Great Grandma's Birthday

This amazing lady turned 94 on August 27th.  We celebrated with some cake a few days early.  She loves having her great grand babies near.  (Although this is only about half of them now)

Nyle, Claire, Grandma, Nash and Nolan

Backwater Gamblers

Nana and Papa invited the crew out to watch the water ski show.

Nash and Nolan

Claire and me (I think the biggest smile she has given me yet)

Nyle, Papa, Nolan and Nana

First Day of School

Nolan and Nash were both scheduled to start school on Wednesday.  Sunday night we went to Nolan's meet and greet and the preschool.  Monday night, we went to Nash's meet and greet for first grade.

Unable to contain their excitement with the Youngs

Nolan did great when I dropped him off for his second year of pre school on Wednesday morning.  A little apprehensive but no tears, from either of us.  Hooray for us.  

Nash's first day looked like this...

Stomach bug

But he was back in action for day 2!!!

Praying for an awesome year for these guys!

TUG FEST

Fun times at Tug Fest this year.  The boys are all getting old enough to enjoy the rides now so we got wrist bands on Thursday night.  They ran into so many of their friends and had such a great time.  The weather was perfect.

Friday evening was the parade and fireworks.  Nyle and I watched the parade with friends.   Jason, Nash and Nolan were in the parade this year!  We grilled out with friends before taking in the fireworks.  Another great night.

Nyle Steven is TWO!

Goo Goo on his birthday

Birthday dinner selfie

Birthday Face Time with Annika Phi and Grama Jo

My baby is officially 2 years old.  We celebrated a few days later with a "big truck" birthday party with family.  We have construction going on in our neighborhood so all summer we have been watching the dump trucks drive by.  Nyle gets pretty excited when he sees them so we thought a truck party would be perfect.  He loved it.

Lets get this party started!

birthday boy

Nyle and Claire

He is settling into his role of being two quite nicely.  He has a ton of energy and wants to do everything his big brothers do.  This has led to me carrying his 30 pound self kicking and screaming on several occasions and likely a few years off of my life I'm sure.  He has an amazing laugh.  He is a picky eater and will probably turn into a hot dog one of these days.  Or a bowl of mac n cheese.  He loves to ride his tricycle and play with bubbles.  I think he also loves to bounce the basketball into the street and watch me chase after it.  My little sweetheart.  Social.  Fearless.  Fun.  Love him.  One of my favorite things is when he looks up at me with his arms outstretched saying, "Carry you."  I will, as long as you will let me Buddy.  Or until my biceps give out.  You are so loved and such a blessing to this family.

River Rats for the Day

Our new neighbors, the Deines family, invited us out on the river for the day.  The Schlicksups also joined us.  10 kids in these three families so it was sure to be an adventure!

Nyle soaking up the sun

Nolan ready for a sneak attack

Buddies:  Noah, Kaleb and Nash

Mya, Tony and Nyle

Kaleb and Nash

Mia, Nyle and Rose

Jason and Nolan (and the best corn on the cob!)

Such a great time!

Chicagoland Getaway

We took off Saturday morning for Chicagoland to hang out with my college roommate and her family.  Erin and Fred had their second boy a few weeks before we had Nyle and we had not met him yet.  We had so much fun playing outside, grilling out, visiting Legoland, and having scones at the park.  I can't wait until our next adventure.

Nash

Cal and Nolan

Erin and me

Nolan, Nash, Cal, Sam, and Nyle