KY State Fair

We had so much fun at the fair this year! We went with Grandmom, Grandpa, Uncle Luke, and Aunt Briana, and thankfully, planned to go on an evening that wasn't too hot or too crowded. The boys basically ate fair food and rode rides for hours, so they thought it was just great!

Big brother requested a corn dog

while Little ate grilled corn. 

(This is a great representation of just how different these two are!)

Sweet treats...

Uncle Luke had the task of riding the ferris wheel with the boys.

and even more sweet treats

This year Caleb was tall enough for all of the rides he wanted. I love his fearlessness!

When Caleb wanted to ride this ride, I agreed, but after it got going, I have to admit, I was a little worried about him.

Thankfully he ran off the ride like the big kid that he is...even though his little heart was racing! He is our adrenaline junkie! 

The First Day of School

On August 10th, we sent Caleb to third grade and Luke headed off to kindergarten!

Luke was excited for his first day and never showed any sign of anxiousness. He has the same teacher that Caleb had and knows the majority of students in his class from either preschool, church, or because they have siblings Caleb's age, so I'm sure that helped him to be comfortable. 

He still goes half day, but we think 7:45 until 12:25 is the perfect amount of time for this little guy...who doesn't think he is so little anymore. :)

Caleb was pumped to start school this year! When he found out that all of his best friends were in his class, that made it even better.

He is just getting so grown up!

We walked the boys in the first morning. 

Love his confidence!

That's his Okay, you took your pictures now please leave.

Caleb didn't want us to walk him to his room so we said good bye and watched as he walked to the other building. I was having visions of high school...

The kids tried to make my back to school week feel special as well. ;)

School Update:

A few weeks in, we are still smiles each morning, as long as bedtime comes early the night before. Caleb loves his teacher and is getting back into his groove with reading and studying for tests. (Mom is not there yet. ha!)

 Luke thinks kindergarten is great! It is obvious that he is trying really hard to please his teacher and it's incredible how much his mind has already soaked up!

I've said goodbye to teaching arts and humanities at work and am focusing on math interventions this year. I will be a pro at Common Core Math in no time at all. ;)

On this particular morning, Luke was so happy to see that they were twins and wanted me to take a picture. Sweet boys!

The Rest of July...

Luke went to House of Boon to celebrate his buddy Owen's 6th birthday. Based on how sweaty he was, I think he had a good time. 

Caleb and Luke worked all summer on their Lego city.

Caleb and I went on a lunch date to Sake Blue at his request.

This bike and scooter rack has been a major garage game changer. A co-worker of mine made it and it has made things so much nicer!

The boys went dress shopping with me and were rewarded with lunch out. And by lunch I mean an Icee and a sugar cookie. :)

Creed and I had a great time at Churchill Downs for the last night races of the season. 

Lake Life

Looking back at my pictures from July and the beginning of August, the vast majority were taken at the lake. After spending the first week of July in Virginia at Claytor Lake, we managed to visit three other lakes that month, which was simply awesome. We all enjoyed our laid back lake days.

We spent three days at one of our favorite lakes in Kentucky, Lake Cumberland. We went with Grandmom and Grandpa, as well as Uncle Luke and Aunt Briana and had a great long weekend. 

We found a waterfall back in a cove so Uncle Luke and Aunt Briana took the boys up there to feel the icy cold water.

Wild tube rides...

I LOVE Caleb's expression...obviously he was having the time of his life!

While we stayed in a cottage at the State Park, we met up with Uncle Mark and Aunt Cathy on their houseboat. Caleb and Luke think houseboats are just about the greatest thing, so they were happy as could be. 

Aunt Cathy and Luke went exploring around the cove that they were anchored up in. They were probably gone an hour checking out rocks, fish, turtles, and anything else they could find.

We ate three meals on the lake at Fishtales at Wolf Creek Marina. It was a favorite for sure! (So was their ice cream!)

The following weekend we went on a couples (NO kids!!) trip to Nolin Lake. It was so relaxing! Most of the weekend was spent either floating on a raft or laughing...I laughed so hard my stomach hurt on more than one occasion! Such a fun time with friends!

Me with Ashley and Nikki

Katie and I got up the nerve to do a little cliff jumping. It didn't seem like it was high at all but was much higher once we got up there. ;)

 While we were away, the kids played! Caleb and Luke got to go back to Lake Cumberland that weekend and spent the day on the houseboat with family. They didn't miss us at all.

with Caroline

The following day they went kayaking down Floyds Fork with Grandmom and Grandma.

Nope- they didn't miss us at all!

There was also lots more fun to be had at Taylorsville Lake this summer!

We took our neighbors (They have 4 boys but left the baby with a sitter for the day!) and all the boys had a blast playing on the water.

Back to Claytor...the boys and I decided last minute to head back to Virginia for a quick three day trip the first few days of August. Our happy place...

The rainy morning didn't stop the boys from swimming.

Since Creed couldn't go, we sent him lots of I miss you and wish you were here pictures like this one.

Our last family Thursday at the lake before (the dreaded...) school starts.

One of the best things about having a slip at the marina is being able to get under cover for the pop up rain showers that have come so much this month. 

Whew...summer went by in the blink of an eye. Way, way to fast for my liking. Nothing beats these lazy, sunscreen filled days.
 Let's just hope for sunny and warm weekends these next few months. :)