1st day of School!

It was the first day of school for the girls this week. Even Elli get's to go to school too! They both did a great job and love IA and their teachers! It has always been a dream of mine to take them to school with me and have them be in the same building with me all day.

Mack started 4th grade this year but has now entered the "too cool for a picture" phase. O well! He has adjusted well to his new teacher and class mates.
Everyone is having a great start to the school year.

Mackinac Island

Welcome to Mackinaw Island!

The entire side of my family took over Mackinaw Island this past weekend. There were 27 of us that stayed on the Island for a few days of biking, eating, shopping, horse back riding and relaxing.

The girls loved watching the all the horses and playing by the shore. Elli loved throwing rocks into the lake. Take a look at her form! Stepping with opposition! As a former PE teacher this brings tears to my eyes! She may be the ball player of the bunch someday! Bill and I took them on a bike ride around the entire 8 mile round island. I was hoping they would have taken a nap but they stayed awake giggling and enjoying the beautiful scenery.










It was great to have so many family members around to visit with and help with the kids. Mack loved biking and hanging out late at night on the porch with the adults and the girls got spoiled with lots of ice cream and of coarse, hugs and kisses from everyone!

My mom planned an Amazing Race activity for everyone. It consisted of many teams running around the island looking for certain landmarks and taking a picture of each clue and racing back to the finish. There was a cash prize so Bill and I were in it to win it! However, we ended up getting 2nd place to my brother, Matt and his wife, Jodi. O well, some things never change. In the end, it was a fun game and we have already started training for the next Family Amazing Race.

This was a wonderful family vacation and we are already looking forward to coming back to the Island when the girls are bigger so they can ride their own bikes around, ride horses, visit the Fort, hike the trails and sit through dinner! I have so many happy memories on Mackinaw Island from my childhood that I want to continue the tradition with my kids to inspire them that you do not need tv's or cars to have a fun time.

Elli's birthday party!!!

Elli turned 2 on July 20th! It is so hard to believe that she is already 2 years old and no longer my baby. She is a full toddler now and believes that she can do everything Laney can do. She has been such a perfect addition to our family and I am excited to see what another year will bring.

Elli had a wonderful party with family and friends to help celebrate.

Long time friends Christi, Joe and their son Drew came to the party. It was great to spend time with them and see how big Drew has gotten.


Alex, Elli's gymnastic classmate and buddy enjoyed the cake and tried to often hug Elli. Elli finally gave in towards the end of the night for a big hug.

Of coarse Elli had another Mickey Mouse cake. She still loves anything to do with Mickey Mouse. So it seemed appropriate to continue with the theme.








We also had a surprise cake for Mack. We did not get to celebrate Mack's birthday since he was gone much of the month. My friend Jackie made this yummy cake for Mack.
It is hard to see from the picture but it is a computer keyboard with a mouse included! Mack was surprised and enjoyed eating the lemon filled treat!

A few of our friends stayed longer to play a game of poker. The kids had a great time running around and playing together while the adults battled in out on the new poker table. I do have to mention that it came down to Bill and one of my coworkers and Mack's coach, Shawn. Bill ended up claiming the victory. Sorry Shawn, just don't take it out on Mack at practice!
This is picture of Kaylin and Elli. "KK" as Elli calls her loved holding and carrying Elli around all night. It was so sweet!

Elli & Laney's Photo Shoot!

Elli and Laney got their pictures take last week. It was more for Elli since she was turning 2 years old. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!










It was a rough start but once we started dancing everyone cooperated and a few cute pictures were taken.

Of coarse a sucker was involved!

Where did my sweet girls go.....?

I had to share these pictures of my sweet girls being "tom boys".

They got on the bike by themselves and they loved it. This could mean double trouble in a few years.








This is a toad that lives around our house. Laney loves to hold it and pet it. The toad will stay in her hand and sleep as she talks to it. We just have to keep reminding her to not kiss it. She is still too young to believe in that fairytale!

Vacation Time!

We finally went on our first vacation in 3 years!
My parents, Bill and all 3 kids made the drive to Gatlinburg, TN for the week at my parents time share. It was a much needed get away for everyone.

The weather was great, no major issues during the trip. The kids loved the rides and water park. My Mom and I enjoyed a day to ourselves shopping and eating while Bill took care of the kids.

Mack and Laney loved the go carts. Mack just barely made the cut off to ride alone on the adult track but Laney had to have help. She turned that wheel as if she was driving herself.

We even got to visit cousins from my Dad's side of the family, Elane and Carl. Bill enjoyed the TN river and spent the whole day with Carl fishing. Mack got to go tubing and the girls stayed on shore and played with the shells and rocks!








Besides the water park, Mack's favorite vacation event was sifting through buckets of gravel and dirt to find gems and precious stones. It was a good experience for him and it was actually educational.


Laney even got to ride a pony by herself and she became really comfortable in the water kicking around with just an float tube around her.

It was an awesome time and great memories! To be honest, it was very tiring! I might need another vacation real soon!

Yellow Flower

Laney in her flower costume! So sweet!