Vacation in Petoskey

We recently vacationed with our family friends, the Judays, at a gorgeous home on Walloon Lake in Michigan. This home was an amazing 13,000 square feet! It was unbelievable. Every bedroom had a huge bath and the living areas were plenty spacious for our 20 guests.

During our stay Mom and Dad renewed their vows - which was a complete surprise for them!
It was a blast! Tim was the minister and was actually ordained (on-line the night before)! :)
The home had much to offer...including a huge hot tub that the kids thoroughly enjoyed! The lake was gorgeous but VERY cold. We played games including cornhole, swam, built bonfires, fished, enjoyed cocktails and especially each others' company.
We were very lucky to experience such a vacation. Thanks Mom, Dad, Rod and Shar! We love you bunches!

Baby Chipmunks...Soooo Tiny!

After a decent rain, Tim found baby chipmunks in the yard! You can see how very tiny they were. We didn't know if they would survive as one of them was hardly moving. They were strewn about in the lawn and landscape. Tim found the hole that he believed to be their home and transferred them there on a tiny shovel. Jaycie thought this was pretty neat. We think all ended well as they were no where to be found hours later...at least we hope.

Celebrating 85 Years!

My great Aunt Phyl just turned 85! She is the best aunt ever. When I was growing up she always had "her day" with me and my siblings. I remember going to her house and looking for the 3 Musketeers candy bars in her pantry. I love her to pieces! She is a woman I look up to who has always displayed a love for life and was more active in her later years than some people are in their 30's!!! I love you Aunt Phyl. She is surrounded by her great-great nieces here! :)

One Proud Momma!

As my children grow older I have come to know 100% that my heart walks outside my body. As a parent, you want so badly for your child to not only be successful, but more importantly FEEL successful. You want for your child to have friends and be liked and live a happy life. And you know that these things are sometimes...often times, not in your control.

Taylin had her first competitive swim meet this summer. I was very nervous for her. There is something about competition that brings out extreme emotions in me...even when I have nothing to do with the competition. But when my own child is involved, a knot is formed in my stomach and a lump in my throat.

She did AWESOME in her first meet! I couldn't have been more proud. Here's to many more knots in my stomach and lumps in my throat. Not to mention tears in my eyes!

Surgery in the Pool!

Tay has had a loose front tooth for over a week now. We were sure it would have fallen out days ago. While we were at a friend's pool this weekend, our friend Jamie yanked it out. When she did, it dropped into the pool! The tooth was found and Tay said it didn't hurt at all. She was VERY excited to have it out! She had been waiting for a visit from the tooth fairy. Now her other front tooth is loose. :)

Our Little Dancer

This past Sunday, Jaycie had her very first dance recital. She did really well which was a little bit of a surprise. Throughout her lessons she has been paying attention and really enjoying dance, however, I thought that once she was in front of an auditorium full of people she would clam up and go into "shy mode". She didn't! She looked adorable and says she wants to do it again. :)

She loved getting all dolled up with Mommy's makeup.

Her cousin Bella danced right next to her.

We are very proud of you Jaycie!!!

Arts & Crafts on the Cul-de-Sac

Today all the neighbor kids joined ours for arts & crafts on our front step. This got quickly moved to the lawn as we were starting to have a front step adorned with glitter glue! :) It was kinda like they were having their own little art camp. Tay had a craft book and they were all getting ideas from the book. I believe Tay was playing the role of teacher. I love our neighbors and so do the kids!