Making the Days Count

We had a pretty rough start to our summer, so we made it our mission to pack as much summer goodness as we could into the last month of Sean's summer break.  And that we did.  Sean became Wes' favorite playmate and wrestling partner.  Never have I seen this boy laugh so hard, smile so much, and learn so many questionable new behaviors.

Sean and I celebrated our 8 year anniversary by playing at the museum.
Here Sean is looking handsome in a smock (#thingsineverthoughtiwouldsay)

We took a day trip to Peoria to check out the river.  Wes saw his first boat at almost-three-years-old (and we realized just how landlocked we are).

Grandpa Miller had to have emergency gall bladder surgery, and we found ourselves in Peoria again a few days later.  Wes is typically TERRIFIED of medical offices, but he really surprised us at the hospital.  In fact, his reaction was kind of like we took him to Disney.  I believe we just figured out how to save ourselves a few thousand dollars each summer.

Dr. Wes brought his medical kit to check Grandpa.

Wes brought Curious George Goes to the Hospital to read to Grandpa.
After reading this particular medical text, we concluded Grandpa had
stomach pain because he too must have swallowed a puzzle piece. 

Taking the patient for a walk.

Cafeteria parfait = YUM

Sean's Disney moment came when we took Wes to the Peoria Chick-fil-A,
(Sean's obsession), and he LIKED IT!

This doc also does home visits with his therapy dog.

We then made a third trip to Peoria with neighbor friends to visit the Caterpillar Visitors Center and drive some big equipment.  

We entertained ourselves on these trips with some "I spy" games.  We passed a number of small towns on the way, each with its own water tower.  Little did we know that spying water towers would lead to an OBSESSION.  Like, now-we-purposely-drive-to-look-at-water-towers kind of obsession.  We have named all of the local water towers (e.g. Sarah's water tower, because it is by our friend Sarah's house).  We have walked up to water towers and touched them.  And during bedtime prayers, Wes always prays for the water towers.  It's a little bit adorable and a lot bit bizarre.  But both of us agree we are moving on up from his obsession with "ahhs" (aka sewer grates) of last summer.

Pulling our friends into our weird world.  Sorry Gabe!

After seeing me give Sean a haircut on the porch, Wes asked for the same.  It started off well.  And it ended well.  The details of the middle are not important at this time.

Our summers are always made so sweet by the wonderful friends with whom we share so many of our days and evenings (and post-bedtime drinks).  

Hip hair.

Impromptu porch picnics.

Keeping our Noah company after he broke his foot.

Most recently, Sean's brother David from Texas stopped by for a visit with his two sons Harrison and Max.  Wes had a blast showing his cousins his toys, rough housing with David, and looking at Google pictures of David's water tower (I wish I made that last part up).

We are so thankful that our current employment situation allows us to have some time to recharge together in the summer.  Now that the school year is beginning again, there are bound to be a few weeks of transition ahead.  It won't be easy, but it is always worth it because of this guy.