July thus far

July has flown by this year.  We've had a pretty fun one so far.  Mostly spent in preparation for this baby coming (any day now, baby girl, any day) and also managing construction in our house.  I have spent many days figuring out how to entertain boys without having to be in the heat.  

Jacob replaced one of the sprinkler heads and we finally turned our sprinklers on.  The boys ran through the sprinklers and thought it was awesome.

We celebrated the 4th of July.  We began by making a festive blue and red cake with white "firework" icing and sprinkles.  The boys helped and I'm pretty sure they thought it was a masterpiece.

We had star shaped french toast in the morning and listened to some patriotic MoTab.  We then headed to our small, and kind of perfect, Fort Collins parade.  It lasts about 1/2 an hour and we showed up maybe 45 minutes early and had a great spot.  I hope it stays kind of small for many more years to come.  The boys liked it.

I also made caramel popcorn to enjoy while we waited and watched.

Isaac had to periodically check and see if the parade was coming.

And then we had some lessons about showing respect for the flag by standing and putting your hand over your heart.  They might need a few more lessons.  :)

Later that afternoon I filled the little wading pool we have and let the boys play in water.  It was actually a little overcast and sprinkling rain.  It was awesome.  I've really been so lucky that this summer has been such a mild one.  Very few days in the 90s, way less than is normal.

After getting a little wet I brought out some more poppers.  I'm not sure Ben was terribly successful at getting them to pop but he sure liked trying.  And So did Isaac.  Fort Collins doesn't let you light off your own fireworks.  So poppers and those pull the string confetti ones are all we get.  It might be the biggest thing I dislike about Fort Collins.

To end the day we headed to City Park to listen to the symphony play and watch the big firework display.  It was a lovely evening and the fireworks were great!  The only downside was sitting in front of some drunk (and probably high) college kids.  Their language was foul and I'm grateful my boys didn't pick anything up from them.  

Glow sticks are a must, and were a hit of course.

I spent much of July getting larger.  (Really little girl, come on out any minute now.)  I was probably 37 week in this picture. I'm now approaching 40 weeks...and probably even larger.

This was a first for the boys and I.  We dressed like cows for Chick-fil-a's "cow appreciation" day and got free lunch.  It was so simple and worth the little amount of time spent on the costumes.  The line moved fast and we were in and out in about 10 minutes.  We opted to bring our food home to eat as there weren't many seats in the restaurant.  The boys were sad not to play in the playground, but were consoled by chocolate milk and french fries.  We'll certainly do it again next year.

Shannon's family stopped by last week on their way to Utah.  We made the most of the night by roasting marshmallows and making the Brunson traditional "dough boys."  They were a hit.  We can't wait to have more time with them when they come back this week to spend a week with us.  We are going to have some good cousin fun.  And hopefully we'll have a baby too.  The timing would be good.

Isaac and Ben couldn't get enough of playing with their older cousins.  Maybe the week they stay here they'll actually remember all the girls names.

I can't believe we only have one more week of July.  August will bring on a whole new adventure for this family.  A baby.  And a girly one at that.  Can't wait to meet her.  I'm excited to see how these cute boys of mine react to a baby.  I'm hopefully the transition will be smooth.  I'm also looking forward to time with Shannon and her family and for my parents arrival.  I'm also anxious for the finishing touches on our house to be completed and the construction to be completely done.  Bring it on August...we are ready for you.  

June happenings

Oh June!  You get mixed reviews from this gal this year.  This has been a challenging month trying to keep the kids entertained mostly inside while our house was having all the hail damage repaired.  There were so many workers inside and out that I didn't feel like I could leave the house for long stretches at a time.  We would run brief errands and spend a little time at the park or something when none of us could take it any more...but we've also spent A LOT of time in the basement playing with toys and watching tv and tyring to keep boys out of the way.  They would have loved to follow our contractor, Gordon, around all day.  I can't tell you how many times I've heard from both boys "Hi Gordon," "What's that, Gordon," "What are you doing Gordon?"  Not to mention how many times I've had to say "back up," "let Gordon work," "Get out of the worker's way."  Wish I could say it was totally over, but it's not.  I'm thinking we might have a baby and workers in the home at the same time.  Hopefully not, but it's not totally out of the picture.

And here are some pictures of what the house has looked like at the worst stage of things.

It almost looks like a new build.  We got all new siding and almost all of the windows in the house were replaced.  Then it was prepping and painting, and trimming out the interior of the windows, and painting all the windows.  We have yet to complete touching up all the walls around the windows, still two windows need trimmed and painted, and one window was ordered wrong so it still need to get installed.  Then there will be the rest of the siding on that area by the window and prepping and painting some more.  And a few details, a fan that needs replaced, combing the AC unit, etc.  Like I said...it could still be a while.

But all the stress of the work on the house and trying to get ready for a baby didn't stop Jacob from enjoying a little swinging.

I love that our driveway included a dumpster and port a potty for several weeks.  We still have the port a potty.  I'm surprised Isaac hasn't tried to use it.

This is mid window install.  The scaffolding is by the hole where the window has yet to be installed.  We lived with scaffolding in our house for a week or two.  Not fun trying to keep the boys from climbing that all the time too.

The boys have been remarkably well entertained through it all.  They've played with their new legos almost every day.  It worked out well because we'd pack up the lego bin and head to whatever room was available.  I'd try and keep up on cleaning the house in sections and they'd play.  And then ultimately we'd end up in the basement, totally out of the way of the workers.

In non-construction related happenings, Ben LOVES pancakes.  Maybe even more than "mac-cheese."

But he must have a rag near by for when "my sticky!"  He has always been funny about being dirty and having things on his hands.

One morning the boys brought down every blanket, pillow and loose sheet from every bed and asked me to make a tent.  So I did.  They loved it for about 30 minutes.  And then ended up putting everything away.  I'm not sure how I seem to let them off the hook so easily when it comes to cleaning.  Probably because the workers had arrived and I needed to clear the area quickly.

We also celebrated Father's day.  We made breakfast cake.  Oh the boys in this family sure love that!

And we went to church.  Jacob's so good at remembering to get pictures with his boys on Father's day and I only remember that I didn't get Mother's day photos when Father's day rolls around...oh well.

The other day I sat down and picked up my book to read.  About 5 minutes later each of the boys picked up a book and joined me on the couch.  It was adorable.  At least for the 2 minutes it lasted.

That is Ben's face watching TV.  I wish we could capture the expressions these boys make.  Ben especially seems very expressive in the look on his face.  Cracks me up.  Especially the super excited, wide eyed look he gets.

Like when he described the activity below.

I had been in my bedroom working on some stuff for primary and could hear the boys happily playing.  They were happy so I just let them carry on knowing full well I'd probably discover a mess of some sort when I was done with my business.  I usually get a little angry but this time I really truly just laughed.

I walked in and they were both so sweaty, running and jumping back and forth across the mattress bridge.  I said something about "is this what mattresses are for" and Ben got that most excited wide eyed expression and said "yes! It's a jumping game!"  I laughed.  And then got the camera.

After taking a few pictures I explained that we'd have to put the mattresses back so they didn't get ruined.  Ben told me he wasn't done playing.  I asked him where he would sleep if his mattress got ruined.  He told me "in my suitcase!"  I think he meant sleeping bag.  Either way he had it all worked out.

He cried when I started putting things back.  I did make them help make their beds.  And don't worry.  Ben may have done most of the talking but Isaac was equally excited about this game and equally disappointed about cleaning up.

Other June happenings:  Isaac completed 2 weeks of swimming lessons.  The first day he told me his teacher told him he was wild.  Sounds about right.  I think he learned a lot about listening to teachers and appropriate behavior, at least I hope he did, and he learned a little about swimming too.  All in all it was a success.  I mostly just feel bad for Ben because he sat and watched so patiently but really wanted to go swimming himself.  I guess I still need to take him sometime.

  We celebrated our anniversary.  Jacob and I have now been married 6 years.  Seems like such a short amount of time and a long time all at the same time.  Jacob took the day off work and we went to breakfast with the boys.  They loved that.  They each ordered some delicious pancakes.  Jacob ordered some southern pecan pancakes with a tropical syrup that was really tasty.  I think it was mostly orange flavored but there was something about it that we are going to have to try and replicate.  Yummy!  I had some Swedish pancakes with lingonberry sauce.  It was also very good.  I think we'll go back again.  It's called The Original Pancake House.  After breakfast we took the boys bowling.  They used the little ramp thing and bumpers and Jacob and I didn't.  Guess who won?  Isaac.  He had the most spares and Ben was the only one to get a strike.  Let's be honest, Jacob and I aren't bowlers.  But we sure had fun.  Isaac is still talking about it.  He called Grandpa Carter yesterday and talked to him about for a good 10 minutes in fact.  It was a fun time.  Jacob and I then went out to lunch just the two of us.  Our neighbor watched the boys and in turn I will watch her girls while she and her husband celebrate their anniversary this week.  A good trade I'd say.  Jacob and I walked to Old Chicago.  It was a fun lunch date.  When I went to retrieve the boys they said the didn't want to come home and Grace was kind enough to let them stay and play.  so Jacob and I came home and made lasagna for dinner and to freeze.  We also enjoyed just chatting without interruption from little boys.  It was a good day.  I sure love Jacob and the family we began 6 years ago!

  I'm pregnant and hot! Not like in the good looking way, the sweaty way.  This baby could be here any day and that is strange.  I'm not feeling terribly ready.  In part because I can't do all the things on my list with construction still pending.  But I suppose in the essentials we are good to go.  She's got diapers, clothes, a place to sleep.  So we are good, right?  She is going to look so tiny compared to these boys who seem to get bigger by the day.  They are growing so fast.  I think we all are excited to meet this little girl.  The boys still talk to the baby in my belly, and usually answer for her too.  It's awesome.  So bring it on little girl...come whenever you'd like...maybe.  Actually come on the 13th, the 18th, or maybe Aug 3.  Then the numbers fit nicely with other birth dates.  But mostly come in July.  Did I mention it's hot?