Gosling Run 2013

Two days before the run, the boys decided that they wanted to participate.  Our neighbor kids all decided to run as well so it became a neighborhood event.   Of course there was no training but Brendan only had to run 1/4 of a mile and Jackson had a 1/2.  Jackson was devastated that he didn't win but it lead to some great conversation.  He definitely has a competitive spirit!  Brendan didn't really have a clue of what to do but had a good time.  Hopefully this will become a new tradition.

Curious George

Jackson has developed a huge Curious George obsession.  He's always loved the show but after he was in the monkey room for kindergarten, he is absolutely crazy over monkeys and especially his Curious George stuffed animal.  I had to get some pics of him with George to help us remember this stage (and of course Jackson LOVES taking pictures of George).  Incidentally, we're now often referring to the baby as George.  First because Jackson loves George and second because of my interest in Prince George.  But no, we do not know if it's a boy or girl ... we'll find out in February :) 

Evidently George also likes to climb trees

Jackson and his buddy George

And of course, we can't have just one ... Brendan needed a George too (by the way, notice Jackson's monkey pajamas?)

Love how this picture captures Lydia with her scrunched up nose.  She just started doing this a lot more and I love it!  This girl has such personality!

Crazy Brendan ... had to have a picture taken upside down :) 

Little Hawks Preschool

Today was Brendan's first day of preschool.  He was so excited!   How can my boy already be that old? Luke was able to take the day off from work to go with him (they had invited parents for the first day).  Of course Brendan LOVED the idea of dad coming to school with him.  We talked about it for weeks.  Apparently, Brendan didn't really say a thing while he was there but he took it all in (similar to his dad!).  I have to admit though, I was thrilled to hear that he was so well behaved and that he enjoyed it.  Looking forward to his year at the Outdoor Discovery Center.  Spending all that time outside and exploring nature is right up his alley. 

Lydia insisted on being part of the picture which is very reminiscent of Brendan wanting to be in Jackson's pictures when he started school! 

Free Play ... and of course my boy is digging.  He LOVES to dig around our house!

Snack time ... typical Brendan look when he's in a new situation.

Hanging up his backpack. 

Tired out

The first day means tired kids!

Camping on the Beach

One of the things that I take for granted around here is Lake Michigan.  It's such a beautiful lake and we just don't get out there enough!

On Saturday we headed out to one of our friend's parent's house on Lake Michigan.  We had talked about doing this before but it all started coming together last weekend.  So after filling all our vehicles until they were stuffed (boy there was a TON of stuff to take for one night!) we took off.  Wow!  Just the first view of the lake was enough to get the kids ready for this adventure. 

After getting all set up, we needed to cool off in the lake.  What a pleasant surprise we had when we discovered that the lake wasn't too cold.  Even us adults ventured in.  Then it was boating time.  Megan's parents came down with their boat and took some of the group tubing while the others were able to ride in the boat.  We were blessed with a perfect day on the water as there were hardly any waves! 

When dinner time rolled around we started a fire and did some got dogs, pizza sandwiches and ham and cheese sandwiches.  The kids were super hungry after a day playing on the beach and devoured tons of food!  As us adults then sat around talking and enjoying the ability to just talk, the kids played in the sand again and did some more swimming.  Jackson actually stayed in the water until it was dark!  He is a fish! 

"Dark time" rolled around and we enjoyed our fire that Luke continued to make bigger and bigger and bigger.  After the kids went to bed we sat and talked more and then it came time to actually attempt sleeping out there.  Our air mattress (which has served us well for 10 years) must have a hole because halfway during the night Luke and I found ourselves sleeping on the hard sand.  Oh well ... we can handle that for one night :)  Thankfully all the kids slept well and we survived. 

After breakfast in South Haven the next morning it was time to pack up again and head home.  We were all EXHAUSTED but honestly, both Luke and I said it was one of the best weekends of summer.  Here's hoping for a new tradition!

Tent City

Our "home" for the night

Grace and Lydia loved being buried in the sand ... and yes my girl is not wearing a swimsuit ... the girl is comfortable in her own body :) 

All the kids burying each other. 

The fire.  Do you notice the huge branch sticking out ... that was one of many that went in the fire.  Let's just say we cleaned up the driftwood on the beach :) 

Sunset on Lake Michigan

One tired boy ...

Traverse City

It's been 7 years since Luke and I were in Traverse City.  This past weekend we went back up for a fun weekend with friends.  It's also the first time we left all 3 kids for 2 nights.  Needless to say we had a blast... dinners without kids... a fabulous wine tour...late nights..campfires..and so many laughs that my abs hurt.  I'm thinking this will now be a yearly trip.

We're back!

 Kiera, Brendan and Grant watching their brother's play t-ball.

 My favorite little t-ball player ... I LOVE how he shares his dad's passion for the sport (although I don't understand even half of what he does).

 Celebrating the June birthdays - Jackson (June 26), Grandpa (June 22), Cohen (June 1)

 Our big event of the summer - THE BROKEN ARM!  He feel out of his bunk while we were camping in June and had this lovely thing on for 5 weeks.  Thankfully all is healed and he was able to have a waterproof cast so swimming in pools was still okay!

I'm just realizing how few pictures I've taken on my camera - probably time to pull that out again!  Luke surprised me with a new phone a few weeks back so now my pictures have been taken with that.  My non-techie self needs to learn how to use those pictures in the blog.  

Our summer in a nutshell ... Family time :)  It's been a blessing so far to have so much time together (well, most of the time!).   We spent much of June camping at Sandy Pines and now July has been spent at home (staying out of the heat and now staying warm inside!).