Captain Jay and First Mate Maurene

Yesterday we got to take the boys on their first boat ride on Pop-Pop's boat on Lake Anna.  It was a little cool in the morning but not a cloud in the sky, and the water was glass.

Gunnar was a great captain-in-training. 

 Levi had fun despite feeling a little restricted in his life vest.

Fire Station #8

The fire station near Patty and Rooty's house recently got a complete remodel, and so we went for a little field trip to check it out.  We met Tony and Joe, who were great tour guides, and they let Gunnar sit in both fire engines and the mini-attack truck.  Twice.

Gunnar was excited to show the guys his "Rescue Trucks" book.

Tony was cool because he could fist pump.

Levi made sure the tires were pumped up.





Mary Frances' Baptism

What an awesome weekend in Baltimore!  We didn't get much of an opportunity to get the camera out but did manage to get this picture - of course this is about the only time the whole weekend that she cried.  She is such a good baby.

Levi had a blast as well.

Pop-Pop's Tractor

On our way to Charlottesville, all Gunnar could talk about was how excited he was to ride Pop-Pop's tractor.  However, he has recently become more fearful of loud things, which was fed by several unplanned fire drills at school right before he left.  So, Levi did most of the tractor riding this time while Gunnar watched safely from the car.

August and September in a (Pea)nutshell!

It's time to get this blog going in realtime.  So to recap the events of the past 2 months (in chronological order)...

Erik was off to Houston then Minden.
Aunt Sue paid us a wonderful surprise visit and left some good luck behind.
We got an offer on the house!!
Aunt Crazy came to town to play!
We accepted an offer on the house!
I put my 2 weeks notice in to TRD.  They were surprised but I think quietly happy they were getting the women's restroom back up for grabs.
Erik went to Boston.
Gunnar and I spent 3 hours in the doctor's office for the Great Peanut Challenge (after receiving promising news from his recent blood test), which he passed with flying colors.  No more peanut allergy!!
Erik took off for Australia.
I took the boys to Winston to celebrate Tiff's birthday and visit at the golf tournament.  Lindsay, Ryan, and Vanessa met up with us for an all-too-brief visit.  We got some awesome play time in with Keegan and the whole Spach family.  Started to realize (sniff, sniff) that this was the beginning of our goodbyes to North Carolina.
Took Levi to the ENT to get his ear tubes checked.  All was well.  While we were there, Dr. D explained to Gunnar why he should never put Rice Krispies in his ear again.
I said my bittersweet goodbyes to the folks at Windshear and TRD.  Suddenly, I was jobless, carless, almost homeless... and very excited for our new adventures!
Erik returned from Australia!
Patty and Rooty came to visit.  Erik and I took off for Minden to househunt.  My first trip EVER without the boys.
Put an offer in on Erik's former boss' house.  Offer accepted!!
Back to NC - time to purge our house and get ready for the big move!  Continued to make the rounds to say our see-ya-laters to our friends and neighbors.
Erik went to Chicago.
Erik came home!
Grammy and Pop-Pop came to visit.  Loaded them up with a trailer full to take back to Virginia.
Braced for the movers.  Lucked out with an awesome crew.  Hooray for Frank, Mark, and Charma!  See you in Nevada!
Walked out of 2691 Jameson Dr. for the last time.  Had to stop to swing on the playset on the way out.  And picked the watermelon from the garden.
Said a tearful goodbye to all of our friends at Primrose.  What an amazing school!
Arrived in Richmond to begin our Virginia tour.
Erik began his 15 hour flight to India.
Entertained the boys in Richmond with Patty and Rooty, visiting the library, fire station, playground, and the Pierce family.
Aunt Crazy and Aunt Sue came to visit.
Levi had his first night terror.  The only thing that calmed him down was when Patty offered him a banana.
Erik came back from India!
We all took off to Charlottesville for fun with Grammy and Pop-Pop.  Picked apples, played farmer, rode the tractor, had a blast with balloons.
Levi took a frightening tumble down the stairs but emerged with just a few bruises.
Picture time with Mary on The Lawn!  Preview pics here.
I got a night out with Steph!
Off to Baltimore for Mary Frances' baptism.  Wonderful visit with Anne, Dennis, and our precious goddaughter.  Love them!
Fun visit with our college friends and kiddos - Melissa, Jason, Joanna, and 5 little ones.
Now we are back in Richmond, finalizing things for the big move!!!

And there you have it, folks.  I think we're all caught up!  Phew!  I need a drink.

Gina

Meet Gina, the dove. (named by Gunnar)  She built her nest right outside Gunnar's bedroom window, in the gutter.  Her story pretty much sums up our lives recently.

She built her nest.  It was a very fine nest, and we were excited that she put it in a perfect location for us to watch as her family grew.

She layed 2 eggs and very patiently sat on them to keep them warm every day.

Her eggs hatched, and her babies quickly grew.

Before we knew it, it was time for the family to move on, and the nest was empty.

Godspeed, Gina!

Sandbridge 2011

The entire Rheutan family congregated at Sandbridge in late July for the second year in a row - all 4 generations!  1 Livesay, 2 Rheutans, 4 Davis', 5 Hamiltons, and 4 Lindhjems = 1 week of sun, fun, sand, and a few stomach bugs that got some of us down but not out.  Here's a slideshow recap of our fun.