Father's Day Festivities:  Boating, Fishing, Grilling, and Golfing

Father's Day weekend was chocked full of exciting dad-type activities.  Saturday we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon on Grandpa and Grandma J.'s boat where the boys got to fish and we all soaked in the beautiful weather on the lake.  Sunday Dave golfed in the morning and we spent the rest of the day relaxing at home.

We knew Carter would have a great time on Saturday, he's always loved the boat and he was especially excited to bring his fishing pole and worms on this trip.

 
Mia has been on the boat a few times but never seemed too interested in what we were doing.  This visit was different though, she seemed especially thrilled to cruise around the lake and she squealed at everything!  She did so much pointing, laughing, and clapping her hands in excitement, we were all laughing with her.  Grandpa is pleased to have a little boater on his hands!  (She didn't even seem to mind wearing her very constricting life jacket)!

 


We cruised around looking for a good fishing spot while the boys got their lines ready.  Nobody caught anything but they had fun trying.  After we got back to the marina they tried a few more casts off the dock.  I think Carter had more fun playing with the worms than actually fishing.

Worms!

After the fishing, we grilled burgers and stuffed ourselves with Grandma's delicious food.  We hope Grandpa loved the meal for several reasons, first, because he's a wonderful Dad and Grandpa and he deserves a delicious meal, and second, because this was a last meal of sorts before his upcoming surgery that Monday.  For more details on the surgery, see Elsa and Claire's blog post "A Spur-of-the-moment Trip" (we have a link to their blog on the right side of our page).  My sister did an incredibly nice post on his condition and surgery.  We're happy to report the surgery went well and whenever Grandpa gets back on solid food, we hope to have another wonderful picnic like this one!

Carter and Mia love their wonderful Daddy and send out lots of hugs and kisses to both Grandpa J. and Grandpa P. (we can't wait to see you in August Grandpa P.)!

Big Girl!

Mia started using a spoon by herself the other day.  She can maneuver it pretty well with sticky things like mashed potatoes and oatmeal.  She seems to LOVE her new found independence in this area.  She looked like such a big girl doing it, I had to snap some pictures. 

Indiana Fun

We went down to Wilkinson, Indiana this past weekend to visit Dave's family.  We haven't been down there in a few years and it worked out well for all of us up here in Michigan (our family, Mark, Kathy, Max, Dave's Mom, and Josh) to converge down there on the same weekend for a big party.  

We stayed with Jean, Dave's cousin, and her kids, Jessi and Nick.  We come with a lot of gear when we travel so we really appreciate them letting us take over their house for the weekend!

I'll let our pictures tell the story of our weekend:

Lots of trampoline action

Learning to skateboard (Mia and Nick)...

And how to play basketball (Mia and Mikey)

Relaxing and catching up (Aunt Carol and Grandma Webb)

Hanging with Uncle Mark...

And Kathy...

And Jessi

 

Time out from all the playing to catch a quick nap (Jessi and Carter)

Being goofy

A tournament of bean bags

Chatting with the gentle giant, Gus

Playing in the rain (she LOVED it!)

Going for mini-tractor rides (Mia and Max)

Devouring chocolate strawberries

Trying out the really cool 360 big-wheels (WAY cooler than the old school big-wheels)

Even Daddy had to try them out

And last but not least...the trampoline to puddle jumping.  This should get some explanation.  After a quick downpour on Saturday afternoon, a huge puddle emerged near the trampoline area.  This huge, muddy puddle became hours of entertainment for the kids.  From driving trucks through the muck, to leaping off the trampoline into it.  I thought for sure Carter wouldn't do it, he's not the most daring kid ever.  But after watching Max and the other kids for about 10 minutes, Carter decided it looked like way too much fun to miss out.

Ready, set...

GO!

Not the prettiest landing, but it will do

After countless jumps, the kids decided to call it quits.  We took Carter straight to the shower and bed.  I think they all slept VERY well that night!

A very special thanks to Jean, Jessi, Nick, Kenny, and Carol.  You guys put up with us all weekend and we really appreciate it!  We had so much fun!  We can't wait to come visit again.

Our 'Kickoff to Summer' Weekend

We had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  The weather was gorgeous and HOT and we were able to have a relaxing yet fun filled weekend. 

On Saturday we hung outside at home for most of the morning and afternoon.  The kids played in the bounce house, the kiddie pool, and play set while Dave and I did some landscaping and other projects. 

Mia's favorite thing to do with the bounce house is exit and slide down the slide.

When I asked Carter what he was doing he replied - "I'm fixing Mia's 4-wheeler, there's something loose and it's not riding good."  Spoken like a true mechanic.

The first toe dip is always shocking.

It's more fun to play around the pool than in the pool.

Then Saturday late afternoon we headed to Grandpa and Grandma J.'s boat.  We hung out on the boat for a bit while the kids had fun exploring the cabin and deck.  Since we couldn't stay long enough to go out for a sail we took the kids for a nice walk around the marina and waterfront area and we even stopped to check out the local submarine.

Carter's favorite part, steering the big wheel.

Hanging out with Grandpa.

A quick squeeze from both Grandpa and Grandma.

Walking along the waterfront.

Checking out the submarine guns.  Carter asked, "can I shoot it, just once, pleeeeeease."

Mia is checking out Dave and Carter up on the sub deck.

Aboard the U.S.S. Drum (this was a kid's play version of the real sub along the waterfront).  It was very fitting to check out the real sub and give thanks for their efforts on this Memorial Day weekend.

Sunday we headed to Uncle Mark's house for a BBQ and splash fest in his huge blow up pool.  The kids spent almost the entire time in Mark's pool and were incredibly water logged by the end of the day.  We even brought our dogs, who haven't been in the car except for vet visits, in about 2 years.  They were excited to say the least.  With Josh's puppy, our two dogs, Mark's two dogs and a few neighbors' dogs wandering over to check things out, there were a lot of animals.  There were also quite a few kids, Carter and Mia really enjoyed playing with Max, Kathy's son, and Scott's two girls, Brynn and Ingrid.  Brynn (who is 9 years old) absolutely loves Mia and is the best little babysitter.  She was glued to Mia all day and Mia loved playing with her.

From left to right:  Carter, Brynn, Max, Mia, and Ingrid

Carter braving the big water slide.

Max

We put Mia at the half way mark on the slide and gently let her go down, she LOVED it.

Taking a break from the pool action.

Carter learned to ride Max's scooter, which he then gave to Carter since he has two!

Monday was lower key and we were all glad to have a nice restful day.  We didn't go anywhere and it was raining for most of the day so we stayed inside and did a lot of playing in the playroom and just relaxing. 

Happy Memorial Day everyone!