Keeping Cool

We have had a few warm days for it being the end of May. I think summer is finally here. For the past two years we have had a water slide and I'm sad to say that the slides only last about two years. Last year at the end of the summer our pool got a hole in it and patching it was no longer an option. So as the warm days have started to arrive Todd and I thought we would surprise the kids with a new water slide. When we got it out Jackson did not hesitate and went right down. Aubrin, as expected, played in the bottom of the pool and used the water to fill up her water squirter to chase Jackson around the yard. I hope that she will be brave enough to go down. Both kids have had a blast playing in the water and keeping cool. With only a few weeks left of school, I can already tell we are going to have a great summer!

Kyle and Colleen's Wedding Weekend

This weekend Kyle and Colleen got married. It has been a day that we have been excited for since last year! About a year ago Kyle called Todd and said he was ready to propose to Colleen. He was so excited about getting her ring, going back and forth to Chicago making sure the ring was just perfect and then planning how the actual proposal would go. We were so relieved after all that planning that she said yes (Although, I don't think there was any doubt). Kyle asked Todd to be the Best Man and Colleen and Kyle asked all of the nieces and nephews to be in the wedding...all eleven of them, plus Colleen's niece Emma. Colleen said all of the girls had to wear a purple dress, any style and color. The boys had to wear khaki pants, a white shirt and a tie with purple in it. So we went on a hunt for the perfect purple dress and tie. Five dresses (it seems Krista and I liked the same dresses for the girls) and one tie later the kids were ready for the big day.


On Friday we went to the rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner. I had to work that day so I met Todd and the kids at the church. Everyone was so excited to be there. All the kids did well at the rehearsal walking down the isle. After the rehearsal we went to dinner. The kids were more than excited about their gifts they received for being in the wedding. All of the the little guys got head and wrist bands and sunglasses. The little ladies got purses, bracelets, lip gloss and sun glasses. After dinner we headed home for a good night sleep so we would be ready for the big day.

On Saturday the kids were excited to get dressed. Aubrin was especially excited because I curled her hair for the first time. She kept telling me that she loved that her hair was so fancy. Both Jackson and Aubrin looked adorable. Todd left earlier in the morning to go and spend the day with Kyle, so it was just my babes and I getting ready together and heading off to the wedding.



Once the wedding started the kids took their places and I headed to my seat. I was a bit nervous to leave the kids not knowing how they would feel about all of the people looking at them. I crossed my fingers and hoped for the best. Both kids did GREAT!!!! Actually, all of the kids did great. They all walked down the aisle, gave Kyle a high five and sat down. When Colleen starting walking down, I don't think one person in the room could take their eyes off of her. She looked absolutely beautiful.


The reception was so much fun. The kids had a great time dancing with their cousins and Jack loved hanging out with all of the groomsmen. Our little Miss got very tired and spent much of the night sleeping on my shoulder.

The next day we headed to the Miller's for a brunch to wish the newlyweds well. After the brunch we headed to my parents house because Erin and her family were in town. It was great to see Will an Emerson. They have grown so much and are moving a mile a minute.

On Monday it was Memorial Day. We headed to the Walled Lake parade. We met Krista and her family there. Last year Aubrin didn't care for the parade to much, but this year she thought it was pretty great. It was fun to see Annie and Emma in the parade for their dance studio. It was a very busy weekend, but a weekend of wonderful celebration. We are so happy that we officially welcomed Colleen into the family.

Parade and Game

Last weekend Jackson was up early, dressed and packed up for his first t-ball game. Then we got the dreaded call that due to weather his game was cancelled. Jackson was disappointed, but he got to go to Todd's game dressed in his uniform and sit with the big boys...in the rain!
This weekend the weather was beautiful! Jackson was so excited for his first game and his first parade that he would be walking in. I on the other hand was a bit stressed with the logistics of the day. Todd had games all day so I was solo all day. That wasn't a big deal, but the parade was a bit tricky. Jackson had to be at a church near the start of the parade to meet his team at 9:30, however, we were not able to park at the church. The best place to park was at the end of the parade route where his game was going to be- 1 1/2 miles down the road. The coach asked for parents to walk in the parade with their child if they could because it was their first parade and they are so young. The only way for me to walk in the parade with Jackson would have been to park at the end of the route walk 1 1/2 miles down to the start of the route with both kids (the road wouldn't be closed yet and no sidewalks) and then walk the 1 1/2 mile in the parade...to much walking for both kids! So Coach Mike said I could drop Jackson off with him and he would keep an eye on him and walk in the parade with him. He said Jackson would be no problem because he is such a great listener (Good job buddy!)! I was a bit nervous since I have never just dropped either of my kids off and drove off. So I took a leap of faith and went for it. Aubrin and I dropped Jackson off at the church...I was feeling very nervous and he says, "Mom , you can go now, but will you remember to take pictures of me when I walk by you in the parade?" Really? I was stressed and he is just worrying about me taking his picture? Aubrin and I left, parked the car and waited for the parade to start. The team did great. They walked down the street holding hands and yelling out, " Go Hotrods" It was really cute. Aubrin had a great time waving to everyone walking by. After the parade Jackson had his first game. It was a round robin.
They played four different teams playing only one inning for each game. The kids had a great time. All of the little guys were very tired, but they were excited to play in their first game.

After the game we went to our friend Avery, Easton and Lexie's birthday party. The kids had a great time running around outside and enjoying the beautiful weather. On Sunday we spent the day outside spreading all of the mulch we had delivered, planting flowers and bushes and getting the yard ready for summer! The kids were very helpful and had a great time using their new gardening tools that the Easter Bunny brought them.

Going to their new home...

We have loved having the duckling and hens. Jackson and Aubrin have absolutely loved taking care of them. They have helped with changing the bedding, water and food daily. They have already graduated into a new home! We can't get over how fast they have grown. My mom came over last Thursday and then again on Mother's Day and she couldn't believe the difference in size.

As they have gotten larger, they have also gotten very STINKY!!!!

Earlier in the week, Aubrin and Jackson were so excited to have their cousins over to see our little friends. The kids waited by the door to see Krista's car pull up. Jackson and Aubrin ran out of the house and could pull their cousins in the house fast enough. Nate didn't think twice and wanted to hold them right away. The girls needed a few minutes to warm up, but in the end everyone had a chance to hold a duck or a hen.

Today we decided would be the day that Joey, Robin, Daisy and Minnie would go to their new home. With how fast they are growing they needed to be in a larger pen where they could run a bit more. Also, the hens were starting to try and jump out of their home. We explained to the kids that they needed to go to the farm, but they would always belong to them and we could go and visit when ever we want. I had to work late, so Todd took the kids to the farm for the drop off. The kids did great and were excited to see all of the other animals.

A Weekend of Celebrations

I can't believe that Caryn graduated from Albion. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was buying her 13th birthday present. We were so proud that Caryn was the speaker at graduation. She wrote a wonderful speech that reflected on her journey at Albion and the success, challenges and future of her graduating class. It was a great ceremony that was held outside.

On Sunday we celebrated Mother's Day. In the morning my mom and dad came over for breakfast. It was a nice way to start the morning~ with my mom. We spent time outside with the kids, riding bikes and playing a little golf and baseball. Later in the day we headed over to Michele's for dinner to celebrate Mother's Day with Kaye. It was a beautiful evening, so all of the kids were able to play outside.

Todd and I both feel very blessed to have such wonderful moms in our lives. They are both such wonderful role models for our families and have such big hearts. It was also a day to celebrate Erin, Krista, ad Michele. Not just because they are moms, but because they are the Godmothers to Jackson and Aubrin. Our babes are so lucky to have such special ladies in their lives.

My favorite quote of the day came from Jackson while we were eating breakfast-"Okay, so today it's a day for mom, but all of he other days are about dad?" Perfect!