The Beach Boys... and a girl... and a couple moms

We went to the beach today for the first time all summer. Other than stopping and running in the sand and playing on the swings and other play ground equipment, it just really hasn't been warm enough yet. And, actually, when we got there today we realized it still wasn't quite warm enough! The breeze was cool and the water cold, but that did not stop Kyle and Thomas from playing in the surf and sand. Jill and I sat on blankets with Erin, except for when we had to rein a boy back in. The guys really had a fun time!! (And so did the girls!)

A Fabulous Fourth

We had a really great Fourth of July weekend. Mike had much of the day off on Friday, so it felt like our weekend started early. Saturday we went to the local parade, which, for a small town, is really fun. Kyle and Erin love parades, so it's great to see them enjoying the festivities. We also went with friends of ours and Kyle's, so that was fun as well.

Saturday afternoon we headed down to Eagle Lake to celebrate Independence Day with the Mullauer family. We always have a great time there and it has become one of my favorite days of summer. This year was no different. While it was a little on the cooler side for swimming in my book, Kyle had no problem. And with his life jacket it was fabulous that I could safely keep an eye on him from shore.

Sunday we went across the street to our neighbors for a really fun cook out. After we came home we were able to enjoy the South Haven fire works from our own front yard.

Ahhh... what a great weekend in a great country.

The parade...

Erin dressed for the occasion. Normally I would crop this picture to just Erin, but I love Gracie and Kyle up in the corner. They are such good buddies!

Kyle and Vinnie playing as they wait for the parade to begin.

Me with my patriotic kiddos.

The parade group.

Eagle Lake...

Group shots:

Kyle on the paddle boat.

Kyle and Daddy before we took a pontoon boat ride around the lake.

Kyle on the raft

Erin with Jessie, who is a fantastic girl who always helps out with the kids. I don't think Erin left her arms all afternoon; she even fell asleep and slept in her arms for ages. Jessie really lets us have a chance to visit more with friends... thanks, Jessie!!

Kyle and a baby turtle. Three were caught, and Kyle loved having the chance to hold them.

John Ball Zoo Trip

Last week we went to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids and had a great time. The zoo is the perfect size for little ones; you can get through it in a couple hours. We went with our friends the Ridleys. Laine is just a little older than Kyle and they are great buddies. Emma Grace is a year older than Erin, and I know they are also going to be great friends. And Rachel, their mom, is my friend. :-)

We all drove together, with Kyle and Laine in the third row of our Highlander. This was the first time Kyle ever rode back there, so he was thrilled. Then when we picked up Laine and they sat together they were so excited. Heck, we could have skipped the zoo since they were having so much fun sitting in the back together.

It took me a bit to post on the zoo because I narrowed my MANY pictures to 30. I couldn't decide whether to narrow further, or post all 30 here. Posting 30 pictures is sort of a pain with Blogger because there are very funky spacing issues that occur. Sooooo, I decided to try this.

I already added the pictures to my Facebook account (which is an easy and quick upload.) With the direct link, anyone should be able to view these. So hopefully this will work. Check out our zoo pics by clicking here. If you click the first picture (Kyle running) you can scroll through and also read my captions/comments. Someone please let me know if it works or not for you; especially someone not on Facebook.

Kyle asks everyday when we are going back to the zoo!

Happy Birthday Beth!!! ... and Harborfest

Tonight we went down to Harborfest (here in South Haven) to celebrate my sister Beth's birthday. After pouring and storming all day long, the sun came out late in the afternoon. We decided to go ahead and walk down and it worked out perfectly! About an hour after we got home huge thunderstorms rolled through again. (Too bad for those not leaving to get little ones to bed, though!)

We had a super time! Happy birthday, Beth!

~~

Erin checks out a huge dog!

Hmm, what time is it?

The boys ran and ran and ran! One would hope they might sleep in tomorrow, but we're not placing any bets on it.

The guys.

Erin dancing to the band.

Beth's adorable baby house.

We walked down to the end of the pier.

Watching ducks.

My cousin is so cool!

Happy birthday Beth!

Strawberry Shortcake, take three

Tonight was the third year (see last year) we have had strawberry shortcake for dinner night... a growing tradition in our house that we enjoy when the Michigan strawberries come in. Kyle, Erin and I loved it tonight!!! Mike has decided this tradition isn't really his bag, so I planned it for golf night. Can't please everyone, lol!

Professional pics of Erin and Kyle

I took Erin in for her one year pictures on Wednesday, and also had them take some of Kyle while we were there (at age three and a half.) I got good ones of each of them individually, but we did not have even one picture of the two of them together. There was not much cooperation going on between them!