Overhearing

On Tuesday night, we headed down to the hospital because the boys could finally see their Papa Steeler. They were thrilled and Gavin had enough questions to keep him occupied for a while. Papa also had a lot of wounds that Gavin and Griffin were interested to see not so much wanted to see by their Mommy though. Papa decided that he wanted to take a walk in the hallway for two times around. So off they went because of course you can't stay in the room when there is such for little boys yet to see or touch in the hospital. They went for the first round without Mommy and they did great but they let their present be known. On the second time around, I decided I would go. I overheard one lady visiting a man with his door open say, "Hear comes those cute, little boys again." You can never get sick of hearing that. It put the biggest smile on my face and I, of course, just wanted to go in to talk with them but I thought I probably shouldn't. Mama Dolphin said that the nurse asked for Griffin's name because the nurse thought he was absolutely adorable. Ah you got to love that too. I especially love overhearing kind words when the people saying it don't think you can hear them. It makes you feel all warm inside.

We are excited that Papa Steeler made it home on Wednesday afternoon. He has to take it very easy but he has a great nurse (Mama) to make sure he does. Welcome Home Papa!!

Papa Steeler

I haven't posted in awhile... Last Thursday, Papa Steeler had a motorcycle accident going from Bloomington to Colfax to pick up Mama Kay from work. A dog ran out in front of his motorcycle going 55 mph and he had no where to go but down. He has several wounds but we are very blessed he is alive. He is down at Bromenn Hospital in ICU so we have been visiting him these past several day. Gavin isn't quite sure why he can't go see him. (You have to be 12 year old to go in the ICU). When we told him that Griffin and he would have to play in the playroom because he was too little to go in Papa's room. He said, "I'm almost big though." Ah!! How could you say "NO" to that. It was rather hard although he did get to talk with him on the phone for several minutes so that made both his and Papa's day. On Saturday, we made "Get Well Cards" to brighten his day and Mama took them into him. As of today, he is still in the ICU but we are hoping that he will get moved tomorrow so the boys can finally see their Papa Steeler. We are praying for a full recovery!!

Rest of the days of vacation combined

The last couple of days on vacation I was a little worried about the weather. They were calling for the temps to drop in the night and not be as warm during the day like in the 75 to 78 degree range. Perfect temp. but makes for a little chillier to get into the water. The temps. did drop but the days were beautiful with few clouds and sun all day long. Much different than what we are used to with 90 degrees days in late July to early Aug but this weather was AWESOME. The last couple of days the water has been a little chilly so Gavin didn't want to get in but both boys had a ball on the jetskis (because no matter what temp. it is, I have discovered they will always want to go for a ride) and found a new love for fishing. In the morning, the boys like to play with the trucks and tractors while the sun starts to warm up the day.

Griffin playing, not real sure where Gavin was....

They discovered these blue, bouncing balls can fit in their shirts and they would bounce off of things. Too funny....

On Sundays, I love to make a brunch for our family at home so I thought why not make it here so we had pancakes. I had never bought this Bisquick kind that you add water and shake and probably won't again but it worked out great for vacation. This is the cutest picture of Griffin shaking the pancake mixes. Gavin didn't want to take a picture but he was such an awesome helper too.

We had a visitor on our dock for a short while, Brady Rae and his mommy. Gavin and Brady fished together really well. Brady was jumping in the lake like a pro but Gavin would have no part of it.

Gavin showing Brady how it is done. Gavin loves to fish.

Jetski ride with daddy.

Griffin riding with Papa 4 wheeler. Griffin thinks he is really driving if you look at his face he is rather focus.

Our family of four.

Ahhh! Gavin... He is getting rather brown from being in the sun.

Griffin fishing with Papa or Papa trying to hit a duck with his fishing line. I don't know if Papa was bored or just wanted to see if he could do it which he did. We had about eights ducks swimming around the dock at anytime which Griffin loved. Griffin also has become quite attached to Papa, he doesn't even want his mommy at times. Sad but yet so sweet.

Tonight Papa and Mama took the boys into town to see some things. Mama bought them both helicopters which they had a ball with in the drive way. There has been quite a few of them around the cove we are in as well so this was a perfect toy to remember their vacation with.

They ended their night with a short walk with Papa. My goal for this vacation this year was to get Gavin to jump in the lake by himself like he does so very well at Papa Stealer's and Mama Dolphin's house. I have a short while tomorrow to make my goal. Kerry and I jumped in with him a couple of times but he wants us to hold his hand which is perfectly fine but I know he can do it. I will keep you posted.

Day 3 on Vacation

Day 3 started out with beatiful weather. It was so nice. So you guessed it we took off on the jet skis again in the morning. We played in the water in the afternoon. The boys went for a nap, both of them this day because they both needed it badly. The adults stayed in the water because it is so relaxing just floating around in the water. The picture below was of Griffin when he first woke up. They are reading about tractors and combines for sale. Griffin was giving Papa his opinoin on the matter. I love this picture. Griffin is our early bird and there is no exception on vaction but that could be because it is lighter in his room then at home. Oh well, he gets up so do I until Papa 4 wheeler gets up and then they spend one on one time together. Super sweet.

We decided to rent a boat for half day this particular day. The weather was awesome. We got the boat around 3:00 in the afternoon and the weather service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the county we are in at the same time. We took the boat anyways hoping the weather would turn out for the better. It did rain on us and got a little chilly but the ride was awesome.

This is Gavin pretending to drive the boat. Of course, both boys at one point fell asleep on the ride, it must be the waves or something. LOL.

Griffin at the front of the boat with me hanging on saying, "FASTER PAPA, FASTER PAPA!!" repeatedly. They both love to go fast so it was really cute. Kerry and I have been coming down with our family seperately for years and years so it was fun to see what the places that we used to go to looked like and the surrounding area. My families place we used to stay at was torn down to the ground with only a sign there. Kerry's families place was still there but built up more and nicer. We all enjoyed the boat ride.

Day 2 on vacation

This morning the sun was out and it was so nice so we decided to take off of on the jetskis with Gavin and Griffin. The water was a little chilly but the boys love the jetskis so much it is hard to get them off. We went a couple of coves down to see some more houses just for fun. Later we jumped in the water of course everyone at their own pace. The boys loved this boat thing, I think they like it so much because it has a squirt gun on the front of it. Surprising both of them know how to squirt it very well.

Here is a picture of the boys eating lunch.

In the afternoon, it rained again so we all took a much needed nap. After about 3:00 pm the sun came back out again and it was a lot warmer than this morning. We went back out for a jetski ride with and without the boys. Awesome rides...

Then it was back into the lake for a dip. Griffin wasn't a big fan of getting in the water, he was alright with just being in the boat.

Gavin decided to get out of the boat and into the water all by himself and loved it. He swim all around and even jumped off of the dock (with assistance) twice. He is becoming quite the swimmer.

We ended the evening with more riding our bikes down the hill until Gavin's brakes got too hot. He was riding down the hill on his 4-wheeler when his feet scrapped the concrete with his feet, then he was done. Griffin was rather fussy today so we are hoping he feels a lot better tomorrow.

Day 1 on Vacation

We got into Lake of the Ozarks around 1:00 am in the morning. It was a long trip but fortunately both the boys fell asleep on the way down. It rained from around 7:00 am to around 3:00 pm so it was rather interesting to entertain the little boys. Papa 4 wheeler hung them on the doorknob for a little excitement. They thought it was so funny, kicking their legs and not going anywhere. LOL. Gavin got a lot of fishing in. There was no hook but he enjoyed dropping the weight in the water.

After about 4:00 pm., the sun really started to shine so we took off on the jetskis. Both the boys love it.

After supper, they rode their bike and 4 wheeler down a little hill aka the driveway. Gavin got going faster than he ever has gone and thought it was hilarious. It made me a little nervous but anything for them as long as they are safe and having fun is worth it to me. We are praying for a nice day tomorrow so that we can jump in the water. Griffin tried pushing Papa in the water all morning long but he just won't go in.

HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY MAMA REDDENNICK

Swimming at Ziller's Pond

Last Sunday we went out to a friend's house to go swimming. I didn't think it was going to be warm enough but ended up to be a beautiful day. Gavin met a new friend by the name of Lily. So cute. They played together in the pond for a long time without fighting even.

The picture below is Gavin and Griffin going out as a team to get Lily. Super cute. Don't you love their new life vests.

They loved to jump up and then jump down into the water. Griffin just walked around. He was thrilled to be able to touch the bottom of the pond. He liked the sand feeling in the water but hated it when he was on the beach. Strange I know but....

This was Papa Hurt Leg trying to convince them the water wasn't cold before we got their suits on. Must have worked they got in.

Griffin was amazed by these things called an Argo, they have six wheels but they can go in the water and on land. Both of the boys loved to look but did not want to go for a ride. Guess since it wasn't a tractor they were a little afraid.

After playing at the pond all day, coming home to eat, then a quick bath, we were off again to watch the fireworks. This year we thought we would try something new and went to Chenoa. They put on an awesome show. The boys loved them from far away but weren't a fan if they were close or on the ground level. This is a picture of them sitting in the back of the van before they started. It was a long wait for them.

Long day for the boys but we had an awesome time with our friends plus we got to swim and see fireworks. We can't wait to go back. Gavin doesn't quite understand why fireworks don't happen everday.

Riding a bike

Gavin really started taking off on riding his bike this past week. He is so proud of himself just as much as I am. The biggest thing he likes to tell anyone that will listen is that he can go "real fast". We are working on how to stop.

4th of July

So the 4th of July in Central Illinois it was very cool and RAINY! We had a cook out our Papa Stealers and Mama Dolphin's house. I was a little worried about what the boys would do with such cool, rainy weather and they wanted to swim so badly. But it was way too cold. After eating a delicious meal of fried chicken, cream corn (home made), mac and cheese, and a bunch of other fixings, the kids decided they would play in the rain. Their cousin Reece joined in the fun as well. They had races from the garage all around the vehicles back to the garage. Gavin won a couple and Griffin won a couple after finding a short cut through the cars. He is a such a smart thinker. They were soaked and very dirty but they are boys. Griffin discovered puddles. He just stomped his big feet around in the puddles and then laugh and laugh. He thought it was the coolest thing. I started to get worried they would get sick and with no naps and little attitudes starting Mommy had to stop their fun. After a very quick, warm bath and washing of their dirty cloths, we went home. (Thank you very much Mama Dolphin) Since there were no fireworks, we ended the night in our warm PJs in front of a good kid movie with some YUMMY buttery popcorn. Although it was cold and rainy our boys still had a great 4th of July.

FROM THE TREDENNICKS

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!! BE SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR DAY.

So cool!