Double Decker Carousel

We rode this carousel in Florence, KY on Labor Day 2008. We were tired of being in the house and wanted a nice distraction. Florence is about 45 minutes north of our home on I71. The mall has a nice soft play area for the kids too. It was just the distraction that we needed and Ethan was able to get a much wanted game for his DS!

Smile

Nine Years and Seven Months Old

Ethan started school on August 13, 2008. He has grown a pretty awful attitude this summer. He's a know-it-all, he's grouchy, moody, and quick to anger. Sounds like we have a budding pre-teen on our hands, doesn't it?! Well, even with all of that, he's still sweet and kind to his brothers (most of the time). He keeps his room clean, unloads the dishwasher, and gathers all the dirty laundry. I suppose that means he's normal, right? :-)

Want a good giggle?

My dad was making a handle for a wood splitter; I asked Ethan what he was doing and from offscreen my sister said, "Trying to get a splinter."

Turn up the volume...I hope it makes you laugh like it did us!

Nine Years and Six Months Old

We vacationed at Grandma and Grandpa's home in Virginia.

Ethan and Aunt Tammy

Shooting the Bow (He's got mad skills!)

Nine Years and Five Months Old

Nine Years and Four Months Old

In May Ethan played a lot of soccer. His season had been delayed because of heavy spring rains and many games were postponed. His team remianed undefeated until the final tournament game and they lost (by one goal) to the only team that beat them last year - this season when they played each other, they tied. Ethan really gained some good soccer training from his coaches and from practicing and playing, and toward the end of the season he got a bit more aggressive and played very well! Way to go, Ethan!!

We celebrated a family wedding in May and Ethan spent some special cousining time with Walter's sister's son and daughter. It was special and very fun.

(imagine an accent here) "Let's be Scottish dancers!"

This pictures cracks me up SO much. They were dancing to bagpipe music.

Nine Years and Three Months Old

Ethan is AWESOME!

The other day, we had an earthquake (in Illinois, but we felt it) and it happened on a day when Walter was not going to work so he did not get up and wake Ethan for school. Ethan felt the earthquake, got up, got dressed for school, ate breakfast, then came and told Walter that he was leaving for school!! I had gotten in the shower, but hadn't thought to check on Ethan - he is such an amazing morning person! Way to go my big boy!

Nine Years and Two Months Old

Now that the Spring season of soccer is here, we have received our Fall soccer pictures! Here is my growing boy and his soccer team:

Nine Years and One Month Old

Ethan learned to polish shoes this month. Walter got a really cool shoe shine kit for his bithday and Ethan is the main user of it! All of our shoes look very nice!! Ethan also got a new haircut for crazy hair day at school. He had a reverse mohawk! It was very funny and he got the "best hair" award. (We shaved it all down to the short length that same night...) Ethan is a tremendous helper around our home. We have created some responsibilities for each person so that he is not doing more than is expected of him. He is such an amazingly wonderful boy!

Happy Birthday!

Nine Years Old!

Today my little baby boy, Ethan, is nine. He is such a big boy! I could not have ever imagined that he would be as wonderful as he is when I was pregnant with him or even when he was born. I knew he was great and I strive to do my very best with him, but it's so hard to know what the outcome will be... Anyway, Ethan is awesome and I love him very much.

Strep Throat

Ethan woke up Thursday morning with a very sore throat and tummy ache with a 103 degree fever. I took him to the dr. and they knew it was strep before the testing was even complete! The treatment they advised was a shot of penicillin in his thigh. Ethan doesn't have any fat on his little body and the meds travelled around in his muscle and under his skin. It was pretty gross and extremely painful for him. He's better now and here are a few shots of his lovely leg:

Here you can see the small red spot where the shot was given and above it, the gorgeous bruise the medicine pocket caused.

Lovely colors... :-)

Happy New Year!

Looking at the SNOW!

Brother Love

Ethan took our picture!

Creator Unparalleled: Ethan

Ethan built this cool ramp for his neew lego car today at Uncle Joe and Aunt Tracy's house:

Eight Years and Eleven Months Old!

Ethan continues to amaze me. He is smart and caring, and a wonderful brother! He has become one of the neighborhood kids. He's constantly away, riding his bicycle around the block, playing pick-up football games, over at the Brenny's house, or just chillin' in the basement. I can hardly believe that my baby will be nine in a few short weeks.

Eight Years and Ten Months Old

Ethan is an amazing brother. He is a kind and caring boy. Ethan is growing into such a wonderful little man. I am very proud of him and can hardly believe that he is so close to being a nine year old!

Ethan's Room

Halloween

Ethan was a pirate for halloween. He really got into the "arrgh" and "matey" vocabulary. It was fun!

Eight Years and Eight Months Old & Eight Years and Nine Months Old

Ethan began and finished his soccer season since I last blogged. His team, The Challengers, had a 6 win, 1 loss, 1 tie record at the end and may play in a tournament during the first weekend in November. Ethan really liked playing soccer. He especially liked being goal keeper. He played well and learned a lot. We are planning to play soccer again in the spring with the same coach. Ethan has made friends in our neighborhood including a boy in his class at school who lives with his family directly behind us. They run around the neighborhood playing football mostly, and having a fun time. It's really nice to have kids come to the door and ask if Ethan can play!