Boatless

Turns out what we thought was the starter ended up being the engine...so we had no boat on Saturday morning. The kids and I decided to go for a walk on the docks early in the morning. We also wanted to check out the beach.

It was perfect for a day of playing. The kids LOVED it! Emma was really into digging holes on the beach. She said she was making little lakes.

Olivia wanted to test out the water. It was still a little chilly outside, but she didn't care.

The beach had a lot of sand and the kids dug right in.

Marc, Steve and Chad just watched from afar. Steve is the owner of the broken boat so he wasn't too happy at this point.

Marcus was a fish. He spent a lot of time swimming around in the water.

Olivia wasn't far behind.

More sand.

Emma worked the entire day on this cool castle. She dug the little lake that you see Marcus playing in. Mia helped Emma with her construction project.

Here is the finished castle and lake. The castle is hard to see here, but it sits right by that green shovel. She had seaweed wrapped around it and a stick on top. It was really quite creative. She came up with it all on her own.

Marcus just liked to bury himself in sand which was fine too.

We stopped for lunch; the perfect place for these kids; in the back of a truck. It keeps everyone from running around in traffic.

Eventful Night

Friday afternoon we headed to Priest Lake for some camping and boating with friends. We got there and set up camp right away. Emma claimed her pink chair.

Olivia wanted to be a big girl and claimed the adult chair. We ate dinner and headed out for a quick night of boating.

The kids are ready with their life vests on. They are so excited! This is the first visit to the lake this year!

We got in the boat and put out the tube. Marcus jumped right in before we could even ask if he wanted to go. He was ready. He's never done this before but wasn't scared one bit. Mia and Shania went with him to make sure he didn't try to bail out...that would be a Marcus thing to do after all.

He had a blast. It was so cute to see such a little guy out there. He was very far away...I just have a good zoom on my camera.

Next was Olivia's turn. She was so excited and jumped right on too. No fear here!

Emma didn't really want to go but we talked her into it. She said it was fun, but this will be the only tubing picture you see of her; this was her first and only time going all weekend; she preferred the safety of the boat instead.

This is Kyla, our 8-year old friend. Marcus had a little crush on Kyla; where ever Kyla was you could find Marcus close behind.

All the kids got one turn on the tub and then the boat broke down. Marcus was worn out so he just rested while he waited for the boys to figure out what was wrong.

We were stranded in the middle of the lake and it was getting chilly and dark. Olivia was very worried about it.

Emma did her best to ease Olivia's mind. She didn't seem affected at all. Somehow she knew it would all be okay.

We couldn't get the boat to start again but luckily a nice couple came by in their boat with warm blankets and a tow rope and they towed us back to the marina.

We were all relived to be going back to our campsite. It was just in time too...notice the sun setting in the background?

Marc was starting his birthday celebration early. He had to show off his big muscles for the camera...41 looks good on him :-)

We met Baylor

We went to the West side to meet our new nephew, Baylor James, who was born early Thursday morning. We drove to Grami and Poppi's Friday night and woke up early Saturday waiting for the phone call from Colby and Kimmie telling us when they got home from the hospital. Then we hit the road for a couple hour drive to their house.

And here he is...Baylor James (LOVE that name!)...he was so sweet. Almost made me want another (I did say almost).

Marcus was so excited...finally a BOY cousin on this side of the family. If you haven't noticed prior to this there were 7 cousins on Marc's side and Marcus was the ONLY boy. Marcus thought he was pretty cool!

Is this not the sweetest face you've ever seen? I just love babies. He weighed 9 lbs when he was born, he still looks so small to me though.

Olivia is always a natural with the babies.

Even Marcus wanted to hold him. He just kept saying "He's so cute Mommy...I just love him".

Emma got her turn too. She keeps saying "I just can't get enough of him...he SO cute!"

The kids were a little disappointed that Elle wasn't there...she was with her other set of grandparents. However, they sure did enjoy her toys. We really need to get Marcus a piano. He's a natural...noise maker that is.

The girls checked out Elle's room and found her cool house tucked in the corner.

We said our final goodbyes after a couple of hours. Grami wanted to hold little Baylor one last time.

He decided to wake up just as we were leaving to make sure he saw us so he could recognize us again the next time he sees us. He even waved goodbye...what a baby!

Congratulations Colby, Kimmie and Elle. You've got a wonderful new addition to your family. Can't wait to see you all again soon!

Weekend in Eburg

We spent the weekend at Grami and Poppi's house and some of the cousins were there too. Emma found the creek right away.

It was pretty hot outside so most of the kids' time was spent in the creek.

Even Gia spent some time playing in the creek with the other kids. Looks as if she's saying "Are you kidding me?"

Marcus is still the only boy in the bunch so he was a bit of a loner at times. No worries though, he found a lot to keep himself occupied.

When they weren't in the creek, they were in the hot tub. Grami and Poppie built this cool cabana; the perfect hangout for this group of girls. Don't they look so grown up sitting on the edges chatting away. Wow...how did they grow up so fast?

Marcus joins the group for a photo.

We made it home by noon on Sunday and decided to just relax in the pool. Marc and Marcus LOVE this pool! So sweet!

A little Father/Son time.

Olivia just watched from the sidelines for a while. She did eventually get into her swimsuit and swim a little too.

Two thumbs up! They approve of this HOT weather we are finally having.

Here's Olivia all wet from being in the pool. We love summer!

Marcus is learning all kinds of new tricks on the play set. I have to say it's scaring me a little...but he seems indestructible so far. He has fallen a couple of times but seems to bounce right back up without shedding one tear.

He's an active and tough boy this one...I just need to take a deep breath and let him go. Oh boy!