A Beach Day Without FIPS

This Fourth of July weekend we have been having the most wonderful weather. On Saturday, we packed up lunches and headed to our most favorite beach thus far in Michigan, Weko Beach. We love this beach, it's just perfect. As we pull into Weko Beach, we are all excited and I roll down the window to talk to the guard...they are FULL. We are livid at this point. We paid for a summer pass and now we cannot use our favorite beach due to what we like to call FIPS. This is a term coined by Michigan people about Illinois tourists. It's a negative saying...figure it out. So now Tommy is upset in the back thinking we are not going to a beach. We turn away and Chris and I are frantically trying to figure out what to do next. We think of different beaches, both not agreeing and both getting upset. So we then decide to just try every beach going back north and if it's crowded, we will try the next. So the first beach we try is actually one we went to when we first moved to Michigan. It's very hidden and there is just a small dune to climb to get to it. We pull in and there are parking spots!! The added plus is that there are NO Illinois license plates. We grab all our stuff and climb over the dune to find just a handful of people on this beach. We had a great time! We all swam, played baseball, built sandcastles, and just enjoyed being on the beach. We didn't have people on top of us and could spread out. We plan on using this beach again on busy weekends when FIPS like to invade our territory.

A beach with FIPS

A beach without FIPS

Jumping into a big hole

Happy Fourth of July!

Fountain and Beach Night!

The other night we met Chris downtown after work. The kids played in the fountain and then we ordered Silver Beach Pizza to have on the beach. What a perfect evening! Chris and Tommy went swimming in the lake and AJ discovered sand. He loved to pick it up and throw it all over himself, what a fun bath that was that night! We are looking forward to more beach nights this summer!

Typical fountain pose

Watching Tommy play

yet again...

AJ dipping his feet in

Soccer Fun

I captured a few pictures of Tommy and Brady playing soccer together. I can't wait for them to play together on the same team!

We always have to end with a game of tackle!

Hanging Out

Looks like they are up to something here!

Park Day!

We headed out to Wissing Lane Park today, and I couldn't wait to download the pictures because I was using our new camera! I love it, it takes great pictures! Tommy and AJ had lots of fun at the park, enjoy the pictures!

Brady and Tommy

AJ and Natalie

Merry go round fun!

Too cute!

Jackson and AJ

Tommy, Annika, and Abby

Lunch break!

Annika, Abby, and Tommy

Sweet Baby AJ

Here are a few pictures of AJ. I just can't get enough of him lately. He wakes up laughing, and just continues to be a happy boy throughout the whole day. He loves playing with people, especially his big brother. He also loves to watch people while sitting up. He usually does this with his hands on his knees. For some reason this is just the cutest pose, Chris and I both love it. Enjoy the pictures.

Toy Story 3

We took Tommy last weekend to see the movie he has been waiting for, Toy Story 3. He did great at the theater! He sat with his glasses on and ate popcorn throughout the whole movie. This was one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. I highly recommend seeing it, even if you don't have little ones. These toys have become part of my life, so the movie was very moving for me. We can't wait to go see it again! Here is a picture of Tommy at the theater!

Space Rangers

My mother bought the boys matching Buzz Lightyear jammies. Tommy insists on wearing them every night. He also calls AJ his little space ranger!

Great Minds Think Alike!

The other day we attended a party where AJ and Jackson showed up wearing the same outfit! I couldn't help but take their picture!

AJ Update

AJ just met with his doctor this week for his 6 month check up. He is doing great! He is 21.2 pounds and 30 inches long! This puts him in the 90th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height. AJ is now sitting up on his own and has been for a few weeks now. He also is eating up a storm! He does prefer fruit to veggies though. His favorite foods right now are peas, sweet potatoes, pears, and bananas. AJ is babbling up a storm now. He mainly is saying dadadada, but will sometimes throw in a mama. He is so much fun right now and loves to laugh at everything! Here are a few recent pictures of the man.