Beach Babes and Stormy Weather

Today was great. Jen called me this morning and asked if I would like to go with her and the kids to the beach. Today was a perfect day for the beach especially since Mike & I kept our promise to Ali this past Sunday when we were sand blasted with (what felt like) 90 mile an hour winds. The kids had a ton of fun swimming in the warm water and playing in the sand. Ethan had enough after an hour and fell asleep under the umbrella. When we got home Alison took a bath so she could sleep well for her nap, and I did my pregnancy pilates. Wow! My butt & legs hurt so bad I could barely keep up...actually I didn't. I quit here and there...shhh. After dinner the weather turned and a storm hit West Michigan. It was too short of course, but it was fun to see it come in. I took some pictures of the storm front. Hope you enjoy!!

Ali was just pretending...she wanted to be like Ethan.

The storm front...

Cabin Fever? No Way, Jose!

This past weekend we spent at my Dad & Barb's cabin. It's always a great time getting away from the "real world" and relaxing. We arrived Thursday evening and had some pizza (my favorite of course).

Friday my sister Sheri & Shaun arrived (a day early...what a great surprise!). Honestly we didn't do much, but it was great. Alison was invited to the cabin next door (my parents best friends) to play in the pool with twins 6 months younger. She is such a stinker...as Emma was contently playing in "her" pool Alison decided to take over and grab Emma's toys and then proceeded to dump a bucket of water over Emma's head! When she knew she did something wrong she dumped the bucket over her own head to act like she was just being funny. That evening we had a great steak dinner and then sat around the fire before heading to bed.

Saturday we went boating on Diamond Lake. Alison wasn't a happy camper on Saturday and was quite sassy to everyone including Grandpa Denny. Apparently the boat is now hers. She would not let my dad sit in the drivers seat and would say to him "Don't touch my boat, Grandpa Denny!!". My dad also made the mistake of showing her where the horn button is...not his fault. The ideas are always fun, aren't they? She also found the throttle. She was happy once we reached the beach though and played in the water. That evening the rest of the fam had hotdogs over the fire & pizza pies made in those iron things...can't remember what they are called. I was not hungry because I was becoming severely ill with the worst sinus infection I've ever had...so I decided to go with a s'more and a piece of Barb's birthday cake...fantastic. Baby Podjan loved it as well :-).

Here are some pictures of our time away.




Grandpa Denny is always so serious!

Ali is being a tad daring squatting in the water.

Aunt Sheri & Alison...she is finally happy!


Ali had a ton of fun helping Grandma Barb wash the windows in the new sunroom!

"Don't touch my boat Grandpa Denny!!"

Mommy & Alison

Grandpa Denny & Alison Friday morning hangin' out.

Alison and her cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Washing windows again :-)

IT'S A BOY!...as many of you already know.

So Mike and I found out last Wednesday that we will be (God willing) welcoming a son into our home. Mike is more than thrilled. He is already searching the Internet for rockstar onsies for him. I am thrilled as well. I'm becoming more excited about a boy by the day. It was a little shocking to me because I was 99.9% sure I was having another girl.

I love this video because it appears he is sneezing...but I'm not sure that's possible? Anyway, it is a very exciting time for us.

Today's the BIG day!

I have my ultrasound this morning at 8:45. I'm hoping they will be able to see what I am having, but if not oh well. I'm more so praying the baby appears to be healthy. I will post again later to let you all know the results!!

Summer's here!!! It's pool time!

Today was a perfect day. I woke up early so I could drink my cup of coffee in peace. When Ali woke up we cuddled for a little while before heading to Grand Rapids to visit Jeremy, Jenni, Ethan & Henry and see their new condo. After some Mac & Cheese we headed back to town to pick up a new swimming pool for Alison. I actually got a bigger one so I could utilize it as well :-). During her nap I was in the pool soaking up the rays. Here are a couple of shots from when she went in after her nap. She forgot we picked up a pool and her face was priceless when I had her look out the window and see the pool was ready to go. Sorry...no snap shot of that one. You'll have to take my word for it.


Testing the waters...a little cool.


Look at me mommy!


Mom, I'll do it myself for goodness sake!


One of Ali's many funny faces...this is her acting like
she's swimming.

Memorial Day Parade

Gampy & Alison


Alison holding the Memorial Rose


A little out of order, but Ali was very tired after the
festivities.


Maga & Alison

Daddy's first parade with the family. He is SO
excited to go!

Uncle Harve & Oma in front of the bakery.

Alison turned 2!!

Ali's new princess dress from G.G. (Great Grandma)

Ali opening her makeup kit from Christie. She
Loves to be pretty!

Ali's beautiful cake. Aren't I such an artist?
Just kidding, it was ordered :-)

More Tulip Time

Alison & Ethan watching Aunt Sheri dance


Alison at her first Tulip Time parade. She
LOVES the marching band.

A picture of a child smelling the tulips is a must!

Tiptoes through the Tulips

Well...here are some pictures from our last Tulip Time event. Ali loved going "downtown" to see her Aunt Sheri dance and see all the people. This is all my computer would let me download for now so I apologize their are not more. I will post some soon!

What was that Mike?

So...as many of you have read on a previous blog Mike felt that I was not keeping up with the blog and sharing our life with you as often as we may like. Funny though...the last post from him was back in April. It's now June. I promise I will try my best to post our happenings, but as many of you know life gets pretty busy at times. Since the last post Alison turned 2!! She still doesn't understand that she is no longer 1, but we keep asking her.

Anyway...I tried doing new pictures for you, but our Internet has been having "upload" problems and it's being fixed Saturday...more to come :-)

It's OFFICIAL!

I wanted to share the fantastic news that Jen & Jeremy are officially moving to West Michigan. Grand Rapids to be specific. They have both been hired at Pure Salon in the GR Boardwalk Place. They have also rented a condo in the same building.

The move date is May 31st. Jen will begin working on June 10 and Jeremy on June 11. They will each work every other day. Jeremy specializes in cuts and Jennifer in cuts/color.

Needless to say I am thrilled to have them here. I know there have been many awaiting their arrival as well.

Sorry! No new pictures today.

Saturday again??

Saturdays Kori has to work for a few hours in the morning, which is fine. However some of you know how attached Ali is to her mommy and that makes it tough on me when Kori leaves for work. So needless to say Saturday is a very diffucult one for Daddy.
Suprisingly this morning went faboulous and Ali and I had a blast. I took a few pics to document our morning as it progressed!!!


Waffles, peaches & chocolate milk for breakfast.



This took 30 mins to complete, courtesy of Ali



Then we played outside for 2 hrs and went for a walk to see the pigs at the farm down the road



Last but not least a fresh bath before bed

All in all is was a great day, I even snuck in a nap and finished a landscape project in the back of the house!!

That Big Daddy

Just a quick video we wanted to share with everybody from Friday evening when it was so nice out. About half way through the video you will understand the title, make sure you have the volumn up.

Warm Summer Day

What an awesome day!! Kori & Ali spent most of the day outside in the sunshine, both are little red in the face. Summer is just around the corner!!!





Happiest little girl!



Mommy has a new little helper with the dishes!!

Best thing about Spring.....Baseball!!!

Some of you may know that I've been a Cubs fan since I was a little kid, just trying to pass it on to the offspring. Thanks to Aunt Jenny & Uncle Jeremy for the uniform!!!


Go Cubbies!!!


What do I do with these?


Oh... I see!!

I'm Taking Over!!

Well I'm tired of Kori using the excuse that she can't find the usb cable to not keep this thing updated so I'm taking over. I've realized that we don't have enough pictures of Ali growing up so the camera will be working overtime for now on. Enjoy!!


Ready for summer!


Who did she get these curls From?


Just like her daddy!! Even though this is a little smaller than daddy's it will still beat Grandpa's any day!



Ali & her favorite cousin Lola




I almost got some in my mouth!




Taking Maga & Papa's dog for a walk



Can you say Harvard bound