School

So I was able to log into my classes on Friday and since I don't have to "go" to class in the traditional sense I have already read over 120 pages! Not to mention all the information for my classes which has taken close to an hour! It is hard to juggle things, like my neighbor coming over yesterday for an hour with her son who is about 6 months older than Topher, to play. That was the time that Topher normally watches Sesame Street and time I was counting on to read and maybe get ahead a little bit so that I could relax slightly... oh well it was nice that the boys could play together and I could get to know my neighbor a little better! Luckily I have the best husband ever who got up early to work out this morning and also managed to clean up the very messy playroom! I love random acts of kindness! It put a smile on my face and helped me to be in a good mood all day... even though Topher wouldn't take a nap! Well there is always tomorrow! Hopefully playgroup will wear him out! Hooray for hope!

Heritage Days, Chillicothe,Il 8/15/09

Digging for potatoes, Topher got a prize for the smallest potato found. It was about the size of my pinkie figernail.

The petting zoo was appreciated by all three boys, with goats, ducks, pig, sheep, rabbits, llama, chickens (with feathered feet),

and Mike's favorite a red breasted pheasant!

There was a tractor parade, which the boys loved! There were over 75 tractors in the parade but this was the most unique, it was a 1924 steam powered one. It had a whistle that was really loud. Topher kept calling it a train and saying 'All aboard'. They also had a money in the haystack game and Topher found a block of wood hidden in the haystack and got a gold dollar! We also watch a man do some blacksmithing, and they had old fashioned corn meal grinders and so much more! The boys had way more fun than I thought they would, but I came well prepared with a picnic lunch and water, but it was soooo hot that we still had to buy some. What a day!

Water Babies!

Matthew loves to splash:)

Since they put the pools on clearance and it is finally consistently warm we put a pool in the backyard and let the boys have at it!

Fondulac Farm Park 8-11-09

Sheep!

Rabbits...

goats, and they let one out so of course Topher had to pet it...

and Matthew didn't want to be left out either! It was so much fun for the boys, but Topher kept wandering off with people we didn't know. There were tons of people there because their website said that the entrance fee was 25 cents, but it was a typo so they still made you pay almost full price! But they did have cake and ice cream which the boys enjoyed, especially since it was hot. Topher also got to see an old tractor and there was a slide in the barn that he went down. There were also cows and chickens and ducks. Matthew was super excited about the ducks for some reason...probably because of the pond. But the boys had a lot of fun and took a really long nap that afternoon. :)

Blueberry Pancakes

I decided that since we had gotten blueberries on sale that I should make some yummy pancakes with them.

As you can see for a ten month old they can be messy!

But he enjoyed them! I couldn't resist snapping a picture of that purple face.

My 25th B-day! :)

Mike got all fancy with the candles! ;)

Topher sang 'Happy Birthday' to me! It was so precious! I love two years old...well sometimes!:)

So this was actually the 8th but Topher just couldn't wait a whole day for the chocolate cake with Coconut icing! It was so yummy!

Corn!

August 8, 2009 Mattoon, Il
Since it had been a while since we went to visit Grandma and Grandpa and it was Mom's birthday this weekend we went to Charleston and our friend Sally had gotten a bunch of corn. We went and helped shuck (sp?) and cut the corn off the cob so they could freeze it. To keep Mattie busy one of the others there gave him a cob of corn. As you can see he thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that he ended up eating three in all!

Playgroup August 5, 2009

Topher was the wettest kid there! He was running and then jumping into the pool. He was so wet and cold he was shivering!

Matthew and my friend Lindsey's baby Collin in the little kiddie pool. Matthew was trying to show him how splash.

Topher, right before we left. As you can see he is super excited! :)

FHE July 27

My primary class had to do sharing time and the next day we did that for Family Home Evening. The boys loved it!

July 26&27

Matthew's first time wearing shoes! (Well for more than 2 minutes anyway)

Matthew and Topher licking the spoon after Mom made some no bake cookies! What cute little messes!

Pioneer Day S'mores!

As you can see they like s'mores! ;)

July 24th Pioneer Day!

So our ward didn't do anything for pioneer day so we set up the kids tent and made s'mores on the BBQ. It was fun and I think we should do it every year for pioneer day! :)