Tigers Game

This week wasn't the most uplifting, but I am focused on staying positive! Let's just say I really CAN NOT wait to be done with grad school and I really, really, really want Russell to feel healthy again-he's been fighting something since Tuesday!

As for the positive... my best friend, Heidi, had a baby boy this week. He is an absolute doll!

As for the fun... we had tickets to the Tiger's game yesterday and decided to still go despite Russell feeling a bit under-the-weather. Russell had been talking about the baseball game all week so I just did not have the heart to tell him we couldn't go. We had a blast! The kids went on the carousel, cheered for the team, danced to the music, ate hot dogs, and truly enjoyed the moment! Aron and I had fun too especially since we were there with some of our best friends and their kids. It was great to hang out and watch a great game! Go Tigers!!! Would you believe Russell is still sleeping (it is 9:30 a.m.). He rarely sleeps past 8:00! I have gone into his room 3 times...I am a bit paranoid!

Venetian Festival

After a busy week, we decided to head back to St. Joseph for family fun and the annual Venetian Festival! We packed with the idea that we would be beaching it the entire time, but unfortunately the weather was a bit chilly. We decided not to let the unusual July weather keep us down! We got up Saturday morning and headed to Silver Beach (with sweatshirts on) where we took in the sand sculpture competition, playground fun, and carnival rides!!! Afterward we had a family barbecue at Aunt Karen and Uncle Dave's house then headed down to the beach. We were completely prepared to turn around and head back as soon as the kids dipped into the cold water, but much to our surprise, the weather turned out to be great!!! A tad below normal temperatures and the lake was rough, but the sun was warm and the sand was hot! The kids had a ball and we all walked away with rosy cheeks from sunburns (not wind burns) :-) So...another glorious day on Lake Michigan!!! We skipped the fireworks due to exhaustion. Russell and Sloane spent nap time going for a rock hunt along the shore so they were whipped by 7 p.m. and crashed (as did I)! Today we enjoyed a nice lunch with Aron's dad, Bev, and brother Erik and then headed home. Back to work tomorrow...

Russell chose this airplane ride. He loved the gun feature.

Walking back to our car after Venetian Festival. The kids had tired legs so therefore Aron and I got tired shoulders!

Russell was READY to hit the beach. Binoculars, goggles, and a frisbee..."LET'S GO MOM!""Rock Hunting"
Russell was very proud of himself. He never wants me to take his picture, but for this he kept screaming, "Did you get my picture mom? Take it again!"
Sloane repeatedly stuck her head in a bucket of water, stood up, blew water out of her mouth, and wiped her face off. Everyone on the beach was cracking up!

After she was finished with the bucket of water, she laid in the sand and rolled around like a dog covering her entire body with sand. Aron took her to rinse off in the wild waves! She LOVED it!
Did I mention how exhausted we were???

Picnic at the Park

I spent the last week plowing through grad school work and successfully finished the second chapter of my thesis!!! I have one chapter to go and am half way through my grad class! Yippee! I can't wait to head up to my parents' cabin at the end of the month. It has been driving me crazy that I haven't been north of the Mackinac bridge yet this summer. The kids and I had a fun day at the zoo Thursday. We took the train to the back of the zoo and walked our way to the front. We don't typically take the train, so this was something special for them. Sloane absolutely LOVES visiting with all the animals and Russell LOVES to see the dinosaur exhibit. It really is cool! Yesterday we had our annual neighborhood picnic. The kids had a blast with all of their friends and enjoyed eating lots of yummy foods. Aron and I enjoyed the adult conversation and indulged in our share of good eats as well! Next weekend we are heading back to the west side to enjoy some more time on Lake Michigan. We are so lucky to have family that lives right on the beach!!! Now I'm off to lay in the sun while the kids nap :-)

Watermelon!

Hot dogs!Cupcakes!

Fun!

Happy Independence Day!

We just returned from a "mini vacation" in St. Joseph visiting Aron's family for the 4th of July. We had an absolutely wonderful time!!! We spent Friday with Aron's dad, Bev, Uncle Gary, and Aunt Judy. The weather was marvelous so we ate, played, and relaxed outside all day. In the evening we went with Aron's mom to downtown St. Jo where we walked around town looking at all the safari animal statues that have been painted by local individuals and groups. Afterward we stopped for ice cream and walked to Silver Beach where the kids played. On Saturday, we headed to Aron's Uncle Dave and Aunt Karen's house on the beach in Stevensville. The weather was not ideal, but this didn't stop the kids from enjoying Lake Michigan! By the evening the weather was perfect. The kids took great naps and were ready for FIREWORKS! We decided to extend our vacation a bit and stayed all day Sunday enjoying the BEST beach day EVER!!! The weather was GORGEOUS! We all walked away with sunburns (which are making me feel like a really bad mom) even after applying sunblock twice! Russell was a true water bug! He rarely left the water. Sloane stayed close to shore and only went in past her knees if I was holding her. She preferred walking along the shore watching the other kids and dogs play. She made friends with everyone! This was definitely a 4th of July to remember!!!