Independence Lake

Last weekend we took the kids to Independence Lake and spray park for a picnic lunch. It was a really nice day and we didn't have much going on for lunch. We had a good time playing in the lake and at the spray park...It's a Washtenaw county park and only takes about 12 minutes to get there from our house!

You can see Hunter in the right corner running away from me to go play in the spray zone. It's nice b/c they are super close together and you can go back and forth easily.

Picnic lunch--he has the cheesiest smile!

Well, this weekend will be interesting...we are converting Hunter's crib to a toddler bed. He has climbed out a lot this week (including three times last night between 9pm-4am). My eyes hurt b/c I'm so tired. It will be a challenge to keep him in there and I have a feeling we will be in for a rough couple of weeks while we get adjusted to this new thing. I have procrastinated b/c he's so great in his crib and loves it, but now that he can climb out, we have to change. I am dreading it and praying it will go better than I'm thinking it will. I suppose all parents go through it, but I'm still not looking forward to it.

Visit from Gigi and the Phibbs Family

Last Sunday we invited the Phibbs Family, Gigi and Jim over for dinner. Kris is my first cousin and they have two kids close in age to our kids. This was the first time Gigi got to see all her great-grandchildren at once. It seems we rarely all get together as a big family anymore b/c everyone has in-laws, etc to accommodate as well. We grilled burgers/hot dogs, veggies, watermelon, potato salad, etc. My kids were rowdy/fussy, so it was a little chaotic. Alex was not very happy either as he was tired. I think Luke was the best b/c he slept most of the time :)

Me, Jack (in his pj's), Hunter, Gigi, Alex, Kris and Luke (he's 2 1/2 months)We ate out on the deck
I threw this picture in b/c Hunter was so cute. He grabbed the boppy, his baby, and a bottle and was feeding her...he was so serious about it. His baby's name is Hunter too. ha!

Out to the lake...

Last Friday we went out to my Aunt & Uncle's house on Gallagher Lake. Several family members were there...we had lots of food left over from the funeral luncheon, so we all hung out, went for a boat ride, and had dinner. It was lots of fun!

Cousin Connie, Hunter, Jack, and Great-great Aunt Connie. She is visiting from California and was here to see Hidi...interesting how everything happened with Hidi passing away a week after she arrived. Hunter made her a great-great aunt!

Connie & Jack on the pontoon boat

Daddy & Hunter tubing. Connie said she would go with him, but then Hunter started crying and wanted to go with Nick. I was surprised he wouldn't go with Connie since he likes her so much, but maybe next time!

Jack's hair looks so funny! This is the perfect example of him wanting daddy to hold the bottle so he can pull at his hair instead.

Splashing in the nasty lake water..haha. He fell face first down into it (again), but didn't seem to mind :)

Driving Uncle Joe's golf cart with Grandpa. I didn't know Hunter was allowed to drive. This is why we will not be able to leave Grandpa alone with the kids! Just kidding!

Vacation Pictures--Part 6

From 4-9pm they have the chairlift open so you can ride it up to the top of the mountain...they also have a restaurant up there. Hunter and I rode together and Dori/Nick/Jack rode together. I was paranoid and made Nick put Jack in the Baby Bjorn so he wouldn't fall out :)

It was pretty steep going up!

Nick/Jack/Dori were behind us, but quite a ways backThe view from the top of the mountain was really nice
Getting off the chairlift

Hunter sitting in the "World's First Chairlift"

Hunter had a lot of fun...I think he mostly enjoyed yelling "hi" to all the people we passed along the way!

Well, that is the end of the vacation pictures! I am so happy to be home...the kids are still adjusting to being back home. We have had a rough week with wildness, sleeping, etc and just getting back into our normal routine. It makes me not want to go on vacation again, but we already have a trip booked to Florida in November.

Vacation Pictures--Part 5

Here are just some random pictures from our trip :)

Hanging out at Gammy Dori's condo before dinner

Gammy Dori got him some beads and new toys

"Big D" and Gammy Dori

Out to lunch at Deer Lake

Jack snoozing after splashing in the lake

Goofing around!

Nick's dad, stepmom, and their friend Carol were up north too. They came to visit one evening and we all went out to dinner. Unfortunately, it was stressful as both kids were overly tired. We were still happy to see them...Hunter was so cute, when he met Carol, he walked up to her and said "nice to meet you". I'm so proud of my little boy! He's been a terror lately, but moments like that make me so happy.

Out to lunch one day...we ate in a train car and Hunter really enjoyed it.

I gave Hunter a bucket of gifts on the 4th of July--fake tattoos, necklace, bucket to collect candy at the parade, little flags, and more.

Vacation Pictures--Part 4

I didn't take many pictures at Avalanche Bay water park, but here are two. Hunter was so brave and went down some really big slides. I couldn't believe he was so brave about it. A few times he cried and then as soon as we went down he was happy. One day we all went on the lazy river together on one big tube (nick, me, jack and hunter) and it was really fun!

Hunter went on the purple one and blue slide you can see in the background. I was so proud of him for trying it out.

Gammy Dori and I took the kids to the park to play one evening while Nick and Dick grilled dinner for us.

Silly boy!
Gammy Dori loves playing with Hunter
Jack and I went down the baby slide and he really liked it :)

Interruption of vacation pics for Jack's 8 month update

Jack turned 8 months yesterday...I can't believe it! I feel like not a whole lot has changed in the last month though, but here are a few things I thought of.

• He has more hair
• He is sitting up much better and can pretty much hold his own bottle. However, if you offer to hold it for him, he's happier and would rather pull his hair and mess around if you'll hold it for him.
• We have been thinking he's been getting a tooth for a month now, and still nothing. He is constantly gnawing on his fingers and anything else he can get his hands on. He's fussy at times and I keep thinking it's b/c of a tooth, but he must be close! You can see the bumps for them, but no white yet.
• Jack has been sleeping through the night very consistently. Every once in a great while he'll cry b/c he can't find his pacifier, but it's less than once a week. He is napping a few times a day, but we are not on a great routine. Usually a morning nap and then again while Hunter naps in the afternoon.
• He is still a fairly happy baby!
• Jack knows what he wants...when he sees food, cup, bottle, or anything else he wants, he'll cry like "GIVE IT TO ME NOW".
• He does not like getting dressed...he hates when you pull clothing over his head...he squirms and cries and makes it take longer than it needs to!
• Still no crawling...my kids are slower in that department, although I should not complain b/c once he's mobile life will be harder. Hunter walked around 13-14 months. Nick walked at 10 months, so who knows. I think Hunter started crawling around 8 months, so we'll see what happens with Jack.
• He is still on a bottle and baby food now. He pretty much likes everything and we try to give him prunes at least once a day b/c his poops are funny if we don't :)