Living, Loving, Learning

is a really good way to live. We had a great trip to Kentucky Lake! We drove over there on Thursday morning, and by that afternoon we were all out on the boat having a great time relaxing together. The fact that we were out on the water at all was pretty amazing. Our friends, The Webbers , whom we were meeting, had not had an ideal trip so far. They had blown a boat trailer tire on the highway on the way down, the rental house definitely did not live up to any one's expectations and on Tuesday the alternator in their boat had broken. In fact, shortly after we arrived, they received a call that the boat was fixed after two days in the shop (a short turn around for these parts!!). Bruce and I volunteered to stay with the kids (our two, the 2 Webber kids and their cousin) while Chris and Chanley picked up the boat and put it back in the water. Shortly after they left we got a phone call from them - they had blown ANOTHER trailer tire!! It was nuts and of course there ...

We had such a fun week in Michigan, before we headed out East. The most fabulous part was the surprise 40th birthday party that the Marino's threw for Bruce. Seeing as his 40th isn't until the end of July, it was a HUGE surprise. The morning of, we drove over to their place (leaving the kids with the Moms for an overnight - Lucy's first overnight!!) so the guys could go golfing. Bruce was so sweet, handing me a $50 as he walked out, saying, "Why don't you ladies go do something fun like get a pedicure!" Little did he know, we had a lot of things to do before he got back. By "we", I mean Gabriella and by "a lot" I mean amazingly small amount - she is so organized!!! All party paraphernalia had been hidden and so we pulled it out and decorated the house and yard, set up tables and chairs and Gab got the food ready to go (of course, she had enough for everyone Bruce had ever known!!) We finished in enough time to enjoy a beer or 4 before the r...

We definitely made the BEST of the situation and really enjoyed our stay in MI. Griffin made the most of playing in the snow. He and Gran made a sled shoot and he and MorMor made a snow cave. He played in the snow most every day. Gran and MorMor also watched the little ones for us so Bruce and I could go out on a double date with the Marinos. We hit a funky little restaurant in E. Lansing (home of MSU) and then an Irish pub. We walked into the back room of the pub and it was full of Pirates! I am not kidding, full outfits complete with feathered hats, eye patches, pewter mugs of ale and umm...cleavage, lots of it. I have never stumbled upon a pirate party before so we found a table and started making friends. Unfortunately, it was the end of their party and time for the college DJ and students to start filling the place up. A half hour later as we observed the frat boys bundled up in boots and sweatshirts hitting on the coeds in high heels and tank tops, we all agreed we were...

Things are going really well here in snowy Michigan. We have had a GREAT weekend. First of all, like a dummy, I forgot to put a diaper on Griffin before I put him to bed on Thursday night (no, I had not cracked open a bottle of wine yet!) And ***insert drum roll here*** he woke up DRY! Yeah!! He was so proud of himself and said that he was done with diapers forever. We have not put one on since though he has had a few accidents at nap time. We are getting close to being totally done with potty training and I couldn't be more proud of my little dude. Bruce and I were able to go on a date Saturday night. It had been a LONG time since we had been out alone and we really enjoyed ourselves. It was only possible because of our fantastic friends, the Webber family, kept Griffin overnight. Thanks guys!!! Bruce and I had a great dinner out and had so much fun dreaming about all the things this year is going to bring, discussing what locations are the top choices for moving to, what our next...

This summer has been so crazy busy, I have let the blog slip. But here you go, by popular demand...more Griff pics. So, a couple of weekends ago we went to the Michigan State Fair. Bruce and I had been there on a date before we were married (yeah, we're dorks like that!) , but had not taken Griffin yet. The thing is, the fairgrounds are on 8 mile and Woodward in Detroit...not exactly farm country. That is what is extra cool about it --- it gives many urban families an opportunity to get down and stinky with all kinds of farm animals, that they otherwise may never see. And, rumor has it that it was the countries first State Fair. Although we missed the opportunity for unlimited chocolate milk for 25 cents, we still managed to have a really great time. We were joined for the day by Griff's best bud Jake, and his family, Chris, Chanley and Casey Webber . We started out at the "Miracle of Life" tent. This is a huge space that has small pens surrounded by bleachers. In th...

Last Friday, Bruce and I took Griffin to his first carnival. We met up with our very good (and much blogged about) friends Chanley, Jake and Casey along with Chanley's Mom and sister who were visiting from Wisconsin. We started the day with my very favorite activity - CRAFTS!! Griffin helped me (by throwing handfulls of beads around) make a necklace. I couldn't believe it, but he wore it all day!! We then met up with the Webbers and Jake and Griffin rode on a jeep ride together. Griffin had such a great time, we bought him an armband which allowed him unlimited rides. The ticket lady gave Griffin a stamp on the hand which he was excited to show me. "jus t like Mama's" Jake and Griffin continued to go on lots of rides together. We stopped for a quick lunch of corn dogs and hummus and went right back to it. The boys even rode on a baby roller coaster together....Griff was a little terrified although he recovered immediately and told us he liked it, but I may never...

Chanley and I took our kids (hers: son Jake and daughter Casey) to a Spray Park in Clarkston yesterday. It took the boys a little while to warm up to the idea but they both ended up having an awesome time. These boys LOVE to hug...it is their way of saying "I am having a really great time playing next to you!" It is so funny when it happens, especially when a third of the time they fall over mid-hug. After a picnic lunch we played at the playground. Here are some highlights:

This is Griff and his best friend Jake at his birthday party!!! They had such a fun time playing together.

Yesterday was an extrordinary day with Griffin. I laughed with my boy!!! For you with out little ones around, that might not mean much, but let me tell you, it's incredible. Up until now, I would giggle at his funny little mannerisms, goofy looks and quirky personality. He would giggle a lot too as I would make up songs and shows for him. But last night....we made a joke together!! For a few precious moments we shared a big belly shakin' laughter fit together at OUR joke. (and for those of you who have had to witness one of my giggle fits, Griffin held his own!! :)) We also had a great playdate yesterday and Griffin made jokes and interacted with his buddy Jake. It was a real breakthrough as these boys previously had only participated in "parallel play" together. I sense big changes in Griffin on the horizon!!