Big Star 2015...

Every year going to Big Star is something our family looks forward too.  Parker didn't really remember previous years, but he was excited none the less!

Our week was wonderful!  We had the best weather we can ever remember having...warm during the days and cool at nights!  The kids loved playing on the beach and in the water!  By the end of the week Parker was swimming (floating!) around on his own in the deep with his Puddle Jumper on and loving it!  He actually even fell off the dock while fishing and didn't even freak out!  I looked over and he was just hanging on to the edge of the dock!

Even though many great memories were made it was a difficult year as we celebrated the first Father's Day and cottage week without dad.  There were many mixed emotions throughout the week and his presence was definitely missed.


The boys built a Lego rendition of the cottage before we left to get us pumped up for our week!  It truly was amazing!  It had the lake with a paddleboarder, people eating at a picnic table, a bonfire pit, a cottage complete with a pergala and a ceiling fan!  So creative!

We loaded down the van with all of the baby gear, clothes for every weather scenario, beach toys, every snack imaginable, bikes, and anything else that we could squeeze in and headed out when it was time for Sawyer to take a nap hoping he would sleep the whole way there.  Well, the napping plan worked but for the wrong kids!  Parker and Peyton slept almost the whole way there and Sawyer was awake the whole way there!  So, I spent the 2 hour drive entertaining him from the front seat, feeding him a bottle from the front seat, and doing whatever it took to keep him from crying!  No plan is ever kid-proof!

Parker and Connor played together all week and Parker loved having his best buddy there with him for the whole week...

A little baseball game after dinner...

Peyton helping me feed Sawyer...

The boys loved riding their bikes up and down and all around the sidewalk area...

Parker found a lot of "special friends" this week to play with too...

Much time was spent at the beach soaking up the sun and playing in the water and sand...

Best buds...

Family Dinners...

All the little cousins hanging out...

Boat rides...

Tube Rides...

Sawyer started rolling over at the cottage consistently!  He also woke up 3 times a night too which was a bit of a struggle for mommy and daddy!

Praise Babies...

Golf cart rides with wildlife spottings...

Family time...

We tried to do a little bit of everything throughout the week and fishing had it's turn too...even though Joel and I don't love fishing!  Our goal=catch one fish.  Size does not matter.  Well, after quite some time of fishing off the dock with a worm and lots of little fish stealing our worms we still had not caught anything.  Parker tried, Joel tried, then Mommy tried....and....got the fish!  My strategy was to yank the pole up when all of the fish were surrounding it.  I ended up hooking the fish in it's side!

Little Teacher...

Peyton loves her baby (Be'be') and she takes her every where with her.  She reads to her.  Sings to her. Talks to her.  Tucks her in.  Takes her on all kinds of adventures.  

Today baby was replaced by bunny and she got to have story time instead.  Future teacher at work?!

Real Food...

Today marked Sawyer's 1st time eating baby cereal.  Everyone was excited to take part in this milestone.  Sawyer was not so sure about it all and pretty much let it all come out of his mouth with all of his drool!

Cars & Trucks, oh my!

The nicer weather has been awesome lately, but today we need a day to just stay inside and play with cars and chill.  They ended up spending 2 hours playing with the cars today!  Sawyer liked watching but you can tell he wants to get in on the action...soon little buddy!

Sibling Love...

I couldn't ask for the kids to be better with Sawyer.  They love him so much.  Are gentle (most of the time).  Concerned for his safety.  Give hugs and kisses freely.  Play with him.  Hold him.  Pray for him. Talk so sweet to him. He is one lucky little boy.

Those Eyes...

Peyton has the most beautiful eyes and I don't feel like these pictures even come close to capturing how blue and captivating they are!  

All of the different faces she pulled too tells a lot about her personality!  Spunky. Happy. Sassy. And a bit Dramatic.

Welcome To Summer....

We always look forward to summer every year and this year was no exception.  During nap time Parker and I made a sign to welcome Joel home on his last day of school.  Pey put her touches on it when she woke up.  After hanging it up, the kids anxiously waited for Joel in the garage for the next hour!  They clapped and cheered when he pulled into the driveway!  It is so precious to see how much they love him!

Cheers to another summer!

Sawyer looks very excited for Summer, huh?!?