn't get any pictures. Here are a few from Trisha's wedding photographer.

Cute little ring bearers!

They walked SOOO slow down the aisle. It was hilarious! They were really milking their moment!

Our family of four

My parents and siblings

The beautiful bride with her nephews

Congrats Mr. and Mrs. Barnhill!

Yes, Grandpa Dance again

I'm sure I've posted videos of Luke doing the "Grandpa Dance", but I just had to add this one, now that Nate is joining in.

No 7 year itching here!

Chance and I celebrated our 7 year Wedding Anniversary on Sunday. It's amazing to see all that's happened in our life as a married couple. Do you think these two kids thought two red-headed boys were in their future?? LOL

Happy Anniversary Chance! I love you like crazy.

Happy 32nd Birthday Chance!

It's Chance's 32nd Birthday today. My parents watched the kids so we could go to dinner and a movie! We love getting to spend time with just the two of us every once in awhile. When we came back to pick them up, we found them on a walk! Cute! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Still in shock

I don't even know where to begin with how this project came about. Chance's parents really wanted to get us a playset - but our backyard was too small, and too dangerous (in my opinion) with the brick retaining wall. Well Chance concocted this crazy idea, to have a slide coming off the retaining wall. Well that turned into the most awesome playset or should I say play-deck any kid (or parent) could ask for! Of course there was no way we could even attempt this without the amazing mind and skill of my Dad. He wasted no time and got to work and spent a little over a week working almost every day on this. Chance and I are so incredibly grateful for the vacation time he sacrificed to build this for us! Here is a look at the yard before:

The boys spent lots of time watching my Dad and Chance working. Luke can name all three of Grandpa Jim's saws!

Luke was sensitive to all the sawing and drilling - so I decided to help him out a bit! He was very pleased with this idea.

We've had lots of friends over to play already. Luke and his cousin Asher got to try out the swings for the first time.

Then that night, some other kids decided to try out the swings.

Take a look at this!

35' x 8' deck! Luke even rides his bike up here!

The ladder and slide entrance...

The boys love having lunch on the deck!

The boys playing with some neighborhood kids.

My kids can play in the backyard!!!! Thanks to Chance's parents and my parents! We would not have been able to do this without their help!

Nater Canieval

Nate has always tried to do the things that Luke does, but he's taking it to the next level now. No room is safe. He finds a way to make the most basic things dangerous. He's constantly climbing and jumping feet OR HEAD first off of anything and everything. It's like his goal is to injure himself. Let the gray hairs begin. Here are just some of his antics caught on video...

Now imagine the above tricks off of the couch, the toy slide, and Luke's bed. He's done them all.

Funny Boys

Got to love our relaxing dinners.

I just love listening to Luke's conversations with Nate through the monitor. He is being Grandpa Jim in this one. Translation below...

"No Nate. You'll get a bad bonk. And i'll... If you cry when you get a bad bonk. I'm going to have to pick you up. (laughing) Do you think that word is funny? So, I got to go back home. No, no no. Do you need me to work on the deck so it looks good. Is it a nice deck Nate? Oh, good. So I'm going to go find my saw."

Luke's new trick...