Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend is always so bittersweet, and this year, it seemed even more so...Its a great long weekend to spend with family and friends, yet its the END to summer...its packing up, picking up, and putting away. Getting geared up for cold weather, falling leaves and schedules again! This summer having been so cool it seemed like a real cruel trick to be taking out the dock and pulling out the boats when its the warmest weekend of the summer! Regardless, we had a really great time up north...
One night we let Sabrina stay out late and go to the rodeo in Mc Bain, she was unsure at first but really came to like it after we explained what was happening: Bucking bronco= is a man on a dancing horse waving to everyone, Steer wrestling= that cowboy is chasing that little cow and hugging him! The only thing that really bugged her was the clown (man with lipstick) who drove a go cart.
Petting one of the horses with poppy.

Anabelle has been teething something wicked and we have found that one of the things that makes her happy is gnawing on apples so she and Sabrina did that alot while we were up north...it gave hours of entertainment


Anabelle spent lots of time on the boat this time up north, she really has begun to love the boat rides with dada and poppy!

We also headed to the Tasty Treat for some ice cream, this was the first time we have Anabelle her own ice cream cone, we had always just given her an empty cone in the past because it was less messy and she never seemed to care....well she cares now :) She was very protective of her cone and loved it, but was very careful only to get one hand messy...she has a little of her daddy in her for sure!
Sabrina got her usual superman and you can see she doesnt really have that "clean gene"! :)
Now on to fall I suppose...I'll be honest I LOVE fall, but I wouldnt mind having a few more weeks of summer this year. We'll have to see I guess!

Hudsonville Fair

SO tonight daddy came home a bit early so we could support some friends at the Lamb Auction at the Hudsonville Fair. It was fun to introduce the kids to that experience...Sabrina was confused by why the man was talking so fast. After the auction, we checked out the 4H barns, the tractor display, a kids show, hit some rides and games, had dinner in the rain. We even introduced Anabelle to cotton candy...she didnt like the texture, but loved the flavor and would reach out of her stroller for more and frantically sign "please!". Overall a fun night. Brad and the girls at the auction. Anabelle often isnt content to sit and ride in her stroller, I happened to have my sling in the car that I used when Anabelle was a newborn and decided it try it out again and it really worked great and Anabelle loved it because she was close to mama! :)
Sabrina hit the train ride all by herself and really liked it!
Sabrina checking out the wheel wells in the John Deere
Anabelle LOVED sitting on the tractors and driving!
It was one of those days to just enjoy the joy of exploring something new through your kids eyes.

The Linclon Park Zoo

At the beginning of August, we were invited down to Chicago to stay and my Sister and Brother-in-laws new apartment for the weekend. While we were there, we went to the Linclon Park Zoo which is an amazing, huge, FREE zoo in the middle of Chicago. If you have kids, and haven't taken advantage of this experience, it's definately worth it! The day we went was CRAZY hot, but there was enough shade and indoor exhibits, that made it bearable. Sabrina loved seeing all the animals and spending time with her Auntie and Uncle. Here are a few pics of our trip to the zoo.

Our family :)
Kate and Sabrina in front of the lions den
The favorite for most of us was the polar bear, he was swimming alot to keep cool and would come right up to the glass. It was amazing to see such a large, beautiful animal swimming so gracefully!
Sabrina and the apes :)

Camping Part 2

The rest of our week comprised of the following in no particular order :)
Playing Chalk...No Sabrina wasnt barking out commands :)
Eating Play Doh Ice Cream
Mechanic Anabelle to the rescue as Sabrina grabs her cell for AAA
Anabelles Favorite activity of the week!
Scooting on the scooter
ALl the kids in our group!
Sillies with Daddy

Dirt, dirt and more dirt!
First Smore, she didnt like all the sticky, so it was one bite and done!

We adults also had fun, even though it was alot of work! Once all the kids were in bed we had great company by the fire at night waiting for us! I feel so lucky to have such a great small group do "do life with" in this way! We had so much fun and I think we'll actually go again :)

Camping Part 1

Last week we went camping at the Confrence Grounds with our small group. It was our first attempt at camping as a family with kids, a much different challange then tenting it with two I might point out! We had a great time and we even enticed daddy to stay out a couple of nights! The first group of pics are from Sunday when daddy was there all day and we were able to head down to the beach. Everyone had a great time! Even Anabelle attempted to enjoy herself (she DETESTS sand!).
SHe's trying hard to make the best of sitting on her Beach blanket!Watching daddy and Sabrina head for the water from afar!
This curious crowd of little ones turned into this:in a flash! The kids were planted in neat little rows and loved it! :) Daddy and Sabrina working on ther own project later.
It was a great day and the beginning of a great week, more to come later!

Story Time

Lately, Sabrina has been really into telling elaborate stories as if she is reading them from a book. Just before this video, she had told a really great a detailed tale of Jay and Drew's wedding...it was even kinda funny with Drew "tumbling" down the stairs and landing on his "buns" and jay kissing it better. Too cute. I tried to have her retell it, but it wasn't quite the same on round two, but none the less, we'll share it with you.

Teamwork