My How They Have Grown

I just can't get over how big my babies are getting. It makes me excited to see it and sad all at the same time. They are playing so well together and becoming so independent in doing things. A blessing and a curse all at the same time.

Owen is always into something, here it is the dogs water. He never stops going until he is asleep or eating and even then he goes unless he is in the high chair.

Mari playing at one of the many parks we have been to. She loves climbing up everything, even if it is to big for her.

Owen enjoys the parks as well, but one of the kids at the park had this and he was much more into it. He loves driving, as he is always saying, dive dive dive. Very cute, but a bit obsessed with it. Thankfully the little boy was nice enough to let him sit in it.

Mari and Daddy hitting balls at the batting cages.

Owen driving again in Aunt Libby's truck. He sat in the steering wheel like this because he thought Mari was going to take it and yelling mine mine mine.

Mari has become a fish and loves swimming.

Awww... getting so big and loving being brother and sister. Makes me SMILE!!!

All gussied up!!

Just a few weeks ago Greg's sister Libby got married here in Michigan. It was a fun week with everyone and getting to get all dressed up as a family and as always eating some yummy food.

The rehersal dinner was at the house and was a gorgeous evening. There were 2 other little girls and Mari was in heaven playing with them.

Me and my handsome boy!

Mari and Aunt MoMo, the only one that could talk her in to a picture and a smile.

Then it was wedding night. Here are my beautiful kiddos trying to stay clean and nice.

Nana and Owen hanging out at the festivities. I love this one. Owen is such a cheeser.

The wedding night. We had so much fun dancing and then Grandpa and Grandma Nienhouse took the kids for the night and we were able to stay and enjoy the rest of the night. It was a beautiful wedding and were so excited to celebrate with them. Welcome to the family Nick.

Coast Guard Festivities

Here in Grand Haven there is a week long Coast Guard Festival. It is very busy and lots of fun activities. Needless to say we were pooped by the end, but had lots of yummy food and fun.

Mari had a camp at the YMCA that week to add to all the fun. This one was Dora camp! She was excited despite the picture.

Right next to the Y was a huge set up with all kinds of free things for kids after camp as part of Coast Guard. Needless to say that is all Mari wanted to do after camp. They had about 5 different jumpy things with slides, games, face paint, fire trucks spraying water, and an arts and crafts tent. We had a lot of fun to the point of tired grumpiness.

Oh and ice cream:)

Owen playing in the water while Mari got her face painted. He loved stomping around and splashing.

The Coast Guard brought in 4 big ships and a couple boats as well that you could tour. It was really neat to see them all and how they work. The kids loved it because they could push any and all buttons.

And Greg loved all the big guns that they let you pretend to use.

We had a great week and ended it with a huge parade and amazing fireworks on Saturday. The kids were tired but it was all worth it. Mari loved the fireworks. I wish everyone could have seen them they are amazing. Better than any 4th of July ones. I always say they are like 45 minutes worth of grand finale style.

Again we are having a great time here and trying to fit everything in before we head back to the snow and cold.

Mari finally got to go tubing

Mari has been watching all the boats pulling tubes and has been wanting to go sooo bad. The day had come! Aunt MoMo went with her and she thought she was pretty cool. It was so fun and sweet to watch that big grin. My baby girl is getting so big.

Getting ready to go.

Waving to us all on the boat. She even braved no hands.

Zoom Zoom that is how fast they were going.

We look forward to the next time.

The Quirk's and Peck's visit for the 4th

The Quirk's and the Peck's came for a visit over the 4th of July weekend. It was so nice having them here and for a full 5 days. Thanks to Mary and Jim for hosting them all in their home as well as us. It was a full house but so much fun. The whole family and soon to be new little baby girl Peck. Can't wait to meet her.

The kids loved jumping off the dock. Liam just made laps by himself. Mari is not a fan of touching the "water grass."

The cousins playing together.

Fun times together.

One of my favorite pics by far. Pops and Owen just enjoying a stroll down the boardwalk.

An evening with a campfire, smores, and a few fireworks.

Yummy!!

Sparklers.

The best attempt at getting the 3 of them in a picture together all looking at the camera.

Swimming off the boat. It was a bit brisk but we had fun.

Mari loves to match everything. From her food/utensils matching her outfit to matching her cousins pjs. Thankfully, Owen has a pair just like Liam and she can fit in them.

A beautiful sunset out on the pier.

Checking out all the boats and nosing in on the neighbors.

Love this pic.

Cool dude!!

See Sarah, Cory smiled just perfect for this picture.

We drove out to the big lake one day and just played and swam.

Grammie and Pops

The men playing some bocce ball.

Pops and Owen playing in the sand.

Nana built sand castles for the kids all day, just so they could crumble them in seconds.

It was a great visit, thanks for making the trip, we love and miss you all. We can't wait for the next time we are all together. Hopefully when lil miss is born.

Some Pics Finally

Well our internet is now up and running again. Yay!! We have been having a great summer here in Michigan. It has been busy and going fast:(.

Greg and I completed our triathlon last weekend. We had a lot of fun and both finished under our goal times. I wouldn't say it was that easy, considering we have been practicing the swim in Spring Lake(which is a small calm lake) or the pool, and the swim for the race was in Lake Michigan. If you haven't ever seen it, it is basically a fresh water ocean. And of course that morning it was cold and choppy. We swam in 4 foot waves which made it interesting. We survived! Then we had to run about 1/2 mile to the transition area. Then it was a road bike race (we used mountain bikes) and then the run. I am not so good at running especially after biking for an hour, but Greg is awesome at that part and picked up some time there. Overall we had a great time and we are thinking we would do it again. It was a fun accomplishment.

Here are some pictures of a few other things we have been up to.

Daddy took Mari fishing a few times and the second time she caught her 1st fish all be herself. She was so excited and proud. It melted my heart.

Her favorite part is reeling it in.

Here is the fish Mari caught. She wasn't so keen on touching it, but Owen and Juarez were loving it.

Our proud little girl. We weren't planning on keeping the little guy but he didn't want to let go of the hook so he didn't make it.

One of the small towns was having a carnival, so we stopped and let Mari ride a few rides. She loved watching all the lights and people(just like her mom). Owen wanted to get on so bad.

We started off riding the elephant and then she even got to ride the motorcycle ride all by herself.

They had a petting zoo as well and these goats ate non-stop.

A Family Fun night in town with a wings contest and games for the kids. This was the highlight for both kids, driving the firetruck.

Grandma and Grandpa Nienhouse took us all to Mackinaw Island for a weekend during the Lilac Festival. It was such a fun time and such a pretty place. I was so glad we got to visit there.

On the boat ride to the island.

We went on a horse and buggy ride. By far my favorite part of the activities. There are no motor vehicles on the island so the only transportation is by bike or horse. Mari got to sit up front and help too.

Stopping on our bike ride for some photo ops.

Watching all the horses with Grandma and Grandpa.

Yep, these are my kids watching them make fudge. Yummy fudge and ice cream everywhere you turn.