Kathy & Randy Visit Michigan!

Reunited! They don't look at all happy to see each other again, do they? =)

We were so excited that Kathy and Randy made their first trip to Michigan... to visit us!!! They've never had a reason to come, so it's nice that they were able to see where our family lives, and to see where Pete and I grew up. It was a crazy, hectic trip, but totally worth it. We started the tour in Traverse City. We spent the first evening having dinner at Pete's parents house and going on a boat ride. The next day we took K&R on a tour of the Michigan cherry orchards (cherry harvesting here is a lot different than California). The rest of the afternoon was spent hanging out in the backyard of the cottage and enjoying the weather and the lake. On Monday we drove them to Marquette for the rest of their stay. We are all pretty wiped out after the drive, so we only made it to dinner, then we headed home for an early bedtime. On Tuesday we took them for a little hike to the rock beach on Presque Isle, had a nice lunch, then hung out at the house that afternoon. Pete made a wonderful white fish dinner, and we watched a little bit of rain come down. On Wednesday, we took the boat ride around Pictured Rocks. Pete and I had to do a few things in the afternoon, so Uncle Randy and Auntie Cake spent time with Charlie and his pool in the backyard. Randy also gave Pete and I some pointers on our garden, and he even helped me clean the whole thing up with my new hula hoe! We stayed up late Wednesday evening packing, and Auntie Cake got to read story after story for Charlie before bedtime. Thursday everyone got up early because we were all leaving town. It was a very emotional good-bye, as they all are, but we made it through it. We are so lucky that K&R made the trip out. They are very dear friends to Pete and I, and their relationship with Charlie is one that will last a lifetime. Charlie is the luckiest little guy to have two such wonderful people in his life! Thanks again, Kathy & Randy, for making the trip out. We hope you enjoyed it as much we did, and we look forward to a visit every summer! =)

A quick shot after coming off the boat.

Stealing some of Uncle Randy's dessert.

Just hangin' with Uncle Randy and Grandpa.

Charlie kept asking to pick the yellow cherries. Pete would stop the car so he could hang out the window to pick them off the trees.

A couple shots in the cherry orchard.

Uncle Randy tasting the Michigan cherries.

Sitting on the "Uncle Randy" tractor.

Daddy used to drive these tractors too!

He tested out every tractor in the orchard!

Checkin' out the equipment.

Helping Uncle Randy throw the BIG rock into the lake.

Throwing rocks at Auntie Cake.

Double knuckles.

My handsome little man.

Enjoying the boat ride with Auntie Cake.

Uncle Randy keeping my boys occupied when they got antsy during dinner.

A little manly bonding time on the hike.

Group shot at the rock beach.

Warming up with Mom and Auntie Cake.

So goofy!

This boy LOVES peaches!

Sharing some with Uncle Randy.

4th of July at the Cottage

For the 4th this year, we headed down to Traverse City. Kathy and Randy were visiting from California, so we started our tour off there (the pics of their visit will be up next!) Dan, Mary and the kiddos also joined us at Mimi and Papa's cottage for the weekend. As usual, Charlie and Matt had a blast together! They had a pool and a slip 'n' slide in the back yard, and they played outside all day long. The boys even got their first taste of fireworks, thanks to Auntie Mary. Throwing those little popper crackers on the porch was the highlight of their day! It was a beautiful weekend, and we were so lucky to spend it with our family and friends. Here are some pics from the weekend.

Charlie and Matt having a pretzel rod with Papa.

Charlie and Matt bumping bellies.

Hanging out of the dock and using the fishing pole.

Gwen trying to walk to Uncle Pete on the boat.

Wearing Papa's hats.

My cute little man swinging.

Papa and Mimi have a really cool baseball tee... Charlie was really good at hitting the ball!

Special buds.

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!