July 16, 2010
Allison's Birthday Party
at Yankee Springs State Park

I decided to break up my entries for our trip to Yankee Springs because I had taken so many pictures between Allison's Birthday Party and our other fun camping activities.

Friday night, we decided to celebrate Allison's Birthday.
Grandma babysat Owen for the day, so Uncle Shawn came out for the evening.
In addition, we were excited to hear that Aunt Melissa and Micah could drive out for the evening as well. I wasn't up for cooking for all these people out of my trailer, so I opted for the easy way out and we ordered Hungry Howie's Pizza and breadsticks. The food was a hit, and the company was outstanding and Allison had a great time celebrating her birthday with everyone.

The Birthday Girl
Showing off her Hello Kitty t-shirt to match her Hello Kitty birthday theme.

Before the party started, we took the opportunity to take a picture with the cupcakes she decorated with sprinkles. The birthday girl with her birthday crown and her lunchbox that we filled with candy for her party favors.

Opening her present from Aunt Melissa and Micah.
It was a goody bag filled with a jump rope, bubbles, and suckers.

She loves her new Hello Kitty camping chair from Grandma and Grandpa.

After Allison opened her chair - Nicholas decided that the gift bag was the perfect size to wear.

Polly Pocket set from Grandma and Grandpa

A new outfit for school - also from Grandma and Grandpa

....and her new art set.

Polly Pocket Roller Coaster set from her aunts, uncles, and cousins.

and a new tent from Mama and Papa

Aunt Catherine and Allison seem to have the same opinion of the construction of the new Polly Pocket Roller Coaster and Waterpark.

Everybody seemed into the Polly Pocket set tonight. Aunt Catherine said she wanted to help put it together, because she never gets to play with girls toys - having 2 boys of her own.
But, as the package was opened I think Joshua was just as excited to explore the new toy.

After the gifts, we all headed down to the lake for some swimming and tubing.
I was out in the water having fun with everyone, so I didn't have my camera with me in the water. However, one story that just needs to be shared is this: Uncle Shawn patiently pulls the little kids on the tube every time, knowing that he can't go too fast and needs to take it easy because of the their age. Tonight, was another story - we managed to talk Micah into giving the tube a try. Uncle Shawn was in his glory knowing that he had a fierce competitor on his hands and did everything in his power to try to flip her off. He finally accomplished his task, and oh did I wish I had my camera. The tube flipped up in the air and you could see air between the top of that tube and Micah as she went hurling into the air and dropped into the waves. Uncle Shawn turned to all of us near shore and declared his triumph with both arms straight up in the air. I would have loved to have a picture of both the flip and his victorious face.

After tubing, Micah headed into shore to dry off and I found her swinging with Allison.

The birthday girl with her cupcakes.

Blowing out her candles.

July 14, 2010
Allison turns 5!

Wow, how time flies! It seems that every year goes faster and faster.
Her birthday fell on a Wednesday, which meant Paul was at work all day - so her birthday celebration had to wait until after dinner. I did, however, take them to the library and then made a stop at Speedway for ICEEs for all the kids for a special birthday treat.
After dinner - she finally was able to open her presents.

A new bike helmet

She had been asking for Jilly the Zhu Zhu pet for weeks.
She was so excited to see that she actually got it.

Jilly the hamster, came in a set. It had a hamster room and also came with one hamster baby and a twin baby stroller. Later, she opened a 2nd baby and a hamster carrier and blanket.

Showing Gabrielle some of her hamster accessories.

Another thing Allison had been asking for lately was a pillow pet.
However, there really wasn't enough time to order one on-line and get it on time for her birthday. I was talking with a co-worker about where I might be able to find something similar and she informed me that Rivertown Mall has a kiosk that sells them.
I was so excited to here that, and went right after work to check it out.
Allison had asked for the purple unicorn, but they were all out.
Upon opening her gift, she was delighted to find a soft fluffy sheep pillow pet and wants to take it with her everywhere.

After opening presents, Allison and I left with her Toys R Us gift cards, some money from her bank and some birthday money from Grandma and Grandpa Van Wesep. Zhu Zhu pet accessories were on sale - so we were off to add to her new collection.
She got another Zhu Zhu named Nugget, a bed for it to sleep in, and a hamster wheel to connect to the hamster room she just got earlier. She also had a great time having some one on one time with mom. We did have to stop at the grocery store, but she happily road in the cart with her hamster and hamster babies tucked in their little beds the entire time.

July 12, 2010
If you want something bad enough....

Earlier this morning, I had the dryer running. From upstairs, I heard the dryer door open and the dryer stop. I went down stairs to find out it was Sam and had a little talk with him about leaving my dryer alone.

Later in the morning, Sam and I went through some totes in the basement looking for some bigger pajamas for him and were able to locate 3 Lightning McQueen PJs. I then proceeded to put them in the load of wash that I had ready to go.

Still later, Sam came and found me and wanted to know where his new PJs where. I informed him that they were now in the dryer and that he could wear them that night.

So, now it's the middle of the afternoon and I am sitting in the living room and low and behold I hear the dryer door again. This time the cycle was actually finished. In my mind, I am preparing myself to have a little talk with Sam when he comes back upstairs and am trying to decide the appropriate punishment. Then, I start hearing him mumble something to himself and it sounds like he is carrying something heavy. I also keep hearing something on the stairs as he works his way to the top.

The next thing I know he brings me a laundry basket full of clean clothes, and is asking for his new Lightning McQueen PJs. The little stinker had unloaded the clean clothes from the dryer into a laundry basket and carried them all upstairs. I quickly realized that this wasn't the entire load and asked him where the rest of the clothes were. His reply: " They are in the green basket because it was too heavy for me to carry them all."

July 10, 2010
Aiden's First Birthday Party

Today we got to attend my nephew Aiden's 1st birthday party. He actually had his birthday on the 4th of July when we were camping in Cadillac, so we got to have birthday cake then and now. Aren't we lucky! Today was the day for his big birthday bash with both sides of the family invited including 12 kids under the age of 8. You can only imagine the noise can't you?

We received an e-mail earlier in the week that Owen wanted his cousins to remember to wear their "babe-ing" suits. Our kids were more than happy to comply and had a great time enjoying their swimming pool. It was a lot of kids in a little pool - but they all got along very well and we heard many laughs and giggles.

The birthday boy in his new Mighty Ducks hockey jersey -
a gift from his big brother Owen.

Owen checks out the new cars and trucks that we purchased for him.

He also takes a look at the portable play set that goes with the new cars and trucks.

Aiden was very excited to see the birthday cake on it's way to his plate.

This kid loves his cake!

July 1-6, 2010
Mitchell State Park

It was a busy weekend filled with family fun up at Mitchell State Park this weekend.
We arrived on Thursday night, but had to park on a different site for the night. We were grateful to have the driving portion of our trip out of the way and didn't mind moving the trailer over a site on Friday morning. We were nice and settled into our site, when my parents arrived and a couple hours later my brothers started arriving. The campsites were a flurry of activity.
We happily watched all the cousins play while there parents were able to set up camp unhindered.
While we were watching the kids - I caught this great picture of Aiden and Grandma.
Doesn't it just make you want to melt?

We had been talking to Nicholas all week about the possibility that his younger cousins may not be as interested in Star Wars as his is.... however, he was pleasantly surprised to have them asking to play lightsabers with him.

The small lightsaber from Nicholas' dual blade lightsaber was very popular with the little boys this trip. They really felt like they were part of the gang.

Fishing anyone?

The kids watching Uncle Shawn put the boat in the water.
Hey look...6 kids all sitting still!!!!

One of the highlights of the weekend was tubing behind the boat.
All the kids tried it - and we were very proud of them all.

Joshua and Allison walking back to the trailers from the beach.
Saturday night - the park hosted a GLOW DANCE PARTY.
I had found out about it Thursday night when we arrived, so I quickly called Grandma who was still at home to see if she could stop at a dollar store and pick some things up for the party.
The fireworks over Lake Cadillac were a bit of a disappointment - fortunately, the GLOW PARTY was a lot of fun, and that is what they will remember about this 4th of July.

Sunday afternoon we took a walk through the Nature Preserve. It was hot and sticky and we didn't end up walking the entire thing - but we saw a lot of these pretty flowers along the trail.
Don't know what kind they are, but I thought they were pretty just the same.

Taking a short rest along the trail.

Uncle Shawn promised the kids they could have a boat ride through the tunnel that connects Lake Cadillac and Lake Mitchell. We folded the seats of the boat down so they could all go together.

While we were there, Aiden turned 1.
He loved his cake and had us all laughing so hard as he dug into the cake and kept coming up smiling and grinning. What a riot!

Because Aiden's Birthday Party is planned for next weekend - he didn't open many gifts.
However, he did get this car a little before the party so he could enjoy it while we were camping.

Saturday night was the Glow Dance Party and fireworks,
so Sunday night we did Sparklers with the kids.

My brothers and their families left on Monday. Unfortunately, it was after that left that we heard about a nearby playground. So, Tuesday morning before we left we went to check it out.
It was a very nice park and the kids had fun for a little while before we finished packing up to head home.