Labor Day Jewell Reunion

On Sunday, September 2nd, we traveled to Louisville for the annual Jewell Reunion.  We have officially become the parents that chat very little but do lots of kiddo chasing!  Elliott and Isaac were very busy boys!  They played with their cousin, Lily...

 

 

And ate supper with their cousin, Joseph, but unfortunately, we did not get a picture in time to capture all three of them.

 

It was great to see a house full of Jewells!

 

 

After eating, Isaac and Elliott were very eager to go outside.  Joseph had an early birthday and received some fun, new toys.  Elliott and Isaac were happy to help him break them in!

 

The followed the path from the garage to the patio over and over and over!  They would follow each other and on occasion trade toys, but rarely stopped moving.

 

 

It was a bit chilly for me to swim, but not to chilly to stop Bryce and Tessa!

 

Isaac enjoyed watching the swimmers, while Elliott enjoyed playing with pool toys!

 

 

Isaac still watching the swimmers, while Elliott contemplated becoming a swimmer!

 

Tessa and Bryce are excellent swimmers!

 

 

The boys were exhausted after the reunion!  I'm pretty sure they fell asleep before we even pulled out of Aunt Janice and Uncle Denis's driveway!

 

 

We spent the night at Poppy's house and the boys were full of energy on Monday morning!  They think Poppy has the best toys, just for them...a cabinet full of Tupperware.  They are easy to please!

Poppy educates the boys on bikes.  The perfect book--a bike on every page!

What's a day without a little wrestling...

 

And a little movie watching...

Isaac and Elliott wanted to watch The Muppets on Poppy's giant screen. 

Elliott did not last long at all!

 

Isaac wasn't too far behind him!  They have never both fallen asleep on me while watching a movie before.  Tired, little guys!

 

We ended the visit with more vehicles...

 

And more of Poppy's fun toys...

 

Thanks to Poppy for letting us invade his home over Labor Day weekend!  We all had fun!



Saturday Remembrance

Very late in the night on August 31st, we received sad news that my Uncle Kevin had passed away.  He had extremely invasive cancer, but thankfully suffered very little pain.  I'm so grateful we were able to spend a few days with him the weekend before.  Even though the circumstances were not joyful, I'm thankful Mom and I were able to travel with my cousins, Billy, Logan, and Logan's wife, Carrie, to visit with Uncle Kevin and share that time together as a family.  Those moments, even the silent ones, will be ones I will always hold dear to my heart.

 

We had planned to spend Labor Day weekend in Louisville for the Jewell reunion and to visit with Poppy.  When we found out that Uncle Kevin had passed, I wanted to spend the day in Lebanon with Mom.  Before we left, the boys were just plain cute and helped put a smile on my face when one did not want to be there.

 

They stood like twins...

 

Watched TV like big boys...

 

Watched TV on their toys...

 

And, even sat on the potty!

Though, as one can see, the cardboard is still on the potties and they are sitting in the kitchen...so, nothing too exciting yet! 

 

 

For the first time, we traveled with Otto.  Typically, he rides with Meme and Johann when he needs to visit.  He had a nice cushion between Isaac and Elliott and it worked perfectly!  All three slept nearly all the way to Lebanon!

 

When we got to Lebanon, we stopped at Ryder Cemetery.  Strong winds blew down my dad's monument over a year ago. It had been in the repair phase for over a year, but had finally been rebuilt.  In light of the day, there was a peace of being there, seeing the monument as it should be...and seeing adorable little boys playing around it. I know Daddy was smiling down watching them run and listening to them chat about every single thing they saw!

 

 

After visiting the cemetery, we went to Meme's house.  The boys surprised her with a half dozen roses from each of them.  I think they are the cutest delivery boys ever!

 

We enjoyed supper together at Missy's Out of the Way Cafe and the boys loved it!  They had been there before but really took everything in this time.  Surprisingly, Elliott even tried Bob's salad!  After supper, we went to the Dairy Freeze for some yummy "i cream".  The boys ask for "i cream" or "scream" all the time.  They enjoyed the special treat!

 

 

 

While eating ice cream, we noticed a rainbow outside.  It is hard to see, but I promise it is there.  God sure does know when to send a sign and it was a beautiful one!

 

Before returning to Lexington, we went for a walk.  Bob and Meme walked the dogs while I walked the Isaac and Elliott.  I think I may have had the more difficult time!  They discovered they can stand in Meme's stroller.  It felt like I was trying to control a dog sled!  Of course, I really don't know what that would feel like, but those boys were wild so I had to include several silly expressions!

 

 

To close, I want to include a photo that I love...It is a picture of Mom and Uncle Kevin at Billy's wedding in April of 2007.  They both look so happy...and so much alike!  I'm really going to miss that broad smile, all of his stories, and his comfortable presence!

 



Twas the last week in August...

And, once again time for school pictures at Creation Kingdom!  I always try to get a photo of the boys in their picture clothes when they come home.  Unfortunately, we made the mistake of turning on The Muppets before having them sit for pictures.  They wanted no part of moving from Meme's lap for a silly photo.  At least, Meme smiled nicely!  We sure hope the session at CK went better than this attempt!

Apparently, I was obstructing their view of the television!

 

Cute, summer casual!

After supper one evening, Isaac wanted me to wear Bob's shoes.  He brought them over to me and helped me put them on.  He immediately stood on them so we could walk and dance around the kitchen.  This photo cracks me up...I was laughing at the memory of Isaac doing this when I noticed Elliott lifting weights on the left side.  Never a dull moment!

Creation Kingdom was closed on Friday, August 30th for staff training, so Bob had a boys day with Isaac and Elliott.  He is always so creative with his ideas to occupy their time!  Apparently, coloring a cardboard box is very entertaining!