We took a family trip to Michigan a few weeks ago. We rented a cottage, thanks to Evan's sister Bethany, and we stayed through the fourth of July weekend and week. It was a great time for the family to get together and Aubrey had a blast experiencing a few new things. She saw fireworks for the first time, she swam in Lake Michigan, and she experienced sand. SHE REALLY DISLIKED the idea of sand! She would begrudgingly walk in it if she had her shoes on, but if it touched her she would say no no no until she was rid of it. The trip was an adventure and a huge blessing to our family. It seems as though we have been running on empty and it was such a blessing to get away as a family! We are off and running again and just in time for the school year to start! There are way too many pictures... SORRY!!!

Happy Father's Day!!!

Yes, Aubrey painted it herself!

SHE HATED IT!!!

Nana helping to rid Aubrey of the sand.

The best place in the beach is a towel...

Aubrey and her favorite man.

Nana and Bumpa

OBSESSED with water bottles!!!

We all took turns to occupy Aubrey while we waited a few hours for the firework show.

Daddy sooooo happy waiting for the show...

Watching the show.

The family...Uncle David, Nana, Uncle Brennan, Aunt Bethany, Daddy, Mommy, Bumpa

Aubrey was sleeping off her day.

Doing puzzles, a lake house favorite for Evan.

Who let him cook?????

Uncle Brennan

Aubrey and the beloved sand...

Aubrey stealing some crackers...

Enjoying her prize...

We visited Dutch Village in Holland.

We were able to find a great park nearby!

WEEEEEEE

Swinging on the big girl swings.

Aubrey kept wanting to feed the dinosaur at the park.

Looking good wearing her life vest.

Daddy set Aubrey up very nicely at the beach!

Aubrey sat in the boat and watched her daddy ski...

she would scream for him and say WHOOOOAAAAAA!!!

Daddy showing he can still ski!

Uncle Brennan tubing

Aubrey LOVED the chair and became brave enough to start jumping from it...

Aubrey and Aunt Bethany walking up to the marina

Aubrey and Aunt Bethany

There were ducks in the water and Aubrey was VERY UPSET to leave them...

Making sure to not touch the sand...

CHEESE!!! Daddy, Nana, Aubrey, and Aunt Bethany

The Fam

Aubrey wearing Daddy's new shirt with Uncle Brennan and Uncle David

Aubrey's new BELOVED glasses!

She is so GLAMOROUS!

I think this picture shows how grown up Aubrey really is!

You can also see she has tried to pull out her hair tie. This happens REGULARLY.

Like EVERY TIME I put one in!

We attended many grad parties so far this summer.

This picture is from one in particular. it sums up our blessing!

We are surrounded by a loving and caring community of believers.

They have shown such love to us and we are so blessed to have this type of community in place in our lives as we begin to raise our family and lay roots. Praise God!

We have bath tabs that change the color of our water,

they happen to be a favorite of Aubreys!

Dad's 1/2 Birthday

We went to a Venezuelan restaurant in Oak Park for Evan's 1/2 Birthday!

Evan has never really liked the fact that his birthday was so close to Christmas.

Now that our families are joined and expanding we have far too many things filling the month of December so his birthday is even further compromised. Soooo his dad wanted to grant a wish and celebrate his half-birthday.

Trying her first Malta.

It touched her lips... she made a not so nice face.... pulled away... and spit out the drop she had.

I believe it is safe to say she was not very fond of the drink... for now.

There was a fountain outside the restaurant that children were playing in so Aubrey played while we waited for dinner. This little boy walked up to Aubrey and tried kissing her. As Evan was pulling back ever so slightly... Aubrey turned away as well. It was quite funny to watch. We were all a little shocked and for a little girl who kisses EVERYONE she knows; we were quite happy to see her shock. :D

She really got into playing after a few times around the outside.

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY DADDY!!

We love you for all you are and hope to be! You are a blessing and a gift to our lives!

A Day In The Sun

We spent a day with Aubrey's cousins (Norah, Eli, Amelia, and Sarah).

We went to the paark and played on the slip and slide. Aubrey enjoyed the pool at the bottom of the slip and slide most! She also enjoyed wearing her first pair of sunglasses!

The Girls

Norah, Aubrey, and Amelia

Eli

Amelia

Norah, Eli, Aubrey, and Amelia

Aubrey's favorite things

this is our daughter after taking the video camera... a forbidden object.

Evan and I were finishing dinner... she grabbed the camera... ran ... and climbed the chair.

Then she became the happiest girl on earth!

EVERYDAY Aubrey asks for a bath and after you say ok she says bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.