MEET CALI

We, unexpectedly, brought home a new member to our family today!!!

Meet Cali.

SHE is a miniature poodle puppy who we rescued from the pound today.

Lee takes the boys out to the pound almost every weekend. He does it because it gets him, and Tyler and Brady, out of the house for a little bit. He does it because he loves dogs. He does it to give me a good 30 minutes at home by myself, if I don't go along. He also does it so that the boys won't be scared of dogs.

Lee just got home last night from his week long work trip to Oregon. We all decided to go out to the pound today to see the dogs. The people that work there know our family and know that the only way that I will bring home a dog, is if it's one that doesn't shed. When we walked in today, the guy told us that he had a puppy for us.

Turns out it was one that we couldn't say 'no' to and we had to bring her home!

Tyler is so unbelievably happy! He is taking ownership of Cali already!

Not only is Tyler so happy, we all are! It's great to have a dog in the house again. She is so playful and happy. We look forward to see how she grows up and to see how close the boys become with her.

Cali has had a very busy day and will hopefully sleep well tonight in her new home.

Tyler took Cali on her first walk.

We got the kennel back out and both boys wanted to 'play' in it.

Tyler is in HEAVEN!

Brady's trying to get in on the action as well.

This was Cali while the boys were at the kitchen table eating their dinner. She got a break, so she decided to rest! She's a smart girl!

As you can tell by the smile, Tyler is just as happy as can be that Cali chose to lay on the blanket with him while he watched his nightly cartoon.

Tyler reading his magazine and Cali resting up for these two boys that she is now living with.

SHIRTLESS

If I look ahead into the near future, to our summer vacation, I see two little shirtless boys with brown bodies. Tyler really doesn't like to wear his shirt, and since Brady wants to do just what Tyler does, then Brady doesn't wear his shirt either. I really love these pictures. Not only do they show their shirtless bodies, but they show the boys playing how they play everyday. We are outside ALL the time!

WATER TABLE

A couple weeks ago we were able to get the water table out for the first time. Tyler and Brady absolutely love it and Lee and I love it as well. It's so nice that they don't have to get soaking wet, but can get wet enough to get cooled off. The water table will be a great addition to our summer days!

We had to get the sprinkler out as well. And then make the slide into a "water slide." Brady tried it once and the once was it! It went a bit too fast for Brady, but Tyler loves going down the slide when it's wet and slippery.

SILLY BRADY

This kid is full of personality!

Here's a glimpse at what we get to see on a daily basis.

Also...whatever Tyler does, Brady does.

We have already retired the booster seat at the table, because Brady wants to be a big boy like Tyler.

We get to see the great, funny, happy personality, as well as the upset, steamy, "I want it my way", or "I can do it by myself"', personality! Whichever we see and hear usually makes us giggle.

Brady is so funny and such a great kid!!!

Thank you, Brady for your amazing personality, love, hugs, smiles, and kisses.

We love you!

PELLA TULIP TIME

We took a great trip to Pella on Saturday, May 7th. My mom came along with us and spent some time with us during the Mother's Day weekend. She had never been to Pella for Tulip Time so she had been ready to see all the beautiful flowers. It was perfect weather for the trip and a wonderful day!

Here's Lee and I at Tulip Time. (with Tyler in the background.)
Not a great shot of us, but this was the end of the afternoon and Tyler and Brady were both hot and tired.

Grandma with her grandsons.

We ate lunch under a shade tree when we first arrived.

Lunch time.

Tyler waiting for his sword balloon from the clown, Deano. Deano just so happened to have been at my school the night before, for the carnival. Tyler loves clowns and is already saying that he wants to have a clown at his 4th b-day!

Tyler and Brady with their sword balloons.

Can you read this sign that was posted for the Dutch letters???

$2.00 each

$4.00 for two

I don't know why, but we decided to get just one. :)

They are so good!!!

Tyler bouncing in the fun house.

Brady in the fun house.

Tyler loves to play 'kitchen' and 'house.'

Brady up high on his tip toes trying to scoop some corn. After awhile, I banned him from this station, because all he wanted to do was scoop the corn out and into the grass. He thought it was the most fun thing in the world!

Brady playing in the balls.

Tyler could have played in this house the entire afternoon. Here's both of them playing in the house. And it had a doorbell that acually rang! Once Brady found the doorbell, I'm sure the other kids were annoyed.

Tyler playing house.

Both boys opening up the windows to find me with the camera.

Brady's 'cheese' for the camera cracks me up!

Tyler scooping some corn.

Brady playing house.