Let's Play Catch . . .

Catch up on July happenings, that is.  Lots of things I've failed to blog about lately.  This summer has just seemed so busy.  Mostly, a good busy though.  So, first up, nothing too exciting -

A visit to the Children's Museum.

The Mom's Group I'm part of schedules two Children's Museum days a month (free for members), and it's something we try not to miss.  The pictures above are from a visit earlier this month.  The kids love it.  Anna and Benjamin played well together the whole time.  There were so many friends there I hadn't seen in a while, and it was great for me to catch up with them.  This CM visit was Caleb's first time.  I'm not usually a germ-a-phobe, and think germs and sickness are a natural and even important part of childhood.  But, I've been more careful with Caleb for obvious reasons.  So I held him or he stayed in the stroller the whole time.  No crawling around gumming all the communal children's museum toys.  Cabers loved looking around at all the stuff though, and was perfectly content the whole time.  Fun visit! 

Visit from Indiana Cousins.    

My cousin Amy, her husband Chuck, and their three kids visited this past weekend.  It was so good to see them, have the kids play, and I always love to show off Marquette.  Sad I didn't take more pictures of the visit, especially of Anna and Kenzie, who LOVED playing together.  The pictures above show a dip in Lake Superior at Black Rocks, and Lower Harbor park watching the tall ships come in.  Also fun - hiking Sugar Loaf, delish lunch at Union Grill, game night at Beth and Stuart's.   

Feeding the Little Fatty!

Feeding this little chub baby food has been happening more and more lately.  And he loves it.   A little too much.  See that crazy look in his eye?  Caleb takes his eating very seriously.  hehe.  And I wasn't the one feeding him in these pictures above.  It is possible to keep him neat while he eats.  But these pictures are just priceless, so I'm glad Ethan feeds him a little . . . differently.  :)   Oh my goodness, I love that baby boy! 

Putnam family reunion.   

The second weekend in July we went downstate to the Putnam family reunion.  (My paternal grandma's side of the family.)  My dad thought we'd like to go along - I hadn't been for about 10 years - and it was actually perfect timing, as Ethan had a weekend test prep class downstate.  We all just went together, except my mom who decided to stay home at the last minute.  (That means her snoring stayed home too. :)  The kids had a blast, it was good to see everyone, and I didn't even get tired out til the ride home.  hehe.  Fun weekend, but as is typical when traveling with three little ones, it's always good to get home and back to the routine. 

So, lots of fun happenings, big and small.  And lots more to come.  Until next time, hope you all have a beautiful week!

I'm Grateful . . .

I thought I'd share just five quick things I am grateful for today  . . .

1)  I'm grateful:  Weather was in the sixties today - in the middle of July.  Love it.  Sunny, cool breezes, white fluffy clouds.  This summer has been so mild, but with some days warm enough for swimming.  It.  Is.  Perfection!

2)  I'm grateful:  Caleb's MRI to check his head went smoothly - all 4 + hours we were there, starting at 6:30am.  He was such a little trooper - see picks above - even though he couldn't eat past midnight, and he is a very scheduled eater!  And isn't he too cute in his little, baby hospital gown?! (They had to sedate him since he's a baby, so I'd been a little nervous leading up to today's appointment.)   

3)  I'm grateful:  I had a beautiful afternoon at the park with my three kiddos.  Even though the littlest monkey was killing my back.  (All the kids were monkeys and I was the zoo keeper . . . and the baby Caleb monkey is HEAVY!)  I love spending my days with them . . . except when they stress me out. :)

4)  I'm grateful: For Ethan.  Always grateful for him.  I've been trying to tell him and show him appreciation more often lately.  I don't know how I'd get through my days without him . . . or how I managed the 9 months he was gone so much.  He's my sweetest thing.  Super patient with me.  Love him.

5)  I'm grateful:  For a big, comfy, king size bed to lay down in every night.  (Pillow top, yet firm enough, cozy feather comforter, all white bedding . . . heaven!)  We've had this bed since I was pregnant with Anna six years ago, and I still LOVE it just as much as the first day!  After getting up at 5:30am this morning to get to the hospital, I am VERY MUCH looking forward to getting in my bed tonight . . . SOON.

Until next time, buenas noches.  Duerme con los angelitos. 

Let Freedom Ring . . .

There are so many pictures from our fantastic, festive, fun Fourth of July weekend.  How do I narrow it down?!  Hmm, I'll just post all of them.  hehe. 

I love celebrating the birth of our country, and reflecting on how grateful I am for the freedoms I enjoy.  I love the principals and ideals our country was founded on when it gained it's independence.  I love singing the National Anthem.  I love all the traditions that accompany this holiday - BBQs, fireworks, parades, family time, red white and blue decor, American Legion breakfasts, memorial services, etc.  Although I am not the most patriotic person out there, during this holiday I love to reflect on my family members who are - especially those who were and are willing to risk their lives and give their all serving our country and defending our freedoms. 

Oh, I love my country. 

God bless the United States of America! 

Now, on to those before mentioned pictures.  The day started with my dad taking the kids to the pancake breakfast at 8am, and was jam-packed full of fun until they fell asleep during the fireworks at 11pm.

I'll try to keep the rest of this short and sweet . . . enjoy the pictures! 

First, Lunch and lounging at Chuck and Melissa's, aka Gramma and Grampa's. 

We took lots of family shots while we were over there, as you can see.  I just couldn't resist when we were all in our match-y-ness.  We ate a delish lunch prepared by KC, chatted, helped stuff/address envelopes for Ash and Joe's wedding, kiddies played outside, etc.  Fun and relaxed. 

Fourth of July Parade, Marquette Style! 

Ethan, Chuck, Anna, Ben and I went to watch the parade.  (We left Caleb with Melissa and Ashley.)  It was a big hit with the kiddies, especially since there was tons of candy, and it wasn't nearly as hot as last year. And I of course had to include the traditional picture of my dad taking a picture of us during the parade.  (He always participates in the parade with the Boy Scouts and the kids love seeing him.) 

Making our Traditional Flag Cake!

The kids loved helping me with this.  They were so cute.  They were very proud of the finished product.  And the cake was so tasty!  Hmm, whipped cream topping is my fave! 

A few random shots I just had to include: 

1)  Ethan dancing.  Adorable.  hehe.  2)  A cute shot of us.  Wait.  Scratch that.  A cute shot of me . . . Ethan, um, not so much.  hehe.  3)  My festive toenails.  Just ignore the dry, callused feet. . . I need a pedicure!

Picnic at Beth and Stuart's!

My sister invited the siblings, my parents, and my grandparents over for dinner on the Fourth.  Yummy food!  Good conversation!  And football!  The first picture shows Hudson (my brother's son) and Caleb playing a little football, and the second pic shows Ethan and James (my sister's son) playing a little football - while Anna and Ben-Ben cool off in the pool.  Fun family gathering! 

Finally, FIREWORKS!

Since we're so far north, fireworks don't typically start until right before 11pm.  Super late for our kiddos (we did leave Caleb at home with my dad).  But, we thought we'd give it a try this year since we hadn't the last two years.  We picked up Chuck and Melissa on the way, and headed to South Beach - our favorite spot to watch the fireworks.  Anna and Benjamin started off "brave" - having fun with the sparklers and smoke bombs, playing in the sand, and seeing the fireworks some other people on the beach were lighting off, as we waited for the real show. 

Then, things changed.

Ben-Ben got more and more nervous, which required more and more snuggling from . . . everyone.  See below.  And he fell asleep before the real fireworks even started!  Geesh.  Anna was fine until the loud fireworks started, then she needed to be sitting in some one's lap, with her hands AND their hands over her ears.  Then she fell asleep half way through the show.  Good grief.  And we got sprinkled on too.  Anyway, it was still pretty fun and I love the pictures I got, but I think we'll wait a few more years before we try that again. 

What a fun day!  What a long day!  What a long post!