Summer lovin

We are throughly enjoying our summer.  With rain almost every day and sunshine in-between, we are finding things to do.  July 4th is in a few days and we haven't even made it to the pool or the beach YET!  That is completely ridiculous and has never happened in this household!

I must confess, I was dreading this summer.  I was so worried about Carsen being unhappy with school being done.  So fearful, that with the new house build, Matt would be too busy, and Jace, well, he is completely wild, so that concerned me…

So far, we are loving living in town, walking the blocks, walking to the parks, biking the bike path, having a backyard and keeping up with our friends.  The house project is well on its way with the footings in place and the walls being poured tomorrow!  Matt is gone but we are content and keeping busy.

Carsen walks all over the house now.  I follow him around because he will have a fall that is totally unexpected and I just can't trust him yet.  But, he has never been happier.  Can you imagine walking after all these years and no one is holding you up?  I just can't imagine the freedom he feels.  To have balance.  To be a toddler for 6 years and then all of a sudden balance.  It is seriously a miracle and everyday I thank God for this blessing.  So many kids don't get this opportunity, this miracle, this spectacular ability to balance and walk.  He gets in and we know we are blessed.  We feel the miracle everyday.  The best part about it is that I get to hear daily from other how they can't believe how good Carsen is doing.  My response is still a, I am in shock in and udder misbelief.  I feel like I can die a happy mom now!  Really I do…

Jace is seriously the wildest little boy I have ever seen.  He is hilarious.  I giggle at him multiple times an hour.  He is quick with his reactions.  Loves making silly faces.  He is intelligent.  He comprehended that the moon is out day and night and the sun is out only the day.  He knows the shapes of the moon and stars.  He knows the color yellow.  His vocabulary is growing so fast.  Another miracle in our life is this gift of having a child that is typical.  Wow.  Typical development just doesn't make sense when you have another child that has so many needs.  There are so many things that need to go right in order to have a child do "normal" activities and speech.  My favorite thing he talks about throughout the day is, "boba, dada, chai, boba, dada, dada, boba, bochai.  He loves the men in his life and he thinks about throughout his day.

Summer hodge podge

Life is C-R-A-Z-Y.  I don't want to forget about all the fun we had, so I decided to post one million pictures in one post.  The poor reader who comes across this post.  It is my quick busy make shift of a post.  Summer was awesome and I am thankful for my iPhone for most of these memories were captures!

Let's start with these two brothers, best friends, the goofball on the top and the chilled out bro on the bottom.  They are quite the pair...

I mean, come on, what can you say...

Boys will be boys...

Jace is in love with melmo and his blankie.  I found them this way when checking on his nap time.

The lake, our complete joy!  Even Carsen gets a good view!

Matt's birthday present was a night in the treehouse…best place ever!

Carsen gets his first bike! Trike!  He is super pumped to have it!

Its a perfect fit!

He is included in almost every task now, no stroller…up high where he belongs!

Matt welded Jace a rear seat so they could ride together, one happy mom!

Naps on the patio still remain the favorite!

Icecream in the park...

My handsome boys...

I love so much about this photo

Just another night at home, wanted to snag a pic of me, being mom...

Party planning!  Always a must to have a side hobby to keep me sane!

They love to wrestle...

And play with tractors...

Rainy day splash pad days...

The boat is our favorite place to spend time as a family!

Even Jesse gets to be with us…lucky guy...

The new house is staked out and we are on our way to a very busy life...

Watch out….

I believe this was hand foot and mouth month…the worst illness ever...

Sunsets...

Pool days!  We had a lot of  them...

Mr. Potato head anyone?

New puppies at the farm, entertain us on some cold days...

Feeding the ducks in Alex.

Running away...

Carsen gets a lot of snuggles

Jace gets a lot of kisses and hugs...

We have a lot of friends who like to push the bike!

A day with my bestie!

And this goofball….

Seriously my favorite place to be…my moms patio...

Outdoor fun...

Cohen's t-ball games!

4th of July was hot and awesome!

Football player??

Dancer??

Soccer player?

Cross Country runner?  He can't decide!

Mark gets a new tube and Carsen gets to finally ride without holding onto someone!

I think he likes it!

A giraffe for the parade…in case you couldn't tell!

One 15min break in the boat without anyone else!

TROUBLE!!!!!

We only squeezed in 3 pool days…but we loved every second!

I don't get to see this girl enough!! Love her to pieces!

this doesn't count as a pool day!

Minnewaska lake is our second home!

We get to be goofy!

A cold day at the lake = a day at the barn yard

he loved seeing the birds!

Carsens therapy pool is placed!  I couldn't be more excited for him!

Perfect peace!

My praying 18 month old…precious!

From Precious to dirty...

The schmidgall clan having another fire!

Gator rides were the hit this summer!

Starbuck beach day!

We accomplished our Bucket list!

I enjoyed a lot of coffee!

Spent many sundays on the boat!

Watched my big boy swim like crazy in the lake...

Enjoyed watching Jace just be a boy in this big open world!

Ugh…I want summer back!

My precious sight a majority of my day!

The most gorgeous day to go to the beach….Lake Le Homme Du

We just played and played!

He loves life!

My dad walked Carsen every chance he got!

Hippotherapy!

He is a pro!

Time with my nephew!! He is the best little swimmer!

Time with two other nephews!

Matt is super busy building, but he makes some time for dozer rides!

Carsen walks and walks and walks around the house…all by himself!

Cartoons and popsicles...

Jace likes to wear Carsens shoes!

He adores Carsen!  Calls him "Ca" and always makes sure he is included in every task, every snack, and every hug!

Lussenden Family weekend!

Zorbaz popcorn was his fav!!

We sure have a blast!

Family pictures!

Backyard evenings...

Rides are scary this year...

And running around is awesome!

First year without a stroller!  He walked for 3 hours and couldn't walk for 2 days!

These two…they were meant to be!

I can't leave out gardening and canning!

My little "helper"!

Celebrating Genies Birthday with Stellas and pedicures!

Roof truss's go up!

Carsens bedroom view!

Carsen goes to summer school 6 days and he loves being there!

Corn anyone?

"Teeth?"  

Have some pretty awesome photog friends!

More bonfires and smores!

Gator rides while matt works...

Boys...

One last sunset!

Feeling so blessed with Carsens progress this summer and Jace's typical development.  We have so much fun learning to tricks as parents and just enjoying the nice weather and fun activities going on.  Hope this Fall is just as fun!!