Splish Splash

Enjoying the Summer

Brody and I had the opportunity to take a day a week ago to spend some time together. We ended up in Charlotte visiting my parents and we even lucked out that Uncle Neal was around that day. We went to the zoo that I worked at during my College years and saw that most of the same ponies were still there giving rides (although Brody was too scared to ride on any of them). He did enjoy the goats and was evening brushing them by the end of our visit.

Last weekend we were back at my parents for our annual family reunion. Brody had his first real adventure with balloons and enjoyed throwing them in the air, biting and popping them. He even got to throw a few water balloons.

A few weeks ago there was a rainbow that stretched all the way across our house. I had to take the opportunity to take a few pictures (as well as some of my flowers).

Summer Fun

Still drooling!

Sorry it has been FOREVER since I updated the blog last. We were so busy during June, pretty much camping every weekend. We had a lot of fun visiting State Parks and Private Campgrounds. It seems like Brody really enjoys being outside and exploring all the world has to offer!

For the 4th of July we had our second annual trip to Harrison State Park. We camped with my best friend from home and her family. Brody had a great time experiencing a lot of "firsts" including, attempting to blow up a beach ball, fishing and a parade!


I was surprised at how much Brody liked fishing. He was even excited about letting the fish go back in the lake and handing worms to dad!
Uncle Neal was able to make it for the 4th of July Camping weekend (and he didn't even sink a boat this year!)

The last week of June we went with some friends from my work to visit Yogi Bear Jellystone Park in Fremont, Indiana. It was such a nice park! We were camping right by a pool and a splash park (lucky for us because that week it was in the 90s!). Jim ended the weekend by dropping an axe on his foot (it sounds much worse than it actually was) taking us to the ER for 3 hours! I guess we always need some excitement!

Brody attempting to ride his car around the kitchen

Brody is amazing us each day. He can say quite a few words now and can tell us what most animals say (although sometimes he gets stuck on every animal saying "moo"). His favorite word right now is definitely "no". Some mornings on the way to daycare he will just sit in the back seat saying no in every tone he can think of (I just sit in the front and laugh). He also likes the words up, cracker, cookie, push, ball, water and Bobo (that is what he calls my dad). He was even able to pick him out of a picture we have in the house last night. By far his favorite things to play with are balls and he enjoys watering my flowers with me when ever he has a chance.

Jim was traveling for work last week and came home Friday to this....we couldn't stop laughing at what I had dressed Brody in that day. Doesn't he look like a 70 year old man?

I just got a new computer yesterday to transfer all of my photos to and really start focusing some more on photography (so hopefully everyone will be seeing a lot more photos on the blog!)

Great Two Weeks

Brody has been enjoying the awesome play set we got as a hand-me-down from my coworker Peggy! It was such a great gift!

We started out June by heading to Ludington State Park for a family camping trip. We had a great time biking, visiting a nearby elk farm and enjoying the sunset over the water.

On Saturday, my grandmother celebrated her 96th birthday. It was such a great day!

Last weekend we were lucky to have Jim's mom and dad, sister Sue and nephew Nathan out to visit us from Pennsylvania. Brody got to enjoy a lot of firsts with them: going to a local baseball game and bowling!

Family Photos at my Mom and Dad's

Trip to the John Ball Park Zoo

Ride 'em Cowboy!

We took Brody to the Zoo in Grand Rapids on Friday. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time. I thought Brody was going to be very excited to see all of the animals, but it ended up that he was a little nervous around all the new creatures. None of us had been there before and Jim got to enjoy feeding the birds and petting the sting rays. Those of you who know anything about me would know that there was no way that I would be feeding the birds and no way that Brody or I would be taking a ride on a camel.

Not too sure about the chickens

Must be the turtle felt like this leg was a little pale

Maybe mommy has a right to be scared!

Brody was brave enough to pet the goat

Look at the sharks!

Just along for the ride!
(This picture is especially for Schon)

My favorite picture of the day

We have started to experience the beginnings of the "Terrible Twos" with Brody. Last week Jim was gone on business and Brody decided to give mom a run for her money. He has started to enjoy throwing food and laughs when he is punished. This all lead to my stop at the bookstore today to pick up a parenting book - this could be the hardest part of being a parent - getting a 1 1/2 year old to do what you want them to...or at least stop doing what you don't want them to do.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Mother's Day

Brody and Jim helped me celebrate a great Mother's Day. Brody made me a beautiful card at Daycare and picked out the perfect present at Hallmark. I received a red cardinal with flowers painted on it - which is the perfect gift from Brody this year because it is a "Ducky".

The Ducky

We had a great time Mother's Day weekend with my parents and my brother. Brody was excited to have so many people to entertain and play with.

We tried to get a family picture, but the only way Brody would smile was if he was upside down!

When I was a child this would have never been allowed...but now that she is a Grandma anything goes!

Brody helped all of us eat our chocolate cake after dinner. He definitely got his mother's sweet tooth!

Uncle Neal is a great play pal! They had fun playing in Brody's new playhouse (a great find for $50) and in the yard.




And then everyone had to leave on Sunday....

Jim and Brody were walking across the street to see the neighbor's new pole barn and I caught this picture - I think this is one of my favorites!

Grandma Sue brought a shirt she had embroidered for Brody - he got to wear it this week and was proud to say there was a Ducky on his shirt!

I tried and tried to get a picture with him smiling...the best I could do was to get him to look at me!

Brody LOVES to be outside now that the weather is nice out. It seems like the end of the world when we have to go in.

We are going camping for the first time this weekend. I am sure that I will have a lot of pictures to update when we get back. I hope everyone has a great Memorial Day Weekend!