The house

Well we've been working on our house....we bought some rocking chairs and some hanging flowers...it's finally looking more like our home!

Our living room!

Well we finally got our living room done....we still need a few more pieces of furniture...but here it is!!!

And he LOVES playing in his room

Charlie boys room

Well Gracie's room was easy to do, we just took all her stuff from our old place and put it in her new room. But Charlie didn't have any furniture of his own, so I had a fun time putting his room together. We bought him a new crib and some cute country pics. Wade's aunt gave us a dresser that had actually been Wade's when he was a kid. It was a dark black, and I painted it a barn red and I love the way it turned out. I painted the coat hook the same color and I really love the way his room looks now. The picture above the dresser is a painting of Wade's grandfather's old barn on his farm.

ONE WEEK!

I know a lot of you guys have been reading our little blog and i'm so glad that we've found a way to keep in touch. Now all of you need to start one so i can keep in touch with all of you. We just wanted to let you guys know that we will be arriving next Thursday, the 26th. We will be hanging out with our awesome neighbors in Browns Point Friday evening and Saturday we head down to Portland for Lucas and Mieke's wedding. Wade has to head back on Sunday, but the kids and I will be around until August 8th. We would love to try and hook up with some of you guys, so let me know if you'll be around. We keep you all in our thought and more importandly in our prayers. Your friendships mean so much to us!

Almost four!

Welcome Gracie is nearing her fourth birthday and the closer we get to it the more i realize that i am not at all prepared to handle everything that comes along with a four year old. How come they don't have classes at the YMCA on how to answers the many questions of a four year old? In fact in the last week she has asked me where babies come from, why some men have long hair, and why some women have mustaches. Oh and she caught a few moments of a t.v. show and now also would like to know why some men dress up like women...ahhh!!!! Today the two us went and ran some errands and at the bank i had her sit in the waiting area and wait while i talked to a teller. When i was done I turend around and there she was sitting next to a lady and telling her all about how i pushed her out of my....well...enough of that. She was also telling the lady her address and her full name and all about her brother. So, then we had to have the stranger talk on the way home. WOW!!! So all of my wonderful friends out there that have children older than mine....PLEASE give me a little advice!!! :) And those of you who haven't had children yet, or yours are still in that wonderful age where they aren't talking...quit laughing...cuz your next!!:)

More pics of our bike ride

THE BIG 5!!

Wade's parents took the kids this weekend...yes, from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon...it was awesome!! We went and saw a movie Friday night and then we slept in on Saturday (amazing). Then Wade decided we should head out for a bike ride. Edwardsville has some amazing bike trails, all paved and they go all over town. In fact just in the county there are over 85 miles of paved trails. We spent three houre on them and covered 20 miles! Ya, i was exhausted by the end, but we had a blast and saw some midwest beauty (yes, it does exist). When we got home we layed on the couch and took a nap...and THEN Wade took me to a beautiful little restaurant, what a meal! Then we rented a movie and snuggled on the couch...and then on Sunday we slept in AGAIN (well mostly me) and after church we went and pick up the kids...and we couldn't wait to see them. It was an amazing weekend (thanks Chuck and Belinda) and i can't wait to do it again! Here are some pics of us getting ready and the little coffee shop we biked to for breakfast.

Happy Birthday America!

The last few days here have been very nice. It's stayed around 80 degrees and low humidity...but not today. The midwest did was it's known best for...and it was HOT! Somewhere in the 90's but the humidity pushed it even higher. However...for those of you that were out here for my wedding...it wasn't that bad. I've yet to see a day that is as hot as that day. We hope you all had a good fourth and we look forward to seeing you guys in just a few weeks!

Gracie's room

Well we are not completely finished, but it finally looks like her room. We wanted to take some pics of it for you all to see and especially for you Samantha...we miss you!