Our Big Guy Turns 7!

How in the world has seven years passed by? We have watched Jackson grow into such a fantastic little guy.  This year we didn't do a big party. We celebrated with the Miller's on one day and my family on another. It worked out better for everyone's schedule. We started earlier in the week celebrating with the Miller's. Luke and Jackson share a birthday and Emma has a birthday later in the month, so we decided to combined all three. It was so fun to watch Luke eat his first birthday cake. All of the cousins were anticipating him taking his first bite.

Emma and Jackson each had happy birthday sang to them and then they opened gifts. Jackson got new Tiger's gear and a catchers glove- heavenly for him! It was a nice evening swimming, visiting and celebrating.

On Jackson's actual birthday he and Todd got up early and headed out for a round of golf. Its Jackson's favorite thing to do on summer mornings. Once he was home and he had his birthday breakfast and we opened gifts. We decided to give him a few gifts before his evening celebration with family. Jackson was thrilled when he opened his new first base glove from Aubrin.  Evidently seven year olds need three gloves. I'm sure it will be broken in well before his next season starts. Jackson was also happy when he opened his new bike from mom and dad. His legs were just a bit too long for his old bike. We spent the day playing outside, riding bikes and playing ball.

Later in the day my family and a few close friends came to celebrate Jackson. It was a beautiful evening to sit out on the deck and catch up while all of the kids played. Jackson loved that he got a globe from my parents. He has been wanting one for a while. He LOVES geography. Jackson was also thrilled to get the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book and Drawing Book. Not my choice of reading for Jackson, but he really wanted to read them! Great Grandma was the hit of the party with that gift:) After birthday festivities, all the kids headed outside, grabbed something to ride and off they went.

Now that all of the kids are a bit older, no party games needed. They just have a great time hanging out together. 

Of course it would not be a birthday week without a Tigers game. We had a nice family day watching the game.

Our Cleveland Trip

Back at the end of May the kids and I made a summer bucket list of a few things they would like to do over the summer. The number one thing on Jackson's list was to watch the Tiger's play in a different stadium.
Todd and I thought we could either go to Toronto or to Cleveland. We looked for a game that would best match our schedule and Cleveland it was. We thought it would be fun to invite our good friends the Thompson's with us.
We headed out early on Monday morning so we could arrive in Cleveland by lunchtime. We got to the hotel, we all got checked in and we sat and relaxed for a few minutes. The kids thought it was great to have the Thompson's in the room next door.
We headed to lunch and the kids had an awesome surprise waiting for them. Todd had talked to Alex earlier in the week and asked if we could take in to lunch before the game.  The kids jaws dropped when Alex came in. It was so nice to sit and chat with him. He is such a down to earth guy. Aidan and Jackson had tons of questions for him. From how it felt to play in front of so many people to who does he sit next to on the plane when they travel. Alex answered all 5,000 questions the kids had. Aubrin and Reagan didn't have much to say, but they were full of giggles. After lunch Todd, Jack, Curt and Aidan drove Alex to the field for the game. Jackson said, "Mom, I can't believe we just drove Alex to the game in our mini van. Tigers don't go to games in mini vans."
We had a bit of time before the game, so we walked around downtown Cleveland. We found a small, unique bowling alley and stopped in for a quick game. Then we found a delicious bakery and for sure needed a cupcake before heading to the game.

We got to the game early enough for batting practice. Reagan got a ball and was all smiles. We had such a great time at the game. The tigers won which made it even a better night.
 The next morning Todd got up really early (5:30am) and went to Pennsylvania for a baseball tournament his team was playing in. The rest of us headed to a drive through safari. Once we got there the Thompson's jumped in my car and we all went through together. I let Curt drive so I could snap some pictures. The kids had a great time with the animals so close. I thought Aubrin would be really nervous but she did great. The safari also had a part that we could park our car and walk through. It was a very cool experience, but I'm not sure that I would make a special trip there. I planned it because it was on our way home, but I don't think I would plan a trip around it.
The kids and I got back in the car and headed home.
We had a such a nice few days with the Thompson's. We were glad that they could join us and excited to plan our next family get away with them!

Summer Fun...

 This has been the first summer that Todd has been home and not at baseball everyday. He gave up the head coaching position of his summer team and only goes to a few games a week as an assistant coach. It's been great to have him home and to just have fun!
This summer we have been busy having fun...

Swimming...

 
 
 


Fishing...



 Doing summer work (not so fun for the kids, but a daily must)...
 

Going to the dentist (Again, not fun, but a must) After four tries of going to the dentist, Aubrin finally opened her mouth!!!!

 

 Started swimming lessons...


Movies...
 

Gone out for way too much ice cream...


Family golf days...



 Played with water toys...

Gone to birthday parties to celebrate friends...


and have made a little money selling golf balls.
 

We've done a little bit of everything, but still have a lot of time left for more fun!