Our "New" Swing Set

For the past month, I have been researching different swing sets and deciding which one is best for our boys.  Rainbow seems to be the top rated wooden swing set, but is very pricey!  Since I found the brand, I looked on Craigslist to see if anyone was selling their Rainbow.  After a couple of weeks of looking online, I found one!!  It was an hour away in Missouri, but it was a great price.

I showed Bill the listing, contacted the seller, and a few hours later we were on the road headed to look at the swing set.  Bill took the trailer because he didn't want to make an extra trip back in case we wanted to buy it.  When we got to the house, the swing set was in worn condition.  The swing set is 8 years old and was bought brand new at the Rainbow store in Missouri.  Bill and I decided with a little elbow grease the set would be perfect for our boys!  Thank goodness Bill brought the trailer.

My husband truly impressed me last Sunday.  Gotta love my handy man because the person we bought the set off of was of no help what so ever!  Bill took the extremities off of the tower himself and then proceeded to carry the entire tower from the backyard, down a hill, onto the trailer!  I thought Bill was going to pass out his face was so red, but he managed and impressed me as well.  The things we do for our kids!!

The trailer was loaded up and we ventured onto the road for an hour journey back home.  I was nervous because the trailer was loaded down, but we made it home around 11:45pm on Sunday night safe and sound.  Of course, Nolan was awake the entire trip talking nonstop about his new swing set.

On Monday, Papa brought his power washer to the house to clean the swing set up.  Aunt KK and Papa cleaned the set, placed the swing set where I wanted it, and reattached all of the extremities so Bill and I could start staining the set as soon as we were available.  Nolan had fun playing in the water with Papa and KK, while Nana hung out with Carter.

A few more pictures of us working on the swing set throughout the week.  Bill and I both had July 4th off, so we were able to accomplish quite a bit and Donna watched the boys on July 5th while I worked on the swing set.

One week, 2 gallons of stain, a can of yellow, green, and red spray paint, a few boards, 26 washers, 5 bolts, a new telescope, 15 mosquito bites, and one bad sun burn later the swing set is complete!!  The swing set looks like new and Nolan really enjoys playing on it.  Carter loves swinging as well.  A lot of hours were put into the swing set, but I know the boys will enjoy playing on it for many years to come.

 Finished product

 Nolan calls this "the big swing"

 Nolan even gave me kisses for all of the hard work I put into his swing set.

Happy playing loves!

Carter's 9 Month Well Visit

Today Carter had his 9 month well visit with Dr. Hulsen.  Carter was weighed, measured, and received his vaccine.  Carter weighed in at 21 pounds and 4 ounces, which places him in the 65th percentile for weight and measured 28 inches long, which places him in the 45th percentile for height.  Carter only received one shot today, so we had a good visit.  Dr. Hulsen said it is fine that Carter wants to only eat table food as along as it is smaller than the size of a pea when the food is not dissolvable.  Carter was happy with this news!!

Carter is such a busy little guy!!  He enjoys looking at himself in the mirror and clapping his hands.  Carter can now sit himself up in a sitting position.  He will also stand while holding onto something, and is even attempting to pull himself up on things.  Carter still isn't a fan of baby food, so we decided to try finger foods.  JACK POT!  Carter loves being a big boy and feeding himself.  Carter mostly receives puffs, cheerios, and other soft foods, but he sure does enjoy chomping on them.

It was a beautiful day on Saturday, so I had Bill help me take some outside pictures of Carter.  I love all those rolls!

Just a Swingin'

This morning Bill and I took the boys to the park, since the weather was beautiful!  Nolan took off like a mad man running all over the place, so Bill and I took turns hanging out with Carter in the stroller.  Nolan wanted mommy to play with him, so I took Nolan through the playground.  I heard a shrill screech that sounded like Carter coming from the swings, but I didn't pay any attention because I knew Bill had Carter in his stroller.  We met up a few minutes later and Bill said the screech was Carter and he loved the swings!  I started thinking and today is Carter's first time swinging!!  Bill being the great daddy he is, took some great pictures of Carter enjoying his first swing.

A Fun Father's Day Weekend!

Nolan and Carter kicked off Father's Day weekend with some fun in the sun on Friday.  I purchased a water table for Nolan, since he liked playing with the Keller's so much.  Nolan had a blast playing in water.  I filled the small turtle pool up for Carter to stay cool in and of course, Nolan wanted to join Carter in the pool.  Carter didn't seem to mind even though there was very little room for either of them to stretch out.

Carter enjoyed splashing in his turtle pool, while Nolan enjoyed making his "little guy" fly through the air and splash into the water.  Nolan liked to count, "1, 2, 3, 4........ blast off!!"

On Saturday Bill and I took Nolan and Carter to Grant's Farm.  Nolan kept saying, "We are going to Maddie and Grant's Farmer!"  Once we pulled up into the parking lot, Nolan kept asking for Maddie and Grant.  After about the tenth explanation of Gran't Farm, Nolan was bored with the explanations and wanted to see all of the animals.  Since the weather was so nice, everyone else decided to visit Grant's Farm too.  It was packed!  

Nolan once again was attacked by the goats and had to be saved by Bill.  One goat even started chewing on his shirt!  Nolan thought the tortoises were funny.  Carter was along for the ride and kicked back in his stroller.  

After feeding a few animals we decided to feed ourselves.  Carter was drooling like crazy while Bill, Nolan, and myself were eating.  Bill said we should mash up some french fries and let him try them.  Great idea daddy!!  Carter devoured the mashed potatoes.

Grant's Farm was offering camel rides!  Nolan and I rode a camel named Sheeba.  Nolan thought he was cool and enjoyed the ride.  It was very much like riding a horse.  After a couple of hours at the farm we decided to head home because it was starting to become too warm.  The boys enjoyed a nice nap the whole way home.

Today we hung out around the house and enjoyed each others company.  This afternoon Bill attempted to take Nolan to the movies to see Epic.  Bill said Nolan loved the previews, but once the movie started Nolan, "wanted to go home."  At least Nolan was allowed into the theatre at no cost.  Bill said we should only take him to short films. haha

Happy Father's Day Bill!! You're an amazing father and role model to our sons.  The boys are not only told they're loved by you every single day, but you show them how much you love them as well.  Thank you for being the foundation to our family.  I love you very much!

Frogger

Carter Lynn is officially on the move!  Only thing is, Carter doesn't seem to want to crawl on all fours quite yet.  Carter hops like a frog, hence the new nickname Frogger.  He is too funny!  Handsome and happy; I don't know of a much better combination!  Watch out because when Carter sees something he wants, he is on the move towards it.  I'm finding new things to baby proof every day.

 Frogger in action!