pool time

Madison kept patting the seat next to her until Daddy would sit down.  Then he was in there for about 30 minutes :)  How adorable are my two favorites!!  (oh and Abby Cadabby, one of Madison's very favorites on Sesame Street!)

 

pudding paint

I thought to myself...I want to be Mom of the Year...What to do..

 

 

Why not give Madison some delicious pudding pie....

 

 

She will eat it right up!!!

 

5 minutes later

 

No eating.

Disaster of a mess.

Pudding Paint to arms and face.

 

The pictures say it all.

 

 

38 weeks

I sit here wondering, am I going to have a baby today. 

Two nights ago I was at the hospital for dehydration and LOTS of contractions but unfortunately after meds and 2 Liters of fluid I felt much better.  Contractions stopped.  We went home.

This morning I woke up to contractions every 15 minutes and have been having them most of the day but I just don't feel them getting worse....

Ugh.

Why can't it be a flashing red sign saying "YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A BABY TODAY!"  Wouldn't that be so much easier. 

Please pray for us and our safe journey.  May it be today or in the coming days.

October 6th is the due date....But when will his birthday be is the real question?!?!

swing set transformation

Our neighbor has had this swing set, which he NEVER uses, sitting in his backyard since he moved in.  He is a young, single guy with no kids or nephews/nieces.  We asked if he would mind us paying him $20 so Madison could enjoy it.  He would not take the money and even helped Ben take it down and put it in our backyard.

 

Of course we couldn't just put it up like he had it.  We (aka Ben) redid it, replacing the main wood frame and reusing the rest.  This is about 75% done but we are going to repaint everything, including the slide (we found some plastic paint that has great reviews) and place a fabric tent to the top.  I think we only ended up spending about $150 for everything and these swing sets are EXPENSIVE.  Like $800 - $3000.  I know...Obsurd!  Madison has loved using the swings and slide.  What a great way not to have to pack up and go to the park everytime!! 

 

Thanks Builder Bob....aka....Daddy!!!

 

 

The pieces

Just a little bit tighter

Dad...This is hard work!!

Sawdust Booty

I love how Ben is working and Madison looks like she is holding on for dear life.



"GO, GO, GO"

out with the remodel, in with the new

Most people buy a new (aka used) camper and keep it for a couple of years, enjoy it, and maybe sell it for an upgrade.  Not this Stewart family.

July - Buy used pop up camper
August - Remodel used pop up camper
September - Buy another used pop up camper and sell original used camper in 3 days

Yes, this is really what happened and yes, I did look at my husband like he was losing his mind!

Here is how the events unfolded.

Ben has never really stopped looking at Craig's List for another camper.  He would always mention how old ours was and eventually having an upgrade, say next summer or so,  would be nice.  I did not disagree but was perfectly content with a very nicely remodeled 1989 pop up camper.

But Ben had found a deal...

1997
Pop Up Camper
Great Condition
$1700

We had just paid $1200 for ours.

"We have to look at it."

Me:  "Your kidding, right."

"No really" *smile* "I think this is a great deal"

Me: "Honey, really?! You sound crazy.  We just bought one"

2 hours later

1997 Camper hitched to the back of the truck for $1500

Me: "We can not tell anyone until we sell the old camper.  I feel like a hoarder but of pop up campers right now."

"Honey, you can't pass up good deals."

Me: "Obviously you can't, I agree."

2 days later.....

1989 Pop Up camper sold for $1450

AWESOME

Me: "We can share the news now!!!"  HAHAHA

I mean this looks great!!!  I love it!!!  The stove, the counter top, the flooring, the cabinets.  Everything is new!

Saying good bye to this awesome remodeled camper!

In with the new.......

More pictures to follow but I am sure you will be surprised to hear that Ben is actually doing more remodeling on this one as well.  Does this kid ever stop you ask...."NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

our busy summer summed up in one book :)

Click here to view this photo book larger

I LOVE OUR FAMILY!!!

labor day fun ~ part 2

The second day of our Labor Day weekend began with the Balloon Festival at Memorial Park.  As you can tell by these pictures the event was fantastic!!!  We had such a great time watching all the balloons being blown up and then watching them float off over the lake.  I have wanted to see this for awhile but usually we are out of town.  What a great experience!!

Then off to Bishops Castle.  This place has been hand crafted by a crazy guy (no really, read these signs) and put on display for everyone to see.  AMAZING!  Ben, my builder, had to evaluate all the structural soundness of the the castle and he deemed a few spots too dangerous for our little family.  A very awesome site!

One more stop for this busy family...Royal Gorge.  We have always enjoyed this amazing natural wonder.  We have been by train and by foot, both of which have been fun.

And after a busy day a girl needs a little break.  Reading did just the trick.....