South Haven 2019

School started and summer is over --- but thankfully, we still had one more "fun in the sun" weekend to look forward to --- SOUTH HAVEN! 

It was chilly and windy the first day - but that doesn't stop the kids! 

Better waves for the splash pad! 

And the sand! No beach at Pearl Lake this summer --- the boys were thrilled to dig all day! 

Endless yard games with comfy clothes and cocktails! 

Even with the clouds - what a view! 

Did I mention we made the trip with just the BIGS? 

Anna got a mini-vacay at Pearl Lake. 

Good choice all around - she would have been man-handled by all the kids! 

We have a very similar picture from our first trip to South Haven 10 years ago! 

Just a chilly and windy! 

No trip to South Haven is complete with out a trip to the ice cream shop! 

Silly boys! 

We did get a warm and sunny day! 

The kids played jump and catch the football with the dads for a LOOOOONG time! 

Brother friends! 

Beth's family has a long tradition of painting rocks in the yard and then decorating the walkways and/or house with them. The kids thought this was FANTASTIC! 

All the kiddos after a dice game that involved lots of presents! 

Cooking for a family of 27 - no problem! 

Love spending time with these guys! 

We LOVE South Haven! 

Hops

For the second summer we grew hops in our garden. It is really more of a novelty project for our friends that brew delicious beer - whether they can use them or not - it is fun to watch them grow! 

Labor Day weekend was harvest weekend and the boys were happy to help! 

Patrick offered them a penny for each bud they snipped from the vines. 

They were excited to get started! 

Anna napped and we sat on the deck drinking beer and Root beer and smelling the yummy hops! 

The boys stuck with it - so the price was bumped up to 2 cents per to keep the laborers happy! 

I think at the end of the day they each cut a couple hundred! 

#onlyinWI

#beerstate 

#beermodel 

Anna turns one!

Hard to believe how fast this year went! How can our little miss be one already?!? 

I have jumped on the girlie bandwagon harder than I expected --- but we are going with it! 

I wanted a bow for her birthday and ended up with a pack of 20 for the price I would have been willing to pay for one... we tested a few out to see if she would be willing to wear one on her special day... 

Then it became a game - find one that matches (pretty easy with 20) 

and snap a photo before she rips it off (not as easy!) 

Traditional birthday banner was ready to go - let the party begin! 

I could not have posed her better --- still not standing a ton on her own, but she was happy to prop herself against the foot stool and pop her foot for the photo WITH the bow! 

smash cake for our "Banana Girl" 

Happy birthday Anna! 

Girl time in the kitchen 

So much love for this little girl :) 

"Why is my toy on this pink thing?" 

Definitely NOT her first taste of sugar - but she was happy to chow down nonetheless! 

There was a theme to her gifts --- every girl needs a lot of purses! 

Plus headbands and musical shakers! 

Thank you to everyone that made my birthday so special 

--- Kisses to you all! 

Time for School!

School picture day --- I think this shot it better than either actual picture --- :) 

This is Jimmy's teacher --- Mrs. Adams

She loves Minions! 

James was not feeling 100% so I dropped off his supplies for him and snapped so photos of his classroom! 

The day before school started we took a family bike ride downtown for breakfast! 

The boys were thrilled there are still some Bucky's to spot on the square --- I think this might be Anna's first Bucky photo! 

This kid is ready for 1st grade! 

Awkward family photo! 

Leave it to John Maniaci to capture that sweet smile as James jumped off the bus at school! 

Isaac was equally excited for his first day the next morning! 

Its gonna be a great year! 

Cousins at Pearl Lake

We ended the summer with a long weekend at Pearl Lake with the Rubles! 

So happy to have them back in the Midwest :) 

Annual scavenger hunt! 

TJ was loving the Anna time! 

Anna enjoyed lots of cousin time and all the toys that came with 3 extra boys in the house! 

New Pearl Lake shirts for everyone! 

When it gets chilly on the boat --- pile on Grammy! 

We took a day trip to Green Bay --- so fun! 

Subway for lunch --- the kids table! 

In the afternoon we went to Bay Beach - so fun! 

Got to try a double swing --- totally worth the dizzy swing feeling to see her joy up close! 

Big kids and Moms on the Zippin' Pippin! 

Last day together at the lake - chilly and cloudy - but that didn't stop them! 

Action shot! 

Until next time!