Finally Finished Deck!

We are finished (for now) with our deck!  Jared and I, along with a lot of help worked really hard to get this thing together.  I say 'finished, for now,' because at some point we will probably look at putting up some type of privacy panels along one side.  Since we are on a corner lot, our backyard is our neighbor's side yard our deck now looks right at their driveway.  Anyway, we are enjoying these last few days of nice weather and had our first 'deck party' last night.  But of course, I didn't take any pictures.  I do have some before and after photos though...

Before...old, cracked patio- Not too safe for a toddler learning to walk.  Poor Ethan had several scrapes and scratches from tripping over these cracks.

Another angle

After!  Max seems to be posing.

Planter boxes and benches!  Jared, you're so talented!

The railing Jared designed and built

Sorry if it seems like I'm bragging on my amazing husband...but he did a great job and I'm so thankful for all his hard work.  Not to mention the hard work of Mark, Dustin and Eric.  Thanks guys!

Trick-or-Trunk

Tonight Ethan and I went with Heather and Braden to our local airport for Trick-or-Trunk (I have always heard Trunk-or-Treat, but whatever).  A hotrod club set up their cars and opened up their trunks for the evening and we had a great time.  After we finished at the airport we headed to an assisted living community who had trick-or-treating in their hallways tonight.  This was perfect for the boys since we beat the crowd and they were in a hallway and couldn't get into too much trouble.  They had a great time and I think the residents did too.  More trick-or-treating tomorrow! 

Ethan the Zoo Keeper ready for some candy!

Heather and Braden at Trick or Trunk

This is the best one I could get of them both together (Ethan found a sucker in his bag)

We got to see a plane land while at the airport

Running through the halls at the assisted living community

Again, the best one I could get...

Fall Fun!

We have a lot of trees in our yard (compared to our neighbors and the size of our yard).  A lot of trees means a lot of leaves this time of year.  Jared got the blower out and started blowing the leaves in a pile and Ethan thought this was awesome!  He followed Jared around yelling 'Daddy' and had a wonderful time.  Here are some pictures to prove it...

RUN!!

Found the pile

Daddy and Ethan playing in the leaves...so sweet!

Up to his neck in leaves

Kleenex Man...

I thought Ethan had been a little too quiet for a little too long.  So, I walked back to his room, and this is what I found...

So Proud...He got ALL the tissues out!



Better put them back.

The Great Pumpkin Patch

I'm so glad we found out about this pumpkin patch!  Grandma Karen came up today and we headed over to Arthur to 'The Great Pumpkin Patch.'  I had asked around to find out where the best pumpkin patch is in the area and I was pointed here.  This place was awesome!  There were pumpkin/gourd displays everywhere, lots of mazes to go through (including a 'Mini Maze' for toddlers), food, yummy pumpkin treats and of course a huge pumpkin patch.  We had a great time and Ethan loved running free through the pumpkin patch.

Noah's Ark 2-by-2 Goard display

Ethan with the giant turkey

Loving the hay bale maze

He went through backwards, but he didn't care...And he made it all by himself!

Showing Grandma the Pumpkin

Just over 2 feet tall!

We finally made it to the pumpkin patch...it was a long walk

'I want this one!'

Tower of gourds

Family shot at 'The Great Pumpkin Patch' (not sure what face Ethan is making)

BOO!!

Tonight we went to 'Boo at the Zoo'. Jared's workplace, Tate and Lyle, sponsored tonight's festivities. It was so much fun! I was able to get tickets for Heather and Braden as well. There were 10 trick-or-treat stations throughout the zoo, we rode the train, the carousel and we got Dels popcorn and caramel apples! We got there early enough, while it was still daylight, so we could actually see the animals. Can I say again...it was awesome!

Ethan and I at the 'Pumpkin Patch' (Ethan is a Zoo Keeper)



Heather and Braden...the Pirate

Checking out the Zebra (notice the open candy bag)

We caught up with Jared at his station...the caramel apples!

Riding the carousel...the boys seem to be distracted by something :)

And after we got home, it was bath time.  Ethan loves his bath time.  He doesn't love getting out of the bath.  It is usually a struggle to get him dry and a clean diaper on.  Tonight after the struggle, he enjoyed streaking through the house with his towel on his head.  I had the camera handy and here are a couple of our bath time boy!

Running action shot

Ethan's expression just as Daddy walked in the door



Silly Monday...

We had a great day Monday.  Ethan is so funny right now, and just the littlest things make him laugh and smile.  We are still enjoying the beautiful weather and trying to spend as much time outside as possible.  Here are a few pictures from our day.  Enjoy!



Sliding down backwards...his favorite way.



Saying 'Cheese', while climbing on the ottoman

There's a golf ball in my shirt!!

Weekend Recap!

Friday morning, Ethan and I went to Salem to see my parents and Abby (who was home from college for the weekend).  It was supposed to only be a day trip, but I didn't really feel like driving home so we stayed the night and came home on Saturday.  We had a great visit, but I didn't take very many pictures.  Here are a few that I did take...

Pop encouraging Ethan on the table...

Bath time at Grandma's!

Maybe getting too big for the sink baths?

 After we got home Saturday it was lunch time and then nap time for Ethan.  The only problem was...Ethan had slept most of the way home from Salem.  I wasn't too surprised when he wasn't interested in napping.  I decided to try the rocking/lay down with him method (and it didn't hurt that I really needed a nap too).  He finally fell asleep on my chest and I got some rest too :).  But I was able to wiggle out from under him and this is what I stood up to see.  (I had to get a picture...I couldn't help myself!)

Naptime in the big bed

And the rest of my pictures for the weekend are Ethan just being plain silly! 

Playing in Max's crate with Woody

Trying to crawl under the deck...and grabbing handfuls of dirt.

Sweet smiling boy

Max and Ethan hanging out on the new deck benches

 

Check back soon for more deck progress.

Ethan's New Ride

Heather is a Craigslist champ!  She is always checking to see what cool things are out there and she came across a pair of these Power Wheels Go-Carts.  They are the perfect size for the boys and I have a feeling they will be street racing by next summer.  (And I'm sure there will be further posts on this as well.)  But for now...Ethan is going places!

Pushing the button to make it go!

Lots of screws...whew!

We've made A LOT of progress on the deck.  Jared's family came up Saturday morning to help again.  (A big thanks to them!)  We are both exhausted, yes, I actually helped too!  While Jared was doing the thinking, planning, board cutting and board laying, I put the screws in...about 2500 of them!  I didn't put them all in, but my back feels like I did.  All the deck boards are down and trimmed.  We still have benches, rails and steps to put in before it's completely finished, but at least it's usable right now!

Mark, Jared and Dustin working hard

Having snack while watching the big boys work

Laying the last deck board!



And as always...Ethan helping clean up the deck after a long day of work



Finished...for now. 

And, one last random picture of Ethan.  He has my socks on his hands while playing football.  Silly, silly boy.