Traditions.

One thing I have become sort of a freak about is traditions. Especially at Christmas. I have fond memories of things my family did growing up, and I really want Logan to look back and remember the things we made a priority as a family.
A tradition we do every year is take Logan to see Santa at Younkers in Sheboygan. Justin and I both did that as children and its special to us to walk in and see Bruce the Spruce and all the animatronic animals. Everything is the same :)I hope it stays that way for years to come.

ps. I realize it is now Boston Store......but it will always be younkers to me :)

I am still in search.

For the perfect Holiday card. Really, it shouldn't be so difficult to get one child. one terrier. and one collie to look the same way, at the same time....right? Gah.

I eventually gave up after 33 out of focus pictures with weird faces and fake smiles. Next year right?

So.

I'm a little late in the game.....but Logan started Kindergarten.



Today we received a copy of his journal that they have been documenting since the first day of school.

Page six held this gem.

Logan- "I like to watch tv and eat cucumbers"

Oh really?


I think the best part was the drawing of him sitting in front of a black box holding a whole cucumber.

Where does he come up with this stuff?

Is it summer yet?

I have decided that snow can go away forever. Yuck.

Its been awhile......

I think I am ready to start blogging again. Stay tuned for more. We have a lot of ground to cover......

Happy Birthday Logan

5 Years Old.


Happy Birthday little guy!

19-29-362

Nineteen evenings spent watching the sun go down over Lake Michigan



Twenty nine afternoons spent lounging at the beach





Three hundred and sixty two days learning and growing as a family.


Michigan became a blessing that none of us anticipated. We spent hours crying over leaving our families, friends and everything we had always known. Now, nearly a year after that move across the lake it hasn't been hours spent crying. I can't speak for Justin, but I've been crying for days. Its not because it is beautiful here, or because there is so much to do or because the lake is nicer or any of those superficial reasons. It's because our time spent in Michigan has been wonderful for our family. We only had eachother so that is who we turned to. We grew together this past year more than I thought we would have ever even needed to. The implementation of family dinners nightly was one small change that made our family closer. (something that was never feasible in Wisconsin due to crazy schedules) Gathering around the table for a well-rounded dinner and a chat about our days is something we have always wanted for our family. I have seen Logan open up and been able to recognize nightly what an awesome, smart, clever little guy he is. 30 minutes spent together at a hand me down table is one memory of Michigan that will never leave our hearts.

We have spent hours walking, driving and now even running to explore every last inch of our new home. We have made great strides to be healthier here, to implement all kinds of fun things into our weeks to make the time go by. The problem is, the time did go by. Much too fast.
So yes, when someone exclaims with such glee and excitement "you're moving home!" It stings. Not because I don't love the people in Wisconsin, not because I will yearn for the warm waters on the Eastern side of Lake Michigan but because I will miss our lives here in Michigan. Fulfilling. Easy. Slow-paced. All things we never experienced living in Wisconsin for various reasons.

The thought of moving to Michigan made Justin and I cringe when we found out we were moving here. But now we are reluctant to leave. Funny how that works eh? All we can take away from this experience is the lessons we have learned and the bonds we have forged.

As for you Michigan? We'll be back ;)

Little Fish

After an entire summer at the beach Logan has learned a few new tricks. He is now doing summersaults backwards and forwards with and without his vest, diving into waves and floating on inner tubes :) Last year we were lucky to get him in the water with a few waves ;)
We also took him to the waterpark this week and he wanted to go off the diving board. We cautiously said yes and thought he'd chicken out, but nope; he got right up there and did a huge cannonball :) He thought he was so cool doing all kinds of tricks and jumps off of that diving board. I didnt' bring my camera that day, but I am going to next time :)

Here is a video of his summersault underwater :)

Campfire in Wisconsin

Logan was very, very excited to go to Grandpa and Grandma's for a campfire :)

Like Father Like Son

Justin and Logan caught up on a little leisure reading this past weekend. Their choice? The Fantasy football 2010 draft choice book. eesh.

Punching Waves

One of Logan's favorite past-times at the lake is punching the waves. Don't ask me why, but all I know is if waves is what he wants to punch to get some of his 4 year old aggression out; that is more than fine with me. ;)

Haircut

Gosh, he looks so old!

Happy 4th of July!!!!!

We had an awesome 4th of July this year! Justin had to work all day, but at four when he was finished we headed down to the lake for an evening swim and some beach lounging. We ended up staying there until the fireworks at ten :) We watched the show from the top of a dune overlooking the channel, it was awesome. Can't say that the traffic afterwards was spectacuclar but Logan was asleep within minutes so, no biggie ;)




Sharing "ghost stories" while waiting for it to get dark enough for fireworks.




Our view of the show. They were lighting them off right near the red lighthouse; or "Big Red" as its known as around here.

Wordless Wednesday: A small taste of what this week's been like

Grand Haven

We ventured about 20 minutes north on Sunday to Grand Haven. While there we walked the boardwalk, caught the BEAUTIFUL sunset on the beach and watched the Musical Fountains. The musical fountains is a light show set to music with fountains, it was really neat! So glad we got to spend the evening as a family!

Pitiful

Looking at this face makes me laugh. Logan had his kindergarten boosters and a few other vaccinations we missed with our move last year. So, four shots later this is what he did when I asked if I could take a picture of his arms. So dramatic :)