Updates in the last month!

Well...a month has flown by!  July went super fast.  Scott finished up softball and the project known as the HOUSE began.  Our house was hit by hail this past Spring.  So...our roof had to be replaced and our back siding was damaged.  You can't replace one part of siding it if it the original...IT ISN'T made anymore!  The only way for us to afford to replace it was to do the job ourselves.  I say "ourselves" but I really mean Scott and our friends/family.  Wowza...we are incredibly blessed by the help around us.  I think Scott knew what the project was going to be...but I had NO IDEA!  TONS AND TONS of work.  Lots of messes.  SUPER hot days.  Our house looks AMAZING.  Not to sound cheesy/mean...but I wasn't always "proud" of our house and now I am.  I was embarrassed by the old large siding.  I know it sounds selfish because we have a roof over our heads and nothing "scary" about my home.  I am proud of how everyone helped us and how much everyone came together!  It looks like a completely different home. 

We also headed on a mini-vacation to Des Moines with my family.  The science center was a HUGE hit with the boys.  Lots of hands-on activities and plenty for space to run around!  We stayed in a Stoney Creek Inn, which was FABULOUS!  Huge rooms...bunk beds which Noah LOVED.  We tried to Farmers Market in Des Moines...never again with kids.  Too many people.  We ended up at Jordan Creek and played in the kid area.  Lots and lots of time at the pool in the hotel.  The kids had a riot with my parents in pool as well. 

We have had a crazy August!  Visit days and practices for football.  Then...we started preschool!  Noah was SOOO excited to start.  We had an open house.  And he loved the jungle-gym.  On his first day of school we asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, "A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle."  He wore his TNMT shirt and off we went.  I took him on his first day (he will go with Scott) and we went to Daddy's classroom, explored the building.  We took him to the door and off he went.  A big boy...went to school.  I had a rough drive back...didn't sob the whole way back:)  My parents picked him up and he was very excited!  Noah had a great first day.  My big boy!  In the last week since he has started...he is getting himself dressed, brushing his teeth, putting himself to bed...a HUGE helper!  Brittany (one of my BFF's) asked Noah, "how was daycare today?" (she meant how was school) and Noah responded, "You mean school."  Hands on his hips...super sassy...hahahahaha!  Hilarious!  Ryder has been a GROWING machine.  He can tell you where his belly and nose are.  He is SHRIEKING when bath time rolls around...can't out of his clothes (diaper included) fast enough.  We had his 15 month appointment...growing.  22 pounds and had his MMR shot.  Not speaking a lot of words.  New path will include separate books with Ryder and shorter ones.  He wasn't sitting with the books with Noah and it didn't sink in that it was a big deal.  So...new plan.  Kim isn't worried...but wants to see improvement by the time he is 18 months.

 IPTV--Dan

 I-Cubs game!

 Science Center!

 Pool Kid!

 Pool baby!

 Camden and Nana!