Summer 2010

With Eleanor's jump into preschool and a new baby just around the corner, I feel the need to update our blog with all we've done this summer. It's been probably the best summer on record. And that's saying a lot because I've been pregnant throughout it.

We started strong with a fantastic trip to Kansas City to visit my brother Sven, sis-in-law Charity and awesome nephews Maddux and Nash. I wasn't looking forward to the nine hour drive but it was really easy - really.

It was wonderful to see the family. And I tell you what, seeing the cousins together was definitely the highlight for me. They all played so well and had a great time together. Almost like we see them more than once a year. By the end Eleanor was asking to stay and once we told her she had to come home with us, then Maddux had his bags packed and was ready to join us. It was really sweet - and sad.





Next was a lovely trip back up to my cousin's little red cabin in Kewadin. This time with a whole crew and two more cabins to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. There was tubing and skiing and boating and tanning and cooking and eating and laughing.











And what's summer without a trip the the Great LaPorte County Fair!?!? The Pioneer Land was a hit, Eleanor played and won at the Mouse Game, we ate corn dogs and funnel cakes and snow cones, and of course saw all the animals - the horses being our favorite!




There were also plenty of trips to the cottage on Lake 16.



Our only major/minor incident was a mosquito bite that went wrong on Carolyn's eyelid. No major concern but it sure did swell up and look nasty for a few days.
And to top things off, Grandma fell in love and got married to a wonderful man with a great family. Congrats Grandma!
Coming soon...Eleanor Goes to Preschool and The Youngs Have a Baby Take 3.

5th Anniversary

Matt and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary this weekend by spending 2 adult filled nights in Saugatuck. A very special thank you to Joe and Sarah for keeping our girls! They had a great time.


Saugatuck was absolutely wonderful! We staying at the Ivy Inn on Water Street which is right in the middle of it all. Everything was within a short walk. Sunday night we had a great dinner of perch and burgers at Wally's. Saturday we enjoyed our breakfast then walked along the Kalamazoo river and checked out all the shops. We jumped on the Chain Ferry which took us across the river and we walked to Oval Beach for a few hours. The weather was wonderfully hot and the water was like ice :) It was nice to just enjoy a book and not worry about little one eating sand or going too deep into the lake.













After cleaning up, we celebrated our anniversary with a wonderfully delicious dinner at Everyday People Cafe in Douglas. Douglas too has many quaint little shops which we browsed. But I was anxious to try the ice cream I had heard about at Kilwin's back in Saugatuck so we headed back. After a little walking and a scoop of Key Lime Pie ice cream we turned in for the night.




It was wonderful to spend time with my love! We've had a busy five year but quite blissful. Obviously the busy part is due to our two daughters who we were happy to get away from for a couple nights but come Sunday morning we couldn't wait to get back to.

Joe and Sarah and their gang met us at the Streidl cottage with our girls. So we spent another warm day on Lake 16 with some of the Streidl clan.

Jeana & Nate's Wedding

Jeana and Nate were married on May 15th. Matt and I were able to sneak away without the girls for the night and had a great time.

Savannah, Brody & Emma ready for the LaLumiere PromJeana & Nate

Dave & Julie

Jimmy & Jane

Buddy & Jackie

Matt & Me

Jane & Brody

The prom couples

Sheriff Brody

Brody the ringbearer and Nora the flower girl

Brody had a long day

Too Hot For Pinks

Carolyn has two pair of pink footie jammie that she calls "Pinks". Every night when it's time to get jammies on, she yells "Pinks". I can't remember the last time she wore anything but her pinks. Well yesterday it was in the high 80s and humid. We had ceiling fans going but are resisting turning on the A/C. It was a little muggy in the house and despite her protest, Matt wouldn't let Carolyn wear her pinks. Eleanor took the opportunity to sing about the event.