Another Photo Shoot

We had nothing to do on Sunday, so I took the boy on a park-a-palooza.  I had alterier motives, of course.  Why else would I put my kids in polos to "go to the park".  I wanted photos.  They are changing and growing so fast lately.  (And I really like Max's hair right now.)  Here are my favorites.  Remember you can click any image to make them bigger.

 

Sam & Shamus have arrived!

We stopped into the library today for a visit and I noticed some teddy bears in backpacks on top of a book case. After reading a bit, I realized their "Traveling Teddies" program was a take home teddy that you could chronicle your adventures with for a time. Too bad we didn't see them before we went on vacation, but we could still do it now, right?! Of course, the librarian said.

So this week, with Matt gone to Ohio until the 1st, we have to visitors: Sam & Shamus. Sam, in the green bandanna, will be under Payton's care, while Max is loving up on Shamus. The boys were very excited. We immediately took a picture to start our journal and now they're watching movies and sharing popcorn with the two new boys.

This should be a fun week!!

It's fun to be a grownup!

The last few days, Matt and I have enjoyed each others' company without the kids around.

We went to Cedar Point on Monday with a group of my "work friends". We had an amazing time with everyone and really enjoyed our time together. It'd be at least ten years since we'd each been to CP and we've never been there together. It was fun to ride the rides together, and when I needed him, Matt was always there to reassure me that I could do it. Some of those rides are a lot scarier than I remembered!

Today, we spent the day running errands, going to the dentist and just enjoying each other. We had a great day, just the two of us. It was much needed, too! Tomorrow, Matt goes to work and I won't see him much until Sunday, August 1st!! He has to be in Ohio for a lot of military training. I'm not sure how much we'll get to see him before he leaves and we won't see him at all while he's gone.

Every moment I spent with him the last few days reminded me of how much I love him and how compatible we are. And how much we need each other. I really find a deeper love when we spend time together like this!

Family Reunion Time - 2010

Yesterday was the annual Wehrle Family Reunion. This is the family on Matt's paternal grandmother's side. We really only see them once a year at this reunion. I do wish we got to see them more often though.

Each of the parts of the family host once every 3 years. This year, Dick & Rita hosted at their home on Round Lake in Manitou Beach, Michigan. Matt had to work and was not able to attend. It's a shame since this is his family!!

There are a LOT of little kids close to Max and Payton's age. The boys had a great time. Payton played out on the lake all day. I barely saw him other than to eat or go to the bathroom. He was like a little fish! He made friends with a few of his cousins, although I'm sure next year when we meet up all over again, he'll be very excited to see them all again.

Maxwell enjoyed the water in time. He needs an adult with him still and I had forgotten my suit, so he had to rely on other adults in the water. He did pretty well though. He more enjoyed hanging out with the adults. He "helped" referee the corn hole tournament I was playing in. (I lost, by the way.) Max also developed a friend in his little cousin, Izzy.

Oh, and they both enjoyed all the candy!!! I enjoyed just relaxing by the water all day. It was nice to catch up with a few of the family as well. There are so many, and we see them so rarely that I don't really remember many of their names, as embarrassing as that is to say. Hopefully I'll remember their names until next year!

Summertime, Summertime

Sum, sum, summertime!  I've recovered from vacation and I'm starting to really enjoy this summer!  We've spent most of our time since we got back from North Carolina hanging out at home.  We've rented a few movies, a few Wii games and purchased a "kiddie" pool for the kids.  This kiddie pool is big enough for Matt to drown in however, so the kiddos have to be supervised at all times.  I'm not minding though!  It's a great chance for me to do some more reading. 

I hope everyone is having a GREAT summer and really enjoying the warm, but not too hot weather.

Lead Me by Sanctus Real

I heard a song this afternoon and it stopped me in my tracks. I had to listen to the rest of the song. Having come so close to losing my marriage two years ago, this song spoke to me. Not because my husband wasn't the one listening, but because I wasn't. I'm so glad there are song out there now to speak to the honor and love a marriage deserves and reminding people not to give up, not to walk away and instead ask for help from God - and anyone else willing to help SAVE a marriage. I'm so glad we did. (I love you, babe!)

Lead Me
Sanctus Real - “Lead Me”

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Maxwell, the ham

The last night on our beach vacation, I knew I wanted to try to get some great shots of the boys.  Payton cooperated for about 8 shots.  I had to drag him into it and he was less than happy.  Finally I told him that was enough and sent him back in the house.

 

Maxwell on the other hand.  Wow.  I had to follow him to get some great shots.  And once he started, he didn't stop.  He's personality is evident in each shot and you can see what a comic he is.  He loves to laugh and especially make others laugh!  He does well at it too.

Picture Highlights of Vacation 2010

What an AMAZING 12 days!

Matt, the boys and I returned Tuesday from an amazing trip to North Carolina, our annual family vacation.  The trip was so great.  Nothing went wrong.  Everything went smoothly and our boys were well behaved. 

We started the trip at my aunt & uncle's house in Buckeye Lake, OH.  It was great to hang out with them.  We hadn't been there in two years!! We left the next morning and drove through to Greensboro, NC.  We had a great hotel there, with a great dinner and the boys enjoyed the pool as well.  I am fortunate enough to be blessed with a husband who understand kids can't handle long car trips, so we made frequent stops where we would run around and let the kids play.  We'd have a snack, refill our drinks and then load up again.  It made a HUGE difference to be able to get some energy out and stretch.  We found some great local parks and rest stops along the way to use.

We arrived at our vacation home on Sunday.  This is the first year we "lived" Oceanside.  It was amazing. I'm not sure I could do "Second Row" again while the boys are young.  I spent at least 6 hours a day on the beach almost everyday.  The boys loved being so close they could go back and eat lunch and take a break and then come back again later. 

One day, we did have some gloomy weather.  We traveled by ferry to Fort Fisher and visited the aquarium.  With our Detroit Zoo membership, we all got in for free!  Great deal!!  It was a great day and we saw a lot of neat animals.

We ate a few meals at great restaurants, we visited a few cute, little shops, and Matt and I even had a date night.  We played putt-putt.  We had ice cream almost every night (FROSTY'S!!).  But most of our week was spent on the beach.  The wonderful, adorable, quaint, "I-wanna-live-there" destination of Oak Island, NC.