August update

An update on Nicholas and a June/July update appear below this post.

The first weekend in August we went on a mini-vacation. Thursday took us to Amish country where the boy's weren't quite as enthused about it all as Scott and I had hoped. Once the buggy ride was over, they were over the whole "scene" and it was time to go see Grandma. Someday I would love to have a flower garden like this...just not sure I'd like the work that would go along with it! The auction was interesting, but after a few minutes it was time to move on to find the buggy ride (thanks, Aunt Bev, for the great advice!).

On Friday we headed to Cedar Point/Soak City for two days. The weater was great and on Friday the lines were very short. The biggest shocker of the trip? Nicholas is 48" and can now go on the rides! I wasn't prepared for that...I was looking forward to being able to sit out on the big rides! Zachary's favorite was the Gemini, and Nicholas' favorite was the Blue Streak. We also went on the Mine Ride, but after that stopped up one of the hills, I was done (thankfully it was Saturday afternoon!). I told them that those rides were as big as I went...they'd have to find other partners when they were ready for the bigger rides. Of course, I'm sure that when they are at that point it wouldn't be cool to ride with Mom anyway. Before I know it I'll be that Mom sitting at Starbuck's drinking coffee and reading, telling them to meet me there!

The boy's have also been practicing to be the rock stars that they are! Their favorites to sing to: Tim McGraw and Big and Rich. I really need to get video of it, although they have the music turned up so loud you really can't hear them sing.

We also took the boy's to a NASCAR Jeff Gordon simulator, which ended up being more fun than taking them to MISpeedway and walking around in the rain all day. It was a neat experience as Scott was able to get tickets from Dodge, as well as Pit Passes, but we were all disappointed that they didn't get to see any racing at all.

We also went to see about 25 hot-air balloons light up at night. It was ok...we enjoyed the company (thanks again, Robin and Matt!) much more than the actual balloons! Our children even managed to get along, considering that Robin and Matt have girls...eeewwww!!! Just remember boys...girls rule, boys drool!

And finally, last week we got the basement cleaned up. Not by our choice, of course, but when you get 8 inches of water, you don't have many options! Certainly, we are not complaining at all, since Findlay was so devastated by the rainfall. Please keep the residents and businesses in your prayers. Meredith and her family are just beginning the clean-up process.

And no, that is not a pond over there. Our driveway was also covered in water.

Oh geez, I thought I was almost done with the updates, but I have one more important one! We added a new member to our family...Lucky!

Isn't he "Lucky" he found us??? Nicholas wanted to name him "Tinkerbell" since that is what his preschool teacher's cat is named. Zachary chose "Lucky" because he was lucky to find us. We decided on Lucky and I'm surprised he still feels that way...those trips that Nicholas put him down the slide must not have been so bad afterall!