Sam's First Day of Preschool 2011

Sam's first day of preschool for the 2011-2012 school year, and his first year at school without big brother Jack. The best part, according to Sam? He finally gets to play on the "Big-Kid" playground. Ahhhh, life at 3 is good!

First Day of Kindergarten

Sooooooo excited!

Waiting in the cafeteria with all the other nervous kids and parents:)

Almost time to head in to his classroom!





 

Sam, the supportive brother:)

 

Well, the first day of kindergarten was great!  Jack's teachers are very nice and very structured--which bodes well for us on both ends.  We knew Jack would do great, and he readily joined his classmates when his teacher came to call them into the classroom.  No tears from any of us--yea!

Coast Guard Festival Fun!

 Ahhh...the annual early-August trip to Southwest Michigan for the Coast Guard Festival--so much fun packed into one week.  Here we are--half way (in Kentucky)--visiting Gary and Mary and their kids Peyton and Brady.  The Wortz clan is so nice to take us in for one very quick overnight stay every year. 

The Wortz and Wilcox kids--thanks to Brady for introducing Jack to Beyblades--our new obsession:)

Road-weary parents--gearing up for day two!

Saturday morning after the Coast Guard run (I ran, which I guess is why there are no photos???).  Jack spit out his first lost tooth before winning his heat of the kids' Tot Trot, and when I finished the 10k, he held out his palm, tooth inside:)  Here are Branko, Averi, and Lucas preparing to ride the Lions float in the kids' parade.

My newest neice, Grace! So sweet, but just wait 'til that hat comes off--she's got some crazy hair!

The whole crew (minus me--forever behind the camera:()

Nearing the finish--it's HOT!

Lukie won "Best Waver."  I don't think he stopped the entire time we were "floating."

Back at Grandma's and Grampo's.  I caught Jack and Averi on the deck, sitting out there like an old married couple.  So, I said, "Jack, put your arm around her."  Well, this is what I got:)

Pepa and Grandma Julie's going away party!  Aunt Traci has the best toys!

Working up a sweat!

Rick is teaching Averi and Jack how to surf.  Too fun!

What up?  Sam prefers to hang out by the buffet:)

Pepa takes Gracie out for a swim.  What four-month-old spends hours, yes HOURS in a pool?  This one does!

My water-logged hubby:)

Rick takes Sam out on Jacob's skateboard.  Amazingly, not one of those naked, pruny toes got scuffed after hours of skating.

Aunt Angie gets in on the lawn races for the 5 and under set:)



 Auto Show!  This is where Jack was introduced to Mustangs...now, he can spit out all the details about each one he sees on the road in about 5 seconds--including decals, engine size, type, spoiler, etc...

"I'm fast, but I'm human."  Jack takes a break from racing.

Lego Experience Tour!

Sam, building away!

Ready to race!



Free Lego play?  Can't beat it!

 

Having fun with Legos at the waterfront.

Anniversary Get-a-block-away

I booked a night at the Inn we stayed at on our wedding night.  Ironically enough, Mom now lives a block away, so we actually walked down with our luggage to check in!  We got to stay in the same room we stayed in 11 years ago, and I found the journal entry I wrote on our wedding night.  Very nostalgic to read about getting ready for an 11-day honeymoon to Hawaii!  Alas, this time we had one night, and then we hiked back a block to Mom's to our kids and reality:)  But, not before we got some good walks in on the Boardwalk, a nice dinner at the restaurant where we had our first date, and a glorious full-fat breakfast downtown!  Back in 2012 for sure!

 

Ummmm....It was a little humid.  Can you tell?

Farewell Party for Dad & Julie

 Aunt Traci's new toy;)  Thanks for sharing!

 Rick teaches Averi and Jack to surf!

 Pepa and Gracie snuggle after she spent four hours in the pool!

 What up, Dogg?

 He gets really excited about being on vacation...

 Sam likes this big "scooter"

 Preparing for the races across Uncle PP's front yard.

 Aunt Angie's soooooo fast! (Lukie and Sam get a little help)

 I'm so cute without my front tooth.

Ready? Set? Go!

 

Day two in Michigan:  Farewell party for Dad & Julie.  I always knew Dad had the soul of a beach bum...glad he's able to indulge it now:)

Hiking at Triple Falls

At the end of our river hike!

We love these falls because you can walk right into them! Can you see the little girl to the right under the water?

Exploring with Dad...

Hiking the rocky riverbanks.

Two peas...

Rick and Sam head out of the water. We actually hiked a good 1/4 mile up the river, IN the river. It was fun, adventurous, and a little scary at times. The boys did great despite the slippery rocks and moderate current.

This was a great day trip--one of our favorites! The weather was so much cooler in the mountains than at home, which made the water even more refreshing!

The CW Sharks, 2011 Season

We were warned. To be fair, we were warned. Swim team is a crazy-busy, month-long experience! Ultimately, I am so glad Jack wanted to do it because he is a phenomenally better swimmer now. Although the team as a whole did not win much, I liked how the coaches gave the younger swimmers (and their parents) a "pass" on the more grueling aspects of swim team. As the weather got warmer, practices switched from afternoon to early morning. Unfortunately, the first couple mornings were unseasonably cool, which brought out a spirit of, well, let's call it "timidity with a side of stubborn." All in all, Jack went to two meets and swam in just one. Wouldn't take back the experience, though, and he LOVES his swim shorts, which he inappropriately wears to pool parties that do not involve competitive swimming:)