Golf Anyone?

Here are some pictures of Makenna from last weekend. She was just looking too cute in her little golf outfit.

Steeler Headband

Mark found the Steeler's headband that used to be my brother's when he was Mark's age. He loves it and always is putting it on. We were going to Matt's parent's house and he insisted on wearing it to show them. It was definitely a blast from my past!

Tubing

In early July (sorry about the late post) We took the kids out on Matt's co-workers boat near Plymouth, IN. We each took a kid on the tube with us and Matthew and I both went Waterskiing. We had a great time. When we first came in after the first time of tubing Makenna was crying. I thought, Oh, no she hated it. But it was the exact opposite. She Loved it so much that she didn't want to stop. We have quite the little daredevil on our hands, because at times she would even go one handed so she could wave at me. It was a great day and we were so thankful that we all got to experience it together.

Roommate Fun

Me and Karrie
Me and Allison

Me, Karrie, and Allison

I went to my college roommate Karries, Bridal Shower and Bachlorette party last month and FINALLY just got the cord so I could take the pictures off of my camera. I had a great time seeing Karrie and Allison and some of our other friends from back in college. I just wish I could see them more often!

Unusually Cute

Here are a couple pictures of Makenna where she put on her pink winter hat and just one pink glove. I swear it was a rememberance of Michael Jackson night. She definitely loves pink anything. She goes around saying, "I need the pink one. Pink is my favorite color." It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's pink she's happy!

Jumping In

Here are a couple videos from a couple of weeks ago when Mark and Makenna went swimming at Craig and Judy's neighbors house. They both were a little hesitant at first, but after the first time they jumped, they were all about it! They both have gotten really good at swimming this summer and they just love it!

Mark giving himself some last minute words of encouragement

before he jumps in!

Makenna of Course having to count "Myself!"

West Beach

Arriving at the Beach
Going into the water

Covering themselves with sand

Taking a Break

Jumping SUPER high over a wave

My Beach Boy

My Beach Beauty

So Precious Sometimes

Trying to bury himself in sand


When my sister was here a couple weeks ago we took Madison, Mark, and Makenna to the Beach. This was our 3rd year in a row and the kids just have the best time each year. It's amazing to us how they change and the different things they like to do. This year they weren't in the water as much, but loved to fill their buckets up with water and carry it over to the sand. They also had a blast jumping off of a Sand Dune that we found behind where we were sitting. Makenna was not happy at first because she fell into the water and was scared for a little while after. Overall, all of the kids had a great time!

Jumps at the Beach

Here is a video of Mark and Makenna jumping off of a Sand Dune at the Beach. Mark, Madison, and Makenna were having a Great Time with this. They were making up all sorts of things to say before they would jump. It was hilarious!

Family Time

My parents were in town for Mark's Birthday party a couple weeks ago and my sister and I made everyone sit down for a picture. I know some of you wouldn't believe this, but ever since Makenna was born we have never had a picture with both my mom and my dad with their 3 grandchildren. How we ever let it slip through is beyond me. But anyway, we now have it, so here it is...

Pony Rides

Madison riding the Pony
Mark riding the Pony

Mark and Madison on the Train Ride

Makenna with her Flamingo...she loves it because

it is, "Pink, My favorite Color!"

When Bethany was here last week we took the kids to the Zoo in South Bend and their favorite part was probably the Pony Rides. Well Mark and Madison's favorite...definitely NOT Makenna's. She was scared for some reason and wouldn't ride on them. The lady was even nice enough to try to bring over a little pony for her, but she still wouldn't do it. Oh well...maybe next time.

Mark is 4!!!

Mark getting ready to blow out his candles
After making his wish and blowing out the candles
(by the way, he told us his wish was to become a "Real Knight Someday." =)

Getting Ready to hit his Dragon Pinata

The Castle Bounce House we rented for his Party

Jumping inside the Bounce House. It had a Basketball hoop inside and

a Big Slide Outside.

Mark turned 4 on Tuesday July 14th. Sorry it has been so long since I have updated but it was crazy busy with Mark's birthday and getting ready for his party. He had a great Knight Birthday party last Saturday afternoon with lots of family and friends here to help him celebrate. His Grandma J made him LOTS of Fun Birthday Cakes that he was absolutely thrilled with. Matt and I took him to see the movie "Up" on his actual birthday and he was a little unsure at first about it because there were a couple scary scenes with "a mean guy and some mean dogs" but even after saying that he has already asked to go back and see it again....Maybe when he's a little older! I took him to his 4 yr old check up this morning and he is doing great! He weighed in at Exactly 37 pounds which is in the 55th percentile and 40 inches I believe which is in the 65th percentile. He's growing up WAY too fast!

Rainy Day

Today was a pretty cold and rainy day so Bethany and I took Mark and Madison to see Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs which they both really liked. Mark started crying at the end of the movie that his ear hurt, so I immediatley called the doctor seeing as how he has a birthday party in a few days, and sure enough he had a double middle ear infection. We started him on Antibiotics and the doctor said he should be fine by Saturday. Whew...that was a close one.

Matt took Makenna outside to play in the rain while we were gone. Here are some pictures he took of her on his cell phone. She had a great time going in the "big" and "little" puddles.

Water Fun

Here is a video of Makenna going down the waterslide head first and Matt throwing Mark and Makenna into the pool. The kids have had a great time the past two days with their Cousin Madison in town! (The Pool was a gift from Matt's Aunt Cebra, Uncle Mike, Aunt Myrna, and Uncle Jeff for Mark's birthday and the waterslide is Craig and Judy's).

Dancing Queen

Here is a video of Makenna at the parade today. A car came by that was playing music and she just started dancing...she stopped for a minute when she spotted some candy (which you can actually see the proof of how well they were sharing their candy), but then she just started dancing again. I just love the part when she starts shaking her butt! She's just too cute sometimes!

Getting Ready for the 4th

Here is a video of the kids from yesterday throwing those popper things. They had a great time doing it. If you can hear Makenna, when it doesn't work, she says, "Almost" and when it does she gets really excited and would say, "I did it!"

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Giving a BIG Squeezer Hug

Being silly as usual

Happy 4th of July! Here are some pictures I managed to get of the kids before we left this morning and boy am I thankful because it rained the rest of the day!

4th of July Parade

What a day today! The weather has not been cooperating at all...it has been 65 and Rainy all day and our power was just out for the past 2 hours! Hopefully the rest of our evening shapes up. We went the the Annual Portage Parade this morning and then over to Matt's Aunt Diane's house. Even though it was raining the kids toughed it out and stood out waving to everything that went by and grabbing all the candy they could. Mark was even picked out of the crowd by the firemen and given a fire hat. He was so happy! Makenna was a little scared at first with all the loud sirens so she cuddled up with her Grandpa J and asked him to cover her ears. After that was done, she was all smiles. They were actually getting along great with each other and all of the other kids and were all sharing everything that was thrown out....If only it could be like that everyday!

Quality Time with Grandpa J

Here are some pictures of Mark and Makenna with Matt's Dad. Craig, Judy, Marci, and Rob met us up in New Buffalo for the afternoon. The kids had a great time looking at birds with their Grandpa and walking along the beach. What a fun family day!