Date Night!

A few weeks ago Mark's mom came and got Grace so we could head north to Chicago. We went and saw The Swell Season at an awesome venue called Ravinia. It's an outdoor ampitheater and everyone brings a picnic, candles, and sits on the lawn. Mark and I had seen the group on our anniversary this past year and loved it, unfortunately we were both recovering from the flu at that show so we wanted to go see them again. Mark got me the tickets for Mother's Day and I'm so glad he did--it was a great show and we had an amazing time together!

She's a climber

Grace has a new favorite activity--climbing on the rungs of the chair at our breakfast bar.

A weekend of family

The weekend of Amy's shower, all of the family stayed at Craig and Sara's. We had a great time--spending most of the time by the pool and enjoying each other's company.

Anne (the new college grad!) and I

Grace watching GG do her morning exercises in the pool

Colby-kins!

GG and G2Pa

Caleb!

Practicing our jumping into the pool

Grace's new favorite spot to nap--on Uncle Greg!

Aunt Amy's Baby Shower

A couple of weekends ago we had a baby shower in Indy for Mark's sister, Amy. Amy and Greg are expecting a little girl in September. We are so excited to welcome Anna to the family! The shower turned out great. A lot of family came in and we were able to make some great memories over the weekend!

Grace and Aunt Amy

With Tia Lynn

Our lunch bunch--Amy, Gloria, Kelley, Lynn, Grace and I

Pretty table setting!

With the mommy-to-be

The hostesses with the guest of honor

Grace and Caleb--they had way too much fun together!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Two Fridays ago Grace's class had an ice cream social where all the parents could come for sundaes. It was fun to get to spend some time with all the kids and to meet some of the other parents. The picture is Grace with her friend, Molly. In the morning when Grace doesn't want to get her shoes on I say, "Don't you want to go to school and see your friend Molly?" And then Grace promptly sits down to put her shoes on. Many days when we get to school Molly runs over and gives Grace a big hug right away. So cute!

Morning Paper

Grace's daddy reads the paper every morning with breakfast. Grace is developing the habit also.

Princess Grace

A few weeks ago Grace insisted on dressing up after her bath. She posed all on her own. Where does she get this stuff?!?!

Twirl

Grace is a master hair twirler. She twirls with her right hand as she sucks her left thumb. Unfortunately, it has gotten a bit out of control. About a month ago she started screaming uncontrollably when Mark was driving with her--her finger had gotten stuck in a twirl. We also have had to cut out many a knot out of her hair. On our way home after the Fourth of July holiday, Grace fell asleep twirling...

4th of July Fun

It's become a 4th of July tradition for us to head to northern Michigan to camp with my mom and Mike. They keep a trailer at a campground in Wolverine. Grace gets to stay in the camper in her port-a-crib and Mark and I tent it. We have such a fun time whenever we go up there. This time we got the added bonus of seeing my dad on the way up. We had a rendezvous at Pizza Sam's in Alma--unfortunately the camera got left in the car.

Grace flying her kite

One of our favorite things to do when we head north for the fourth is to go out on Indian River, Burt Lake and Mullet Lake on Mike's boat. We had perfect weather this year and despite the water being cold, we all got in and either water skied or tubed. Grace did get in the lake but wasn't a fan.

Retreating to the bottom of the boat for a little R&R with grandma

Driving the boat

Stopping for lunch on the river

Waving to other boats

Grace's hair blowing in the wind

Bath time in the trailer is extra fun with the Grace-sized tub!

Grace's 4th of July outfit

On the 4th, Mark headed to Bellaire to see our friends at the church that one of them preaches at. Grace and I stayed behind since our time with grandma and grandpa was limited. We went up to Topinabee to a small park. Unfortunately there wasn't much shade by the water and Grace had gotten more than her share of sun on the lakes the day before. So we packed up, met Mark for lunch and then headed to a little park along the Sturgeon River. We had so much fun playing in the river at the park and then headed back to camp and did more play time on the river. Such a relaxing day!

At a park in Topinabee

Swinging in the park along the Sturgeon River

"Brrrr--this river is cold, but if sure feels good!"

It was another fun year up north--I hope we can do it again next year!