August Rush

Jaren and his "Dart Cigar" which he loves!!!

"I LOVE TO READ!!!!!!!" I can just see how much he loves it in this sweet look on his face!

No... these are NOT capris or shorts. They happen to be Jaren's size 18 month jeans! I can't believe that he got them up AND buttoned!!! Ed and I were just dyin' laughing!

Such a sweet picture... they were watching Jaren's favorite cartoon, Barney, together. Jaren will be away from the TV and he will HEAR the song at the beginning and will crawl faster than a speeding bullet to see Barney. He then sits down and rocks back and forth, claps his hands and squeals with glee! It's HILARIOUS!

Our first time meeting Dexter, my new (step) nephew! (Lindsey's) He is SUCH A DOLL! He was born in July. Also, Owen welcomed his new baby brother, Evan (Rex's) to his family in June. I don't have pics of them yet! My kids just LOVE babies!

Above: Dexter and Eden

Below: Oliver and Dexter

Jaren taking a few steps at a time! It's so fun to watch him try to walk, then hobble and fall down. He just gets right back up and tries again!

The kids started school. Eden is now in Kindergarten and Oliver is in 2nd grade. I forgot to take the kids pictures before school. Eden's was taken after she got home and yes... I forgot to take Oliver's... I know... I know...

EWING / THOMPSON REUNION

Eagle Point Park

The last weekend in August is our family reunion on my mom's side of the family, specifically my grandmother's side. I was able to place people that I met with some of the families which I know of based on family history work. It was wonderful to have some questions answered and to hear in more depth what our ancestors were like. This was going to be the last one, but thankfully we are still going to be having this gathering for more years to come! Grandma was in the hospital, so she wasn't able to attend, but she was really where she needed to be. Katie, my cousin, and I pretty much represented the Young side of the family and helped to set up and take down food and whatnot. We had a great time!

Catch up from JULY

I loved this picture of Jaren after he ate a Star Kiss from DQ. With the red and blue on his face, he reminded me of the Joker from Batman!!!

Oliver celebrated his 7th birthday at the McDonalds Playland in Evansdale. We came home and the kids played, ate cake and opened presents. They had a lot of fun!

Oliver playing with his dart tag game after his birthday.

The kids and I went to Clinton with my mom to visit my grandparents. Here is Oliver looking through the lens at the Mighty Mississippi. We went to Eagle Point Park and the to Oakland Cemetery to see if we could find our ancestors on our own.

Jaren crawling all over my cousin, Katie. We had such a fun time that weekend we were there. Katie and I spent so much time together which we never really had done before. We laughed non-stop!

This was a new paddleboat on the Mississippi, the American Queen. It was starting to thunderstorm and so they lowered the smoke stacks to keep the boat safe from being struck by lighting.

On the 31st, Mom, the kids and I followed Katie to the Niabi Zoo, in Illinois, where we met up with my Aunt Sue. The kids had lots of fun there. I loved this little photo op of Oliver and Eden... they really are alot like monkeys!!

After that we stopped by Subway to grab a bite to eat and then we parted ways. It was alot of fun for all of us!