The Cars Shuffle

We've done quite a bit of shuffling around this summer with the car situation.  We started our summer with three cars:
2000 Ford Excursion
2007 Chevy Tahoe
1977 C-J Jeep
Then we sold the Excursion and then we bought this...

2007 Escalade ESV

 Then Mike found this....

2009 Jeep Rubicon (4 door - I insisted on the extra two doors)

 but it was in Tulsa, Oklahoma so we had it shipped here. We got a call  from someone the a few hours before the Jeep was due to arrive and someone wanted to come and look at the Tahoe that afternoon.  So 20 minutes before the Jeep showed up to our driveway we had people by to look at the Tahoe and they bought it (but didn't pick it up for several days).  Nothing like selling the last car 20 minutes before the new one shows up.  What can we say????  We've got good timing!

 

 And here is a preview of what the Jeep will look like in a few weeks.  Mike's got some new tires!!!

 So things are now settling down at the Howell household.  No more cars to sell and no more cars to buy!  Mike and I are both very happy with our new cars and we now have an empty garage slip where the kids can store their toys.  Win win for everyone!

Kaleidoscope

Last week the kids finally got to experience Kaleidoscope at Crown Center.  It is something I remember doing as a kid and it has been on my "to do" list for a long time.  The funny thing is the last time I was down at Kaleidoscope Mike came with me and we took the family I babysat for.  Mike and I were probably in high school at the time, oh the memories! 

 The Dawson girls rode with us in the car which made the trip even more fun (the new car makes that possible and we even fit the double stroller in the back).  I'm not a fan of driving downtown, so it was nice having my sidekick, Christie with me to help navigate.  I'm so proud we made it there and back with very little effort!
The kids had a fun time and I was amazed how fast the 40 minutes whizzed by.  Both Drew and Anna have been in a coloring phase lately.  They can sit at the kitchen table coloring for a good 30 minutes or so at a time.  Drew is using several different colors in his drawings and adds to many little details.  It is amazing that Anna can sit for that long because she is a goer!  She doesn't sit still the rest of the time, unless she's eating of course.  

 Brooke and Anna

 Drew working hard.

 Drew and Anna

 making his puzzle...this is what I remember doing as a kid!

Trains and Dinosaurs...it couldn't get any better than this!

We had a fun family day a couple Fridays ago.  We love having our daddy home with us on Fridays!  We headed downtown and waited patiently for some trains to go under the bridge (it took a bit longer than we expected).  But when those trains started coming it was worth it, both kids love trains!  After the trains we went to a little dinosaur exhibit at Crown Center.  The kids enjoyed it (Mike and I weren't very impressed).  So all in all it was a successful family outing!  We love Fridays!!!! 

Another Iphone Picture Update

 I'm always taking pictures on my phone, but rarely upload them to my computer.  These are all from July.

Bath in the big tub!

Lefty in the making?

playing catch at the pool

Our little behavior management tool....I use the same one in my classroom....I've needed something this summer especially with one little man.

Taking care of a puppy at Wonderscope

Doctors Drew and Celia

Anna's embarrassed look - I love it!

tower time

working on potty training....it is definitely a work in progress

Taking Woody for a scooter ride.

napping in her nightgown - she loves this Minnie nightgown!

on the road with favorite baby, Lucy ("Wucy")

silly little lady

one tired boy - Peter was ready for a nap!

Cousin time

more cousin time

hollywood

hanging out at Branson Landing

our little lady

four wheeling with big brother- not a real one

cousins sharing a room at the lake...Anna was also in the same room, but my camera wouldn't allow me to get all three kids in the picture...not always a whole lot of sleeping going on here

Drew left his mark on his sister - not a good evening

Picnic at school - luckily they love going with me and they do a great job so I usually accomplish something while we are there!

puzzle time

Buddies!  These two will be in the same class this coming year. 

Halloween all over again. 

new pics!

more pics hung!

more potty time

my little climber!

caught her writing with her left again...she just might take after her mommy!

my little co sleeper

checking out the trains

cheese

my sweet little baby boy

sleeping beauty

new bedding

Drew's first attempt at making his own bed all by himself!

cutest girl ever!

best buds at Office Max

sweet

cuties

I love it when they get along...even if it is only for a minute or two!

Anna's wall is decorated (rug isn't staying...just haven't gotten her a new one yet)

another wall in Anna's room.  This lucky girl has a HUGE room!

Drew in his fort!

hot picnic at the pool

fishy

pool train with the Dawson girls

first french braids!

cutie!

our collage wall with updated pics!

hugs

sleeping in style

upstairs collage wall

Mike's new ride!

Dinner at Freddies and without a high chair!