Friday, August 28, 2009

Long Rainy Week

This past week it rained or was gloomy almost every day. We ended up being cooped inside most of the week. I could tell Eli was feeling a little bored, too. He did, however, still have fun. He's got such a great imagination. He would cook food in his kitchen for me or pretend all his stuffed animals were talking to one another (the voices he gives them are hilarious!). But, I think his favorite thing to do was play "camp out". He would bring all his stuffed animals into the living room and pretend they were having a camp out. He would use the cushions from the couch, all the pillows and all his blankets and would build a large camp. Then he would lay on top of everything and pretend he and all his "babies" were sleeping. He did this numerous times during the day. So cute! (Well, cute until Mommy had to pick it up each time...he's still not the best at doing that).



Also, I wanted to add a picture of how Eli likes to wear his pjs or shirts around the house. It's either no shirt or one arm out these days. That's my silly little boy!

Monday, August 24, 2009

Big Trouble in a Little Shirt

As you can see, Eli likes his shirt. =) Enjoy!

NeedToBreathe

This past weekend we drove to Indy to see the NeedToBreathe concert with Brad & Michele Smith. They were playing at a place called Radio Radio, which was a cool little bar and a great place to watch bands. Griffen House was the first singer that went on. He was really good...kind of a mixture of Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and Johnny Cash's sound. NeedToBreathe then came out and did an amazing job. They are so talented! I love their harmonies! It was such a fun night with good friends. Thanks Brad & Michele for going with us and putting us up for the night! It was fun hanging with you!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Crossroads Playground

Last week Eli and I met Lindsay and Cole Good at the Crossroads Church Playground. Eli has wanted to go there back when they began building it. He was so excited! The boys loved exploring the equipment. To my surprise, Eli went down every slide....even the very high ones! I definitely have a little boy with no fear. Two little girls showed up and Eli and Cole had fun playing with them, too. We just may have to make a weekly trip to this playground before the weather gets too cold. Fun!


Friday, August 21, 2009

Ready, Set, GO!

Eli got a race track from his cousins for his birthday. He loves it!!!!! (But Murphy hates it!) After it took Mommy about an hour to put together (yes, I struggled with it) Eli played with it for a long time. Daddy came home for lunch and the "boys" raced one another. There were lots of giggles, especially when Murphy tried to attack the cars. What a great gift!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Manowe Ranch

Scott, Eli and I all got a tour of the Manowe Ranch in Sturgis, MI. This ranch is such a beautiful place with an amazing story. Justin Maust, a friend from GCC-Elkhart, works with the program 5-Star which utilizes the ranch. 5-Star is an after school program that teaches character and leadership. It's amazing how many lives this program touches. During the summer they use the ranch to have a camp and introduce some of those kids to Jesus Christ. Scott is becoming involved with helping Justin get contacts for funding of 5-Star. He's very excited about this opportunity.

Check out the website on the Manowe Ranch. http://www.manowe.org/ Its a beautiful place to just go stay for relaxation, too.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Carnival Birthday Party









On Sunday we had Eli's "carnival" birthday party. We rented a bouncer, had a popcorn machine and sno cone machine, had "popcorn" cupcakes and a carousel cake, and had pony rides. Lots and lots of fun! The weather was incredibly hot, so the sno cone machine was definitely a favorite for the kids and the adults.

Eli loved playing with all his friends! It was definitely one of the best days of his life! Thank you to all who could come and for all the wonderful gifts! You really made this day special!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Eli's Birthday

Eli woke up bright and early on his birthday! He was so excited! After breakfast we went outside to give Eli one of his birthday gifts. Eli loved his new bike! We were impressed that it only took about 5 minutes and he figured out how to ride it! He did really well with the peddles. Eli and Daddy then took a little bike ride.




Paw Paw then came over and gave Eli a gift. Paw Paw got him a Radio Flyer Big Wheels. He loved it!

Later that day we met Grandma, Paw Paw, and Uncle Casey at Red Robin. Eli really likes that place, especially the bird, "Red", that is there. When we got there we were informed that "Red" is only there on Tuesdays....bummer. We had a wonderful meal, which Eli still really enjoyed. Then, the servers came to sing to Eli, and to our amazement "Red" was with them! Eli was so happy!!! He was hilarious to watch! They brought Eli a big sundae, but he was definitely more interested in "Red".

After dinner we headed back to Grandma and Paw Paw's house for more gifts and cake. He was so spoiled this year! Grandma bought him a play kitchen (he loves to pretend he's cooking....takes after Daddy)! Also, he got a play food, big boy underwear (we hope he uses this soon), a car and a V-Tech camera. Uncle Casey got him the V-Motion System (can't wait for him to use this)! We ended the evening with some delicious ice cream cake....yum!

It was such a fun birthday for him. He was all smiles all day long!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Happy Birthday Eli!

Today Eli is 3 years old! Can't believe how fast time goes! As I was rocking him last night I was telling him the story of when he was born. Couldn't help myself from crying. Just can't believe what a beautiful boy God has given us. I am amazed at all the changes he has made through these years. He has such a kind heart and fun personality, and he's so smart! He remembers things that I definitely forget.

I'm so proud of you, Boo! Happy Birthday! We love you!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Pulse Festival 2009

On Saturday we went to the Pulse Festival in Mishawaka. The line up of artists were: Robbie Seay Band, Ayiesha Woods, Hawk Nelson, David Crowder Band and Jeremy Camp. Scott and Darrin Tucker left about 8:30 that morning to go get good seats. The morning weather was cool, yet humid and rainy. Eli went to Grandma's for the day, so Darrin's wife, Amber, and their kids, Tyrus & Gracie, picked me up about 1:30 and we headed over. By the time we got there is was SO HOT!!! Even though the weather was difficult for me be in all afternoon, it was well worth it! We got there in time to watch the David Crowder Band. They were awesome! Then, the last act was Jeremy Camp, who is also very good. By the time we left we had a sunburn, especially Scott & Darrin. We will definitely be going to this next year, too. Amazing music!

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Love that Carousel

On Thursday we were invited to join Lindsay and Cole Good in Shipshewana for the morning. Eli always loves to go there! The boys got to play in the toy store, then went on a carousel ride. We then ate at Jo Jo's Pretzels....love it! Was a fun morning! Thanks for letting us join you!

Thursday, August 6, 2009

3 Year Pictures

I took Eli on Wednesday to get his 3 year pictures done at Portrait Innovations in Granger. Eli at first wasn't cooperating well, but they really worked with him. In fact, the only man that worked there hung with us basically the whole time just to make him laugh. Eli loved him! He named him "Silly Chris". I was really pleased with the pictures. It was SO hard to pick through them...too many good ones. These ended up being my 3 favorites. We'll definitely go back there again.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Everybody Cut Footloose

Last Saturday night I got to go to dinner with friends and to see the musical "Footloose". I met Marcia Hershberger, Tracie Lehman and Dawn Manger at Chubby Trout for dinner. We also celebrated Marcia's birthday! Surprise! We then headed to Memorial High School to see the performance of "Footloose" performed by the Elkhart Civic Theatre. Dawn actually choreographed some of the songs....the dancing on her songs was the best, too! It was a really cute musical and brought back many memories of watching the movie and dancing to all those songs as a child.

While Mommy was away, Daddy took Eli to Mishawaka to eat at Five Guys. Then, they headed to Scott, Micki and Grace Kidder's house. They had the Nickoloff family there visiting. Eli loved seeing the baby twins, Jackson & Ellison. Grace and Eli also made ice cream sundaes. Turned out to be a fun night for all!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Lunch with the Millers

Last Thursday Amy, Kinsey and Kayla Miller came over for a visit. The girls and Eli had fun playing outside and in the playroom while Amy and I chatted. Then, we had a good lunch together. Eli even started liking grapes because the girls were eating them! He now asks for them all the time! Amy and I don't get to see one another too often, so it was so nice to get together.

Thanks for coming over & hope we can get together again soon!