Super Summer Summary

Well, what can I say, it has been over two months since we last posted. We went from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day and didn't spend a single weekend at home. Needless to say, we've been pretty busy - but what a summer we had! We'll try to stay a little more up to date going forward.


We went to our first professional sporting event - at Daddy's company outing to the West Michigan Whitecaps game.

First we started the night with a "pinkett" (picnic) with our friends the Pearsons.

R: This way Daddy.

A: We're smiling now, but who knows how long the happiness will last?

Addy peacefully expressed her opinoin about the game.

Roman showed a lot of interest in the baseball and talked about the game the whole way home.

E: I had no idea Bob and Larry worked at Daddy's company.

Daddy on his Jahkey.

R: Aunt Bridget, can you move over?

R: Daddy, could we go any slower here? This isn't a no-wake zone.

E:Grandma "Carting" (McCartney) took us all to the Detroit Zoo. We had a stroller derby with cousins Drew, Ethan and Aaden. Ours was the biggest. Again.

Roman, timid in expressing his opinion on where we should go.

Eden's favorite animals at the zoo were the goldfish.

A: That stroller has it's perks, but this is my favored conveyance.

A brief deluge halted the trip, so we ate an early lunch with the rest of the Detroit Metro area.

R: Whoa, I can see my house from up here.

Strolling through the underwater seal tunnel

A: So, Grandpa, how was your day?

A: Opps, there's a dry spot. Got it.

R: We just discovered sprinklers. I feel like Columbus.

"Tiptoes" shows off her normal gait.

A: The jacket stays on, if you know what's good for you.

The floating family of five.



The three talking heads

The Short People's Court, with the honorable Addison Lane presiding.
(CW L to R, Mason, Lena, Eden, Addy, Roman, Elise, Toby)


Our friends from Chicago, Brett and Denise Laureys and their kids Kamryn (5) and Carter (3)came for their 3rd annual visit.

Daddy and Brett playing

Eden and "Uncle Rico" (Brett) hamming it up


Handsome devil. Emphasis on the handsome. Double emphasis on the... well you get the idea.



The Rockford Derby - three simultaneous horsey rides.



The floatilla drifted east to St. Clair again



Silly time with Grandma "Papakes " (Paddycakes)



Sliding alone - Growing up too fast

Eden-san practices "the crane". Wax on wax off.


E: Where to Mister? You from around here?




Inspecting the water works at Grandpa "Wahters" (Wolters) place in Silver Lake.

Somewhere some Fisher Price design engineer just had a heart attack.



A: Someone turn the page.



R: How dare you disturb our private composition session!?


Mama's company had a family outing to the John Ball Zoo.

E: Look Roman, it's the eye of the Tiger


The new lions exhibit is really nice.


The zoo has an exhibit where the kids had the option to ride camels - no interest. Resounding, tearful "No"s. Eden did want to ride the monkeys, though strangely, that event wasn't offered. There was also a chance to pet the pygmy goats. Look who had to go first...



Addy, the goat petting scapegoat.



After their baby sister did it, the twinkies mustered up some courage


Thanks to Wolverine World Wide for the zoobucks to buy snacks. We spent every penny.



E: See my owie!
Eden had to get stiches over her right eye (scar visible in this picture) after losing a fight with the coffee table. Tears were shared by many as was the stache of band-aids. The scar is healing nicely.



R: We closed out the season with solo tube rides with Daddy. Moving up in the hierary of towables.

E: Bikes

R: Check

E: Kayaks

R: Check

E: Golf clubs

R: Check

E: Daddy said he and Mama are going to have fun on their anniversary vacation no matter how hard he has to try.


12.3 minutes before "The Crash". In the final 500 meters of our ride, we rode on a "boardwalk" which was about 20 inches wide and without railings.

Today's math lesson:

Narrow elevated path + no railing + 90-degree turn = Kylene upside down in the weeds still holding onto the handlebars and laughing

Paddling across the west bay.

The Old Mission Lighthouse near Northport on the Leelenau Peninsula.

We had a great time, thanks to Katie and Jeff for taking the whole trifecta for the weekend.

That was pretty much our summer. Lots of time away but we were together.

E: Just wait till you see what we're planning next