School pictures

CLM does school pictures every year and this year since James is still at CLM for 4K - they offered a sibling option. I figured it was worth a shot --- and wow did they do a wonderful job! 

This is Isaac's preschool class - his two buddies are Noah and Beckett - Front row - 1st and 4th from the left. 

And here is our little dude! 

 

Looks like he is rying to squeeze that pumpkin! 

 

Gotta love the props! 

Now these are my favorites --- as much as I love to take pictures - this company certainly has a gift for making kids smile nice :) 

Look at these two?!? 

 

They told us about this pose the day the photos were taken, but they said that James was sitting on Isaac :) 

 

Aren't they cute?!? 

We will be hopefully getting rights to the grey background photos - and then can print you any size you like. Let me know if you need these sweet faces starting back at you in your home or office :) 

Also, in case you are wondering - Jimmy's photos were taken through the school district and were not great - so we will be getting the camera out soon to get a recent photo of him too! 

Jimmy's 5th Birthday

Clearly that adult only weekend was too much fun - I forgot to finish Jimmy's birthday post :) 

We had an awesome time celebrating James turning 5 with some family and friends. 

It was a Packer Sunday and the weather was beautiful so there were people and kids inside and outside all day. 

 

Lots of littles running around and plenty of toys and kid food  too! 

Parker and his cousin Daniel  enjoying and early dinner. 

Allie and Leo playing Paw Patrol 

 

Outside fun in the bounce house and water balloons too. 

The little kids had them pretty well spent before the big kids made it back from the park. 

A big crowd calls for a big cake! 

 

One of my favorite parts about birthdays is seeing the kids reaction to the cake. 

Patrick and I always make it after they are in bed so it is a surprise. 

Both boys were thrilled! 

 

Now that is a happy birthday boy! 

 

When the party is over and you don't really want to try and save the rest of the cake --- 

two forks it is :) 

Happy Birthday Jimmy James!

Door County with friends!

As much as we didn't want summer to be over - we had an awesome weekend this fall to look forward to. Jake and Amy were getting married in Door County and we had rented a sweet little cottage  with the Hebels on the shores of Kangaroo Lake (near Bailey's Harbor)! 

Did I mention we also made it a 3 day weekend? 

Needless to say, we were up in Fish Creek by 11am and ready for some fun! 

 

The view from our cottage --- Friday was a beautiful fall day! 

 

This was our rental. There are actually 5 of them and would be super fun for a large family to rent them all sometime... 

 

We spent the afternoon playing yard games and drinking adult beverages... did I mention that this was an adult only weekend?!? (I think Amy's Mom thinks we don't actually have children, cause we never have them when we see her!) 

 

We even took the row boat out before dinner - the weather was starting to shift a bit and so was the wind - I think we were lucky we made it back in to the dock in time for dinner! 

 

Especially with these two rowing... to be fair the oars were two different lengths... :) 

Love this picture --- I think it was taken right after we didn't lose the bags bet... :) 

We got a text at midnight on Friday night that the reception was being moved... 

the weather shift also "shifted" the tent and this is what Saturday morning looked like...

 

It was all hands on deck to move the wedding and while I know it was not what the bride and groom wanted, it was pretty cool to see everyone that cares about them jump into action to make it happen. 

These two continued to amaze me all day - not many couples would have rolled with the punches the way they did --- but it was a fantastic party in their honor and we had a wonderful time! 

 

Our Fondy table --- :) 

Until the one year anniversary party.... which will be sunny and lovely and also, hopefully adults only! Jimmy and Ikey - I promise you will get to go to Door County eventually! 

Celebrating with WINGS!

It has become a tradition that we celebrate Jimmy's birthday with wings from Buffalo Wild Wings. 

Though here are some fun facts about this event: 

We typically call it BW3s (apprently an old name  that even the currently employees don't use?!?) 

Isaac used to call it Fa Fa 3s and everyone just understood. 

Neither kid gets wings (or even chicken) when we go there! 

This year we took Jimmy's friend Avery with us - they share the same birthday and it was fun to celebrate them together!It was pretty great to have room for 3 in the back seat --- the boys love Daddy's new truck! 

Silly boys - just being 5 year olds, I think :) 

Can't you just see this same picture in about 16 years?!? 

We made little goodie bags with coloring books and crayons and silly putty for entertainment. 

They were super impressed that you could copy the coloring page on the putty - which should have helped me find the "missing" putty smashed between the coloring pages in the book the next day! 

 

Again - the goofiness was in full effect! 

These two have a pretty great time together! 

I think this was the first time I have ever been to BW3s with more milk bottles on the table than beer glasses/ bottles. I would invest in MILK now --- our family will make you rich! 

They next morning we did presents and James got his first Nerf toy! 

We had also watched Captain Underpants the night before --- James was pumped up -- and clearly the theme carried into the next day.... 

Captain Underpants and his side kick "itchy" :)

 

We also got a target to aim at... you know, instead of family members or breakables... 

It's pretty great being five!

South Haven 2017

We were lucky enough to get some time in South Haven again this September and clearly Mother Nature approved - because we had just about the best weather weekend of the summer! 

The first time we went to South Haven I think I might have had on everything in my suitcase (at the same time) most of the weekend... this year... swim suits and sunscreen! 

We made the most of a long weekend and got there Thursday night - late. 

And when Friday morning looks like this --- you know you made the right choice! 

 

Same as the cottage, Lake Michigan ebbs and flows in terms of beach front - but I guess I never really noticed it. Last time we were there, we probably had 20+ feet of beach - this year, the dunes were almost in the water. 

 

Apparently over the years this theme has continued and there are full swing sets and playhouses buried here too. Crazy! (Patrick wants to bring a shovel next time!) 

What could be better than this? 

 

Can't seem to turn this picture around - but I love the bright colors - so turn your head please! 

Both boys (and all the other kids) loved the beach and the space and the freedom! 

The big mat was also a huge hit --- the kids played ALL DAY! 

 

The Ulrich boys and the Ellestad boys - just digging in the sand. 

One of my favorite parts of the weekend was just being "moms" with these ladies --- it was just fun and easy and whichever kid needed something - a mom took care of it. Big Love style :) 

 

Love both of these pictures of Beth and Callie loving up on their littles --- clearly we all had a fantastic time! 

 

We also enjoyed some girl time and plenty of yummy beachy beverages :) 

 

The guys had a blast too - lots of football and fun on the beach - they even build a throne of drift wood and Patrick found the ultimate walking stick :) 

 

Group photo of many of the kids --- 

Thanks again for an awesome weekend!