Walking in the parade!

In order to let more people know about our MOPS group at church the new co-coordinators decided to walk in the Caledonia parade, throw out candy and hand out info about our group. And yes, you did read that right, I have stepped down from my position as MOPS coordinator for our church after 2 years of volunteering. With the prospect of selling our house, building a new house and Joshua beginning preschool in the fall I needed to let someone else take over coordinating our MOPS group. Oh, and I'm not a big fan of church politics, but that's a whole other story.
So, this morning a few of us moms and our kids walked in the parade. We chose a spot near the front of the line so we could jump back into the crowd after we were done walking to let our kids enjoy the rest of the parade. It worked out well. What we did find out is that it is hard to pull wagons, push strollers and throw candy and hand out info all while walking down the road. We had a lot of fun and the kids enjoyed both being in the parade and watching it and catching all kinds of treats!

On a Mission. . .

So last week I mentioned to my brother Phil that we were looking for a Wii ever since we played at my Uncle and Aunt's cottage. Unfortunately, we weren't finding one. As sweet as he was, he called around town to see when shipments were coming in. He found that a couple of stores around town were getting shipments this weekend. Since we were out of town he said he would check around for us. Saturday he was going out to Lowell to look at a car so he called the Meijer's there and they actually had one. When Phil got there the person he talked with told him he sold it right after speaking with him, but the worker had found two more hiding somewhere. So, thanks to my brother Phil we are now the proud owners of a Wii! We are loving it and even Joshua is getting in on the action trying out a little bowling! Thanks Phil!

11 Years and Counting!

Has it really been 11 years since Cory and I got married?!?! I have no idea where the time has gone. Our anniversary was Friday, but with a meeting with our builder, packing for camping for the weekend, getting our house ready for an open house and then setting up camp all in one day we didn't have time to celebrate. Good thing we aren't a couple who makes a huge deal about our anniversary or we would have been sadly disappointed! Perhaps a date night will come in the next few weeks to make up for our lack of celebrating on the day of. Just so glad I'm married to my best friend and together we can enjoy this journey we are on!

Camping in Pentwater

Friday we packed up and headed out to Pentwater to camp for the weekend with Shawn, Erin, Owen and Erin's mom Marcia. Erin and Marcia were selling their jewelry at the arts/crafts show in Pentwater on Saturday and Sunday while the rest of us relaxed and played. The weather was actually quite nice in the mid 70's with a couple short showers, except for Sunday morning when there was a thunderstorm (nice timing for when we started to pack up). The campground we stayed at, Hill and Hollow, was very nice in that it had clean, well-maintained bathrooms (which is what I like) , a heated pool and it had an AJ's Fun Center at the entrance! We went swimming Friday night, but unfortunately I didn't take my camera. We also had to visit AJ's so the boys could try out a little mini golfing (they were free so we just let them play and followed along - talk about Dutch). Joshua and Owen both loved golfing, although Joshua looks more like he is playing hockey than golfing! The big boys were dying to drive the go-karts of course. Unfortunately, there was a brief shower right before we went over to AJ's Saturday night so the track was wet and they wouldn't let anyone race until it was dry. Fifteen minutes later the racing began! The big boys took the little boys for the first go around and Cory ended up hitting Shawn. While Shawn was not thrilled by this (can you say sibling rivalry?!?!) Joshua and Owen talked about it with excitement the rest of the weekend ! There was a rematch late at night under the lights when just Cory and Shawn raced. Sunday morning around 10 am there was a thunderstorm that rolled through just in time to delay packing up to go home. While Shawn and Cory ran around between raindrops packing what they could, Owen and Joshua curled up with a blanket and watched a movie. The sun came out just in time for lunch and for us to pull out and drive home. The only down-side to this weekend was a tired Joshua who skipped two naps - doesn't make for a happy camper, literally!

Click To Play

Father's Day

The day started with Joshua giving daddy his gift - a photo frame with a recorder on which we had recorded Joshua saying, "I love you daddy". Now anytime Cory misses Joshua when he is at work he just has to press a button to hear Joshua's sweet little voice.
Then it was out to cottage. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best day for the cottage with looming clouds overhead and the threat of thunderstorms. We played a bit of Wii tennis and bowling with my cousins(which by the way is a blast and has made me start a search for a Wii of our own)! We enjoyed a delicious meal together and before it started to rain Uncle Steve offered to take Joshua on a boat ride. I think as soon as Joshua heard he could ride on the boat he practically at my uncle's heels all the way out to the boat he was so excited! There were a few drops as we rode around, but those dark clouds didn't turn into a whole lot. Since the temps weren't too warm and the winds were pretty swift we opted not to swim this time. Before we left we gave my dad his gifts. We'll definitely have to head back the cottage on a really good weather day so we can enjoy everything!
It was a delight to spend the day honoring the dads in our lives. I'm so thankful for my own dad who has been an amazing example in my life! I'm also very thankful for my husband who loves me through the thick and thin of this journey we call life and who loves his son more than words can say!

"I love you daddy"

Joshua tries some Wii bowling!

Playing football with Matt.

Two happy guys who got to go for a boat ride!

Papa and Joshua on the boat.

Take me out to the ball game!

Thursday night we had the privilege of taking Joshua to a Whitecaps game, thanks to a client of the company Cory works for. This client has a box at the stadium, so we got prime seats (they have now added outdoor seating to the boxes which is fabulous) and some sweet treats for the game! Joshua has been to games before, but this is really the first time he really enjoyed the whole experience. He especially loved when Crash, the Whitecaps mascot, came up and visited us in the box! He took off with arms wide open and ran to give Crash a huge hug! Joshua was so fast, I didn't have time to get my camera out, but did manage to snap a few as Crash was visiting the people in the box next to the one we were in. He couldn't however get Crash's name right and kept calling him "Smash, Crash" thanks to a book we had gotten out of the library and read many times. Joshua also thoroughly enjoyed his dinner and some Dippin' Dots ice cream all while watching the game!

Yum, Dippin' Dots!

"Hi Crash!"

Celebrating and Exploring!

Today was Erin's last day of school so we decided to celebrate by taking the boys out to lunch. Afterwards we headed over to Shawn and Erin's new house that is under construction. Unfortunately, nothing was happening with the construction today so there were no big machines to watch. However, we walked down to the creek and let the boys have some fun playing in the water and exploring the creek. We saw some dragonflies, water striders and at least four frogs, but were unsuccessful at catching any of them - they were fast little buggers! Next time we will be bringing our nets for sure! The boys had a great time tossing stones and splashing around. Erin and I even got in and cooled our feet, which was very refreshing. We had some wet and dirty little boys by the end so next time we will dress more appropriately. Many years of fun will be had in this little creek for sure!

Stepping into the creek.

Picking out some stones.

Down to just their shirts, underwear and diaper.

Boy Oh Boy!

After getting himself undressed tonight before bedtime, Joshua ran around the house naked declaring, "I like my penis, A LOT!" What a typical boy. Neither Cory nor I could contain our laughter!

Joshua's Bedtime Prayer Tonight

"Dear Jesus,
Thank you for daddy and mommy and Joshua. Thank you I got to eat a pretzel (an Auntie Anne's at the mall). Thank you I do a good day. Thank you I see a Jeep and a Hummie and a Mini Cooper. Thank you I do a great day. Thank you for daddy and mommy and Joshua. Thank you I do a great day. Amen!"

I think he was finally glad to have earned his three smiley face stickers on his listening chart today! I also just love how he only thinks about the things that happened in hour or two before bedtime!

FINALLY!

It's warm enough to get the pool out! Joshua was one happy camper soaking up the sun and playing in the water. Praying for more days like this to come soon!

Frog

This is our little frog friend who we found hanging out on a door at a Parade house Saturday night. Isn't he just the cutest little thing?!?! He really is a beautiful little creature! I've never seen anything quite like him so I carried him to the car and we transported him home in an empty Wendy's cup. He has been residing in Joshua's little bug house, that is until tonight when we let him go. Joshua really wanted to keep the little guy (and so did I), but to keep this frog alive and well we would need an aquarium, a $50 light set up and we would need to feed him live bugs daily. Uh, not going to happen! I talked to Joshua and told him the frog needs to live outside in God's creation and protect our house by eating all the bugs and he has happily agreed (I know Cory's will be happy about this too). I'm not sure if Joshua understands that the frog will hop away never to be seen again, but I guess only time will tell. We've had fun with this little hopper for a couple days letting him jump around and climb in our bathtub. He really is an amazing little creature who's climbing abilities are unbelievable! It's amazing to me that God put so much thought and detail into such a small creature! WOW!