Who's at the door? More visitors!:)

Ding-Dong!

Our New Front Door!!

Thank you, Dave and Kathy Grier, for our Christmas 2008 gift! 

It took us a long time to decide what type of door, then it was purchased but stored at W'burg Lumber for almost a year, then FINALLY we got it stained and installed this month!

I LOVE being able to get more natural light and air (retractable screen on top). Dizzle and Carson enjoy the view, too!  The interior side looks SO much more finished than our previous white door and I love the glass detail. Another Bonus: The old door would blow open with high winter winds, sometimes in the middle of the night! Never again with the storm door opening outward!

 Open the door....

More Family Visitors!:)

My cousin, Mark, and his wife Summer and daughter, Maddie!

The Cord family (from Sioux City) stayed overnight with us Friday night and headed out for the IA vs Ball State game today. 

 A little horseplay with Uncle Mark

 The boys enjoyed our family visitors!

Go Hawks!

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 Weekend TWO of underwear.

Last weekend went okay, a few accidents.

Trying very hard with potty training, but easily distracted by playtime.

"I BIG KID!"

While Daddy is gone checking trail (hunting) cameras...
Mommy and Carson got "Hawkeye Toes" ready for another Hawkeye Saturday!:)

Looking forward to Cousin MacKenzie coming this afternoon and babysitting tonight for a Daddy & Mommy Date night!:) 

September Highlights

What happens when Daddy's home alone with the boys?

Often a fort appears in the living room!

 The boys both love to play with each other!:)

 Hawkeye Dudes!

Some friends join us in watching the ISU game two weeks ago. 

My camera battery was low so I was only able to snap a few pics.

Thanks to the Stecklys, Hockers, Cheneys, Sutfins, Kirbys, and Jepsons we had a fun-filled afternoon with kiddos! (The game wasn't much to watch!)

 Cael Steckly and Carson had a picnic lunch in the kitchen!

Maybe a touchdown dance?

 Our boys' new second cousin, Kayla LaNay Sutfin.

Daughter of Thomas (Ben's cousin) and Sharelle Sutfin.

 Only 2 wks old at her 1st Hawkeye Party!:)

What a sweetie!

 Mandy getting her "baby fix" with Brady and helper Kendall Jepson.

 Winding down after the big day with milk and "turtles."

Carson's new obsession: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Cursed by the $5 DVD bin, I thought maybe he'd like it. That one was a very annoying cartoon one, which Carson instantly fell in love with, but then

Ben picked up a couple different ones (I, II, III).

Now, turles in the morning, turtles after school, turtles all weekend!

He only watches parts, but DO NOT CHANGE THE CHANNEL without being prepared to handle a major meltdown!

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 CHEESE!

Brady can now share Carson's morning cereal (after a little soggy)!!

NO TEETH still!!

We're on high alert, swearing that EVERY TOMORROW will bring a tooth!

 On the move...

Brady can spin and roll, but no true crawling yet.

He can go into a full plank push-up position, into a crawl position, then belly flops. 

Usually followed by getting mad and head butting/nose bashing into the floor and crying.

He wants to crawl SO bad!!

Need to step up the babyproofing this weekend!

Cousin Ella helping B get his paci back. 

Her dog, Beena, looks tempted to snag it!

We had a fun weekend last weekend with Papa and Nana Swanson, Uncle Bob, Aunt Julie, Ella, and my Uncle Steve & Aunt Jane from St. Louis visiting. 

We celebrated Nana's birthday early with family time and lunch.

Ella's growing up so fast!

New baby Swanson cousin #2 will be here December 13th!:)

Firsts, friends, and Fear!

Brady's first shoulder ride:)

Determination.

Brady loves to try to feed himself...Bananas, puffs, crackers.

STILL waiting on teeth, so his options are limited.

WARNING: Be prepared to get food sprayed back at you if you use a spoon!

Play date with Nolan Kent.

Carson and Nolan play so well together,

this was round 2 at our house after a full day together at Susie's.

Brady loves watching big kids play!

Fighting Carson to get on his PJ's led to this...

Dizzle, I'm sorry.

Carson eating cereal with chopsticks!:)

Whew! Whatta long day!

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My "fear"

Is that a jungle cat???

No, it's a 

BOBCAT!!!

Ben caught this big kitty on his trail camera

that is set up on some Williamson (near Chariton)

land he hunts. (Janson and Amy Stuart's land)

Yes, Ben hangs out in trees looking for deer 

in the same turf that this BOBCAT is hunting.

Be safe, Ben! You may be the prey!!! Agh!

I'm going to be a nervous wreck when he's out there!!!

I'm sure he'll be on alert, too!

State Fair Recap

Diaper contest

"Heaviest Piglet" didn't win, but we sure thought

he was stinkin' cute! :)

Thanks, Grandma, for the new John Deere boots!

"Uncle" Bob introducing Brady to his new "grandpuppy."

Ben holding 2nd cousins Carson and Cael

 Darius Rucker concert
Dave, Carolyn, Kathy, Me, Ben, and Brandon
It was a great show!