Swing Set, Swimming & Fair

Here are pictures of the kids new swing set. Todd and my Dad worked on it for hours and hours.and hours.and hours.and hours. But the kids love it, so it was so worth it...right guys? Alyssa is a swing lover, while Aiden is a fan of the tunnel. We (and in we I mean Todd :) still have to water seal it but then it will be completely done...except for whatever we decide to do under it...replant some grass or cut it out and put rock or mulch? Still thinking on that part. Alyssa has been in swim lessons this week and goes next week as well. She loves the water and enjoys the lessons. The teachers are fun and she is learning how to do lots of different water animals. A few mornings were downright cold, but we all know that doesn't bother her one bit. And lastly the fair...we went last night and Alyssa rode one ride with (her pick) Uncle Todd. We went through the barns where Aiden did not care for the animals looking at him and of course ended the evening with a funnel cake and an elephant ear! On to pictures:

Uncle Todd and Daddy pushing on swings.

Aiden in the tunnel.

Alyssa climbing the rock wall. Check out the rain boots, she dresses herself :)

Floating like a starfish.

Aiden watching swim lessons.

Alyssa with Uncle Todd on the "Dragon coaster".

Aiden watching the roller coaster.

Don't you love how I always snap a pic of poor Aiden strapped in the stroller? Don't worry he was in heaven once the funnel cake was ordered! Which by the way the family is perfectly split on now. Aiden & I love funnel cakes and Alyssa & Todd love elephant ears :)

West Beach

We went to West Beach on Friday with my parents and had a great time. When we first got there it was sunny and warm, but then the sun went away and it got quite chilly. Really, it's the middle of July, I should not need a sweatshirt on the beach. Oh well, the weather didn't bother the kids at all. All Alyssa wanted to do was swim, which she did manage to get soaked in the frigid Lake Michigan waters from head to toe and she did not complain about the cold once. Aiden on the other hand was unsure of the entire situation. First he wouldn't even step in the sand and when he finally did he would not sit down. He walked out to the water, kind of, until Todd picked him up and carried him but one splash from a wave sent him crying to go back on the blankets. Where he found food with Maw Maw and Paw Paw. He was pretty much content sitting still and eating snacks all day. This was a huge bonus for me...it is the first time since he took his first step that I didn't have to chase him all over for hours!! He did eventually get in the sand and play a bit. I think it was when he saw me bury Alyssa and found a prime opportunity to torment her :) Overall it was a really fun day and we are already looking for another (hopefully warmer) day to go back. So here is a slide show of our day:

My 100th Post

I am not sure if it means anything, but this is my 100th post and I think at least 3 people read my blog so I will keep going ;-)

Summer is chugging right along at lightning speed and we are having a blast! Although some days you would think we are already experiencing fall with the cooler temps...I don't like this as I am a summer person! We had a great 3rd of July party at my parent's house and spent the 4th sleeping the rainy day away, I don't know the last time I took an afternoon nap! Todd turned 36 on July 7th and the two of us went out to dinner thanks to my wonderful parents who watched our kiddos :)
Alyssa is enjoying her ballet classes and will start swim lessons for 2 weeks on Monday. She loves to be outside and is super excited about her new swing set Daddy just finished building (those pics later). Aiden is talking up a storm. I can not believe all the words he can say and that he speaks sentences. He will actually answer my questions and tell me things he wants...I love it! He finally warmed up to the kiddie pools and likes to crawl in the new tunnel part of the swing set. Okay, so here are some pictures. Sorry there are a lot!

3rd of July parade

Emma, Jakob & Alyssa

Aiden & Uncle Troy, these two definitely have a special bond, Aiden loves him!

Alyssa & Uncle Todd, she has a special bond with this Uncle and whenever he is around you will find her right by him (not necessarily good)...kidding, kind of.

Aiden playing washers with Trevor & Uncle Troy.

Alyssa, Emma & Uncle Troy.

Alyssa, Emma & Sydney.

Aiden not interested in the slip n slide.

Enjoys water balloons though, as long as he is throwing them.

Water balloon fight!

Aiden & Uncle Troy again.

Great Grandpa and Aiden.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Swimming out back.

Uncle Todd playing on the Barbie laptop as Alyssa plays on his iPod touch. He is babysitting while Todd and I are at our couples Bible study. Mom & Dad come too, but like I said you will find her by Uncle Todd.

There's an end to my exciting 100th post :)

Summer

Not sure why I am awake and updating this since I could hardly keep my eyes open at the dinner table tonight, but here it goes. We had a very busy week last week...but a really fun one. We went swimming everyday but one: at a friends house, at our house and we even ventured to a local pool on Friday with a friend. Aiden has changed his mind about the water and loves it. I even enjoyed the local pool because he stayed right with me and played with one of his favorite girls. They had life jackets for Alyssa so I didn't have to worry about her being right next to me the whole time. And she had a blast with one of her favorite boys. I may have found a new hangout :)
Alyssa also had Vacation Bible School every night last week. We invited 4 boy(friends) from our neighborhood and since we live right by church the moms and I walked to drop off and pick up each night. The walk would have been perfect had it not been like 100 degrees (not sure exactly but it was hot) each night. Alyssa had a blast once she decided to stay each night, we had a separation issue most nights. I think it was the chaos of drop off that she didn't like since the one night she had ballet and we were a few minutes late she went right into her specific room just fine. Anyways, here are some pictures of what is going on lately:

Our pool fun

Aiden starting to like the water.

Happy boy!

Warm weather + lunch outside + no clean up = happy Mommy!

Happy Birthday Maw Maw!

How Aiden eats...

...on his own...

And what he does if he is told to use his spoon.

To end a very busy week, my awesome Mom & Dad offered to watch our kids and our friends kids so we could all go out. It is amazing how much conversation can be had without little voices chiming in. We had a great time and can't wait to do it again (*hint hint*). Thanks so much Mom & Dad!! Sorry my monkey was the difficult one...I told you he is crazy!

Okay I think I will go to bed so I don't start out Monday with exhaustion...have a day at the park planned!

~Tracy

Pictures

I finally got Alyssa's 4 year, and Aiden's 18 month (which are more like 20 month) pictures taken. They turned out great, here are a few of them:

Happy Father's Day!

Just wanted to wish Todd the best Father's day ever! We had a great day together. Alyssa made Todd breakfast in bed. I asked her what she wanted to make for him, she said "Some of your cereal (yes, actually the bowl of cereal I had made for myself), a breakfast bar and some milk in my teapot." So that's what he got! After church we went to Mom and Dad's for some delicious lunch and the kids played in the sprinkler...Well Alyssa anyways, Aiden apparently has an issue with water anywhere but in the tub. Then this evening we went to a friends house for a cookout and some more yummy food. A bit rainy so the men cooked out and us ladies hung out inside with (some) of the kiddos. What a great day!

The three blue-eyed loves of my life.

Alyssa with her breakfast tray for Daddy.

Aiden trying to get Alyssa...

...Alyssa had the bigger bucket!

I hope all the Dads out there had a great day!!
And to my amazing Husband and awesome father...I love you!!!

~Tracy~

My Ballerina

Alyssa started ballet classes tonight. Yes my ungraceful girl that can not walk without tripping over her own toes is in ballet. I am hoping it will help her to be more graceful...or something like that. I did learn that when she puts on her ballet shoes she can actually stand on her toes and walk around. Her toes. Not her tiptoes. You know like the real ballerinas do. She had a blast, although I am glad I did the 30 minute class instead of the hour one elsewhere. Her attention span is only so long. So here are a few pictures of the ballerina:

Oh, and one of Aiden mimicking his sister.