Working out in the yard...

Yesterday started out dreary, but it ended on a beautiful note... sun shining and a mild 75 degrees out. So I took advantage of the extra hands around and did what I should have done a month ago..planted the rest of the garden and filled my flower pots. Finally. In fact, when I went to buy my flowers, they were all on clearance. This concerned me a bit because I didn't want the wimpy leftover flowers, but sure enough-- if I looked carefully I had no trouble finding some beauties.

Introducing...my wonderful help... Notice Lucas' bike helmet. Hey, gardening can be pretty dangerous at our house. :)

Planting marigolds that will border the flower beds.

The garden currently contains the following: watermelon, pumpkins, cilantro, lettuce, green beans, peas, edamame, tomatoes, red hot chili peppers, suriano and bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Sweet corn is planted out by the shed. Oh, and for a good measure I planted marigolds in the front of the garden.

Here are the potted plants... sorry, not the greatest lighting.

Lucas picked out a marigold for his flower this year. He's in charge of watering it. We'll see how that goes.

Black eyed susans (climbing vine version)... hands down... my favorite. A must-have every year.

Clamatis (definitey not spelled right...)

Impatiens...

Eric and Lucas came back from a bike ride with a handful of black raspberries. YUMMMY!!

And to top off the evening... several runs through the sprinkler. Hey, we had to water our flowers, why not!

More faces of Sophie...

Savoring every moment...

Admiring her big brother...

Yesterday morning we were stuck inside because of the rain. One thing I noticed... Sophie wanted to be where all the action was... and the action was always Lucas. :)

If you give Lucas a cupcake...

Lucas and I went to the library the other day while Eric and Sophie got groceries. It's one of our favorite things to do in the summer together. Lucas picked out about 10 books and of course, we read most of them before we even left the library! One of the books is called If you Give a Cat a Cupcake. Yesterday Lucas looked at me after we read it (the 5th time?) and said, "Hey, I have an idea...let's make cupcakes with sprinkles, too!!" Which is exactly what they do in the book.

So we did. And had a blast doing it.

**SIDENOTE: Funny story. Kind of. So on our way home from the library Lucas was looking at his books in the backseat. All of the sudden Eric and I hear him let out a blood-curdling scream. We turn around to see that his absolute favorite book (called Parade) which he's checked out of the library at least 5 times... went out the WINDOW while we're driving 50 mph down the road!!!!! Lucas was playing around and apparently never thought it would actually fall out the window. But it did. And he was devastated! We (Eric) recovered it with no visible harm done. Pretty sure Lucas won't be doing that experiment again.

Sweet siblings...

I was cleaning up the kitchen when I overheard something that just plain warmed my heart. Lucas and Sophie were in the living room and Sophie crawled up to the window and pulled herself up.

Lucas: Oh Sophie!!! You're standing! I'm so proud of you! (said as genuinly as can be)

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Yes, Sophie has been showing off a few new tricks worth mentioning I believe. And she turned 10 months old on May 31st!

Doesn't she look so big!!!

So here are just some of her new tricks...

• saying ball, bye (and waving bye), mama (I think...), and uh-oh (when she drops things off her high chair)
• pulling herself up and standing on her own (with support)
• CLAPPING! She started this today! Lucas got a big kick out of it.

Happy 10 months sweet baby girl!! We love you so very much, my little sunshine.

And while I'm updating... Lucas wanted to tell me that he's LOVING summer. So far he's spent time in Ohio visiting Grandma and Grandpa (riding around in the Cub Cadet and Gator...and picking strawberries), and in Missouri (running circles and climbing trees with his cousins), and swimming and playing outside.

Our little monkey man...

Happy 30th Birthday, Girls!!!

***This blog was created to keep our friends and family updated on our kids... there was a time I actually got after Eric for blogging about his canoe because it had nothing to do with the kiddos... well, um... this post is all about my fabulous weekend with the girls. The kiddos were 3 hours away. Okay Eric, we're even. ;)

Who: My taylor girls (Becca, Emily, Sara, Mel, Michelle, Amanda, and Kim)

Why: Celebrating our 30th birthdays!!

Where: Chicago

These beautfiful women are my best friends... and we just spent our weekend.. together!!

Umm... quite possibly the best pizza I've ever had. And I know my pizza!!

A little trip to Navy Pier...

Dinner at the Grand Lux Cafe...

The Lord knew what He was doing when he allowed our paths to cross at Taylor. It's amazing to think back at how our friendships began and how they developed and intertwined into what now, is a bond that will surely not be broken. Here's to another 10 years, my friends. Love you girls.

Top 5 List

I like lists. A lot. So here you go... my top 5 things I feel I need to share to update you on our week... (in no particular order...although I am saving the best for last).

1. Eric's getting ready to head to Arkansas with his TU buddies this weekend (fishing/camping trip).... and Mindy is getting ready to head to Chicago with her TU buddies (big 30th birthday celebration for everyone!). Lucas and Sophie will be staying for several days with Gram and Gramps in Archbold. Mindy's first night away from Sophie... sniff sniff!!!!!!

2. The garden is tilled up (thanks to my hub-ster), seeds and tomato plants are purchased, and impatiens are planted... oh how I love this time of the year.

3. Sophie wore shoes today for the first time ever! They were pink jelly shoes (just like the kind I wore when I was little)...and boy, did they look cute!!!!

4. Sophie said, "Uh-oh" tonight... intentionally!!! I even caught it on video. She dropped some food on the ground so she looked down and said very clearly... "Uh oh!!" And Lucas laughed hysterically at this.

5. Tomorrow's the last day of school!!!! (Eric's last day is Friday!) Lucas, in particular, is actually really sad about this, but I keep reminding him that when school is out, summer is here- which he knows, means many trips to Carrie's pool, not to mention trips to Grandma and Grandpas and Nali's too. And with that, he forgets that school is almost over... he's too excited about what summer has to offer.

Carrots anyone???

Who knew the high chair could be a jungle gym...