Chicago

A week ago we went and visited Andy's sister and her hubby. They live up near Chicago so we took the opportunity to go to the Lincoln Park Zoo. The boys had a great time playing with Jeremy and Natalie. But their favorite toy was a couple of boxes full of packaging peanuts. We coudn't keep them out of them! But they did spend time playing in the sandbox and with the other toys the house contained (mostly Jeremy).
We really liked the zoo. Andy and I were amazed at how close you could get to the animals. And they had areas to see the animals indoors as well as outside (like the cats). It's hard to take good pictures of the boys with the animals at the zoo, but I managed a few. :)

New Road and Riding Trikes

Alex learned to ride his trike in the last couple weeks. It's mostly due to the fact he finally grew enough to reach the pedals. :) Every day the boys just go out on the new concrete slab and ride their bikes. Adam rides his bike Flinstone-style and is just as fast as Alex. Actually, Adam can turn better than Alex. He rides around one handed and looking off to one side or another, yet he always turns at the last second and never hits anything. We use chalk and draw roads on the concrete for the boys to follow. Alex does a good job of staying in the lines. Adam just doesn't care and rides wherever he wants. Alex likes to put some tools in his orange basket and put in on his handles. That way he has his tools with him whenever something "breaks."

Fixing my washer and dryer

This past week they started paving the new road behind our house. They still have a ways to go, but it was exciting to see them working so close again. From what I can tell, they only did half of one side of the road. So I'm thinking they'll be back there again 3 more times in the future...

I dont really know what this thing did.

As far as I can tell, it just moved down the road and made a long hill of fine dirt.

View of road from the bridge.

These aren't in order, but the next few pics are of the paving train.This is the last of 3 machines. I think it puts the final finish on the concrete.

The first machine. The dump trucks were lining up to dump their fresh concrete into it.

Machine #2. Smoothed the concrete? So did all the guys standing around behind it.

The first machine again.

Camping

We went to the Elkhart Co Fair last week to watch the tractor pull and see the animals. We only got to see a little of the farm stock tractor pull, but Adam was captivated. We couldn't get close enough! Alex really enjoyed it too, but wasn't quite as awestruck as Adam since he'd seen it before. The boys weren't too thrilled with the animal barns, but they loved looking at the tractors, mowers, etc that the vendors had all over. Here's the only picture I have of the fair. By the time I got my camera the moment had passed (go figure) and Alex was the only one willing to give me a look.
After a couple days at the Rummel's, we drove up to Potato Creek State park and camped out with Andy's cousin, Neil and Crista. Their son, Cameron, is close to Alex's age and so the 3 boys had a blast playing together. It was hot and we spent one morning playing at the beach. We got their pretty early, so no one was there. They had a great time playing in the sand and water. Alex even got in up to his shoulders! Cameron's part fish, so maybe his fearlessness of the water helped Alex get over his fear. It helps that this beach was very nice and sandy in the water (not mucky or rocky like alot of lakes). Otherwise the boys just played around our campsite in the gravel under the shade of the trees and camper. Alex and Adam also thought it was pretty cool to be able to sleep in our tent. They got to use their sleeping bags for the first time. We will have to go camping again, just hopefully not in 90 degree weather! (But it's better than freezing rain and snow. Yes, I've been camping in snow and dont care to do it ever again!)

Cameron's sister, Cailin, took a nap at the beach

Lake house

About two weeks ago, I took the boys to mom and dad's for a couple days during the week. We planned to check out the new house being built and swim in the lake. It was hot, but the lake felt great. We also got to play with Colton and Kenley, the Crabb children, who's family is going to buy mom and dad's old house and presently their neighbors.

basement--two bedrooms and stairs to the left

basement--stairs to right, bathroom back left

front of house; boys' backs are to the front porch

We were able to watch the workers put some of the rafters on the house.

The boys played in a dirt pile while we watched the work.

This picture was taken yesterday, so about 2 weeks after the ones above.

Windows, door, and roof added--maybe more?

The Bodle's had their slip'n'slide up while we were there.

The boys had a great time and often ask to go back to the lake.

Alex and Colton