We're alive and well...been busy playing during the day and decluttering the house. We're potty training the 2nd half of the day. Kiersten is doing really well, we're bypassing pullups and went straight to underwear (they're so little & cute) this time. (we need to buy some overnight pullups at some point). Will upload some new pictures soon!

It finally happened!!! The kids ARE growing up!

Peter is spending his first night in his twin size bed. I found this twin mattress, boxspring & frame on craigslist. It was a Serta brand, barely used for a 2nd guest bedroom, cheap (they are moving out of state) and best of all....they lived less than a mile away from me!! I have pillows on the floor in case Peter falls out of bed, he moves around A LOT! He was so excited!

Kiersten is now sleeping in Peter's toddler bed! The crib (and changing table) has been disassembled and stored away! We also weaned Kiersten cold turkey from her pacificer (we had been giving it to her for nap & bedtime only) by justing taking it away. She searched all the normal places for 2 days and has since forgotten about it! She didn't take a nap today, so she fell asleep quickly! Hopefully, she doesn't wake me up too early tomorrow!

Happy Independence Day!!!!!

Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.

~Dwight D. Eisenhower

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves. Abraham Lincoln

Vacation Part: 2 Michigan Adventure

On Sunday, July 1st, we spent the day at Michigan Adventure. We have lived in MI all of our lives and have never experienced this amusement/waterpark. The kids had a lot of fun and Peter experienced his first kiddie rollercoaster. Half of the group left around 5pm, but we stayed until 7:30pm. There are some random pictures below as well. Dianne’s 2nd birthday was June 29th so we had some gifts for her. On our return home on Monday, July 2nd, we stopped in Grand Rapids to visit the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum and to see his gravesite.

Vacation Part 1: Lake Michigan

Saturday (June 30th) we headed to meet the rest of the family in Muskegon. It was the most central location for all us (Chicago, Detroit & Traverse City). We met up on beautiful Lake Michigan (Pere Marquette Park) and had a blast playing and relaxing. The water was 57 degrees so no one went swimming (Pete & Calvin ran in and out). After the park, we went & checked into our hotel to get ready for dinner. After dinner we went mini golfing. Enjoy the pics. In the pictures are my family, my brother Pong, his girlfriend May, her son Eric and my niece Dianne, my brother Padith, my nephew Calvin and 'Grandma' Ann (who is a long time family friend). My parents couldn't make it and my other brother, CJ, was too busy to spend time with us. Dianne is one of those kids who needs a leash, she was running everywhere!

Swimming? Not today!

Better idea, play in the warm sand!
Funny faces!Big, Bigger, Biggest

(Dianne left us early since she was running around too much!)