The beginnings of a party

It may not look like much, but these records are the beginnings of Greg's 50th birthday party.  I have been trying to decide if I want to have it at the church or if I want to do it at another venue, but hopefully I'll get that nailed down this week - that's my goal.  I've got 4 months before the party, but that will be here before we know it.  It's good to at least have the beginnings of the party!

Ava and the Williams

Ava loves Kathleen and I love that when they are together they have so much fun.  She fits in just like a sister when she is there.  They sent me this picture of their homemade pizzas, but what I noticed were the huge smiles.  Those are some happy girls!

Working hard

We got up on Friday and the kids and I started working on the house.  Ava helped carry things out for a little while and then the Williams came to pick her up for a last summer playdate.  

I think Christine pulled a board or two up and Kathleen couldn't resist scratching her name in the wood.  

The boys and I cleared the rest of the entryway and half of the office.  They worked so hard!  Greg and I cleared the other half of the office when he got home and also did the eat in area of the kitchen.   

On Saturday we all got up and worked.  We put in another 5 hours (25 man hours) and finished up the entire thing!

It was quite the project and I can't believe we got it done within 48 hours of getting approval.  I really wanted to knock it out this weekend and the family all stepped up to make sure it got done.  

Here's a look into the garage!  They will deliver a dumpster next week and we will get our garage back.  

I'm so excited for this project to be completed - hopefully the contract workers are half as excited!  I'm really hoping we can be done in 5 weeks.  At least we have a good start on it.  

The Green Light

We got insurance approval on Thursday afternoon and I went upstairs and started to pull some of the hardwood out.  I couldn't wait any longer!

It wasn't too long before Zach and Ava came upstairs and realized what I was doing.  Zach was intrigued with the idea of being able to smash the floor with a hammer.  I told him to go for it!  He did a little pounding and then scratched his name in the floor.  It's kind of fun - but he better get it out of his system now!

Making progress...

These two figured out how to pry the wood and did a ton of carrying.  They were a big help.  The last time I tore up a floor, they were too little to help, so this was a huge and very positive change!

My goal was to clear the family room before Greg got home.  With this added muscle, we did it!

Greg was very impressed with our work and luckily he was willing to do some on Thursday night too.  He made some good progress in the hall and entry from the garage.  When we get the green light, we go!

6 years ago

This picture came up in my FaceBook feed the other day.  I couldn't believe how different the boys looked.  6 years made a huge difference - my tiny little morsels aren't so tiny anymore!

Carmel Football

Here is the Varsity and JV football team for Carmel this year.  It's a massive group - especially when you see them together like this.  Andrew is all the way toward the top on the right side.  These boys were state champs last year, so there is a lot to try to live up to.  I just want Andrew to have fun and stay safe!  I guess that's why they don't have me as a coach.  Here's to a great season!

Eric & Andrew

Beth sent me this picture of Eric and Andrew at EFY.  I think it's great.  What cute boys!!!

Ava takes us to the State Fair

Ava qualified to compete in the final piano competition at the Indiana State Fair.  She got 3 tickets to the fair as part of her acceptance - so she took us to the fair this year!  Andrew had a football scrimmage in the morning, so he couldn't come with us.  So, the 4 of us were off to the fair!

Here she is warming up.

In she goes to play for the judges.  

She did a wonderful job - we were so proud of her.  She played early in the morning, so we went to see the fair for a few hours until she needed to be back for group pictures and awards.  

There was this amazing lego display downstairs in the same building where she played.  It was really something to look at.

We headed off to see some animals - we love the babies!  This calf was so new!  It could barely stand and was still wet.  Oh, it was cute!

This picture doesn't do this cow justice!  They had the cows all brushed out and they were so fluffy.  I've never seen anything like it.  You can kind of tell from the ears.  They looked like humongous stuffed animals. 

Little goats.

 

Greg had a special connection with this goat - we were laughing really hard watching them together.

We walked past this display and decided to try a funnel pig.  How could the Bacons resist?  We wouldn't get it again, but it was still fun to try it.

PIGS!!!

These piglets were 2 weeks old.

These were only 1 week old!

We watched them all nurse and then move behind the mom and cuddle up for a nap.  Each one eventually made it back there.  It was too cute.  

This pig was over 1100 pounds.  It was as big as a cow with short legs...crazy!

After seeing those animals, we headed back for the awards.  

They handed out these awesome ribbons to each of the competitors.

Here is the whole group.  They were a very talented young group!

My girl.

Then we headed to the poultry and bunny area!

The kids were really wanting a bunny!  There are signs everywhere telling you not to put your fingers in the cages.  What about your lips??

An owner had this rabbit out on her lap and I couldn't believe how it was relaxing.  It was really funny.

This one had big floppy ears...

 

And this one looked like it was wearing eyeliner!

 State Fair fun!!

We started to head towards the entrance, but had a few more stops along the way.  Zach and Ava had seen a booth that had fried desserts - Oreos, Snickers, Cookie Dough...the list went on and on.  Cookie dough won out and we all tried it.  It was melty and warm - pretty good - but definitely not something I need every day (or every year).  

There was a petting area on the way out too.  We had to stop!

These two were so, so cute!

 

We went to the WoodMizer booth on the way out.  

It was really fun because Ava and Zach got a chance to cut a board from a log - not something that anyone else was offered - the perks of being Greg's kids!

Here they are with their boards!  Little WoodMizers in the making!  We had a wonderful day at the State Fair and it was extra fun to have Ava get us the tickets!