Grand Haven

On a whim one day while we were at the lake, we decided to take a quick trip down to Grand Haven for dinner and a walk on the pier. The lighting seemed perfect as it was kind of cloudy so I brought my camera along. I think I got a few good ones, and hopefully I will someday get even better at this.

Chi Town

Our first real family vacation! We decided that it would be a good idea to drag our three young kids all over Chicago while staying in one hotel room for two nights. Not sure why we thought this was a good idea, but off we went. We arrived Sunday morning and within about 20 minutes, Matt and I were looking at each other like...what...have...we...done. The kids were fighting and screaming and making a scene, you know nothing out of the ordinary. After dragging all of junk from the car to the hotel, we were already rethinking our great idea. But onward we pushed. We did do lots of fun things and probably crammed too much stuff into one trip, but hopefully we created some memories along the way. We did the Lego Store, American Girl store, Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, Hancock Observatory, Museum of Science and Industry, and lots of eating out. We barely survived, but we did. It was an experience we will never forget, and we probably will wait a few more years til we do this again. Yikes. At least we got lots of pictures...

Gino's East

Necessary for Survival

American Girl Store. Bitty Baby...Happy Birthday Mols

Matt and Charley

Can you feel the love (yeah right)

Up in the Sky

On the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel

Checking out the view...there is plexiglass there

Carousel on Navy Pier

Waiting for a ride

Molly's first ride ever

Shedd Aquarium

Shedd

Getting ready for the water show

Submarine Play

Hancock Observatory

View from the top of the Hancock

Molly and I

Daddy and Grant

Visiting where Matt proposed to me 11 years ago!

Rainforest Cafe

Are we having fun yet?

Three kiddos

Making the hot air balloon rise

Museum of Science and Industry

Sitting Poolside

The end of summer is quickly approaching, so we are doing our best to enjoy the pool while we can. Now that swimming lessons are over, we aren't there as much as I'd like to be, because the kids always enjoy their time at the pool. Grant has really progressed...finally...with swimming, and seems to be getting the hang of it. Hopefully by next summer he won't forget all that he has learned. Molly loves to play in the baby pool and Charley has no fear and would jump right in if I let her. Crazy girl...

Sunshine and Summertime

We have had an amazing summer. The weather has been near perfect. Bright sunshine and warm temps. I dare say we haven't had a summer like this in a long time. Perfect for having friends up to my parents place on the lake. The unfortunate part about this summer is that it also ate up our beach at the lake. We've been sitting in the dune grass for the last two weeks because the water has dug out a hole right in front of my parents place and has created about a seven foot cliff, which we cannot even climb. Luckily, before that happened, my amazing and beautiful friend Carrie and I enjoyed a beautiful day on the beach...the actual beach...however small it may have been. So nice to be able to chat and enjoy a tottie in the sun while the kids played in the water. Every year that we do this, we remember how much work it actually is to take care of six kids when there are only two of us. But we can only hope that it will get easier every year. So nice to relax and catch up when the kiddos are in bed. We could talk all night. Love ya so much Care! Thanks for coming up!

Our beautiful day and our dwindling beach...a couple years ago we could fit a volleyball court and half there. Now the water comes all the way up to the grass. :(

This is how we do it.

Lovin' the beach!

Best buds (Taylor asked him to marry her...teehee...love it!)

Zach

Why we should use swim diapers

Care and Lauren