Uncle Luke's Graduation Party

Last weekend we went to Uncle Luke's graduation party. He and his friend, Connor, had a combined party, and we all had a blast! They had a giant, inflatable slip and slide and a two story dual slide. Needless to say, everyone got in on the action.

Uncle Luke and Caleb sliding together

Uncle Luke gave Caleb a head start for their race!

Creed and baby Luke

Luke LOVED the slide and probably went down it 20 times!

Caleb going head first!

Caroline head first, too!

 (Since there wasn't "an operator present," most slide rules were broken. Actually I think we managed to break every single rule posted. Oops!)

Grandpa also managed to take some video footage and posted it on youtube. Here are the links...

Caleb and Levi (one of Uncle Luke's teacher's son) on the slip and slide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4UUg4bkLIw&feature=youtu.be

Grandmom, Caleb, and baby Luke on the slide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixDTXb_rcwM&feature=youtu.be

Like I said, everyone had a good time. Even Creed showed off his daredevil side and did a few somersaults down the slide:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EeAYPv-eA0

Zoo Trip with Aunt Paige

We are all LOVING having Aunt Paige home this summer. Aside from the fact that Creed and I have had a few date nights, the boys love playing and being silly with Paige. Last Friday it was supposed to be cloudy and cool, which in my opinion is the best day for a zoo trip. Caleb was never impressed with the zoo, or even animals for that matter, so we hadn't taken him in over a year (besides the annual Halloween party.) This was Luke's first trip, and he loved it! He barked at all the animals and got so excited that his whole body shook. It was precious! Caleb had fun running around and was content with his enormous bag of popcorn (that he ate entirely before bedtime that night!)

The carousel with Paige

 Luke even loved the fish!

Yep, he ate every single morsel. 

Sorry about the video being sideways. I was so eager to get a video of his excitement that I didn't realize I had my phone sideways. Oh well, it is still precious. And this is what he did for every single animal that he saw!

Last Day of School

On May 25th, Caleb had his last day of school in his preschool 3s class! We are so incredibly thankful for Mrs. Fisher and the way she has taken care of our little man this year. He simply adores her, and has said at least five times since that day, "I sure miss Mrs. Fisher." That morning I snapped this picture when I dropped him off...

Caleb's class had a party that day to celebrate the end of the year, but since it was my last day of work as well, I couldn't go. Luckily Grandmom, Aunt Paige, and Luke were able to attend.

I'm reminded of THIS day, less than a year ago.

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend, although it felt as though much of it was spent like this...

Saturday we went up to Dayton for Adam's graduation party, where I managed to take ZERO pictures. In my defense, it was hard chasing Luke around a nonbaby-proofed house! They did have a baby pool set up, so Caleb, Caroline, and Luke had fun splashing around.

Sunday we were so excited to make it to the pool for the first time of the season! Luke loved swimming around and Caleb was a little fish, as always.

Sunday night we hung out in Brody's yard and let the boys (and the Dads!) slip and slide. We ended up staying out until past dark, which meant that the lightning bugs came out. Caleb and Brody LOVED chasing them around!

Sunday I took the boys to Cousin Eli's house for a cookout. (Again, ZERO pictures) Caleb had so much fun playing with his cousins and ended up napping in the car again because he was so worn out!

It was a busy and fun weekend! Bring on summer!!

Luke- 15 Months

Earlier this week, Luke had his 15 month well-baby checkup. He checked out fine, weighing 22 pounds, 13 ounces (25th) and was 31 1/2 inches tall (50th). He only had to get one shot, so it was relatively an easy visit.

At 15 months, Luke loves...
-Sleeping in his bed (8pm til 8 am, plus around a 3 hour nap each day)
-Playing with toys, especially Caleb's pretend food and kitchen toys
-Getting into (and making a huge mess in!) our master bathroom
-Shredding napkins, toilet paper, Kleenex, etc.

-Playing in Caleb's room
-Wrestling and playing rough
-Snacks (Pretzels are a new favorite.)
-Sitting on the couch with you (This is new and he thinks he is SO big.)

 -Playing in water
-Being outside and going on walks
-Having "conversations" with you
-Drinks, especially if he gets a sip from your cup

At 15 months, Luke DOES NOT like...

-Having food or toys taken away (especially if you hand it back to Caleb!)

-Riding in the car for longer than 15 or 20 minutes

-Being told "No."

-Being redirected away from something

-Getting hot outside

-Swallowing (This is just an assumption, as he goes through at least 3 shirts a day due to his excessive drooling!)

Just for comparison, I just had to pull up THIS post. (Personally, I think Caleb's full head of hair made him look a lot older at this age.)

Shaving Cream

Just some rainy day fun! Luke normally only has his passie at bedtime or in the car. However, I thought it would be necessary to keep him from tasting the shaving cream.

Passie on the floor and shaving cream in the mouth. He's a crazy one, that's for sure!

Uncle Luke

Life has been busy for Uncle Luke recently. He started his first real job- a lot tech at Bachman! Creed's been working him hard, and keeping an eye on him. ;)

 A few weeks ago he had his senior prom. He looked so handsome and Brianna was as beautiful as ever. His friend, and future college roommate, Connor, took a beautiful gal to prom as well- Cousin Emma! Apparently they met at baby Luke's first birthday and started "talking." Hehe! I love it. (I think they are a thing now, as he rode with me to Dayton this past weekend for Adam's graduation!)

These two loved looking at "the princesses!" 

A little over ten years ago, I graduated high school and that same night, my baby brother Luke graduated kindergarten. We have pictures with both of us in our caps and gowns. It was pretty special. Last Friday, my baby brother graduated himself! Tear. Tear. Sniff. Sniff. Before the actual ceremony there was a reception and I brought Caleb and baby Luke. I tried to get a picture of the three, but this was the best I got... (Marshma and Papa picked up the boys before the ceremony and took them home- We were SO thankful!)



Getting his diploma. They announced at the graduation that the class of 2012 set some new records for Whitefield. While they are a smaller class, they set the record for the most scholarship money offered- averaging over $86,000 a student! They also set a record for highest ACT scores, with a class average of 26, and over half scoring 30 or higher! Pretty awesome! There were some proud parents there, for sure.

We are SO incredibly proud of you, Uncle Luke! We love you and miss you already!



A Day Downtown

Last week we met Marshma at the Science Center and let the boys play all morning. They both LOVE the Science Center, and we've been so thankful for the pass that Marshma and Papa got them! Luke soaked himself in the water play, and Caleb drove us around town on the bus. He even flew us to North Carolina to see PeePaw and Grandma Beth! When an IMAX movie started, the main part of the Science Center cleared out and Caleb had fun exploring all of the bigger exhibits. His favorite is the magnetic "thing" because he pretends it's The Claw from Toy Story.

After we left the Science Center we headed to Tumbleweed and enjoyed lunch on the river. Then we walked over the playground and let the boys play until they were worn out. (Actually, I think it was Marshma and I that were the most worn out!)

Thanks, Marshma, for such a fun day!

Salato Wildlife

Over the past few weeks I worked extra days due to statewide testing. Thankfully, Marshma and Papa, as well as Aunt Paige, were in town and could help on those extra days. One bonus, however, was that I was off work on Thursday, which also happens to be Creed's day off. We decided to take the boys to one of our favorite places, Salato Wildlife Center, just outside of Frankfort. There were a few field trips there that day, but we were still able to enjoy all the animals and beautiful scenery.

(Salato is great- it's FREE and you really get to see a lot. All of the animals (bison, bear, elk, wildcat, turkeys, deer, fish, etc.) are native to Kentucky and it seems more natural than the zoo. We really enjoy the walking paths and always take a picnic lunch.)

Caleb posing for the cover of Kentucky Afield magazine

I brought somewhat stale crackers to feed the ducks, but Luke caught sight of them. I think he ate half the package while we were there!

I have to say, this skunk was the highlight of my day! I think the only time I've ever seen a skunk in the past has been either in movies or dead on the side of the road, so it was neat seeing it up close. We were convinced they took the smelly stuff away- at least we were hoping so! ;)

Our Weekend

With the hot and sunny weather we were blessed with all weekend, we decided to break out the pool and sprinklers for the first time this year. Saturday we were out all morning and early afternoon and the boys had a blast playing with some of their neighborhood friends. Luke was so worn out that he ended up taking a FOUR hour nap! (I woke Caleb after two hours.) After nap time on Sunday we headed back out and played until dinner time. Brody set up his slip and slide and Caleb loved it. Apparently Luke was paying attention because before we knew it he was crawling on it and throwing himself down on his belly with an "Ahhh!" It was too cute to watch. Emily, Brody's mom, and I may or may not have done a little slip and sliding ourselves fully clothed, but I wouldn't say for sure. ;)