Luke's First Day of Preschool!

Yesterday, Luke went to his very first day of Preschool! Yeah! He is going to the same place that Ian went to called the Discovery Cottage. They aren't really a 'preschool', but they do preschool things, and it's a great way for 3 year olds to get acquainted with how things work in preschool. It is run through the parks department and they do fun things like games, activities, crafts, exploring the outdoors and cooking! He had a good time on his first day, and as far as I know, he didn't get in trouble! Plus, he went potty at school all by himself! Bonus!!! Mommy is going to enjoy her two hours a day, three days a week with only Mason! How wonderful for Luke! I'm so proud of my big boy!

Popcorn Festival Parade!

This last Saturday, we ventured out to the Valparaiso Popcorn Festival Parade! We went with my mom and met up with our friend Michelle and her two little kids, James and Alesy. James is the same age as Luke and are in Nursery at church together. Alesy was born a month before Mason, so we have a good time together!

We went to the parade to watch all the fun floats and get all the free candy we could! It was fun and Grandma was a great help! We always say every year that my mom needs to do another float! I think you should, Mom!!! The kids were ready to go by the end and so was I! ha ha ha!

Amy, Luke, James, Michelle and Alesy, and Ian (Mason is in the stroller behind! and Grandma's taking the picture!)

Luke's favorite part was the fire engines!!!

Mommy and Mason at the parade!

Ian and Luke got to meet Scooby Doo! How fun!!!!

Labor Day Fun

Last week for Labor Day, we were invited over to Dave's boss, Rich's, friends house, Don and Robin, for a BBQ and swimming! It was a lot of fun! Ian wasn't feeling too great (we found out later he had pink eye) but managed to swim and have fun for about a half hour. Luke had a blast swimming in the big pool with Shelby, Rich's daughter, and who ever would take him in the pool! Dave, I think, had the best time in the pool - he always says he doesn't like swimming very much, but just look at the picture and tell me what you think!?!?! He was like a 10 year old in the pool! I'm glad he's so fun like that! I got to relax in the pool a little too... I pretty much just floated around on a noodle, while Robin held Mason for me. It was a great time and good company! Thanks Don and Robin!

Like Father-Like Son...

Crazy Luke...

Ok, so we're trying to get the potty thing down with Luke (yes... still). But the other day, he was playing in my room while I was working on something on the computer - so I wasn't really paying attention (bad mommy!) - when he comes over and says "Look mommy, I'm Batman!" Ian thought it was really funny that Luke put underwear on his head, and Ian called him a transformer. (what?) Good thing the undies were clean! I guess Luke thought that since he's trying the underwear on the lower half, why not put it on his head too! What a goof! I think he wore it for a few hours that morning, and played with Ian well! Needless to say we're getting really close to Luke being potty trained - and if underwear on his head helps him remember, then by all means... go for it!

Our Little (dead) Friend, Mr. Mole...

Once upon a time there was a mole. We assume he's a MR. mole, but we didn't check. Mr. Mole for about a month has been reeking havoc throughout our yard and flowerbeds! We tried many a ways to get rid of Mr. Mole. At first we just kept trying to stomp down his tunnels, but he'd just come back. He was quite a tenatious fella. Then we went to the ever-so-expensive poisonous nightcrawler, and he'd just push it to the side! Next we tried the 'guarenteed mole repellant spray'. Well, you can see that didn't work. Next, Dave went online and read that a mouse trap with peanut butter on it in his tunnel would do it. All we got were a mouse trap full of ants. Mr. Mole, we assume, was pretty smart, because he would either throw dirt on the mouse trap to set it off, go around it, or underneath... so that didn't work. Next, Dave thought he'd get wise and pour gasoline down the hole, light the match, but not realize that the dry mulch near the hole would catch on fire! Thank goodness the hose was attached and nearby - otherwise, bye bye trailer! We were sure that the scent of the gas would keep him from coming back, but that didn't work either. Next Dave tried drowning out their tunnel - that didn't work either.

Then we decided, Monday night to go online and find something that would stop it dead in his tracks. We found the ever-so-impressive REVENGE SPEAR MOLE ELIMINATOR! Boy, you can't get more impressive than that. Spring loaded and set to go, it only took 24 hours to say goodbye to Mr. Mole. Dave was really excited when he got home from work today to find the trap had released and there was dead Mr. Mole already in rigor.

Ian and Luke were very impressed as well, and Mommy was a little crazed with the camera! (I've never seen a mole in real life before! - plus, it was tearing up my yard and flower beds!) Needless to say, we're thinking of renting our Revenge Spear out to our surrounding neighbors - there sure are a lot of mole runners in other yards, and hey, maybe we'll get some money out of it?!?!?! *wink*

bye bye, Mr. Mole!

Ian goes to School!!!!

Well... today was the big day! Ian went to his first day of Kindergarten! I can't believe I have a kindergartner!!! Ian was REALLY excited to go to school today. He got up on time and I made him a special request breakfast of Chocolate Chip Pancakes for his first day, and he got himself dressed and ready to go all by himself! The only thing that went wrong was that we were misinformed of the bus pick up time and missed the bus, so I had to drive him to school, which wasn't that bad either. Ian didn't have a hard time going into the school either, and was ready to get to his class fast! He likes his new teacher, and says she looks like his Aunt Missy! (I don't see it, but maybe in the way she talks - so there ya go Missy!) Ian had a blast today at school and really like when he drew his picture of the planets and of course, recess! He liked riding the bus home too! I am so proud of him! Dave gave him a Father's blessing last night for the school year, and I think it helped me more than Ian! And no... I didn't cry this morning at all, but was REALLY glad to see Ian after school! How fun this year is going to be!

So Proud of our Boys

I have to say that I really do have cute and wonderful little boys! I always thought I'd want more boys than girls when I was younger and dreamed of my future family. Now I have 3 amazing little guys and I pray that Dave and I can raise them to be wonderful men.

Ian Wendell - Age 5 1/2

Luke Cameron - Age 3

Mason David - Age 2 months

Mason's Baby Blessing - Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008

Mason David Formenti was finally blessed this past Sunday at church! We are so grateful that Grandpa Beeler made it home so that we could do this special event in Mason's life. Mason was blessed by his Daddy and blessed with very special qualities. Mason was blessed to have charity, health and strength, to love all people and other special gifts. I am indeed grateful that Dave holds the Priesthood of the church that he is able to bless our little babies!

We got a few family pictures after church to document the day. My sister and her family were able to be here as well for Mason's blessing.

And all I can say about the next picture is that Dave is totally responsible!

(it is mighty hilarious though!)

Visiting the Formenti's

This past Saturday, we also went to visit Dave's Grandma and Grandpa Formenti. This was their first time meeting Mason as well. They just loved him and we had a good time. We took Grandpa out to pizza for his birthday and went to a great place in Joliet called Vito and Nick's! How Italian does THAT sound!?!? Anyway, it was great pizza and we had fun! Ian and Luke LOVE to have Grandpa show them his train set in the basement too! That is one of the highlights of visiting them - besides Grandma's desserts!

On the move to Joliet...

This past weekend we also took a little trip over to Joliet to visit Dave's family! It was a great visit and we got to see a lot of family we hadn't seen in a while! We went to Granny's first and visited Dave's mom, Granny and Grandpa. Mason got to meet his Great Granny and Grandpa and Aunt Missy for the first time! It was nice!

Ian and Luke alsways enjoys the Jeep power-wheels at Granny's and now their cousin Anthony is big enough to play with! How fun!

Ian and Grandpa Dowler enjoying the beautiful day.

Granny and Mason - Dave and I

Mason sports his new smile! - Grandma Taylor LOVES little Mason!

Next door to Granny is Aunt Penny and they've got a tire swing that the boys really enjoyed playing on! They didn't want to leave! But all in all we had a wonderful time last Saturday!