Fox Brook Park

We had such a fun Saturday with our friends Kenny, Echo, and Nolan. They invited us to go to Fox Brook Park to go bike riding and play in the sand.
The bike ride was so pretty. There is a little trail that goes around the whole lake that you can take. It isn't very big but so fun. Nolan loved it! He was taking in the breeze. The temperature was perfect too.



After we got sick of riding we decided to let the kiddies roam around. At first both Nolan's were pretty content with the playground area but soon their eyes were opened to the lake. Our Nolan headed straight for it. We didn't even come prepared for him to get wet. Jake had to quickly get his shoes and pants off before he went in.
Nolan was becoming way to curious of the deeper waters so we took off everything. Without any hesitation Nolan went right in. He even went completely under. I couldn't believe he liked it that much. Jake had to hold on to him the entire time or he would have swam off. Probably not, he's too little, but you know what I mean.


After awhile we had to drag Nolan out of the water to play with something else. We weren't even suppose to be in the water because they have no life guards on duty this time of year. Leave it to us Rabe's to break all the rules.

We finally got Nolan to play with a beach ball that the other Nolan had brought. Isn't that crazy that they have the same name. Two little buddies.




Then of course I had to get the old men to pose for me. The lake was so pretty and the men, of course, look so cute! Jake and Kenny just know how to strike a pose.







We finished off the day with me trying to get all the sand off of Nolan and in to some dry clothes. That kid is a handful.

Even after I got him in some clothes he was back to the sand again before I could catch him. No biggie. We had such a great time with our friends. Thanks guys for inviting us along.

Research

On Thursday Jake had a presentation of the research he did over the summer. They made these really detailed posters of what they did with their research, the results, and if they found any type of success or patterns, etc. Jake did his on "Exposure to Near Infrared Light Enhances the Effects of Hypoxia Following Long Bone Fractures." Sounds a little too complicated to me. But nonetheless we are so proud of his research and wonderful poster that he put together. It was fun to see him explain his research to other students and doctors that came by. My husband is so smart! And very handsome I might add in his professional attire. Way to go Jake!!!

hApPy BiRtHdAy BoYs

Today is my brother-in-laws birthday!!! Wahoo! We wish we could be there to celebrate Ben. We hope you have a sweet day and that Kendra and Sophie treat you well. Actually we hope that you are able to see them today with your busy schedule.
Too bad we aren't there to give you a hard time about your age. It's weird to think that we are all getting older. One more year of youth. You better live it up because next year we are going to be giving you a very hard time!

HaPpY bIrThDaY bEn!!!!!!

Also, we have another birthday to celebrate today. Nicole's husband Courtland has a birthday today as well. He is new to the family and we love him to death! It was fun to see his true colors when we went to Lake Powell. We can't wait to see more of him. Courtland we hope you have an excellent day! Wish we could be there.

hApPy BiRtHdAy CoUrTlAnD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

silly nolan

Nolan and I were incredibly bored on Saturday because Jake was at the school all day long studying getting ready for a big Pathology and Psychology test on Monday and Tuesday so we decided to have a little fun.
Here's the story. I use a febreeze squirt bottle that I cleaned out and put water in to do Nolan's hair everyday. To my amusement Nolan has figured out how to squirt water out. The funny thing is, he only knows how to do it when it's facing him. It is hours of entertainment for Nolan and of course me. He thinks it's the funniest thing in the world. He gets so mad when I finally put it away and tell him he is too wet to keep doing it. Who knew a squirt bottle could be so much fun. This kid is crazy!

The big 2..1..

This is a shout out to my little brother who is serving a mission in Austria. It is his 21st birthday on the 18th of September. I can't believe he is that old! I told him that we will be hitting Vegas when he gets back. He is officially old enough to gamble and partake of the sweet nectar. It's a wonderful thing!

I am so proud of him for serving a mission. He is so lucky to serve in such a beautiful place. I'm always in aw when he sends pictures of where he has been. I can't wait for my little bro to get home. His release date is set for February 5th. Wahoo!!! I feel like I haven't been able to crack jokes with anyone. He is always the one that gets me.
I love ya bud! You are my favorite and only brother. I miss having you around but am glad you are serving the Lord. You know the party will be right here, well it has moved temporarily to Milwaukee, but you know what I mean. I hope you have a wonderful 21st Birthday!!!

SAFE!

Jake's softball team the "Wild Types" have started up their season again. Every Friday night they are ready to play. Their first game was last week and they were able to come away with a victory. Last night they played the other M2 team, the "Permanent Streakers" and weren't so lucky. They didn't win but they had a good time talking a lot of smack.
Nolan was rearing to go the whole game. He wanted his chance to show them how it should be done. So after the game we let Nolan practice running through the base. He is pretty good at it.



I'm surprised at how coordinated he is. Maybe baseball will the be the sport of choice. Who knows. I can't wait for him to start "T" ball. This kid never ceases to amaze me.

BeEp BeEp!!

Pretty sweet ride, right? Nolan will be picking up the chicks in no time. The little boy, Harry, that I babysit was kind enough to share his car with Nolan the other day. This is the cutest little car that I have ever seen. It has a handle so I can push the boys around. And since Nolan is in to being a big boy he loves to push little Harry around the block all afternoon. I couldn't keep the smile off his face. Thanks Harry for letting us share your wonderful toy.
Let me tell you that this little toy is the most coveted toy in the cul-de-sac. Everyone boy and girl is fighting over it. Harry is one lucky dude to have such a cool toy!

i'm a big boy now

Lately when I vacuum, which is everyday because I'm a little OCD, Nolan wants to help in someway or another. It is pretty cute to see him want to be such a big boy and help his mommy. Pretty soon I will have this boy doing all the chores around the apartment. I tease. Boys aren't as good at cleaning and straightening up as girls so I guess I will have to put my men to work out in our yard. Oh wait, we don't have one. Well someday we might. A girl can dream.

Labor Day

I've decided that I have become a horrible photographer. I always seem to forget to take pictures of what we did throughout the day. I don't know if it is because of laziness or just stupidity. Anyway, we did a have a very eventful Labor Day. First off we went over to our friends Haley and Judd's for a little lunch. We fired up the grill and had a great time. Nolan loved all the attention. Then our friends headed off to the lake and we headed back home for nap time.



Later on that night our cul-de-sac had a BBQ as well. Jake and I shared a steak that was magnificent! Jake definitely knows how to cook a steak! Mmmm. Everyone showed up for the event. It is always a good time with the neighbors.










Of course I didn't take any pictures of everyone that was there, I was just so occupied with Nolan that I forgot all about our friends. He was being so dang cute! I had to snap more than a few shots. I hope our next baby will get the same amount of attention as Nolan has from the camera.



Nolan's incisors are coming in and you can definitely tell. In the very last picture they are so swollen and red. That has probably been another factor in to the wonderful past week we had. Poor kid. I hope they pop through soon.

mommy time!

On Monday Nolan and I decided to relax a little bit. We watched a little TV together, read some books and cuddled. I loved it! Nolan rarely likes to hang out with me if Jake is around so I took full advantage. Thanks buddy for a great day!

















I think Nolan got a little too use to the TV from being sick last week. We will have to work on doing other things to keep his mind occupied.

Back to work

Jake is back to school and I am back to work. Well, it doesn't really feel like work. I get to watch our neighbors little boy Harry Monday through Thursday. It has worked out perfectly. His mom is a professor at Marquette teaching math. So she gets to do all the hard stuff and I get to play.
Nolan and Harry are just getting use to each other again. I think it is great for them to hang out with each other and interact. It's good for them.


I have to say that Harry is one of the easiest kids around. The only thing we need to work on with him and getting him use to Jake when he comes home. I don't know what it is but every day when Jake comes in Harry starts crying and is so scared of Jake. We think it's pretty funny. Someday he might like Jake. Until then, I'm the favorite and really liking it.

Wheels

Nolan's fascination with wheels is at an all time high. He has been really sick this past week with a bad ear infection and just cries and cries. So we got out the old stroller to take him for walks when he just won't stop crying. Every time we get back, without fail, he wants us to put the stroller upside down so he can spin the wheel and climb up on it. It seemed to be the only thing that would make Nolan stop crying.
He is doing all better now that he has been on antibiotics for four days. We were really hit with reality when we got back from a long vacation. I'm hoping we can put the sleepless nights and days behind us and move forward.