Awaiting Baby Gilbert

My dear friend, Vanessa, is due on August 24th and yesterday we threw her a baby shower. Lots of food, friends, and fun. Can't wait to meet baby Gilbert! Lera, Lindsey, Vanessa, Liz & me

The Newest PERSON

Meet Mariah...Rick & Teresa's new puppy...a golden retreiver/lab mix. She is the cutest little thing, has a spunky personality and already managed to wiggle her way into Jacob & Sophia's hearts.

Michael Phelps?

Well, maybe not. But he sure loves the water, just like his dad, so maybe someday we'll be seeing this cute little guy in the Olympics.

Up To The Moon, Mommy!

I think I may have mentioned that Craig was working on expanding our backyard...and part of that expansion was to add a playset for the kids. Last week, Daddy and Uncle Chad built Jacob & Sophia their dream playset. Jacob was so excited that he & Sophia both had their very own special swing (and rock wall, and telescope, and slide). When it was Jacob's turn to be pushed on the swing, he looked back at me with a huge grin and said, "Up to the moon, Mommy!"

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, hon! Thanks for all that you do for us. Here are a few of the things we love about you:

* You're kind-hearted

* You know how to have fun

* You introduce new experiences into our lives

* You're always there to support us

* You rise up to the challenge EVERY SINGLE TIME!

* You're laugh is contagious

* You know how to let things go and see the important things in life

* You are a GREAT dad & husband

WE LOVE YOU!

The Per-Bohl II

Starting an annual tradition is always fun, but it's great when you get to invite up good friends to the cabin...especially when the weather cooperates and you get to spend the entire weekend outdoors. So, I have officially named our weekend with Steve & Genna Bohlman, the Per-Bohl. Here's pics from the Per-Bohl II.

Craig & Steve

Genna & Sophia

Watering Jacob & Genna's "Garden

Steve jumping in...Craig attempting to catch him

Water-tubing

The Gang

The Darndest Things II

* "Mommy, don't sing in the car please. You don't have a very good voice." OUCH!

* JACOB: Mommy, when Sophia gets older, can she pee in the pot and win a sucker too?
MOMMY: Yes.
JACOB: But first she has to grow a penis.
MOMMY: Well, Sophia won't ever have a penis. She has a vagina.
JACOB: But I have a penis.
MOMMY: Yes, boys have penises and girls have vaginas.
JACOB: Mommy? I hope someday I have a vagina.

* After throwing his Jackbo (his teddy bear) and blanket down the stairs...
MOMMY: Jacob, that's not how we treat our friends. Jackbo and blanket feel really sad that you just threw them down the stairs.
JACOB: Mommy, blanket doesn't even have a mouth, so he can't be sad. But I guess I can say sorry to Jackbo.

* "Mommy, I need to rest. My legs hurt from all the hard work I've done today."

* Jacob is fond of wearing his winter boots...even when it's in the 80s and humid. After some time playing outside with his boots on, we came in for lunch. I asked him to take his boots off and wash his hands. After struggling to get his boots off for a few minutes, I hear him say under his breath, "Well, this is just ridiculous!!"

The Next David Beckham

Today was Jacob's first day of soccer & tball. Tball was first...and Jacob showed more interest in the water bottle and fruit snacks I brought for him than he was using his mitt or running the bases. And his batter swing looks more like a golf swing. I thought "this might have been a mistake".

Then came soccer and much to my surprise, Jacob actually attempted to follow directions. But soon, he was preoccupied with the cones & the big playground behind the field. To top it all off, a man showed up with a HUGE lawn mower and started mowing the outfield and it all fell apart from there.

But Jacob is excited to go back again on Thursday and try again. So, watch out David Beckham!

Ever Wondered What You'd Look Like with a Mustache?

We don't wonder that anymore. Brenna won a fake mustache out of a vending machine at Zorbaz this weekend. We all took turns trying it on so we could see what we would look like with a mustache. Amazing how much fun a quarter will buy you! Sir Brenna

Master Jamie

Gentleman ChristinePapa Rick

Mister Craig

Hombre Teresa

A Weekend Full of Fun!

It finally felt like a real summer weekend. Sunny skies, long boat rides, pizza at Zorbaz, fishing, a nice sun burn. What a beautiful weekend we had up in Grand Rapids!

Jacob casting off the dock
Jacob & Brenna playing on the beach

Enjoying a treat in the porch
Sophia & Brenna sharing a seat on the pontoon

Papa with Jacob & Andrew
Cleaning the boat

Grandma with the catch of the century!

Ol' LeRoy - a BIG big mouth bass...this picture doesn't do it justice

* * *

On Sunday afternoon, we took the pontoon boat up Pokegama onto the Mississippi River and to the Grand Rapids Dam. They have a national park there with playground equipment and a walking path across the top of the dam. It was the perfect weather for a 4 hour boat ride.

Mommy & Daddy with Sophia at the park

Tuckered out!

Water Park

Craig landed a new account in Grand Rapids (just miles from his parents' cabin). He strategically scheduled his first meeting with them for a Friday and then booked a night at Timber Lake Lodge, a new water park hotel in downtown GR. Jacob could hardly contain his excitement. He and Sophia spent the evening splashing, jumping & sliding in the water.

The frog slide in the kiddy pool

WEEEEEE!
Sophia only wanted Craig to hold her in the pool

My 3 water bugs!
* * *

After splashing in the pool, we met Uncle Chad at the new restaurant and had a fun dinner, then made our way back to the hotel room for cartoons and bedtime. Sophia LOVED the bed...so much so that she pee'd on it! Oops (if you're going there, don't stay in room #325).