Michigan Family Trip [Day 2]

Our morning got off to a delayed start. Yesterday the back tire of our van seemed to be "off", it wasn't flat, but it wasn't right and it was causing a vibration. Ben had called a couple places along the way, but they couldn't work us in. So this morning, we took it to Midas...then walked to the closest breakfast place, Denny's. I couldn't have been more thrilled....not true, but Ben truly was..he loves any breakfast restaurant.

I had to take a picture of that guy with his "saw" cane...I had glanced over there and thought, what is that guy doing with a hand saw on his leg. Nice.

Everything checked out just fine. Apparently, there is a set about of caked on dirt or gunk your tire can allow for...2 oz. We had driven on a really, really wet gravel the night before we left...and they cleaned out 6 oz of gravel, that he said was like cement since it was wet. Anyway, they were super helpful and took care of it for free...so that was VERY nice.

Traffic through the Chicago area was stop and go...but other than that, our travels went fine.

We were all ready to get out by the time we got there.

We ate at the Cone Corral, a pizza and diner/ice cream place just around the corner from we were staying. 

We all were happy to have arrived. It was a small place, but will work just fine!

Christian says so happily, "Our house is TINY!! Where's the basement??" (because we all know basements = toys)

Michigan Family Trip [Day 1]

This past spring we decided to pick a spot to go this summer for a family vacation. We decided either Oregon or Michigan, mostly for the weather and scenery. We got on VRBO, found a small place available the end of June, and booked it! 

My super helpful assistant, Jonah, laying on all my things to pack for the trip.

Along the way, we stopped at a place in Hannibal, MO called Big River Train Town. It had a large train set, some of which had controls to adjust their speed, or others you could push a button and a small figurine would do a little something. The boys loved it. The lady that ran the place was a bit odd, but then again, a woman in her 60's running a train museum...I think that's kind of a given.

It was a nice stop to break up the day. We kept driving until Champaign, IL...stopped at a local pizza place, Papa Del's. Really good pizza, but super tired boys...they laid down in the booth the majority of supper. 

We got checked in to the hotel, and soon went to bed! Everyone was pretty tired.

June Everyday-ness

The every-ness that took place in June...

Phil and Diana brought supper, and stayed for the evening. The boys and Grandma H were checking out the HUGE toad that lives under that big hosta plant.

Jonah hasn't given up his desire to climb on anything, anywhere! 

One morning, Noah was eating breakfast and called out to Christian, "Christian, can you get my glaaaass-es??" Christian got up from the couch and while he's getting them, says, "I'll go get them...(pause) even though its not on the menu today!" Then he proceeds to come out like this to give them to Noah.

We found some treasures at the city garage sales....puzzles for Noah was definitely a one of them!

We got to see our new little baby for the first time!! Everything looks good...which is always SUCH a relief to hear.

All three boys had a very up close experience on watching Grandpa and Grandma's sunroom being built. They were all very intrigued with the steps along along the way.

Christian lost his very FIRST tooth while we were eating with Great Grandpa John. He said mid-meal, I think my tooth is ready now...so we got up and went to the bathroom, and he wanted to pull it out himself. The restaurant gave him a very large cup of homemade ice cream to celebrate!!!

Our bathroom demo has begun at our house! The spectators are here...and the main contractor, Ben, has started to gut the whole thing!

We have had some heavy thunderstorms...which I don't mind one bit. The one evening the electricity stayed off for quite some time. The boys were building marshmallow creations, with toothpicks by light of a flashlight. That night, we ended up staying at Grandpa and Grandma's house, as they had electricity!

 We started having some WARMER days...which means popsicle treats to cool off!!

Father's Day [2016]

I am blessed to be married to a man that is SUCH a good Daddy. He is patient, yet very playful. I am so glad the boys have a good role model!

I worked 7a-3p...but later in the afternoon we went over to Mom and Dad's to swim and have supper.

I am also very blessed to have my Dad...a very loving, hard working, generous man!!

Happy Father's Day!!

Fourth Little Blessing

We found out on Mother's Day, there will be another little baby joining our family ~ 

a January baby! Very thankful for this fourth blessing.

I drew this masterpiece to "tell" Christian and Noah about the new baby. Christian looked at it, and said all our names....and then said, "and there's Eliana." When I said, "That's not who it is...its someone in our family." He smiled real big and said, "YOU'RE having another baby?!?!?!"

Wheat Pictures [2016]

This year's wheat pictures kind of snuck up on me. Saturday after supper, Noah and I went to find "the field" for the year. I had a very genuine, after-supper-its-hot-outside looking 3 year old to take a couple test shots.

We went back home to change our clothes, and bring the rest of the family back. Our photography crew (Mom and Dad) met us there in a bit..and a couple hundred pictures later, we had TWO decent family pictures :) Each child shared responsibility for making this a difficult task, but Noah was definitely Number 1 in that department. 

Several outtakes that were just kind of comical...after the fact.

The ONLY picture where we are all looking and almost all smiling :)

And our three precious, little boys...who had no interest in taking pictures or making it an easy task.

...but we attempted it regardless.