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.

Miscellaneous Weekend Pictures

We had a great weekend here in Mt. Zion.  Saturday, Jared and Eric (our neighbor) worked all day on the deck and made some great progress.  I'm excited to have it finished to use for these last few nice weeks before winter.  While the big boys worked, Heather, Braden, Ethan and I went to the Mt. Zion homecoming parade.  It was chilly but I think the boys had a good time watching the fire trucks, bands and people walking by.  We also came away with a nice selection of candy!  After the parade we headed north and had a nice lunch and shopping trip to Sams.  My parents made a surprise trip to Decatur for some shopping and a quick visit.  Ethan enjoyed some Grandma and Pop time.  Ok, enough with the blabbering...here are the pics!

Eric and Jared working hard

Progress...so far. 

Braden and Ethan intently watching the parade


And here are a few random ones of our little guy from the weekend.  He is so funny right now.  He loves to put shoes on...any shoes.  They can be his shoes, my shoes or Jared's shoes.  He'll try to put shoes on, on top of shoes he already has on.  I guess he has a little of Mommy in him afterall :).  He is also making animal sounds.  His favorites (and his best/most accurate ones) are dog and elephant.  More on Ethan's favorite things to come in a later post.  Until then, enjoy some cuteness.  

Ethan's first sucker...after his first Monicals pizza.  He likes it.



Being silly with Daddy's shoes on

We've got a climber.  Getting something off the counter.



Manly Work

The work on the deck continues...It seems to be going slowly, but there are lots of under appreciated and behind the scenes things that need to be done.  Jared has been working until dark (or after) every night this week after work preparing for the big weekend of work.  Ethan, as always, loves to be in the center of things and help.  

Moving the hostas out of the way



Hanging out in the trenches

Breaking out the big guns with the jackhammer.  Ethan really wanted to be out there to help.

Handy Helper!

I was sweeping and vacuuming this morning, and Ethan loves to help.  I found an old swiffer that I could take half the handle off of and gave it to Ethan and he loved it!  He was sweeping up all over and 'helping' me out.  I think next time I'll put a swiffer cloth on the bottom so he can really help.

Happy Monday!

Weekend of Birthdays!

This past week was my mom's birthday and my sister, Abby's 21st birthday.  Ethan and I headed to Salem on Wednesday (my mom's bday) to spend some time with Grandma and Pop.  Ethan had a great time, as always, playing outside and around.  And my mom enjoyed having us around to help us celebrate her birthday. 

Ethan playing with a duck from my childhood



Playing in the dirt...one of his favorite things


And Friday morning I headed down to Carbondale to spend the day/night with Abby for her birthday.  Ethan had his first overnighter at Grandma and Pop's on Friday and, as far as I know, everything went great.  After a fun day of hanging out and shopping Abby and I made dinner reservations at a vineyard to meet up with Alex, Jared and Amanda (one of Abby's best friends).  We had a great time and an awesome dinner! 

The restaurant made a delicious cake to help us celebrerate!



Abby and Alex



The group of us...Becky, Jared, Amanda, Alex and Abby

Then on Saturday, we all headed down to Murray, KY to celebrate another birthday!  My cousin, Micah's son, Scout will be 1 this week and his party was on Saturday.  We met up with the rest of the family and Ethan in Murray and had a great afternoon.  Here are a few pictrues of the party. 


Birthday Boy, Scout!  Ready for some cake!



Party Time!

Scout and Kacey opening presents

Finley helping Scout enjoy his cake

Ethan being silly



Family picture

  Happy Birthday Mom, Abby and Scout!! 

Hard Work...

We are in the process of building a deck onto the back of our house.  I'm so excited about it and can't wait for it to be finished.  This past Saturday, Jared's family came up to help.  Due to Mt. Zion rules about inspections and crazy things like that, we they couldn't pour the concrete around the posts.  All in all, it was a very productive day and I was tired just watching Jared, Mark and Dustin.  After busting up some concrete, the 3 of them dug 10 holes that are 3 feet deep...manually!  That in itself is quite a full day, but then they decided to go ahead to set and brace the posts so that after this 'inspection'  all Jared will have to do is pour concrete into the holes.  Karen, Ethan and I just watched and fetched water as necessary.  Karen also did a great job keeping Ethan out of the way and occupied.  Thanks again for coming up and spending the day working.  We really appreciate it!  Can't wait to have everyone up for a cookout on the new deck! 

Jared, Mark and Dustin hard at work

Grandma keeping Ethan occupied with a new book

After their bike ride

Ethan watching from the best seat in the house!

Jared and Mark setting/bracing the posts



Progress so far...

 Hopefully I will have beautiful before/after pictures coming soon.  We will be out of town this coming weekend so we'll have to wait a while longer for more progress.