Gary Cuteness!

I just have to post a picture of this masterpiece that Gary made! Joel and I got paid to round out the choir for Dr. Randy at Ebeneezer Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church this past Sunday, so Gary hung out in the 3-4 year old Sunday School class. He got to hear the story of Noah's Ark, make his own ark, and play with all the kids his age. (Gary has played here a couple times before, so he couldn't wait to "go to school." Last Saturday, he kept asking me, "Is it time to go to school yet, Mommy?" When he finally got there, he marched into the room like an old pro!) When the service ended, Joel and I went to pick Gary up. I asked the teacher if Gary had been a good boy, and she said yes. Then she giggled and asked if Gary is around adults most of the time. I said yes, why? She said a little girl snatched something from Gary, and instead of snatching it back or hitting her, he calmly said "I very UPSET with you!" The teacher thought it was just hilarious!
On Monday, I was sitting at the computer doing something online while Gary played and watched PBS. All of the sudden, Gary came running up to me. He said, "Mommy, look at me wag my tail!" I looked down to see Gary's wiener sticking through the opening of his little boy underwear while he wiggled around. It took all my strength to say how that wasn't how nice boys acted, without LAUGHING HYSTERICALLY!!!! He put "it" away and went back to playing in the other room. I LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY after he left. Sorry- no pictures of this one!!!
This is Gary on Wednesday. He found this big rubber band I use to keep my ironing board from sliding open as it hangs on the back of my closet door. He said, "Mommy, look! My belly is a smiley face!" Having a three year old is lots of fun!

Gary on his Bike

Joel took Gary out to ride his bike after classes on Thursday, so I went out and snapped a few pictures. It was good to get outside and enjoy the cooler temperatures. Too bad we go back up into the 90s today!

Gary on his bike.

Look at this face!

Cheese!

Here's the new light-up Spiderman shoes we got Gary a couple of weeks ago. I tried to get a picture of them lighting up, but it didn't work.

Here's a picture of Dan and Stephanie Stein's dog, Izzy. She's a lab-chow mix, and such a sweetie. When Gary and Izzy get together, they have lots of fun! In this picture, Izzy is staring at Gary and hoping that he'll drop some of his dinner.

GO DAWGS!!!!!

Cincinnati Bengals 45

Cleveland Browns 51

Pumpkin Strudel

Ah! I LOVE FALL!!! It's still over eighty degrees here, but it's cooled down enough to make me want to cook and cook and cook. And fall foods are starting to appear in the stores. Mmm-mm-mm-mm-MMMM! I found gorgeous apples in Walmart today, so I bought some. And then I found pie pumpkins, so I bought one. After that, I found apple cider, so, well, you know what I did. (I usually don't buy ANY produce at Walmart...it's cheap because half of it is ROTTING, and I 'm not picking through it. I still get my produce through our farmer's market down the road. Two words: fresh and cheap.) Oh, I also got candy corn for our candy dish!!! Tonight I made pumpkin strudel (thanks for the notes, Mom!). OH GOD, WAS IT GOOD! I would have posted a picture of it here, but you'll have to wait until the next time I make it because WE ATE IT ALL!!!! HA!!!!!!

Pictures of Our New Apartment

Here's the living room. (I'm standing in the dining room just past our front door.) The deck is just past the large window.

The other side of our living room.

The dining room. Note Gary's naughty chair in the corner.

Here's the kitchen. It's a pretty good size. The laundry / pantry is behind the door.

We are lucky to have a treeline view...many of the apartments just face the parking lots or other apartments.

Here's Gary's room. As you can see, it's bigger than his old room, so he has plenty of space to spread out his toys.

This is the rest of Gary's room. (I'm standing by the window.)

Here's "Gary's bathroom" off the main hallway.

This is the master bedroom.

The master bath has the tub and toilet separate from the vanity. That's really handy when there's a rush to get ready at the same time. The entrance to the big walk in closet in our room is across from the vanity.

The Rock Hill Carrousel

Here it is... the Rock Hill Carrousel! Definitely not as impressive as Mansfield's carrousel. And it costs a whole dollar for a short ride. However, it is conveniently located at the mall. And Gary still has a blast!

Gary in the Swimming Pool

Here's some pictures of Gary in the pool with his lobster. I took these just before the pool closed on Labor Day. We really miss having the pool open because it's still HOT down here! And Gary got the hang of floating and dog paddling by himself (within an arm's reach, of course).

Gary's Birthday at the Carrousel

We had Gary's Mansfield Birthday Party at Richland Carrousel Park. (Thanks for setting that up, Kay!) Gary REALLY missed being away from the carrousel, so this was a natural choice. He had a blast! Gary must have rode this thing at least thirty times. I think everybody had a great time celebrating Gary's big 3!

Gary riding on the carrousel with Grammy EE.
Kimmie, Mike, and John.
Auntie Abby holding Gary (he's "smiling").
Papa and Poopoo enjoying themselves.
Papa Tom and Nona Mary with the Birthday Boy!

Gary's yummy birthday cake.
Gary riding the carrousel with Mommy.
Papa Dick and Grandma Jo. (I can't believe she let me take her picture, but I'm glad she did because Gary looks at it all the time!)
Joel and Curt.
I took this picture of John after the party, just before we left my parents house to go back to Charlotte. I'm happy with the way it turned out, so I'm posting it here!

Cleveland Indians Game

On July 16, we got to see the Indians take on the White Sox. (Thanks for our birthday tix, John, Mom, and Dad!) We had a spectacular time. It looked like the Indians were going to lose big early in the game, but they were able to fight back and ALMOST win it in the 9th. It was a heartbreaking loss, 10-11. But happily, Gary got his picture plastered on the scoreboard while we were dancing and yelling in the 8th!!! I was hoarse from cheering for the next three days!

Gary hanging out with Uncle John and Papa Gary before the game.
Joel, Abby, and John.
Gary early in the game.
The scoreboard Gary was pictured on in the 8th.
Jacobs Field at night after the game. Gorgeous!

Back Home in July

We were able to go back to Ohio to celebrate Gary's birthday in July. It was so nice to be back home around friends and family! Here's some pictures of Gary's party at Chris and Gail's House in Toledo.

The Birthday Boy!
Gary and Great Grandma Bonnie.
Getting splashed by Aunt Cheryl.
The crash after the party back at Papa Tom and Nona Mary's house in Cleveland.

Pictures of "Biltmore Cottage"

I'm playing catch up with our blog! Here are some pictures of Biltmore when Kay came down to visit us in May. As you can see, this place is unbelievably HUGE. It was also GORGEOUS. I recommend the trip if you're in the area. We had alot of fun.

Joel and Gary out in the front.
One of the massive stone lions that guards the front door.
Taking a break by the fountain (Gary fell asleep).
Bust near the fountain pictured above.
Kay in the green house.