What a Great Life We Have

We just spent the nicest 10 days in Michigan.  Thanks to Annie & Michael Mullowney's wedding, we were able to see a whole lotta family and friends! 

 

 

 

Holding hands with a real life princess.

 Siblings...

'Momma, Can I jump in the water, IN my pretty dress?"

 Lifeguardin'

 And catching the sunset...

It was also Grandpa's Birthday while we were there...

 I'm sure the sand cupcake Lillian made Grandpa, was the best cake he ever received!

 I think they adjusted to lake life, pretty quickly!

 

Pedicures with Aunt Candy...

 Father's Day Dinner in style...

 A quick snuggle whenever they could fit it in...

More Sand Cakes

And lots of jumping in!

Next stop...Lansing!

On our way to Johnny's Baseball Game

Someone was mesmerized!

 Seriously, mesmerized!

 Big cousin, Johnny pulled Jak right up on the bench to be part of the guys.  Of course, Lillian had to join in!

Jak has little fear on the playground these days, and actually encourages Lillian to test herself.  If he can do it, she should be able to as well, right?  A little peer pressure goes a long way!

 Jak trying to be like Johnny!

 Testing out breathing under water...

Grammy & Opa drove up from Indianapolis to join us for a few days.

 Boogie boarding with a little support...

 Beautiful Ladies!
Grammy Kerschen organized a great gathering of friends and family for us, and Aunt Cathy graciously hosted the huge crew.  We were blessed to spend the afternoon with Nana Nancy, Grammy & Allen, Jim & Louise, Lynn and the girls, Father Jeff, Grammy & Opa Hanou and of course, Cathy, Johnny and Layla.  We tore Aunt Cathy's house apart, ate yummy food and swam, swam, swam.

 It took Lillian most of the day to get up the nerve to go down this slide by herself, but once she did we couldn't get her to stop!

 Mmmm, popsicles.

Lazy, hazy days of summer.


After a few days in Lansing, we said goodbye to Grammy Kerschen and headed back to Whitehall. 

 Lillian showed Grammy Hanou around...

 Opa was a hit with his "pop rocks"

 Lillian taught herself to swim and dazzled us over and over with "watch me again"!

 It straight up wore her out!

 Grammy Hanou had the kids exploring nature.

 And they discovered a snapping turtle...a little too closely!

 Lake chores are rough...the kids had to help shuck some corn.

 Jak thoroughly enjoyed not having to go back inside to pee. 

 And Uncle John ran a half marathon!  Cathy, Mike and Candy ran a 5K to support him!

 A relaxed family picture

 The "Men"

 Jak's first S'more!

 And his first sparkler...I think he's hooked!

The "Gals"

 We had perfect boating weather on our last day and spent the WHOLE day down at the lake.

 It goes without saying but I'll say it anyway, the kids had a terrific time and did NOT want to leave.  They're already asking when we can go back!

Three Birthday Parties in One Afternoon!

 We did it!  Made it to all three birthday parties we were invited to last weekend.  Genevieve's party was at Jump City at 2, Addie's party was at her house just north of Jump City from 3-8 and Finley's party was in Northwest Denver at 4.  We even managed to give the correct gifts to the correct birthday recipient and snap a few pictures in the mix!

 A little silliness for Jak and Addie, of course.  Jak couldn't have been more excited than he was to go to Addie's party,  They've been in the same room since they started at the Wooden Shoe two years ago.

 And I'm sure you're wondering, the answer is YES, we let the kids have cake at all three parties.  After all, you're only a kid once right?

Packin' In the Weekend Fun

The kids spend 45 - 50 hours a week at daycare, so Mike and I tend to pack in the family fun on the weekends.   We are super busy all the time, but love every minute of it!  

Our zoo membership continues to please...

Snacks at the zoo are extra tasty!

First ride on the Zoo Carousel - Up until now I've managed to avoid purchasing carousel and train tickets.  I'm afraid they won't forget next visit!

First dip in the pool for the year!

Snuggling in mommy and daddy's bed has become a fun morning habit - always between 5 and 6 am but still fun!

We had a nice afternoon hike and picnic dinner in the foothills. Only 30 minutes from home.

Lillian got quite a bit of sun this weekend.  Seeing her cheeks all rosy, reminded me of myself when I was a kid. I searched and searched for this picture of the Dana and Paul Seigel, Casey & I on the couch as kids.  There is a strong resemblance there!

 

 I have been wanting a big rock for the front yard since we landscaped it last fall.  Mike and I couldn't find a time to go "rock shopping" together so he picked out this Gi-normous rock himself - 1000 pounds!  It is so big, Mike and our neighbor, Zack couldn't roll it out of the truck.  They had to prop it up with broomsticks, then give it a shove. 

 Playing with Cousin Keira and Kinetic Sand is always fun.

 

We were dressed and ready to head to the pool last night, when a big storm rolled in.  I had two very sad kids on my hands, so I improvised quickly!  All this fun, and summer has just begun....