Just a few shots from the weekend

Our little family had an eventful weekend.  Although we didn't leave town, we did (gulp) buy a van.  That's right, we are now van-people.  The van we got is really nice.  The only sad thing is that we traded in my little red car.  I want a van, but I loved that car!

We also were busy with friends this weekend.  On Saturday night we hosted a bonfire at our house...or at least we had a bonfire until it rained on us.  On Sunday we watched a lot of olympics and attended a birthday party for a boy that is 2 months younger than Gus.  The following pictures are from that party. There were tons of kids there, and it was hot.  Gus had fun playing in the water, but he did not enjoy the kids picture we tried to take at the end of the party.

Enjoying some cold watermelon.

Kid picture attempt 1

Kid picture attempt 2

And then, everything fell apart.  Everyone was crying and running away.  We should have run to get Gus, but we decided to take these precious pictures instead.

Notice the spork in his hand.  He loves that spork.  It ended up coming home with us, and he played with it again this morning.  What a sill boy.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Nancy and Gus

Splash Park Video

here are the videos from last week at the splash park... at last!

Also, in case you haven't heard, we bought a van yesterday.  Yup, that's right, we have entered a new era in life, the van era.

All the best and happy Sunday!
Nancy

splash park pictures

Wow, is it already Friday?!?  Sorry there has been such a delay in posting these pictures.  Our little family had a lot of fun at a local splash park this last Saturday.  The longer we were there the braver Gus got, to the point where he would just stand under the spraying water.  He is such a funny boy!  Billy took a video that I will have to upload, but it is still on his phone.  For now, here are a few pictures.

It is supposed to be a beautiful day, so Gus and I are headed up for a swimming date with my cousin and her three boys!  Have a wonderful weekend, 

Nancy and Gus

Wishing Aunt Tina a Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Tina!
Here is just one picture, but it is especially for you, Tina.  I took this picture a couple days ago.  Gus was out playing in the yard and he found, what has become, one of his favorite toys: a stick.  He has returned to that same stick several days since and just can't get enough of it.

We went to the lake today, but only lasted about 45 minutes.  It is too too hot!  Also, Gus loves to go in the water, but now that he is an independent walker he refuses to take my hand...and he can't quite understand that when he falls down while walking in the water, he will go under.  Oh well.  We're learning!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!
Nancy

The Verly Pool Party on Sunday

One of the first things we did once we got back from our time in Michigan, was head over to my Aunt's house for the annual pool party!  There were lots of little kids, tons of bubbles, and an absurd amount of food.  We had a blast.  Here are a few pictures of our time there.

Gus playing with Wyatt in the little pool.

A cute shot of Holden.

A big jump from little Dave!

Although several cousins are missing, here are the few that made it to the party, lined up by age on the diving board, just like we used to do at the pool parties we had as kids.

Grandpa giving Gus his first root beer float...because he clearly didn't get enough ice cream while we were in Michigan!

Courtney and Holden

Daddy and Gus playing with bubbles in the big pool

Ruthie and Rosie

Great Grandma and the Great Grands that made it to the party.

Before we left, we did a quick celebration of Big Dave's 4th birthday.  Happy birthday, David!

Digging into the spoils.

Gus "played" a little with Owen before we left....really he was just confused.  Owen is a twin, so he is used to someone his size coming in and taking his toy.  It was all new to Gus, and he didn't like it!  He will have a lot to learn when his sister gets here in November.  (Oh, in case you have yet to hear--we found out it is a girl!!)

Thanks for stopping by

Nancy and Gus

We are back from Michigan!

We had a wonderful two weeks in Michigan, but there is something about getting back to your own bed and life that is just so wonderful.  Gus is also happy to be home.  He loved all the cousin-craziness the past two weeks, but by the end he was one tired boy!

Yesterday I loaded 1,100 pictures onto our computer...and after that I was too overwhelmed to even start sifting through them.  Because of this I have decided (for now) to just post the highlights.  I will be adding more soon, and will be posting a few on my other blog.

For now, here is a taste of our time on the big lake.

Our first trip to the beach.  

Little Rose, enjoying a warm day on the sand.

One of many walking lessons with dad.

Big Dave swimming off the rocks at the cabin.

Our family at a near-by State Park.

The Lanoues at another State Park.

And us too!

Out swimming again!

Playing in the sand with Little Dave.  Gus spent LOTS of time playing in the sand this week.

Big Dave, with character to spare.

Classic Little Dave

I know it's blurry, but this is a picture of the few and the brave that went down (and up) Log Slide sand dune at Pictured Rocks.  It is 300 ft nearly straight down, ending in beautiful Lake Superior. You can get down the dune in a matter of minutes, but it takes almost an hour (for most people) to climb back up.  I have done it several times in years past, but this year I sat it out with the rest of the pregnant ladies and the babies.  My brother John also went down, and although he had a "spiritual experience" struggling to get back up, he did, in the end, make it up!  And, I should mention that the fastest time (by far) was clocked by little Simon Lanoue.

A view from the top of Log Slide

On Mackinac Island, just Bill and I.  We left Gus with the rest of the family and headed there for a two day get-away.

We biked around the island (8 miles).

That evening we went back to Mackinac City where we staying in a nice bed and breakfast.  The Mackinac Bridge is in the background of this shot.

All the kids made tie-dye shirts which they wore to the 4th of July parade!

And while waiting for the parade, Gus got a few more walking lessons.

Gus walked for the first time on Saturday night after mass!  Right before Bill headed back to Minnesota!  After mass we walked down to the lighthouse, which is our tradition.  

With dad on the way to the lighthouse.  Thanks for the outfit Auntie Tina!

We took a Grandma picture at the lighthouse...and everyone was happy except Gus!

All the daddies left on Sunday, but that night Grandpa arrived for the second week.  Gus and Grandpa are buddies (I think it might have something to do with all the ice cream grandpa gives him...)

Therese was a swimmer this year!

Mary

Sweet Therese

At the end of the second week we once again walked down to the lighthouse, this time for a Grandpa picture.  The biggest different from the week before is that Gus walked this time!

Gus was much happier this time for the picture!

Walking back from the lighthouse

He's one of the big kids!

That night guess what he got from grandpa.  More ice cream!

It was a wonderful trip!  I will hopefully be posting more pictures tomorrow of the family pool party we were at on Sunday.  We have been having tons of fun in the sun!

Nancy and Gus