Beachy Afternoons

My parent's property on Lake Michigan is pretty much perfect.  Anytime they want to hit the waves, they just need to walk out their back door and head down their staircase to Lake Michigan and the beach.

The best part for us is - the sun hits their beach at about 2:30PM, perfect for post nap activities and perhaps a cold adult beverage...but I digress.  Here is their first afternoon on the beach.  

I look forward to Y.E.A.R.S. of this!

Here they are beginning their dig for Lord knows what...

And piling up the sand for who knows why...

Then John had to pause for snack time and to learn about his little piggies with Nana Julie...

While Papa Dave and Will began constructing their dam.

I miss this already!

Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Sand Dunes Part One

Our three week (four for Will) camp Michigan tour began at the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Sand Dunes.  We went to this beautiful National Park three times during our vaca - each had their own memorable moments.  Here are a few from our first.

Here is our family photo, taken at the base of the dunes...ready for our big climb.

And people - this thing is H.U.G.E.  

Will started running up the face of it and finally collapsed, breathless, about 1/4 of the way up. 

You can barely see him in the center of the photo...

Nana Julie and Papa Dave were quick to follow him up...

While Billy and John played caboose (John was slightly skittish of the dunes this time, but don't worry...that changes so stay tuned!)

I, as usual, was in charge of photos...so my responsibilities included taking pictures, video, and ensuring Billy and John made it up...

Here we are, at the top of the F.I.R.S.T. face...where I am trying to convince Billy we should try to get up the next one, clearly not understanding why hauling a 26 pound baby up the enormous dune should be troublesome...

Love you dad!

Another family photo...

And a moment to let Will catch his breath...

And he was off to climb the next trail!  

With Nana's help, John got a little more excited about the sand...

And Will had reached the top of the next climb...

Then it was time for a good old fashioned, out of control run, down the dune...

And some jumping off of bluffs...

And more, yes more, climbing!  This time, Nana Julie helped out...

Here are my four guys running down one of the trails...

After a while, we were all exhausted so it was time to go grab lunch...we made our way back down to the top of the main dune...

 And then down we went!  

At one point, I was sure Will's legs were going to fly off behind him as we all sprinted down...

 This was a glorious way to begin our vacation!

Happy Birthday USA!

Ok, I realize I have really been the absent blogger lately...but we've been on vaca!  Anywho---before the camp Michigan photos - I must recap our July 4th.

Our July 4th celebration kicked off with a parade at John's school on the 3rd (which he was less than impressed about).  It is like he knew this was a silly, manufactured, obnoxious, pageant-y, non BOY-ish thing to do.  But we loved it :)  All the kiddos in his class hopped into their wagons and set off for a trip around the school grounds.  

John maintained a very serious (and typical) demeanor throughout...

Comparatively, here is Will's at his first 1+year 4th of July Parade - clutching desperately to his teacher...

On the 4th, we took a few patriotic photos of the boys then had good old fashioned hot dogs with Nana Rosie, picnicking in the backyard of our home.

Here is John, still serious...

 And here was Will when he was John's age (yes, same shirt)...gleefully expressing himself now that he was in the privacy of his own home haha!

We skipped the fireworks display, opting to get a good night's rest prior to our early morning departure for camp Michigan the next day!

Happy Birthday USA!

BYCTWD 2013

A few Fridays ago my employer had their annual Bring Your Child To Work Day (or BYCTWD for short :) ).  On the way in, at about the 45 minute commute mark, Will asked "Mom, are we almost there?" To which I replied, "yes dear, just a bit further."  Then he said something really hysterical, "Mom, is this why you are always tired, because you have to get up so early to do this drive every day?". 

HAHA!

Anywho...

My two little crime fighters, donning their best batman tees, got to go to work with me!  They momentarily played the role of "felon" in the booking room (John was not excited to be here obviously).  

After a super hero glow in the dark puppet show it was time to check out some snakes (this is Will's "cautiously optimistic of the photo opp outcome" smile)...

And then it was on to the real fun...shooting! And no, we didn't let John get near a gun this year...

Will tried out the glock first (don't worry readers - they put a clip of airsoft bullets in!)

 And then tried out the M4 for size - maybe a bit too big for now :)

I wish I could take them to work with me every day!

Summer Boomtastick

Little Johnny Boomtastick has also had a busy summer...his most recent summer experience was in our little blow up pool in our backyard.  He loves it!  He is quite demanding too...jumping in, then standing up and pointing to the ground next to him, which in John baby grunting means, "you, here, now!"
He then jumps out of the pool to dry ground and does the same thing again, "you, here, now!"

Here is some footage of his slightly anticlimactic pool entry haha!

Hopefully Lake Michigan is as warm as this pool!

Book Worm

So I said we signed Will up for four camps - and you are probably wondering what the fourth was?  

Well, it is a five Saturday two hour reading camp.  

Will, entering Kindergarten this fall, is reading like a champ, so we enrolled him in the 1st grade class.  

Well, after being assessed during the first two weeks, he has been moved UP to the 2nd grade class!  I'm so proud of him, his willingness to learn, his patience when I forced asked him to read for 1-2 hours each night last year, and now he's just a whiz kid at it!

Here's my little munchkin (far right) in a room of 2nd graders.  Definitely looking like a teeny tiny 5 year old in this group.  I really really really can't imagine him being as big as these other kids!  

And here he is doing some independent reading...

And working in his workbook...

We have three weeks in the books (yes, pun intended) and two left when we return from CAMP MICHIGAN.  

We are so proud of you Will!