Hard Working Baby...

As a part of a weekend project, we dug a spot where we're going to be moving a shed to in the near future. We had a truck load of sand delivered, and all that sand had to be shoveled into place. Ed got out there and got started early Saturday morning, expecting Benjamin to come out and help him when he woke up. Noah and I watched from the house, and it wasn't long before guilt overtook us. We went outside to help daddy (yes, that's mommy's shovel in the trailer... I just HAD to take the photo for a minute).
Noah's "Bumbo" seat was the perfect thing for keeping him close to us (he didn't like laying on a blanket I'd put down for him in the shade), and keeping him entertained while we shoveled all the sand. He liked riding around behind the lawn tractor, and he didn't even put any dirt in his mouth!!

"Hey Mommy, aren't you going to jump on for a ride?" He seemed amazed at the whole process of riding through the yard, and watching us work, while he kicked back in his seat.

Just a peak over the edge, as the trailer went by. He was really getting the hang of this "yard-work" gig. We finished the job, and now we're ready to move the shed in the near future. I wonder how Noah will help us out then?

Bottle Dance from Matt's Play

Watch this amazing fun clip from Matt's play... he's the one on the far left (of the four gentlemen doing the dance). I was skeptical at first, but they all assure me that they really ARE balancing the bottles (so did the director, when he told me how many bottles were dropped and/or broken in rehearsals), ha. Not a bottle has fallen during performances!!! At the end, when they all yell "HEY", Matt's the one they have hoisted up in the center! (No, the beard's not all his... mascara does a lot in theater appearances) ha. Enjoy!!!

Fiddler on the Roof!

Matt is staring in the SPA (Summer Performing Arts) production of Fiddler on the Roof this summer, and their first performance was last night. He's having SO much fun with it, and he pulls off his part perfectly!!! He's Motel, the tailor. Here, he begs for Tevye's daughter's hand in marriage.

His beard looks so real too (no, it's not his own facial hair... he's not THAT old yet) ha.
Here, he and his beloved are married. Now if that isn't hard for a mom to see!!! Good thing I know it's only acting. haha.

This "Bottle Dance" was in the wedding celebration scene.... they really are balancing these 1/2 filled bottles on top of their heads!!! It was one of the first things they started working on with this production this summer, as it has taken a LOT of practice to perfect this dance, and not have the bottles fall all over the stage (not a single bottle fell in last night's performance, either).

This next part of the dance was AMAZING... they are on their knees (as you can see below), and they drag themselves across stage (without teetering or tipping) and switch legs, and swoop across in the other direction too.... WONDERFUL choreography... VERY cool with all the music, and the other actors cheering them on!!! Looked like so much fun!

Matt was happy to greet us after the show, once he got his beard removed. He had to wash off (and peel off, he said) all the glue/adhesive they use to attach it. But as you can see by his glowing smile, he really enjoyed the performance! We're so proud of him!!!

Just another random photo of Matt from last weekend's Thompson Days (BEFORE he played mud volleyball in the rain)! ha. He's growing up so fast... heading for his senior year this fall will be a hard pill of reality for me to swallow... but I can't keep him at home forever, can I? I'm truly blessed with my sons... they continually make me SO proud!

Happy 4th of July!!!

Noah's first weekend at his grandpa's lake cabin was so much fun! He borrowed his cousin's floaty-meshy-water-toy, and LOVED it! Well, "LOVED" might be a bit hopeful, but he didn't cry, so he must have liked it. ha. I don't know if it was the fact that his feet could dangle in the water or the bright yellow duckies in front of him, that he liked better.
"Mom, quit bumping the tube, I'm trying to play here!" Noah loved laying on the tube, which we had flipped upside down on the grass by the cabins. He could be outside in the fresh air, and play with his daddy at the same time.

Grandpa Dean wasn't keen on the camera, but since his two grandsons are on the scene, he endures the moment, and begs me to get it over with. Devon eyes the campfire, and Noah chews on his jammie shirt. Fun by the campfire a few times a year... life is good...

...especially with this sunset! I have always loved the sunset which graces the view of Dean & Karen's shoreline. I've probably got over 100 pictures of this exact view over the years... it's just such a pure image of tranquility. Breathtaking, in person!!!

I hope your 4th of July left you with countless breathtaking, hilarious, memorable moments as well!