Mercer Tree Mystery Solved

On our last couple of walks, Leighton will all of the sudden say, with an excited tone, "Mercer Tree". I ask him over and again what he said and he points and says, "Mercer Tree". I asked him who taught him that and he never responds. I have no idea where this came from. Then I thought to myself, Ive never heard of a mercer tree, but perhaps my 2 year old is smarter than me. So after one walk, I decided to google 'Mercer Tree'. There is no such thing as a mercer tree. I was excited that I was still smarter than my baby boy, but still confused about the Mercer Tree.

This continued on for a couple weeks. Luke even experienced it on our last walk. Hmmmmm.

Today, while packing for our vacation, I thought I'd keep Leighton entertained by turning on Thomas the Tank Engine show. Though it is almost August and still the dead middle of summer, the specific show was about a Christmas Tree. Every time Thomas said Christmas Tree, Leighton would say, with the same excited tone, "Mercer Tree." Ah Ha! Mystery solved. When Leighton says Mercer Tree, he is trying to say Christmas Tree.

72 Days Left

72 days left until baby #3 is due. Hopefully he comes a little before that - but not too much sooner than that! We are getting so excited.

Please join us in praying for a Van or any vehicle that will fit three car seats (and allow for travel). Also pray for a twin bed. (I would LOVE two matching twin beds for Leighton and McCabe to use, or a twin over full bunk bed - from pottery barn, or a twin over twin bunk bed - from pottery barn, but this isn't technically a need! Obviously I'm dreaming a little here!!!)

Hannah McGargill's 2nd Birthday

Tonight we got to celebrate Hannah McGargill's 2nd Birthday. A pizza and swimming party is just perfect for these kids. Here are some of the kids eating their cookie monster cup cakes. Leighton at the M&M eyes but wouldn't eat anything else. I don't think he likes cake very much. He especially doesn't like cupcakes - I think it is because you eat them with your fingers and they tend to be messier. He kept commenting on how dirty everyone else was. Silly boy. The other kids sure enjoyed them and us parents enjoyed their blue faces! This was our first party with a pinata! Each of the kids got to try to break it open with a baseball bat. The challenge was making sure no kids broke any other kids by swinging at them. Leighton is very strong and quiet the baseball player at home. But as usual, his shyness came out and he wouldn't swing hard and he wanted daddy to stand right beside him.

I think we all got a little impatient, so Hannah's dad Joe, took a blindfolded swing at it and it finally broke!

Luke and McCabe McCabe hatted the little dog they have. He was so scared of it and just cried and cried when he would come near him. Once we let him try the pizza he was winning for, he seemed forget about the dog. McCabe wont eat much for us here at home, but today he ate a little peanut butter sandwhich at our picnic and he ate a whoel piece of pizza at Hannah's party. I was impressed by his eating today! Check out how cute this little guy is ...
We had a very busy day with the splash park and Hannah's birthday. I suppose that explains why I am having contractions! Yikes. I am almost 29.5 weeks, so I really don't like having them already. The Midwives and trusty friend Anna gave me some tips. Hopefully they calm down now that we are home and I can sit ... and sleep!

Here is a picture of Anna and I. She is about 2 weeks behind me with her third child as well. We both have very similar pregnancies and she is a wealth of knowledge so we are glad that we have her wisdom!

At The Park Again

We had a great morning at the splash park. Lots of splashing, a good picnic, and playing on the playground.

In addition to a few others moms, Kate Altmaier joined us. We are so excited she moved to Des Moines! It reminds me of my big choice to move to Des Moines 5 years ago! What a great decision that was! I've been so blessed by the fellowship here at church, loyal friends, spiritual growth, and starting my wonderful and beautiful family in the middle of it all.
Leighton enjoying jumping and being noisy with Quinn Rude.

My little man loved swinging! McCabe is so fearless. He tried climbing out of the swing while I was taking pictures of Leighton. You should see him climb around our house. He has no fear. Leighton is very cautious. Hopefully they will balance each other a little bit. Its exciting to see them grow up and to expereince their differences.

Broken Cars

On Wednesday, Luke tried to drive the Jetta and it broke down on him at the bottom of our big hill. It did start up again, but it's a little risky to drive and since there isn't air conditioning, Luke decided to use an alternatice means of transportation. Luke started using his brothers Jetta, a few years newer, since he is out of town for a few weeks.

On Thursday, I got a call from Luke that he needed to be picked up at a coffee shop because his brothers Jetta wouldn't start. This ended with AAA towing it to Orlando's and there is still no word on the well being of this Jetta.

On Friday, Luke did NOT break any cars. (Though our Altima's Air Conditioning has droped from a 80% working percentage, to a near 50% working rate.)

On Saturday, Luke did NOT break any cars again. Two days in a row!

On Sunday, Luke and I got the kids into the altima at his parents house after lunch. It was hot and the kids were over due on their nap 30 minutes already. Luke turning the key and guess what? It didn't start! It really is so out of this world crazy that 3 cars stopped working in 5 days! So after several attemps to jump it, we took home one of his parents cars (Since the Jetta doesn't fit the car seats and doesn't have Air Conditioning). AAA will tow the Altima this afternoon to join his brother's Jetta at Orlando's Garage.

I don't write this to complain. I seriously think that this is really funny. I mean sure it isn't convenient, but its funny!

Bible Study Working at the Camp

A few Mondays ago, our bible study did some cabin demolition at our churches 33 acre camp. This Monday, some people got to help build a second volleyball court, some got to chainsaw a huge tree that fell during the big strom, and some (me and boys) got to play in the sand!

It will be so nice to have the second court completed for the volleyball league to start up. It is incredible how unifying volleyball can be and it is a great opportunity to reach out to non-beleivers too. Our bible study alone has 3 different volleyball teams!

Working ...
Playing ...


Working and Playing ...

I knew McCabe would get all dirty, so I took his clothes off right away. Leighton hates getting dirty and more importantly hates taking his shirt off! So I didn't think I it was neccessary to take his clothes off. However, tonight, he asked for his clothes off too. He was shy the whole time and he still managed to stay clean! Haley put some mud on his tummy and he asked nicely for it to be washed off! Of course his feet and hands were dirty but everything else on my big guy was spotless! McCabe was a mess. He had sand and mud everywhere! The wet sand and his sweaty skin was a bad combination. Washing him off at a cold water spout was fun too!

A 'tractor' for the boys to stare at ...

A bobcat for the boys to stare at ...

It is encouraging to see our bible study members serve together! Though the boys and I aren't much help in manual labor, we enjoying being a part of it just the same. We always leave encouraged ... and dirty! :)

The Perfect Storm ... and The Not-So-Perfect Storm

The Perfect Storm

Last night was one of those nights were you love sleeping. We had soft storms all night. McCabe woke up at 6:15 am, but was clearly still very tired. So he and I went back up to my bed. Since he would roll off the bed unattended, I had the perfect excuse to sleep in!!!! McCabe and I slept in until 8:15, and Leighton woke up soon after at 8:30. I loved sleeping in a little bit too much!

The Not-So-Perfect Storm

The night before last night was a loud and more violent storm. Apparently there were a few spotted tornados that never touched down. 30,000 poeople lost power (not us!). There were 70 mile an hour winds. And there was a lot of tree damage. Leighton and McCabes play house outside have traveled several feet in the yard and was tipped over. There were 3 large tree limbs down (Luke got to take an Ax to them to break them down), and several hundred smaller sticks and limbs (Leighton did a really good job at helping Luke). For the second week in a row, Luke got two back to back bee stings from doing yard work. I am so thankful that the kiddos haven't gotten stung yet. Below are some pictures from Luke and Leighton's yard clean-up.

Splash Park

I am always reporting about the things and activities that my boys love to do. I thought I should admit that in addition to my boys loving the splash park, I ADORE the splash park. Hot days are so wonderful when I can sit in some cool water and I love getting to work on my tan! It is also great to get to enjoy this time with other moms and eat a picnic outside.

This week, we spent Thursday and Friday morning at the splash park. McCabe fought with his hat the first day but the second day he loved wearing it. He is quite adventerous in the water; He craws in after balls and toys, walks around in it and splashes.

Leighton is so sweet to McCabe. He will make sure McCabe has a toy to play with and will go get them for him when they float away. When he splashes him it is an accident and he really does feel bad.

Throwing balls into the water and chasing them is Leightons favorite thing to do. He especailly likes the large beach balls. I am thankful that Leighton isn't agressive or mean and that he doesn't retaliate or throw fits, but I feel so sad for him when kids take his toys. It is serisouly so sad when kids take toys from his hands. Sometimes after he throws a ball into the water, someone takes it while he is en route to retrieve it. He gets the saddest look on his face and just watches it all happen. Sometimes he just comes to me and asks permission to go look for a different ball. Other times he just ever so patiently watches the child enjoy it for a couple minutes and then goes and gets it once they are done. He even comes to me and asks if he can go get the ball now. He wants to make sure that he wont be taking it from someone else, so he is basically making sure that it is free to play with. I say, "Yes Hunny, you can go get it now, thanks for asking!" but what I want to say is, "YES Go Go Go, Hurry before someone else takes it!") I am amazed at his temperment. Hopefully he doesn't learn to do that to other kids. I am pretty sure I have the sweetest 2 year old in the whole wide world. Yup!

The second day, Quinn and several others kids joined us at the pool. Leighton and Quinn got a little more brave than usual and actually got into the deepest part of the water. It is only 1 foot deep, but it was quiet the improvement for them.

What an enjoyable morning! What enjoyable children! :)

Thomas the Train

Leighton

Today we were at Von Maur - the absolute greatest store in the whole wide world - and I let Leighton play with the Thomas the Train set in the kids section. It sounds so sappy, but I just LOVE to make my kids happy. Leighton had a wonderful time playing with the trains on the tracks. I told him that he could only play if he listen to me when it was time to get back in the stroller and leave. He did great. After 5 minutes playing I told him it was time to go and he said, "By Thomas," while looking at the train table, and then turning to me said, "thanks mom" with a big smile. It just melts my heart to see him so happy.

You will also notice from the quotation that Leighton has started to change from saying "mommy" to just "mom" on certain occasions which makes him seem so grown up.

I also want to note that he does say some variation of mommy quite frequently. He wants me involved in everything. He wants me to be watch everything, listen to everything, respond to everything, praise for every good thing, acknowledge every truck, bus, car, pick up truck, motercylce, and RV that he sees while driving in the car and much more. He loves to talk to me.

I am so thankful for the ability to communicate with him and learn his special language!

McCabe

We don't go more than a hour at home without McCabe playing peek-a-boo with us. He does all the work. He goes and hides behind the curtain or couch or wall, and he moves his head in and out. So all I have to do is say, "peek-a-boo" and it leads to lots of laughter.

McCabe's vocabulary is also growing. When he sees a dog, he points with his little finger and then says, "Dooooh". His eyes are wide and he is very serious as he repeatedly points and says dog (his version of dog at least).

He is walking much more and climbing much more too!

What amazing BOYS I have. The oldest, Luke is pretty amazing too! He is growing more and more handsome if that is even possible and we are enjoying life together more and more. I love my FAMILY!

Family Pictures

We had another wedding this weekend. It is wonderful to see more and more friends get married who are really honoring the Lord and are being so fruitful together. Congrats Adam and Jillian! Aren't those three boys soooooo handsome?

Fireworks

Since the fourth of July was rainy, Racoon River did fireworks this friday instead. 6 Bible Studies set up a huge spot at the park and played volleyball, grilled and watching fireworks.

Leighton and Daddy throwing balls into the tree. This was Leighton's idea!

Family Picture!!!

Preparing for Fireworks as it gets darker...

Holding McCabe so we didn't lose the little man in the dark crowd!

And finally, the FIREWORKS. Leighton loved the fireworks. He talked about them the whole car ride home and the all day today. He keeps saying, "I like the purple one," and "Leighton saw fireworks, see fireworks again!" Even McCabe liked them. He wasn't afraid of the noise at all.

It was a fun night of fireworks. I was begining to think that I would never see fireworks again because little ones need to get to bed, but we put them down to nap late, and they did great. In fact they were only up about 15 minutes later than usual. Luke and I cut out early to miss all the traffic.

Earlier in the day on friday, we had the DTC moms over again. Malachi, Quinn and Leighton were playing in the bird bath for a while. Usually this ends up with the kids getting a little wet from the splashing, but today, for some reason, mud entered into the equation without us being aware. After 20 minutes of them playing out there, we decided to go check on them. Yikes were they dirty!

Leighton enjoyed every minute of playing but once he realized that he was so dirty, he was not happy about it. To bad for him, this is when I got the camera out and started taking pictures.
So by the end of the fun filled friday the boys had had 2 baths. Both their nap and their evening slumber were great. Both little guys were wiped out from all the fun outdoors and relaxing baths indoors that they went right to sleep ... and so did I!

Giggling Boys

This is a short video, but Leighton and McCabe sometimes do this for minutes on end. It is so sweet. Blowing on each others tummies has become quiet the activity at the Hukee household.

A Simple and Wonderful Week

This week we went to Menards with Daddy. While we were picking out lightbulbs, the boys got to hang out by the guitar hero stand. Leighton played the guitar and loudly sang, "bless the lord" a few times. It is interesting because he never sings when asked and rarely ever for other people. I was surprised that he would sing in such a public place!Another day, the boys and I walked to the park. They had a good time swinging together ... for some reason they both thought is was so funny. Leighton discovered the riding toys and had a blast on them as you will see below. We enjoyed a picnic in the shade and lastly, a tiring walk home. McCabe fell asleep of course and in my fatigue, I'm sure my return time was much slower than the trip to the park.

These two boys are so much fun to be around. They continue to make me smile everyday. I cannot believe how much I Love them. How awesome is it that God loves them even more than I do AND he loves me that much too.

Now, of course I need the Lord to prepare and perfect me A LOT more before the third boy arrives in three months, but I'm getting very excited to meet him. I'm sure he will bring joy to us as Leighton and McCabe have and the dynamic of the three of them together is bound to be good!

3rd Anniversary

Yesterday Luke and I got to have a date for our 3rd Anniversary. I LOVE getting to spend time with my husband. He is the best guy in the world!

We had an enjoyable evening at the Cheesecake Factory followed by walking, and driving around! He was so generous letting me pick out the restaurant AND the kind of cheesecake that we got (carrotcake cheesecake)!

Park, Pool, Parade, & People

PARK
Leighton has always loved playgrounds, but he especailly enjoys that as he gets older, he is getting to try (and master) all the big kid stuff on the playground. In addition to the new big kid stuff, he has also made the slides more 'big kid'-like too; He not only climbs up them but goes down head first! I love going to the park with him.

When I turn a year older it is slightly disappointing because nothing seems different and I don't feel older. McCabe definetly knows that he turned 1. In addition to talking his frist steps on his birthday, he has become a big boy at the park too. He has gone from sitting on his bottom eating wood chips to climbing stairs and going down slides (though he does this ungracefully and totally out of control).

SPLASH POOL

This week we discovered a new place that I plan to go to regularily. It is for sure one of those activities that Leighton, McCabe and I love! Ashby park has a sweet shallow pool for the kids to play in AND I get to sit in! It was so much fun! I hope to go here so many more times, hopefully weekly!

PARADE FOR THE 4TH

We had a great morning at a fourth of July parade. I was planning to go with the kids since Luke is a very busy on saturdays. To my surpise, when I asked him where to park, he said he wanted to come! Yeah! It was a sweet surprise. Leighton and Daddy were at the street collecting candy and McCabe and I were in the back, trying to take some pictures!

PEOPLE

I feel bad calling this section, 'people', but it went with the P theme! This friday we had several friends over to play outside. Lots of moms and even more kids.

McCabe loves to sit on the picnic table and climb up and down it.

Leighton hardly stops running around playing so I can never seem to get a decent picture of him smiling or even looking at the camera. He is a busy busy boy.