See Ya Later.....Alligator(s)!!!! :)

We're leaving tomorrow for two glorious weeks of vacation at the cottage in Michigan! Yay! We're leaving Tommy at home the first week (poor Daddy has to stay here and work..yuck! :( But we'll all be up together for week number two! Teah and Lynne are coming up this week though, and that will be sooo much fun! We're really excited...now, I just have to PACK...ugh! Who knew that packing for a family of four (well, really three, since Tommy will pack for himself) could be so difficult? Eye, yey, yey! I'm putting it off by sitting here on the computer...but I'd better get to it. The good thing is, even if I forget something Tommy and Grandpa could bring it up later in the week...that's a little reassuring.

Because we're leaving Daddy at home, we got him a little present to keep him entertained. It's called a rip stick (click on the word, to see a pic) and Michael (Tommy's brother) and his kids have them. Tommy is like a teenager riding this thing, so we figure this will help him stay entertained at night with no Connor here to say "play with me Daddy!" "No, on the FLOOR, Daddy!" We just hope he stays sane and doesn't hurt himself too badly! :) Yikes!!!!

Hopefully we'll be able to post a couple of times from up North....yay!!!!

Here are a couple of pics of Brooke and Grandma to leave you with! ;)

Brookie Stats!

Brookie had her 4 month apt. today! She's growing really well--14.6 lbs. (50-75%), 25.25 inches (50-75%), and her head is actually only in the 25-50%, so she's definitely not taking after her big brother in that area! Ha! The doctor said she's just "perfect" and was really impressed at what a happy, alert, and strong little girl she is!!!! We love our Brookie-pie! :)

Darn Camera!

Our poor camera is dying a slow death...imagine how cute these would have been if they weren't pink and blurry!

Summertime...and the livin' is easy!

This is what summer is all about! We spent a lovely evening the other night at Jeff and Amy's with the family. It was so much fun...the kids had a BLAST playing in the little pool. Due to the 90+ degree weather, the original idea for a bon-fire was decided to be revisited this fall, and we sat around a pool of squealing children, instead! I love summer!


Apparently, Grandpa got out the "big guns" and sprayed the kids!



Kate, Jill, and Connor in the pool



Connor and Gramps in the playhouse (looks like Grandpa could move right in! ;)



Connor and Mimi watching the sheep (I love this picture)



My baby girl, right before bed!

More pics from this month!

We love July because it's a wonderful time to catch up with our dear friends! :) Auntie Teah is in town for the whole month---YAY!!!!!!!!!! We have had soooo much fun playing with her! She and Auntie Erin came over the other day and completely entertained the kids (including attempting to put Connor down for a nap and changing a very poopy diaper) while I completed a job interview over the phone....you girls are the best and we love you DEARLY! :)

We also got to see Katie's beautiful kiddos a couple of weeks ago...what an adorable family you guys are! Maverick is now 6 1/2 months old and moving all over the place...I forgot what that stage was all about! So much fun! Connor loved Asia and Malia and asks all the time if we can play with them again...looks like we need to make a trip down south soon--we would hit you all--Rieppel's, Madeley's, Cook's, and Auntie Te, and Aunt Wendy's family...sounds like we had better start planning our trip!

The Fourth of July!

It's that time of year again--the time of year when the carnies sweep into our small peaceful village and turn Broadway into a hustling, bustling midway packed with people of all ages--many of whom are returning villagers! It's the annual fourth of July celebration which involves a four day street fair, parade, fire works display, bands playing at the Grand Stand, high school reunions, elephant ears, picnics, and seeing old faces bringing their children back to their home town to discover the wonder of Independence Day in the grandest of traditions! As the festivities come to a close, I'd just like to take a moment to thank all of those men and women and their amazing families who are serving, or have served this great country. We are so blessed, and we remember you and THANK you. It's because of the sacrifices you all have made that we can celebrate so freely and enjoy all of our blessings. So from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you! Happy Fourth of July!

Teah and I at the pub (Tommy and I had a night out--how fun!!!--Thanks Mimi and Grandpa! ;)


Here are all all of the Girls our favorite pub!


The Street Fair!


Connor and Mimi on the Merry Go Round--another tradition that we've started!

Why??!!?

To all fellow mothers of toddlers (soon to be pre-schoolers):

I just had to stop doing the much needed task of folding laundry for 2 minutes (even though I probably only have about 5 until the baby wakes up and the whole house is disasterous--but that's a different post altogether :), to write about the current favorite word in our household...WHY?!?

A conversation might go something like this:

Me: "Connor, please keep working on putting your toys away."
Connor: "Why, Mama?"
Me: "Because I asked you to."
Connor: "Why, Mama?"......
*5 minutes later*
Me: "Connor, there are still toys all over the living room, and I want to vaccuum in a minute, can you please keep working?"
Connor: "But, why, Mama."
Me: "Because we need to put the things away that we get out, otherwise our house is a disaster and we can't even walk in it!"
Connor: "Why, Mama?"

And so it goes, and so it goes........

Seriously, he answers every question, statement, dangling preposition, with "Why?" right now...it's a little cute, and a little annoying. :) Most of the time I find that if I just sigh and move on, he forgets he even asked the question. And, by the way, the living room still looks like a tornado hit it, it's ten after five and I barely made headway with any housework today...I find myself asking our favorite question, "Why???" :)