Summer is winding down

 We spent the last couple weeks of August trying to fit in as much of summer as we could. I do love the fall and know it will be here soon but always get sad to see summer go.

 The end of August also means the Kentucky State Fair. Nate's mom drove down just to hang out with us that weekend and we spent Saturday morning there.

 Andrew got a picture in front of Freddy, the KY Farm Bureau talking "farmer" who, for as long as I can remember, has been a fixture at the fair.

 Riding on a dinosaur at the Kidszone inside the expo center.

We even made it to the BMX bike show...notice the guy on the bike flipping upside down. Someone thought that was pretty cool but I'm hoping he doesn't get any ideas...

 Sunday after church we headed downtown to catch some of the Ironman. It was so beautiful outside and perfect for a walk along the river.

 We got to see the first bike riders finish that leg of the race before they started on the marathon. Andrew said someday he would ride his bike in a race and we could clap for him.

 Sliding together at Cherokee Park...we are lucky enough to live in walking distance of 3 playgrounds there and we take full advantage of that when we can!

 Drinking a "milkshake" in the afternoon. I've convinced them both that when I blend up frozen banana with a little milk and peanut butter that it is ice cream:)

Still working on this girl's ponytail...her hair is a little out of control!

 Nate has spent the better part of the Labor Day weekend working on the bathroom...it is an endless tile job but we are close to finishing...I will post pictures soon I hope!) He had a very enthusiastic helper as usual.

Our garden has been pretty good to us this summer and is full of tomatoes and peppers right now. The grapes sadly did not make it this year but I think we have not been pruning them correctly so we will try again next year! I'm hoping to get a winter garden in by fall so we have some kale, spinach, and arugula to harvest through the colder months.

First day of school

What a difference a year makes! This was taken last August on his first day of parents' day out at St. Matthews Baptist Church:

And here is my little guy all grown up on  his first day of preschool at Harvey Brown Presbyterian...he goes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and so far loves it so much! There were no tears this year. He pretty much jumped out of the car when I dropped him off and let the carpool helpers take him right in. I was lucky to get a "see ya later Mom!" 

Nashville weekend

I think 99 percent of this blog is pictures of our kids but occasionally I get away for a weekend kid-free...and by occasionally I mean like once a  year. I realized that it has been a full year since I spent a night away from the kids! Nate was a trooper last weekend though, and I got a full weekend of friend time in Nashville with Erin, Mary and Amanda. We realized that we need to do this more often!

 Amanda sent me many of these pictures of the 4 of us...we were trying not to laugh in these as Amanda's mom was attempting to figure out just how to push the button on the camera...it took about 15 tries and 10 minutes to get this!

 Erin and me in her new backyard...She and Mark has just moved like a week ago so we got to see her new house and help her plan out all of the fun decorating and details that come with moving.

 And Leena is going to have a baby sister this December!

 Amanda brought Emmylou with her since Matt couldn't get off work but it turned out to be so fun because these 2 played and played together.

 Amanda's parents did drive up from Louisville to take Emmylou all day Saturday so we could have some kid-free time. We had brunch at Marche, walked around East Nashville (Erin and Mark live so close to everything) and went to dinner at Eastland Cafe. The weather was beautiful and it was so fun to just be outside with no agenda!

We finished the evening at Jeni's ice cream...so good!

 Mary and I headed out for a run Sunday morning...

 Saturday night we went out to Tenn 16 to eat, a fun southern restaurant that we walked up to.

 Heather met us there too and we had so much fun catching up.  Such a fun weekend and Nate survived being a single dad for a few days:)

Growing up!

 Finally, these 2 can play pretty well together. Until Harper takes one of Andrew's trucks...then not so much. But it's cute to watch when they are getting along:)

 A little wagon ride on a beautiful day!

 Beautiful morning at Deem Lake in Indiana. We went here on one of Nate's Friday's off and pretty much had the place to ourselves.

 Andrew kept saying "This sand is brown!" He's used to the Gulf Coast of Florida...spoiled!

 3 cousins in the tub!

 Bike ride on the pedestrian bridge over the river

 Friday evening out on the town...we went to the Flea off Market (flea market with food trucks and music) and then walked around NuLu. Andrew needed a picture in front of the Why Louisville Store.

 Hiking in Oldham County.

 Evening at the Pie Kitchen with Granna and Grandpop.

 I haven't attempted the splash park at the zoo by myself with 2 kids because the place can be wild but Nate came with us last Friday and Andrew and  Harper had so much fun!

 They wore us out, clearly:) I think we've been reading "Hop on Pop" a few too many times to Andrew...

 I will never understand why this old safari truck at the zoo is so much more thrilling than the actual animals. Harper seemed to love it too and I had to pry them both out of it!

 Hanging out with friends at Cherokee Park.

 Someone got a haircut and aged a couple years in a matter of minutes.  He starts preschool next week!

 Harper is now officially a walker! Here's a little example of how it usually goes down: