Here we go again...

Here we go again...our annual family vacation to Ludington, Michigan!  This year was once again a fantastic time. 

The weather was fabulous...it was in the 70's most of the week, getting down to the low 60's in the evening.  Everyone was able to make it this year, which was an added bonus.  Tai and Eric had to leave early for work, but we were just glad they both got to come up!

 

The little kids (and even the not so little kids) had a blast all week.  They celebrated the summer birthdays, ate ice cream at House of Flavors, swam in the lake, took boat rides, went fishing, played board games, watched movies, went to see Turbo at the theater, and spent lots and lots of time playing with their cousins! 

We also took the kids to Sand Castles Children's Museum.  The kiddos love this place, and we make sure we go every year!

The big kids had fun too!  Mom and Dad watched all of the children one night so that the siblings could have a night out together.  We went to dinner downtown and then headed over to Lake Michigan, took a stroll, and watched a ship pull out of port. 

There is nothing better than a week with your family to remind you how much you love each other and why there is no one that loves you quite like family does :)  It was a perfect vacation...no schedules, no alarm clocks, and lots of time to relax!

 

Summer fun

Uncle Matt got the kiddos glow sticks for the movie tonight.  Ben and Addie destroyed theirs pretty quickly :)

4 Months

Kyran had a great 4 month check-up last week.  He weighed 16 lbs and 1 oz, is 26 1/2 inches long, and his head size was off the charts (just like big brother)!  He's around 62% for weight and 94% for height...he's already wearing 9 month clothes because everything else isn't long enough!   He had two shots and a drink and did just fine :)  We also started him on food at night and he seems to be loving it!

A get-away!

Andy and I were able to go away for the weekend to Galena, IL.  It was such a nice get-away, and one that was much needed.  The day we were set to leave, we found out that Andy's grandpa had passed away.  He had been bad for quite a while, and Andy had made several trips to visit him before he passed.  After talking to the family, we decided to still go.  They were already planning to wait until after the weekend for the funeral, so we would be back in time, and quite honestly, I think Andy wanted to get away for a few days to just be with his thoughts. 

Galena was the perfect place to do this!  It was absolutely beautiful.  The countryside was breathtaking and the architecture was fantastic.  It's such a historical city, and we look forward to coming back very soon!  Thankfully, my mom agreed to watch the boys while we were gone.  I think Kyran gave her a run for her money (he was a bit fussy), but she was a real trooper and even managed to make seven pies for the funeral dinner!

 

This was in the park beside U. S. Grant's home.  You can see Galena in the background.

We drove over to Dubuque to see the Mississippi

Kyran's Baptism

This past Sunday, we celebrated Kyran's baptism.  We were so happy to be able to celebrate with our family and friends.  Kyran, of course, cried through the entire baptism...and then stopped the second it was over!  Dad was able to get all the crying on video, so we'll be able to relive it again and again!

After the baptism, we all came back to the house for lunch and swimming.  The kiddos had a great time.  The weather was fabulous, nice and cool with a breeze, and the pool was warm!  It was a great day for everyone, especially for our sweet baby boy!

Getting ready for his big day.

 Kyran with his parents and godparents (my brother and Andy's sister)

 

 Grandma Debbie made a beautiful cake!

 

They are such cuties!

 



Disney World!

We just got back from our vacation to Disney World, and we had an absolute blast!  We were beginning to think the trip was doomed at the beginning...my sister had an emergency surgery the week before, my father-in-law had to go in for a stint the day we were supposed to leave, my sister's daughter came down with a 103 temperature the day before we were to leave, our babysitter noticed a hernia on Kyran the day before the trip (after a quick doctor visit, we found out it was perfectly harmless and will heal itself), and to top it all off, we got a flat tire on the camper on the way down!!!  We had to make some travel changes - Stacey flew down with the girls, and my in-laws left two days later.  Even with all this, we kept pushing through so that we could have some fun with our family and friends!

This was our fourth trip with Ben, and our first with Kyran.  We were a little worried on how Kyran would do, but he did great!  Once again, Grandma Debbie came to the rescue and offered to fly down with Kyran so that he wouldn't have to ride two days in the truck (since we pulled my in-laws camper down to the Disney Campground).  We had lots of family and friends with us on this trip.  My mom came, my sister with her two girls, my in-laws, and our great friends Chad and Callie, and their three kiddos.  It was so much fun experiencing Disney with all of them.  It was the first Disney trip for five of the seven kiddos, so that was so much fun seeing them experience the Disney magic for the first time!  After a week in Disney, we headed home (with Kyran in the truck this time).  We decided to take our time so that we didn't push him too much, so we stopped in Savannah, Asheville, and Pigeon Forge...so much fun!

We made lots and lots of memories, and took lots and lots of pictures.  This trip won't soon be forgotten...and hopefully we'll get to repeat it again soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kyran - 2 Month Stats

My little guy went for his 2 month check-up this week and got a great report!  He's growing like a weed, pushing up with his arms, holding his head up very well, and is very alert. 

2 month stats:
Height - 24 1/4 inches (78%)
Weight - 13 lbs, 10 1/2 oz (92%)
Head - HUGE!!! 42.1 cm (100+%)

Obviously, we grow some boys with some pretty big heads, but that's fine with us :)  Here are Ben's 2 month stats, just for comparison:

Height: 24 inches
Weight: 13 lb, 15 oz
Head: 43 cm