July....
Our biggest change this summer started in July when Mike went back to school to work on his MBA. Probably also the cause for the lack of blog updates! Luke and I miss daddy when he is gone but we feel more than blessed that GE is paying for his coursework at Xavier University. This is a 2 year program...so before we know it he'll be finished...at least that's what we keep telling each other!! Also, Luke and I are sooo lucky to have friends and family who keep us company and graciously invite us over for dinner or go for walks and trips to the playground while Mike is busy with school. Thank you, thank you to all of you (you know who you are!) who have helped with this transition.
Have I mentioned that we have the best neighbors ever! We had such a great time celebrating the 4th of July (on the 2nd of July) with our friends on our street. What a gift it is to have your neighbors be your friends as well! We also had a fantastic time celebrating with our small group on the actual 4th of July...have I mentioned that we have the best small group ever! We always have a great time when we get together and it is so sweet to see our group continue to grow with the addition of each beautiful new baby! SO fun : )
Also, when it comes to best friends ever...I loved going up to Indiana at the end of July to visit good friends from college. We had to move our annual non-camping trip to the summer this year to accommodate all of the brand new babies...the first adorable arrival came in August to Chris and Chrissy who welcomed Ryan Christopher! Can't wait to meet Baby Boy Murphy and Baby Girl Smith later this winter!
August...On August 1st we celebrated Mike's 30th birthday. I surprised him with a night out and our first overnight away from Luke at the Mariemont Inn, which holds special significance since our wedding reception was held there 7 (gasp! has it really been that long?) years ago.
In the middle of August school started for my mom and sisters. Kate is now a SENIOR!!! And, Sarah is a FRESHMAN. How crazy is that? Even baby sisters have to grow up eventually. It has been fun to celebrate each senior moment with Kate. (Wish I had pictures from Senior Night for Color Guard...she looked so pretty and sophisticated...hmmm, I wonder how she would feel about home schooling for college?)
We spent as many days as possible at the park, zoo, and pool with Luke. I have loved all of my weekday adventures with Luke. So special to have this opportunity to spend time with him everyday and enrich his world with new experiences and learning opportunities. Our friend Gwyn (Ryan and Lauren's sweet baby who I babysit a few days each week) has also been a part of our weekday adventures. What a sweet friendship she and Luke are building..I will try to take a few pictures of our play time together, but usually we're so busy I forget to get out the camera. You can trust me...they are adorable!!
Our favorite August adventure was to Grandma McPherson's house in Northern Ohio and a special trip to the Huron County Fair. Luke was in heaven with all of the animals and his very own bowl of ice cream!! What a joy to visit family that we don't often get to see. It was truly a fun trip for everyone!
Riding the carosel at the zoo, Luke calls it the "up, down", one of his favorite zoo attractions!
Luke with two of his favorite toys..."sweep" and "mow mower"
Kate and Sarah at the fair.
Luke with his favorite, the goats. 
I scream...you scream...we all scream for ice cream!! Seriously, Luke is crazy about ice cream and this ice cream was very very very good. I loved the peanut butter best, but really every flavor we tried was awesome! The guy selling it told us he caters to church ice cream socials...anyone up for a road trip to Northern Ohio for an ice cream social!?
In the beginning of September I celebrated my 30th birthday! Funny, how much older 30 sounds than 29. I admit I am still getting used to the fact that my 20's have come to an end and this next decade of life has begun. However, no regrets!! I loved my 20's and I am truly looking forward to what God has to come for my 30's.
Luke continues to entertain, surprise, delight and sometimes challenge us as he heads closer to his second birthday. He definitely has his "2" moments which simply remind us that our little boy is growing, learning, and developing more everyday. I love how his language is changing and his vocabulary continues to expand. It always makes me smile to hear him try new words and phrases...like "wallaby" at the zoo, or "hot mommy" at dinner when he thinks his food is to warm...Yes I'll take any compliment I can get! Also, so sweet to my ears are his "please", "thank you", "hug", and "night night" at bedtime. I could go on and on, so I'll save a few new cute Luke-isms for October.
Here a re a few snapshots of our last summer days in September. Luke LOVED playing with the hose this summer. He would always start out watering the flowers but inevitably he would end up spraying everything within reach of the hose!
Luke's first trip with us to King's Island. His favorite parts were driving the cars, riding the big "choo choo", and sharing an order of giant french fries.
At the end of September we went to a GE family picnic at Neiderman Farm. So much fun! Luke loved the animals, bouncy, and cookies! He also got this cool dinosaur tattoo.
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