Father's Day

Father's Day was super crummy here in Marquette, so we opted to celebrate the weekend after when the weather was better. All Pete wanted to do was go out on the boat with us. It was a beautiful day, so we headed out after Charlie napped. Charlie wasn't a huge fan of his life jacket, but Daddy got him a sucker and he put it on without a fuss! The water was perfect, and we had a nice hour ride. Charlie liked seeing all the sailboats, going faster, and driving the boat (although he just turned to the right the whole time so we did circles).

I try not to get mushy here, but I truly do have the best husband and father for Charlie in the world. I can't imagine a day of my life without Pete. Watching Pete with Charlie day after day just gets better and better. You are the best, Pete! The way you take care of Charlie, Payton, and I is more than we could ask for. Your love and support for our little family is amazing, and we are so lucky to celebrate you on this special day! We love you very much!

Drew & Kelly Visit!

Since Kelly is out of school now, she and Drew headed up to the UP to spend the week with Charlie and I! Pete was in and out for the week, so it was nice to have their company. Unfortunately, it poured down rain the entire time they were here, but we made the best of it and still had lots of fun. We had a trip to the children's museum, the library, Target, Meisters (the garden store), and we even made it out to the rock beach to throw some rocks in the big lake. Drew and Charlie have so much fun together now. Since we've been back in Michigan, they've spent a lot more time together, so they are becoming the best of buds! They enjoyed breakfast in the morning watching Mickey Mouse, ran around like crazy boys throughout the house, enjoyed baths, and destroying the toy room by pulling out all the toys. It was such a nice week, and we are so happy that Kelly made the 5 hour trip alone with Drew. We definitely know how hard it is in the car for 5 hours with a 2-year-old! =) Thanks again for making the trip up, Kelly & Drew! We miss you guys already and love you very much!

Enjoying a Sesame cupcake! Drew ate all the frosting... Charlie ate the cake!

Fun time on the stairs!

Attempt at a self portrait with the boys.

A break from the rain let us enjoy the rock beach for an hour.

"Do we really have to stop throwing rocks to take a picture?"

Lovin' Aunt Kelly.

Miners Beach with Aunt Kelly & Drew

Okay... I know, Barbara... I've been horrible at keeping up on the blog. I haven't had the camera out, and we've been way too busy to stop and take pictures. It's no excuse, but I am going to do better!

Memorial Day weekend was spent in Marquette with Pete's parents. Uncle Mark, Aunt Kelly, and Drew were up in Manistique, so Kelly, Drew, Charlie and I met up in Munising for the afternoon to play on the beach and have some lunch. We went to Miners Beach so Kelly could collect some rocks for her garden, but we didn't have any luck finding any. The boys had a blast though! They checked out the water, threw the few rocks we found in the water, and just enjoyed chatting with each other. We had a nice little lunch, then headed back home. Here are some pics from the day!

Such a cute picture of Drew and Kelly.

My little man running on the beach.

Another Camp G&G Stay

Last week, I went to California to visit my friends for a week. Pete is in the middle of his busy season for work, so Charlie and Payton went to stay with Grandpa and Grandma while Pete was traveling throughout the state. Charlie loves staying at Camp G&G while we are gone... so much that he doesn't even miss us! He got to also spend a lot of time with his cousin Drew because it was the last week of school for Kelly, and Pete's mom was still watching him during the day. Some of the camp activities included throwing rocks in the lake, watching the worker men add an addition onto G&G's house, celebrating his auntie's birthday, playing baseball, having a sleepover with Uncle Mark and Drew, naps in the afternoon with Grandpa, and snuggling in the morning with Grandma. I am sure I am leaving a whole lot out, but they kept him so busy that I can't remember everything! One important milestone was getting the chance to meet Sparty. Uncle Mark was helping out with an MSU golf outing, so he invited Charlie to come with Drew to see Sparty. Charlie loves everything about Sparty in pictures, books, and on TV, but he is NOT a fan of the real Sparty. He wouldn't even go near him! Oh well. It was worth a try. A big, big, BIG thank you to Pete's parents for watching my boys for 10 days. I know it was tiring, but I appreciate it more than you know! It was pretty great to have my little man giving me hugs and kisses all day when I got back. I definitely missed my boys!

An attempt to meet Sparty . . .

He even played peek-a-boo, but that didn't help.

Charlie was OK posing by the inflatable Sparty with Uncle Mark.

Taking a break from playing and enjoying a snack.

Rough riders.... Charlie loves going down the driveway full speed!