Happy Halloween from a special Dragon!

This was Luke's 1st trick or treating experience. Last year, we took him to a couple neighbors but just to show him in his costume. We had planned on doing that again this year since we didnt want to carry him around the whole night (and he is allergic to milk so he can't eat the chocolate) but Luke surprised us and started walking on Friday!!! Once he started, he really hasnt stopped yet. He is extremely proud of himself and showed it off the whole time we were trick or treating, which was only about 7-8 houses. He also enjoyed seeing all the kids in their costumes. When they came to the door, he would sometimes say"ohhhh" or get a big grin on his face. Here are some pictures of him in his dragon costume! Luke and Mommy
Luke and Daddy

Watching the kids from the porch trick or treating, probably waiting for us to stop taking pictures

Getting candy

Seeing what kind of candy he got!

Bible Heroes Party

On Saturday night, we took Luke to my parent's church to go to a Bible Heroes party. All the children were supposed to dress up like their favorite bible hero and then they all played games and had some food. We didnt plan to go till the last minute because we werent sure if Luke would be better, (he had an ear infection again last week) , which is the reason he is not in a costume. Each game represented a hero from the bible, and Luke's favorite game was trying to throw a football in the lion's mouth (Daniel and the Lions Den). Austin and Karsen liked the game where they had to find a treasure in a big bucket of shaving cream....MESSY! Anyway, here are some pictures.

Luke looking through the Lion's mouth cutoff instead of throwing the football.

Austin and Karsen dressed up in ponchos with their box of animals to represent Noah.

Grandma with Luke, Austin and Karsen.
Austin and Karsen trying to guess how many animal crackers are in the jar.

Luke riding the waves!

Apple Works

It has been awhile and I have a lot of pictures to update....but maybe tomorrow. We have been busy, and just enjoying the final few nice days by spending them outside before it gets cold for the winter. A couple weeks ago, Keith went out of town so I took Luke down to Apple Works. It is a cute little apple orchard with store, hayride, pumpkins, campfires, corn maze, slide and a little petting zoo with goats.

The Lukester!

Another busy month is almost half over. I always look forward to September (probably since my birthday is the 1st) but it a good month weather wise too. It is also a good month as football season starts (probably more for Keith than me).
This morning, we enjoyed watching a couple soccer games, that Austin and Karsen had, with my whole family. Karsen is the the 4-5 league and seems to really enjoy it. She really does well with the ball for her age. Austin just turned 8, and is in the 8-10 league so it is much more aggressive. Austin plays all positions but I think he does best as a forward. He prefers Mid though...I wont blog his reasons though:) We always try and arrange a couple games a season where Erin and Ken from Fort Wayne come and my parents meet us there so they have a REALLY big cheering section.

Luke is finally feeling better after being sick this week. He had his sixth ear infection and it took a lot longer for this one to go away. Along with that, he may have had a cold or his teeth coming in were bothering him because his fever caused him a very high temperature and a very sleepy boy. He was put on breathing treatments also for when he gets wheezy. He is back to his smiley self. He is very much into the camera right now. He is getting much more talkative now, even though a lot of we cant understand, but he does say several words. He has been working on thank you for awhile now, and it sort of comes out annnn you. Here are some pictures!!!Luke getting up close with the camera. He loves to look at the picture after I take it.
Finding a new game with the bouncer.

Luke with his breathing treatments.

Luke and Aunt Erin at Ivanhoes celebrating our birthdays.

Luke and I at Ivanhoes celebrating our birthdays.

August Update!

Luke after bathtime brushing his teeth (maybe a 1st haircut is in the future)
Cruising along at the zoo.

Peek a boo!

Feeding Austin since we wouldnt let him feed the animals")

Keith getting ready for some football.

I have a feeling this blog will be few and far between as we have been so busy lately...I will really try to do better. Im not really sure what we have done to keep us so busy but the days have been flying by.

Keith started his MBA this week, so this week has been getting home past 9 pm every night. His classes are Monday and Wednesday with group projects every once in a while. The showings on our house have really picked up lately as well. We have had one every day this week.

Luke and I have been keeping busy during the days by playing outside more. The weather has been mid 70's so we can go out before lunch and not get a sunburn:) He is still working on his walking, and after his 15 month appt our doctor has come to the conclusion it is just a balance issue (trying to balance his 6-9 month foot with his 33 inch tall (95%) body) If he isnt walking by 16 months, we will start physical therapy. He loves to walk/cruise and is down to one pinky holding my hand to walk....its just the letting go part. His new favorite thing (when we go to other's houses) is going up the stairs. He loves to go up the stairs and then just waits at the top till someone helps him down. He is starting to learn the down part too.

Some of the fun activities this month have been going to Minnesota to visit Keith's family and celebrate his parent's anniversary. While we were there we got to go to a Twins game and Vikings training camp. At the training camp, there were a lot of activities for little kids so it will fun to go in a couple years with Luke. We also went with my side of the family to a little zoo. It was fun seeing all the animals, and getting to feed them from our hands.

Another new highlight is Luke is now blowing bubbles in the bathtub. If I can ever figure out to post video (help anyone???) I will have to post because it is pretty cute.

Family Time

We have had a busy weekend/week. Luke has been all over southeast Indiana this week! Keith was in a wedding for one of his friends, Mason on Saturday. Instead of taking Luke to the rehearsal dinner and wedding, he went to Aunt Kelly and Uncle Josh's to spend Friday night. He had a great time and enjoyed playing with his cousins. Saturday morning, my dad picked Luke, Austin and Karsen up to go to my grandpa's farm to visit all the family. For those that dont know, my dad comes from a family of 8 brothers and sisters spread all over (London, Costa Rica, Montana) and they were all here for the family reunion that was held on Sunday. Keith and I had a great time at the wedding, and it was a great time of visiting with friends. After the wedding, we headed to Connersville to spend the night before the family reunion on Sunday. I think Luke was glad to see us after being away for a whole day. Yesterday, Luke and I went back to Connersville for the fair and swimming. He enjoyed his hot dog at the fair, but the swimming he preferred to sit on the edge. He was not as into it as he is during bathtime. It will be interesting to see who he takes after, Keith OR me, when it comes to swimming. Luke sitting on the edge of the slide with Grandma
Immediate Family picture at the reunion
My dad's side at the reunion (although I believe a few were missing)
Keith and I at Mason and Danielle's wedding.

The family fun doesnt end, we are traveling to Minnesota this weekend to help Keith's parents celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. Happy Anniversary John and Shirley!

Here you go!

Okay, I didnt realize that many people read this blog. I have been asked by several of my friends in the last week for new pictures. So...here you go.


Luke is doing good. We have been working on some new things this week.


He currently says mama, dada, uh oh, and some word that sounds like thank you. He has said ball a couple times as well as another word that sounds like more. I have been trying to teach him to locate belly button, nose and toes this week. The week has just began so that is a work in progress:)

We are still working on the walking, but I believe he will be a later than normal walker. He has small feet and a long body which makes him have a hard time holding himself up. I think once he gets the standing by himself down, he will take off. For now, we just hold on and walk and walk and walk around the house to practice.

Luke is also trying out his spoon. I wanted to start him out eating with a spoon early since he is extremely strong willed and wants no one to feed him but himself. He loves putting the food on the spoon in his mouth, but a lot of it is falling out at this point. With Lukes egg and milk allergies, it has been hard to try and have some variety on what he eats, but fortunately, he is a great eater and likes most things he tries.

Hope you enjoy the updates and pictures!

Feelin Hot, Hot, Hot

So, our air conditioner has been out since Friday. Someone FINALLY came and looked at it yesterday...looks like we may need a new one. They ordered a part to "fix" it until we get a new one. I feel so blessed to even have an air conditioner now that we have lived without it for five days. Thank you to all the friends that have offered their homes to Luke and I during the day. We have been okay here, so far, as we have ceiling fans in every room and we sit in front of the fan while we play. We have also kept busy by stalking the library, frequenting the CVS outside our neighborhood, and playing in Luke's little pool (he swims not me:) Here are some pictures.

Luke playing in the closet. His new favorite activity...he opens one side, crawls through, and then comes out the other side laughing.

Taking a break from reading to pose.

Beating the heat by reading a book.

Take me out to the Ballgame!

Last Sunday, Keith and I went with my sister, brother in law and nephew up to Chicago to see the Cubs/Twins at Wrigley Field. Keith and I have been to several ballparks to see the Twins (his goal is going to every major league stadium) and I have to see I really enjoyed the old fashioned feel of this one. We had a great time, despite the Twins losing 2-3. Kelly, Josh and Austin were excited about the win so we stayed around to sing the Cubs Win song. I was quite impressed with Austin getting almost every word correct of the song. Here are some pictures to recap!

The Cousin Reunion

Luke and I got to go to Ivanhoes for lunch last Wednesday with my two sisters, two cousins and four adorable children. Growing up, my cousins and sisters have been close since we saw each other often. We lived about 45 minutes away, but went to the same church so spent many weekends together. Now that we are all grown up and busy, we try and get together more than just holidays with the cousins so we thought Ivanhoes would be the perfect reunion. For those of you dont know, Ivanhoes is in Upland (Taylor University) and has 100 flavors of shakes and ice cream. YUM YUM!!!! When I was pregnant with Luke, Keith even drove me a "little" out of our way so I could have some of Ivanhoes nachos. Anyway, here are some pictures of our little reunion at Ivanhoes with cousins, sisters and families.

Luke with Auntie Erin
Lukes favorite cousins Karsen and Austin

Karsen, Max, Austin, and Meryl

The whole gang after Ice Cream.

Hopefully, I will post our Chicago pictures from this weekend tomorrow....if Luke takes a decent nap:)

Fun in the Sun!

We have been busy playing outside lately. The weather has been nice and not too hot so we can enjoy it. Luke has now been to three Indianapolis Indians baseball games. We got to go to a game last week with some friends A.J and Angel and their sweet son Ari. Luke seems to enjoy most of the games as long as we dont forget to keep his mouth full of food.

I did get the pool out for Luke to try last week, and he absolutely loved it. I knew he would like it since he loves bath night, but I wasnt prepared for the screaming once it was time to get out of the pool. Just swinging at the park.

Baseball game with the Hillebrand's
Enjoying the water

Nice Weather

I realized I haven't updated for a while. The weather has been so nice, we have been outside a lot more.

Also, Luke and I have not been home in the afternoons due to many people coming to look at our house. It has not created any more offers but hopefully we are getting closer.

Last week, Luke and I spent almost everyday at the doctor's. I had an ear infection that would not go away so went back to the doctor last Monday for some more antibiotics. Tuesday Luke had his one year appt (height 31 inches weight 19 lbs 2 ozs---skinny and tall like daddy). Thursday, Luke decided he needed an ear infection as well so he went to the doctor to find out he had a double ear infection. We are so fortunate for good insurance. Here are some updated pictures of us having fun outside.

During one of the showings of our house, Keith and I took Luke to the park. He enjoyed the slides with Daddy. (notice the matching shirts...not planned but cute)

Luke enjoying his new water table from Aunt Kelly.

Luke will be attempting to eat the water in a couple minutes.

Deciding that the water in the table is not as good as the water in his sippy.

I had to post this one because he just looks so grown up in this picture. I hope everyone has a great week!