A few weekend pics...

Free Museum Day?  We totally jumped on that this weekend and went to Conner Prairie with the Curtis fam.  Watching Sam and Max squeeze hold baby chicks was a definite highlight; so was the gorgeous weather. 

 I made attempts to relax alone on the couch after church.  Didn't happen.  Did you know that I have 2 shadows?  I didn't mind though.  It's hard to resist snuggling with a superhero and a chubby kid in robot pjs. 

Eric's obsession with yardwork somehow increased tenfold this weekend.  He always gazing out the window at our lawn worrying about dry spots, mumbling about fertilizers, and describing his plans for next spring.  He takes his manscape duties oh so seriously.  And he's teaching our boys young.  Gotta start 'em right. 



1,000,000

Last Sunday, Sam was all dressed and ready for church when I told him, "Sam!  You look like a million bucks!"

Tonight at dinner Sam said, "Mom!  You look like a million pounds!"

So close, Sam.  Oh, so close.

Two happy little boys,

a night at the apple orchard,

and now Eric on the best rotation of year...

Life is good at the Dockter house!

Oh, and the super hero thing is stronger than ever.  I love having these little heroes around.



Super

It's a bird.  It's a plane.  It's Sam!

Actually, when he's in costume Sam only answers to Superman.  And in return, he only refers to me as Wonder Woman. 

Me: Sam, wash your hands please.

Superman: I'm Superman, Wonder Woman.  Don't you see the cape?

Me: Oh, how did I miss that?  Superman wash your hands.

Superman: Um, sure Wonder Woman.  (followed by all sorts of flight sound effects as he flies to the bathroom sink)

All things super-hero are the latest rage at our house these days. 

And I am getting a kick out of it!

We walked outside yesterday and Superman was hopeful that the wind would catch his cape and he'd take off into the sky.  He tried hard to catch the breeze but was unsuccessful. 

Luckily, we have a couple of swings.  See how they make his cape fly?  They were the perfect solution.  Superman actually wanted me to take pictures of him in action. 

The Superman attire has hardly come off this week.  He does everything in it. 

And of course, what super hero doesn't have a sidekick? 

Spiderman makes occasional appearances, too. 



Raccoon Lake

It rained in Indiana yesterday.  It hasn't rained in our neck of the woods for nearly a month.  We just happened to be camping yesterday.  Perfect timing, right?

Actually, the rain and mud didn't damper our fun at all.  We had a great time with new friends.  Raccoon Lake lived up to its name...we saw and heard all sorts of raccoons running around and through our campsite all night long.  (kind of creepy!!)  But the lake was beautiful, the kids slept great, and our group of rowdy mormons was only told by the ranger to be quiet once.  It was a success.

We learned a few useful things during our short jaunt in the woods.  Here they are, in no particular order:

1) We've totally outgrown our three-man tent.  Things were a little cozy once we went to bed.

2) Our kids will eat anything if we put it on a stick and cook it over a fire.

3) Always pack swimsuits; no matter where you're vacationing.  Our kids will swim...no matter what.

4) Even if you feel like you've over-packed, you haven't.  Our little boys will most definitely use the extra shoes, underwear, socks, pants and pj's you brought along.  Always overpack when camping.

5) Be prepared to get just as dirty as the kids.  They're always crawling all over you and your stuff.

6) All of the work and preparation it takes to go camping is totally worth it. Our kids will be in heaven.

p.s. Please take note of Max's new fake smile.  Handsome, huh?!

Long weekend.

A visit from Jim and Joyce (aka Gram and Pops) is always a highlight.  Combine that with a long weekend break for Eric and we're in heaven.  We took advantage of our time together and headed to Nauvoo, Illinois for Labor Day weekend.

Nauvoo was beautiful.  The temple was especially gorgeous.  Everything was so, so green and lush.  Illinois definitely hasn't experienced the drought that our poor grass in Indianapolis has.   The weather was lovely; we wore jackets and felt almost cold in the evenings.  Fall is coming...hooray!

The Church has a great family area in Nauvoo that the boys loved.  The history and old buildings didn't catch their attention, but the pioneer costumes, games, and horses certainly did. 

Some other Nauvoo highlights included the Grape Festival; where the boys rode rides and we ate the best onion rings and worst tacos ever.

The guys also found time to golf, redneck style, in nearby Hamilton.  Sam tagged along and loved every second of it. 

After our roadtrip, we had a couple of days in Indy to show my mom and dad the sights.  A favorite was riding around the canal district on this:

We looked like total nerds, but it was totally worth it. 

We also hit up the Children's Museum, which is an absolute must. 

 

We had such a great time!  Max keeps asking where Gram and Pops went.  He and Sam miss them already.  So do I!

Come again!