Summer Fun!

A few days ago I was shopping with the kids and couldn't believe it when I saw that the backpacks and school supplies are already out at Target.  It catches me by surprise every year.  I just can't stand to think that summer is nearly over.  We have been having such an awesome summer.  I suppose we will just have to keep enjoying every last second of it.  The kids are at such perfect ages this summer.  I feel like we can go anywhere and do anything again. 

Below are pictures from June and July so far.  I put up some pictures of our Hilton Head vacation for those of you who don't Facebook.  :)  It was an awesome vacation with the Keefer family!  I also included pictures from our Michigan trip.  We visited Frankenmuth and Saginaw and then we visited the Huckleberry Railroad in Flint.  If you have never been to these destinations, we would highly recommend it.  They are just a few hours away and so much fun. 

There are also a few pictures from the Three Rivers Festival.  The kids loved the parade this year and we also took them to the Ice cream Social to hear Grandpa play his tuba.  We had a blast at the Children's Fest and fireworks as well. 

We hope you enjoy the pictures and that you are having as much fun this summer as we are.

Hilton Head Island

Bob With the Kids on Father's Day



Back Yard Fun

Our Weekend Trip to Michigan



Three Rivers Festival



Gaerte Photo Session

There aren't many things that I enjoy more than taking pictures.  Well maybe running, but I have a love/hate relationship with that some days.  Anyway, my SIL let me practice my skills on her kiddos this week, and I am liking the results!  The kids all did fabulously and made my job easy.  I should add that I also enjoy modifying pictures after I take them.  It is amazing what you can do with a picture when you play with it a little.  Check out some of my favorites! 

Uncle Tedd

Uncle Tedd recently made the honorable decision to join the Army.  We are very proud of him and will miss him while he is away.  We get Jess for a few more months while Tedd is in training, but we are going to miss her a TON when she leaves too. Here are a few pictures of the family celebrating Tedd before he leaves.  

We are going to miss you both so much, and we wish you

the best.  You are in our prayers and our thoughts and we love

you both very much.

May

So far May has been a very rainy month around here.  That has meant two things for us.  First of all we have been spending WAY too much time inside, and second we are enjoying every minute we can be outside to the fullest.  Here are a few pictures of all of the fun we have been having.

 The munchkins have been spending a lot of time

reading during all the rainstorms.

 We have taken quite a few picnics to Chain O'Lakes and then

hiked and played on the playground.  It is currently the kids

favorite place to be on sunny days.

 I enjoyed a very nice Mother's Day this year.  We spent

time with my mom and mother-in-law, and I even got my

oatmeal in bed in the morning.

 Here they are enjoying the sunshine in the backyard.

 The farmer across the road actually got his

field planted which meant free entertainment for

the kids.

 Uncle Tedd and Aunt Jess came over for a visit

and some block building last week.  We found out

that Uncle Tedd is quite the builder.

 Here is Maggie by Uncle Tedd's tower.

 Ben recently earned a day where he didn't have to

take his nap, so we went to the backyard and took some

pictures of him.

We also squeezed in a weekend camping trip to Chain O'Lakes.

The kids had a blast playing at the playground, playing with

Grandpa and Grandma Gaerte, taking walks, paddle boating, and

celebrating with Uncle Tedd before he leaves for the Army.  More pics are coming

soon of Uncle Tedd's going away gathering.