"I'm 2!"

Gus celebrated his 2nd birthday last week while Oma and Opa were here. He enjoyed donuts for breakfast and a cheeseburger and ice-cream cake for lunch:) Honestly, that was about the extent of the celebrating. I just couldn't get it together enough this year to do anything big.

It's been a lot of fun lately to watch Gus grow up. Our neighbor Erin taught him how to hold up 2 fingers and say "I'm 2!" It takes him awhile to get his fingers right, which is funny, and then he gets this huge grin on his face:) He is starting to enjoy copying whatever Scott is doing. Last weekend it was the lawnmowing.

He loves being outside these days, cutting the grass...

...or the sidewalk!

He also enjoys attempting to walk around in our shoes,

still loves reading books,

tries to help with household chores (he is very good at carrying his clothes basket back to his room once it's emptied into the washer),

and has started sleeping in his "big boy" bed!!!

We love you so much, Gus-man!!

Oma & Opa

My parents came down to visit about 2 weeks ago for a few days. It was great to see them and share some time together.

Aren't they a cute couple??

It seems that we spent most of the time working on projects around our house (although we did squeeze in a trip to the zoo and an evening out in St. Elmo getting ice cream and seeing the shops in our tiny "downtown" area). Both my parents have such servant's hearts, they don't seem to mind helping us out with our many projects at all. Mom helped us pick out fabric for a baby quilt. I really wanted it to match the one that she made for Gus because it turned out so great!! But it was complicated finding new materials that would go well with the old. But FINALLY, I think we've got it figured out. Thanks for your patience, Mom!!

Gus' quilt.

Dad spent several hours planting and transplanting shrubs for me. It's a terrible time of year to do that, but I'm really on the warpath to get things accomplished around here!! Hope you weren't too sore, Dad!!

Best of all, Oma and Opa kept Gus for one night so that Scott and I could have our first overnight alone in 2 years!! Gus apparently had a blast and didn't miss us at all:)

Off for some adventures with the grandparents.

We stayed at a bed and breakfast which is actually a steamboat docked downtown near Coolidge Park.

The great "Chattanooga" view from our deck.

So, thanks so much, Oma and Opa, for coming to stay and for giving us a chance to relax some too!! Can't wait til your next visit:)

"What? You're actually leaving and won't be here to chase me around all day anymore??"

Gus III and V

This past weekend, Papa Gus came to visit from Kansas City. All the Guses had a blast:) We ate tons of great food (that I didn't have to cook!), took a morning bike ride together on the Riverwalk, and got to go to a Lookouts game. It was a wonderful visit.....thanks so much for coming, Papa Gus!

Fun times during lunch at Niedlov's....

A brief nap during our bike ride....

Guses III & V....