My Trip to Virginia!

Thanks to my wonderful mom and husband, I was able to fly to DC to see Jennifer, Mike and the girls. The Fall Foliage in Virginia where Jennifer lives was unbelievable. I couldn't stop carrying on about the beautiful trees and the colors. We live in a former corn field in Illinois and it would be an understatement to say I've been a bit deprived. I also had the opportunity to see Madison play alot of Volleyball. She is a great player and she looks SO tall on the court. Madison and I did a hair clinic to bring out the most of her natural curly hair. Lauren and I made homemade spaghetti and meatballs. Jennifer picked up the bill for the groceries for the meal. Jennifer and I had a wonderful visit and Mike tolerated all the girly stuff.


These pictures don't do the real thing justice.

The back of Jennifer's house. Looking from "Keightley Park".

Madison, Me, Keightley, Jen and Lauren. Playing fetch in Keightley Park.

See Jennifer thinks that she is in charge, but Keightley and everyone else know...Keightley has her number. :)

A bridge behind their house. The girls are so grown up and sweet and beautiful.

Keightley is so funny. When he's greeting the family, he'll grab the kitchen towel with his mouth and bring it over to you. By the end of my visit, I was included in the kitchen towel ritual. Here he is just relaxing with his toy in his mouth.

Madison's curly hair.

It's volleyball time. Mike was refereeing and was all serious and in..to...it!

Hustlin'.

Since I used Jennifer's camera, I took some photos off of her camera from this summer that I didn't have. These are of the boys from August.

This sums up Ben Pruden - so lovey.

This makes me laugh. Jack and Ben look like they just broke out in a big wrestling match.

Memom's grandchildren (well, half of them).

Have I mentioned that I have boys?

I've got boys. They are such boys. I grew up with girls so I'm constantly blown away at the differences. It makes life interesting and on occasion, confusing. Ben has started asking to go potty, and at times he wants to be naked while on the potty (such a guy thing). Jack loves dressing in character and we have accumulated enough birthday party masks to accommodate.


I wouldn't trade the discoveries for bows and barbies. Why is it that I'm the only one that appears happy in this picture?
Graham cracker and naked pottying. He wasn't about to part with his cracker.
He pushed and pushed but nothing happened - until I put his diaper back on.

Feeding Cubby just never stops. Even on the toilet.

Soooo, Jack decided he must wear his Superman cape and Spiderman mask on our walk.

A closer look. He was so dag-on serious, it was heartbreaking. How long will that innocence last? It kills me.

See the seriousness? Killer.

Okay, so here we're in our Iron man outfit with a Darth Vader mask, Superman belt and Superman cape.

Not sure what he's doing to me here, but it's super-powered I'm sure.

Yep, I've got boys.

Big Brother's shoes

Jack has black combat boots and Ben decided to put them on. He figures it out so easily with everything. He can watch once and do it.

Mmmmmhhh . . . Jack is on his laptop, maybe I should bother him...

He was able to walk rather well in the boots.

He loves anything to do with his brother.

I've got Boys

We have a pot of dirt in the back that I had grown a tomato plant in over the summer. When I gave the O.K., the boys couldn't get enough of playing in the dirt. It was entertainment for an entire evening.

We put it on the patio side tables.

We put it on our face.

(on the table)

Jack is literally sitting on the pot.

He looks like he's sitting on the pot and praying. Leading Ben in prayer as well.

The super-man cape is a bonus to the pot-sitting.

I've got a little dirt on my face. I'm still handsome.

Star Wars crazy

Jack has been so interested in watching Star Wars and Sam and I thought it would be okay as it was rated PG. He thoroughly enjoyed it and has watched The Empire Strikes Back as well. Our world is all Star Wars right now. It also kept Ben's attention.

I love this picture. This is one night when they had popcorn while watching (maybe that is why it kept Ben's attention?)

This one might be even better. Jack looks all Obi won kanobi like.

Glued to the tube. This is a different night.

The look-a-likes

My mom came across the picture below and thought it looked so much like Ben. This one of Ben isn't the best comparison, but you get the idea.

I would love to know how old I am. I look about the 18-month range.

Our very own Air Show!

Last weekend the Blue Angels put on an air show at Scott Air force Base near our house. We had two days in a row of it and it was fantastic and thrilling. The sound of the aircraft was as exciting as the visuals.

The best picture by far. One plane came right over our house, literally like we could have thrown a ball and hit it.

Most of the stunts were far away. I think they were regrouping when they flew so close to the house.

Ben Pruden did not budge. He was stuck in this spot and didn't move. He had his mouth hanging open and pointing. He was so enthralled. Jack - he could take it or leave it.

Jack's totally more into his cars than the air show.

The air show was serious business as you can see.

The best time for me was Ben-watching.

"Look at my car! Who cares about the planes!" Jack cracks me up.

My Birthday

It was the big 3-5 for me on September 5th. It fell over labor day weekend and the weather couldn't have been better. UK beat UofL in football, I got to go shopping two days in a row and the boys treated me like, well, the only girl in the house. Special. It was nice to have everyone healthy for a change.


Sam and Jack making me a flourless chocolate cake. It was outstanding!
Jack sampled the goods as usual.
The boys hanging out and watching cartoons.

Ben's little angel face.

Ben's sleeping habits

Most nights I go in to check on the boys before I go to bed. Often we find them sleeping in crazy positions. Jack is often about to fall out of the bed. Apparently kids can sleep in most any position.

Legs hangin' out - no problem.
Doesn't look like it's bothering him much, doesn't it?
Kids are adorable when they're asleep (for more reasons than for just how they look :)