Summers in Michigan Can't Be Beat!

Now I see the true lure of Whitehall, Michigan.  Grandpa Kerschen and Grandma and Grandpa Cooper live in kid paradise!  I've always loved visiting our Michigan family. But last week was EPIC!  The kids could not have had more fun swimming in White Lake, Duck Lake, Aunt Cathy's pool and Grandpa's pool.  They got to ride in motor boats, jet skis, kayaks and paddle boats.  They learned to jump off docks, go fishing with Daddy, roast marshmallows and make S'Mores. They skipped naps, took late naps and tried to stay up later than the sun (which isn't easy in Michigan - it stays light till after 10 o'clock!).  Grandma Kerschen treated them to an indoor Play Palace that had every toy under the sun!  It's no wonder, they didn't want to leave!

This girl could not love her grandpa more!  He got a lot of snuggles just like this one throughout the week.

Both kids warmed up to the lake right away.   

We played "Momma Watch this" over and over and over again, as they jumped in the lake and climbed back up on the dock.

Jak wasn't too sure about walking on the dock at first, by the end of the week he was running up and down those planks!

Who doesn't appreciate a perfect toddler footprint on the beach?

The view from Grandpa Kerschen's deck can't be beat.  Especially in Daddy's arms.

He shoots...he scores!!!

"Grandma, Can you make Daddy build me a race track just like this?"

Johnny Guitar....AKA Justin Beiber and Heart kept us entertained one rainy afternoon in East Lansing!  Their back-up dancer wasn't half bad either!

We spent a wonderful day with the Allan side of the family.  It was so great to see Uncle Jim and Aunt Louise, Father Jeffrey and two of Lynn and Chad's girls.  We missed Lynn and Chad and their other two girls though!  

Unwinding at Grammie Kerschen's house after a very busy day swimming and dancing!

We sure loved our time with Aunt Cathy, Johnny and Layla!

"The Godfather" AKA Cousin Phil - thanks for making the drive up to see us! 

Motor-boatin'!

Lil's First Fish!!!!!

Practicing for future..."Long walks on the beach..."

"Wait up guys!!!"

Happy 70th Birthday Grandpa!  

I wonder what the common people are doing today?

"Jak, You want to go faster Buddy?"

"I don't know what a S'More is but I can't wait to have one!"

Hard at work



"Hey Mister, Did you check the gas?"

"Where can I fly you to today Ma'am?"

Mountain Excursion

The gloomy overcast day couldn't keep us from heading "up the hill".  We took a trip to Gross Reservoir to scope it out as a future-camping-trip site.  It was only about an hour from our front door to the parking lot...sounds like a winner to me!

 These kids can have fun anywhere!

 Jak couldn't understand why we weren't jumping in the lake.  Mike and I took turns holding him tight!

 The sun broke through for a few minutes.  I love this picture of the boys.

Jak was tuckered out even though he didn't get to swim!

Where the Wild Things Are...

Grammie Hanou was right, Halloween costumes are fun all year long...

So Much to Do...At the Zoo!

God we love our zoo pass! 

 

Uncle Robert makes them giggle as they run around the "cave".

Most kids Lillian's age ran screaming from this Colorado Rapids Mascot.  Not Lillian, she chased him!

Ridin' on a Hippo...

How many more times do you think we can visit the zoo before they realize you can buy tickets to ride this train?

I love seeing their height comparison in this picture.  Jak is catching up...

There's something very peaceful about watching Gorilla's.  We stood here for a half an hour!

 

Our house can't get any warmer....

No we aren't suffering from an early heat wave.  And no our A/C isn't broken.  But we did have a REALLY good house warming party (almost a full year after moving in). It was so good in fact that we forgot to take any pictures!  We were so blessed to have about 100 friends, family and neighbors join us!  The taco bar was a big hit to all who ate and a success in my book - because - I didn't have to work at all during the party!  Of course, we'll be eating tacos for the rest of the summer cause I made way too much!
Here's a few recent photos - not taken during the house warming party but, to help keep this post interesting!

Q

Three!

When Lillian woke up on Friday, May 9th....I said, "Do you know what today is?"  Her eyes got bright and she said, "My birthday?"  Then right away she said, "Can I go see it on the calendar?"  She and Mike have been turning the months forward on the calendar and counting the days til her birthday since Februaury!  FINALLY, it was her big day!
She couldn't wait to go to school.  She said Miss Stacey and Miss Shelly were going to let her be line leader, and sit on their lap for storytime and all sorts of other special priveledges!  We sent fresh fruit and whipped cream in for snack.
After school, Holden, Everett and Keira met us at Jumpin' Jordy's to bounce then came back to the house for dinner and birthday cake.  Saturday morning, Lillian's cousins and 3 of her 4 best friends came over for her birthday party.  We kept it small because Lillian was so specific about only wanting, "Mia and Sophia and Hannah and Marek". It was perfect weather for a party!  Thank god Grammy and Opa were in town - we never would have had our yard and house ready for a party without their help!  We had several hail storms last week - the backyard was a mess!