Random June

Above picture is Kade trying out an ATV at a Bass Pro outing. His favorite book to read now is the Little Blue Truck and he loves the part where the big dump truck says "Honk!!" Apparently, everything with wheels says "Honk" like that too!

And then we have a very unhappy Diesel getting a much needed bath OUTSIDE! Brent doesn't look so thrilled either....

Here's a way I can nudge Brock in to doing more of his work books.... he gets to stay downstairs during Kade's nap time and do his letters instead of taking quiet time.

Our happy pups tanning in the sun!

Grandma picked up this Little Tikes pop-up baseball toy that can position itself to pop it straight up. Brock loved how it worked - and it seemed much more uniform than my haphazard throws! Let him work on this one a bit more and he'll be ready for the more advanced pitching machine Grandpa and Grammy got him (it's been sitting in the garage waiting patiently for him to be big enough to use it!)

Grandma stayed with us for a few days while she was recuperating and the boys were excited to see all the new children's videos she would find! Here's a fan favorite: "One Little Finger".

Aww snuggle time with Kade and Brock!

Nancy, Brian, and Riley came up from Charlotte on Friday night for dinner with us too! How cute to see all four puppies eating together!

Top to Bottom: Riley, Oscar, Diesel, Mia

 Another gorgeous day to be outside!

Kade puts everything in rows all the time.... here he has lined up all the bikes next to Brent's truck!

Family picture after dinner Saturday night!

On Sunday, we finally made our first trek down to the neighborhood pool! Almost had the whole pool to ourselves (no other kids at least)!

Funny Brock!

Kade running from that sprinkler!

And then here's a cute video of Brent and Brock with a great hit!

Jack Smith Splash Pad

We picked a great home location! We are 4 houses up from our neighborhood pool and less than 5 miles from the ONLY splash park in Cary/Apex! Kade ended up taking a morning nap that morning, so off we went after lunch - it was hot!

....and a bit crowded compared to the splash parks I'm used to in Washington - since there are quite a few to choose from, in addition to all the beaches bordering Lake Washington!

The park is really nicely thought out - just opened last summer - with two age-appropriate playgrounds, a climbing boulder, and shaded picnic tables!

Oh, the "younger" playground is shaded under a canopy too!!

I sat down on a bench to watch them play and realized Brock had made a few friends! I was just far enough away that I could barely hear their conversation - their ages, ages of their siblings, and what a favorite toy from home. Brock didn't seem shy at all, he was freely conversing with them and answering their questions - even telling them statements - "My brother's name is Kade and he's right there." Maybe it's because I've never seen his first interactions with only other peers before (and no adults present), but I was so proud of him!

Then back to the splash pad!

Brock even ran in to a friend from his Apex Community Center camps and they started playing too!

Can you tell Kade was excited??!? (He was probably excited I finally took off his sagging 2T bathing-suit!)

Finally, last picture of these GORGEOUS gladiola flowers that popped up beside our home! They are beautiful like this, but then when the entire stalk blooms, they just lay on the driveway they are so heavy! I have a lot of learning to do about plant care on our .54 acre home!

Our Welcome Home Gift!

 We bought a boat! 

Brent and Brock drove all the way to Washington, North Carolina to tow home our new 2018 Sea Fox Center-Console 246 Commander! Brent has been doing research on our family's new boat since we decided to move back to North Carolina (this was a major factor in our decision to move home - giving our children the same childhood opportunity Brent had growing up owning a boat)! Really, this boat has so many great features for our family and as an off-shore fishing boat!

Two days after it was picked it up, we tried it out on Jordan Lake! Saturday of Memorial Day weekend was a really pretty day to be out on the lake - we arrived early to beat the traffic and packed a picnic lunch!

Brock has claimed his seat on the boat - right next to the Captain's chair. If you ever join us on the boat, I think you may have a bit of a fight on your hands trying to sit there! He is so curious - asks Brent what the buttons do and what everything means. I think it's wonderful he's interested in something his father is so passionate about - I hope it sticks!

Were you eyeing some jet skiers? ;)

Brock was all about sticking his feet in the water, but no way - he did NOT get in that water. I will say it was a bit chilly, but he was more concerned about how deep it was.

Kade and I had lots of fun in the water - after you get over the initial chill! (Water temperature was 79 degrees) Don't worry - by mid-July, Jordan Lake will feel like a hot tub!

Kade's absolute favorite thing to do was stand on the back platform, count 1, 2, 3 and jump off in to the water! (Bad angle for the video, but kind of hard to get the other way with an electronic device.)

After some fun playing in the water, it was time for lunch! Such a great decision to add the removable table option to our boat! It's been used several times (and comes with two extra cupholders!)!!

After lunch, we pull up the anchor and drive around... and every boat ride Kade has attended, he has fallen asleep. This was nap #1 for Kade. When Brent picks up speed, Kade is sitting in my lap and I think it literally rocks him to sleep!

 My funny boys!

Some of these pictures are from the lake on Monday - case in point, picture below with Kade looking out at another boat passing. We decided that he wasn't quite big enough for the other type of life jacket (the type Brock is wearing) and went a size down. I also feel safer with him in this type because if something happens, it makes sure his head is up in the correct position, above the water.

My view for about 5 minutes..... next time I'll have more polished toenails.

Group shot with the old fashioned timer setting (no selfie stick here!!).

Brent's Birthday, Got to Be NC Festival, Touch-A-Truck

Happy Birthday Brent!! Poor Brent was sick as a dog on his birthday. No crazy drinking stories, just a lovely 24 hour bug that, thankfully, stayed just with him!

We tried to make the most of our day and made it a lazy, but fun day! We even bought a new mattress to go on our daybed in the guest room! Yay, now we are ready for our guests!

Still had to have our Carvel ice cream cake for the birthday boy! ....and apparently learned that neither Brock nor Kade love the black crunchies as much as we do. Argh!!

The next day Brent was back to his old self and good enough to even mow the grass! :)

Two days later, Brock and I braved the heat and headed to Raleigh for the Got to be NC Festival at the fairgrounds. Besides the seriously oppressive heat (high of 90 that day), it was really fun. Absolutely free to enter and a mini-version of all the great things about the North Carolina State fair in October.

We arrived at the best time - about 10 minutes before the start of the first pig race. Scored some front row seats and tried to explain to Brock what he was about to watch!

Then we made the best decision - take a ride on the State Fair Flyer. Tickets were $5 one way or $8 round-trip per person. It served as a great way to plan out the sights and to leisurely get to the other side of the fairgrounds.

It was a bit disconcerting not having any sort of seatbelt. I had my hand on Brock at all times! We were quite high up!

Dorton Arena, built in 1952 and really quite an odd looking building. The waterfall feature is to the right with the two flags.

This really was a nice relief in the hot summer morning. The spray felt fabulous!

We settled on some french fries with lots of ketchup and sat in the shade. We were in the car before noon and as we drove away, saw loads of people in line to park for the festival. I could not see staying there in that heat for any longer! We have a long summer ahead of us!

We were able to go out for our Anniversary that night just the two of us - amazing dinner at Angus Barn and a walk around downtown Apex.

On Sunday, the boys and I attempted the Touch-a-Truck event at Apex Community Park. This is where I think I just planned too much. Brock should have stayed home and relaxed.... this was not a good day.

Kade had a great time looking at all the trucks and was so excited running to each one; Brock, however, was completely overwhelmed.

We took a quick selfie and Brock walked up the ramp of this truck before completely melting down on me. I gathered everyone up and we left after 20 minutes.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. :)