Mackinaw

We have been so busy that I have had no time to update the blog so we will have to go back a few weeks and fill you in on what has been going on. Three weeks ago we went camping up in Mackinaw. We had a cabin at the camp ground b/c I am really not a good camper unless the camper comes with a bathroom, air conditioning and a kitchen!! We stayed just outside Mackinaw City but one night we did drive over the bridge so that Jack would stop begging. He thought it was pretty cool and if you ask him how big the bridge is he will tell you that it is bigger than trees it is so big!

Wade was great on his first camping trip! I think he just loved being outside all the time. Jack loved going on bike rides and playing at the play ground. Jack is already wondering when we are going back to Mackinaw

Kouvalias

The kouvalias was one of the toys I played with as a child. When Jack was born my Mom bought a new one for Jack that he loved to played with. I got it out for Wade the other day and he also had alot of fun with it. Thanks Mom for the toy that all babies seem to enjoy!

Visitors!!!

My little sister Libby flew in for a week from Virginia and we LOVED having her here. Her husband Justin also flew in for two days to attend a family wedding and Wade's baptism but missed our family night out on Monday. Here I am with Libby and Becky at The Tap House in downtown GR. One of Chris's high school buddies is a co-owner of The Tap House so we like to help out in any way we can! It was a beautiful night so sat outside and had drinks together before dinner. Also, Justin works for Young Life in VA and Libby and Justin leave tomorrow with like 50 highschoolers to go the Windy Gap Camp. Please pray for safe travel and for a life-changing week for these highschoolers!!!

Here is Mom with the us girl enjoying a very good Cosmo!!

Mom was here for three weeks from Washington and Dad joined her for the last week. It was so great having them in town and Jack loves playing with his Oma and Papa. It was very hard to see them leave today and I think there were a few tears. They won't be back until Thanksgiving but I don't think Oma will be able to stay away from her boys that long so, Mom, feel free to come and stay before then!! Thanks for a wonderful couple of weeks, we love you both and miss you already!! Jack and Wade send hugs and kisses to Washington!!

Cottage

We usually play alot of cards at the cottage and Wade did not want to be left out so he helped his Dad win a few hands.

My Mom, Dad, Chris and Jack all went to the fireworks while I stayed at the cottage with Wade. Jack had lots of fun and enjoyed all the candy and sparklers that the woman sitting behind them gave to him. He came home with lots of stories for me and said that I HAVE to come with him next year.

Root Beer Float

At the 4th of July parade one of the floats was handing out Root Beer Floats and Jack loved his!!! Until his father distracted him and claimed the ice cream for himself!! Dads can be so sneaky!!! I still can't decide who ate more ice cream or had more candy, Jack or Chris??? I think this is a perk of having kids, you can get them to get all the candy and you can enjoy it!!

4th of July Parade

This year, like most, we spend the 4th of July weekend at my Grandma's cottage on Lake Michigan. Every year we go to the parade that takes place in Whitehall. The kids love it and usually all they really want is the candy that everyone throws. Here they are waiting for the parade to start.

This year was Wade's first parade and he did not like all the sirens and loud noises so he didn't stay in his stroller very long. Aunt Mary and Aunt Janie took turns holding him. Also, love this outfit that Lindsay and Alli got Wade when he was born!!

The parade was great and Jack loved eating his candy!! He can't wait until next year!!

More pics from Baptism

Here are a few more pictures of Wade from baptism. He will be 4 months on July 4th and I can't believe how much he has grow!

Wade with Aunt Janie...

Wade with Aunt Libby...

and Wade with Uncle Justin!!!

Baptism

Wade was Baptized yesterday and the whole family came to help us celebrate! Justin even flew in from Virginia on Saturday morning so he could be with us. We were very glad he did! Here are a few family pictures from the day!

Here is a very pround father and Great-Grandfather with a very hungry baby. Wade did really well all afternoon but he did take a good nap when he got home. Thank you to everyone who joined us. It helped make this special day even more memorable!!

Jack's Bike!!

Jack got a very early birthday present today, a new bike!! With his birthday in the winter he usually has to wait to use some of the summer things he gets but Oma and Papa decided to get him an early present so he can enjoy it all summer.

Jack, Chris and Papa all worked to put the bike together and we had a few tears when he had to come in for a nap. Jack keeps telling people he can ride a bike with two wheels and everyone seems very impressed by that but then I tell them he still has the training wheels on, which makes sense. That is usually followed by a very unhappy 3 year old telling me his CAN ride a bike with two wheels. It's so great when a 3 year old knows more than his parents!

Here is Papa with Wade. Dad is here just for the weekend but at least we get to spend Father's Day with him this year. He will be back in two weeks to spend the 4th of July week with all of us. He is having lots of fun holding Wade and hanging out with Jack. I still think Wade looks just like my Dad!!

Thumb sucker!

I think it's official, Wade is a thumb sucker!! Jack was never interested but Wade can't get enough of his thumb. Most of the time he tries to get his whole fist in his mouth but when he realizes that it won't fit he goes right for his thumb. It is also how he falls asleep. I feed him, burp him, lay him down, he finds his thumb and falls asleep. What a good baby you are Wade!

Memorial Day

Memorial weekend was great!! We spent the weekend at my Grandma S. cottage on Lake Michigan. Janie came in from Chicago and it is always great spending time with her. Still a little cool at the lake but a wonderful relaxing weekend and I will always take a weekend where Chris has NO cell phone signal!! :) Grandma enjoyed taking her Great Grandson for a walk and I am sure Wade enjoyed it too!!

Jack did make it down to the beach to play baseball with Dad but we didn't get any pictures. I can't wait for the weather to get warmer so we can all spend time on the beach. Chris did enjoy taking pictures of the beautiful sunsets on the lake.

Wade was wonderful as always and the fresh air had him sleeping great. He is still sleeping 12 hrs at night which was helpful staying at the cottage with lots of people. No one woke up in the middle of the night b/c of a crying babe!

Here is Jack enjoying a fudgesicle. Can't decide if more ended up on his face or in his tummy!!!

Mary and Jane

Mary and Jane came into town this weekend and we helped Abu open the cottage!! Saturday night we all had dinner together at Bonefish Grill!! We couldn't find a babystitter forJack and Wade but they were both great at dinner !!! Jack colored with Mary and took a few walks to check the Red Wings score. He was also very excited to see that they had Mac-n-Cheese on the menu at Bonefish!!

Abu enjoyed holding Wade as well and Janie. He was super good and didn't cry once. Wade got lots of attention from our table as well as from a few tables around us.

Here are the boys together and boy am I glad that they do so well in restaurants. Wade even fell asleep right as our food got to the table and we all got to enjoy our dinner!! Thanks Jane and Mary for coming into town to visit us!! See you in a few weeks! Love you!!

Dad, we checked out a few baby pictures of you when we were at the cottage and Wade looks just like you!!!

Tag

maybe i should try to have more patience with my 3 year old.
i love the smell of fresh baked cookies, the Big Lake after a storm, Chris's colonge, and my new baby Wade when I have just given him a bath.
people would say that i’m too hard on myself, especially after just having a baby!
i don’t understand why my baby sister can't live closer.
when i wake up in the morning I want my husband to tell me he loves me and I want to remind my boys how much I love them.
i lost my willpower to give up anything sweet, creamy or salty.
life is going by way too fast.
my past is part of what makes me, me .
i get annoyed when my 3 year old thinks he knows more than me.
parties are something I always look forward too but sometimes staying home with Jack & Wade sounds even better.
dogs are what Jack looks forward to seeing at Sara and Tommy's, Bec and Jay's and what comes to our house when Oma comes to stay.
cats are something I am allergic too.
tomorrow will mean that Chris will be home sooner.
i have low tolerance for any kind of abuse, a disrespectful 3 year old, and not picking up the shower mat after a shower.
i’m totally terrified of someday losing my husband or children .
i wonder why I never like to "break the rules" or why God gave me two such wonderful children.
never in my life did i expect to be so happy with just the way things are.
high school seems like just yesterday....but it wasn't.
when i’m nervous my voice cracks and it sounds like I might cry.
one time I ...laughed so hard I peed my pants .
take my advice Sander's hot fudge is the best!!
making my bed happens....almost never but when it does our bedroom sure looks better!! .
i'm almost always praying God will watch over my family and protect them .
i’m addicted to Law & Order, singing "You are my Sunshine" to Jack and Wade, and having pitures taken of the boy's b/c I don't want to miss or forget a thing about them being little.
I want someone to clean my house, I mean really clean my house and for someone to come and landscape the yard!!