Lego LOVE

We have offically entered the world of Lego's at the Parks house. Ethan could play with them all day long! So the rest of us have now decided to drop the Hawaiian tradition of taking our shoes off at the door so we can preserve our precious feet from sharp Lego corners!

Poor Phoebe

It seems that Phoebe is OVER-loved. Rachel just loves to squeeze and hug her. Yes, in one of those you can see Phoebe's rear and she runs behind Deryck trying to get away!

That being said, Phoebe is doing great. She hasn't had any accidents in the house lately (which is a relief on my part since I can't convince Ethan to clean it up). She is much more comfortable and her favorite thing is going down the street to the big open field in front of Ethan's school to chase the kids and fetch her mini tennis ball.

~PHOEBE~

During our time on the mainland the kids showed us how much they love animals...especially dogs. Though they tell us all the time, with our long trip back home, we put getting one on the back burner. Ethan and Rachel's love for Ralph, Minnie, Sally, Tucker, Sundae, Lucy, and Annie (all of the family pets we encountered this summer) made it abundantly clear that upon our arrival on the island we needed to find a pet for these sweet kids. After looking for a week or so, we stumbled upon an Army family (thanks to Craigslist) who needed to "re-home" a mini wiener dog. So I introduce to you...Phoebe! She is one and half, a sweet girl, wonderful to the kids (no matter what Rae does to her) and very obedient. She has been with us since earlier this week and there is not a moment where we thought we had made a wrong choice by bringing her home.

And yes, she is wincing away from Rachel's hand...thank goodness she is so sweet because Rachel is still learning to be sweet and soft to her. :)

Pictures of our sweet cousins and friends from our trip home to the mainland

*Still trying to figure out how I didn't get pics of Lexi and our time with the Richardson's or the Black's! Ladies, I need some pics (really that is for you LB)

Summer at the Lake!

Even though we live on a beautiful ocean, it is always nice to go home to the lake. My parents have a home on Greer's Ferry and we spent most of our time on it tubing and swimming. Ethan has become quite brave! He couldn't stand or sit still on the tube...his poor cousins!

Happy Birthday Gubbie!

She is probably going to kill me but here is a shout out to my wonderful Grandmother (whom we call Gubbie). After we flew to the mainland, we left Arkansas the next day to road trip to Illinois to suprise her for her birthday! It worked, she was VERY suprised! Gubbie and Kathy, love you and thank you for the wonderful weekend. It was and always will be a joy to come and visit with you.

~Shan

Chicago Children's Museum

During our trip to the mainland, we spent a few days up near Chicago visiting with my Grandmother, Aunt, and other family members. We spent time one day in Chicago at the Children's Museum on Navy Pier. It was wonderful to see Jack, Josie, Ethan and Rae playing and having fun in the exhibits. If you are ever up there, you should go!