More summer happenings....

Lots happening and not much battery life left on the computer to explain everything, so of course I have lots of pictures for you to see what we have been doing.

Potty training is actually going well. We've had a few days now with no accidents, and Jack is getting much better at telling us when he has to go and holding it until he sits on the potty. He's very proud of himself every time he goes, and that seems to be the reward for him...just the excitement everyone shows when he uses the potty. We are still working on number 2, but we've had two success with that...so we'll take it.

We've been trying to keep busy, but with this horrible weather we've been having we haven't had the chance to do too much except play in the house or do some shopping or visiting with family.

We were able to head to the fair when it was in PLattsburgh, but of course it rained the whole time. Jack still had fun.
Trying to pet the goats...

One big happy family.... lol
On one of the nicest days of the summer, we had a Jack and Jill party for Aimee and Jaramy at the beach...talk about lucking out with the weather!

The happy couple with the boys...Erika and I were so proud...we decorated the cake ourselves!
My little boy being a ham...
Playing frisbee...
Awww....this doesn't happen that often, that's why I needed a picture of it!
We also had a chance to do some blueberry "picking". I say that because Jack did more eating than picking, but we still had a great time!
Not too sure what he's doing here....
Handfulls at a time....
Enjoying his apple from Grammy. I know the picture is a little blurry, but I still love his face!
Oh yeah...and the big thing that has been going on is the construction of our new house! Very exciting stuff! The road to our house and Katy's house was started last week and they are now in the process of pouring our walls for our foundation. I don't have too many pictures because every time Mark goes down he forgets to take some. It's been hard getting down there with Jack's sleeping schedule and my work schedule, but Mark helps the guys out whenever he doesn't have to watch Jack. Anyway, he's just a few pictures of our hole in the ground....


We are hoping to be in by mid September, so I'll keep everyone posted. It's just exciting to finally see things happen...the banks were taking too long for our liking! Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!

Franklin County Fair

For the second year in a row we decided to head up to Malone to check out the Franklin County Fair. Mark went regularly as a child and enjoyed it far more than the Clinton County Fair so we thought Jack might also enjoy it. What's not to love about goats, cows, horses, poop, carnies and rednecks?

As soon as we arrived we went into the 4H building. Inside there is a giant "sandbox" of sorts with corn kernels in it along with some trucks and shovels. I decided to put Jack in the corn to see how he liked it. At first he wasn't too sure but he soon figured out he could throw the corn and that just made his day.




We then took a walk to see some horses, goats, cows and eventually some ducks, chickens and roosters. Jack seemed thoroughly amused by all of the animals except for the poultry kind. I think the roosters were a little too loud for him. He had quite the grip on my arm and when I put him down to take a picture of a peacock he would not let go.

Jack then enjoyed some pulled pork for dinner along with some poutine and an apple with caramel. That's right, I said an apple with caramel not a "caramel apple". Apparently up in Malone they like to slice their apples and put caramel on them... *tisk, tisk*, Malone, that is NOT how you make a caramel apple. Jack seemed none the wiser and enjoyed the apple anyways.

The main reason we went up tonight was because they had bull riding at the Grandstand. Mark thought this would be an interesting event for Jack to watch seeing as he has a true love for animals. I agreed, so next on our agenda was to head over to the Grandstand. We found a seat an hour before the show and Jack made friends with everyone around us, even a nice older gentleman named Bob whom he continued to tickle and say "HI" to. Bob was a trooper and even allowed Jack to hit him with spoons.

So the show begins and the MC announces that it is time for the children to come out into the ring. Children? I was very confused. He continues to announce that these children are all going to have the chance to ride a sheep. WHAT?? Are you serious??? These children's parents actually signed waivers for their child to ride a sheep for 6 seconds to win a prize. I have to say this is the most redneck thing I have ever heard of in my entire life. Seriously....these children were riding stomach down on the sheep, hanging on to their necks and attempting to not fall off. The first little boy to go out was probably about 3 years old, no joke, and of course fell off within 1 second of the sheep being released from the gate. Of course the little guy began to cry and if I can remember correctly, limped over to his mom and dad. Mark then preceded to ask me if I could see Jack doing that. I said "maybe at 8 or 9 years old, but never that young." Minutes later the MC came on and said this event was only for children 6 and under. ARE YOU FRICKEN KIDDING ME?!?!?! 6 years old riding a sheep like a bull. I am just beyond words by this point, sit back and pray that none of those kids get hurt and wonder why these little boys mommies are not running out there faster after their child falls straight on their head from falling off of a sheep. UGH



So besides my shock at the children riding sheep, it was all around a nice evening. Jack seemed to really enjoy himself and that's what matters the most. We left around 8:30 just before a storm came rolling in and around 8:45 our little monkey was passed out.

I leave you with a picture of Jack nice and comfy in his stroller walking around the fair....