Pure Michigan

We loved being in Michigan.  Even though we left sunny California for the snow and cold, it was way worth it.  Check her out; someone was very excited about the snow.

The other big perk was being around family.  The kids loved being with their cousins.  Callie pretty much worships Lindsay.  One day my sister offered to babysit so Marcus and I could catch a movie.  When I told Callie that Aunt Lisa was going to babysit, she said, "Lisa?  My new friend?"  I thought that was so cute.  I love my family, wish we lived closer, but was so happy for the short time we spent with them.

MI, Part 3

I found this in my "draft" file, so I guess I never got these posted...and there are some fun pictures in here.  So, rewind to June....

Again, Callie loved the lake.  It's a nice attraction.

I love this suit on Callie.  What a cutie.

And Sammy's quite a show stopper too.  Sooo cute.

Brayden and Peggy, playing in the sand.

Off for a boat ride and tubing in Grandpa's boat.

Ted, and I think Hunter, getting ready for their ride.

Sammy's happy with Grandma while we wait on shore for our turn.

Callie loved the boat.  She wasn't as certain about the tube, but she loved the boat, that's for sure.

One of my favorite pictures of the entire trip.  Samantha is so deliriously happy, and Ian's leaning over looking at her.  It's just sheer joy.  I love it.

A bit windy.

She's smiling here, but she was only smiling when the boat wasn't on.  As soon as we got going, she kept asking to go slower and slower until the boat was off and we were coasting.  "That's better.  Yeaaaahhhh!"  That's Callie, a real dare devil.

Sammy, on the other hand, was giggling the entire ride.  I wonder if she was born with physical limitations in order to save her life!  Truly, if she was able to do all she wanted, I think she'd probably kill herself.  She's such a thrill seeker this little one -- always has been!!!

Ian was our boat boy.  He's such a great cousin to all the little cousins.  He's the oldest in the clan and the best guy ever.  I have special feelings about Ian.  He was the first grandchild in our family.  I was so excited when I found out Lisa was pregnant and I grew really attached to this guy.  I love him so much.  He's a really really good guy and I miss him just thinking about it.  I love you Ian.

Family Pictures in Michigan

Family pictures are always so difficult, especially when you are working with a big group.  I got a disk in the mail today and was...oh...sad that there was really only 1 or 2 of the group.  Maybe that's a true reflection of how photogenic our family is.  Sheesh.  Anyway...here are some of my favorites though, and I have to say, there were some great shots...just not of the entire clan.

Hopefully we'll have better luck next time with getting an entire family shot, but for this year, it'll do.



Michigan in Review, Part 2

This year we also were able to see 2 of my cousins who I haven't seen in, oh, maybe 20 years!
Mom, Samantha, Marcus, Callie, Lori, Ron, me, Brayden, Jackson, and Hunter

Father's Day playing in the yard.

Taking a break to get some water.

Hunter eating some yummy watermelon.  We had the best fruit all week long!



My stud brother, Ted.



The big 'ole patriarch of the fam (and builder of the deck).

One thing that was really fun for me was to see the entire family together.  The cousins were playing, we were running around the yard playing games...it was so fun.  I just kept thinking "this is family."  Cheesy, but it's true.  I loved it.

Callie was leary to get in on the "Come Guppies Come" game so she kind of stuck around me.

Yeah!

hm, my eyes shut?  I think so.  Happy Father's Day Marcus.

Michigan in Review, Part 1

I was so scared to fly on the plane alone with these 2, but it went incredibly well.  I don't think it could have gone better.  Way to go!  I definitely feel like I can do this again.

Callie enjoyed going to the beach and swinging on the swings.

And she loves her cousin, Lindsay.  Lindsay is a good cousin.  She takes care of her little cousins

Sammy wasn't too cooperative.  We were trying to get a picture of her, but she kept resisting.  I guess everyone needs a break from the camera from time to time.

Down at the beach.  Sammy was watching Lindsay and Callie go down the slide.

Callie really loves the water.  We weren't planning on going swimming because it was a chilly day, but she got in the water anyway and played.  I love this lake so much.  I forget how lucky I was to grow up a short walk away from a lake like this growing up.  To have that in your neighborhood is really really nice, to say the least.

Moments before Sammy went head first into the water, soaking herself quite well.

Growing up, we had a good sized deck on the back of our house.  Then, y.e.a.r.s ago we ripped it out with plans to rebuild.  Finally, this year my dad put on the deck.  When I first got there, he and a friend were working on it each day.  I was able to help him the last part.  It was fun for me to do, and the deck looks beautiful.  He used the synthetic wood, which I think can look really plasticy, but this was really nice stuff.  We were out there a lot.

I love my yard.

What to do when it rains?  Paint.

And play with doors.

And wear googley-eye glasses.

I was able to catch up with some friends I haven't seen in a long long time.  Me, Karen, and Quinn.  I hadn't seen Karen since high school gradution!  That's a long time.  It was so fun to spend a few hours together.  I laughed so hard.  You forget how much you love people sometimes.  I've recommitted to staying in touch better. 

Who doesn't love these fun bouncey houses?  I also visited with my friend, Beth, and she has one.  Samantha was in heaven!

Beth and her sweet Claire

Beth and Claire got along, mmmm, fairly well.  We'll see how they do next year.