Beach Baby

I grew up on Lake Michigan.

I was so excited to take you to Holland for your first (of many) beach days!

It was really windy but you loved looking around.

You loved your baby beach chair!

But you wouldn't let us forget that you would rather be held.

But thats ok with Mommy!

You love to stand and you love water!

We took you down to the water to stand in Lake Micigan for the first time.

You thought you were pretty cool.

Until a big wave came.

Your little behind got wet.

You wern't so excited about standing in Lake Michigan after that.

You were content to play in your diaper!
Mommy and Daddy are looking forward to many more Beach Days with you!

Baptized

Karson was baptized on June 13th. He was such a happy baby all morning, and skipped his morning nap. EEK!! I was so worried he was going to scream! If you know my little guy, you know he doesn't want to sit, he wants to stand, and be held facing out. He isn't picky at all... We had to sit in the front of church. Not an easy escape for a Mom with a very over tired and opinionated baby!! Luckily he took his paci and stayed awake until after he was baptized.

After church we had lunch at my parents house with family and friends. We are blessed to have wonderful family and friends (who are more like family) in Karson's life!

PS...If you know how much I HATE germs, you know how difficult it was for me to shake every one's hands! I always sneak out without shaking any one's hands. I love it when the balcony is open...less people...less hand shaking. Not only did I have to shake every one's hands, I had to let them touch my baby. Thankfuly Aunt Katie came to the rescue with hand sanitizer afterwords. Its possible I even sanitized Karson's feet...

Happy 21st Rick

My brother, Rick, turned 21 last week. It was a much anticipiated birthday! Karson came with us to celebrate, along with my oldest brother and his family, and my parents.

Uncle Rick and Karson.

Behind Rick was a wall full of big screen TVs.

Heaven to my baby!

He loved it!

My Mom does a shot with all her kids when we turn 21.

She is such a good Mom!Karson LOVED Aunt Jenni's hair!!

First Foods

Karson started wanted 7 or 8 ounces every 2 hours...and stopped sleeping through the night. I used my "Mommy Instincts" and gave him a little cereal.

He thought he was cool stuff up in his high chair....

He wasn't so sure about the cereal though.

After a few bites, he started screaming!

We tried again the next day.

He smiled at first.

Then screamed after a few bites!

After a few days of not so much liking the cereal,

Mommy tried mixing it with pears.

Apparently, Karson LOVES pears.

The majority of it ended up in his mouth!

Karson's First Camping Trip

We left for Wilderness State Park last Wednesday. DJ and I were both looking forward to spending a few days as a family. We spent time relaxing by the fire, taking walks around the campgrounds, and watching the sunsets from our campsite. I wanted to take Karson to see the bridge. I love the bridge! I wanted him to be able to see the place I have so many memories as a kid. He wasn't quite as excited as Mommy was to see it.

While we were in Mackinaw City, we decided we would take Molly and Karson to Mackinac Island the next day. ....yup we are crazy! I was so nervous to take the dog and baby on a boat. My luck the dog would be whining and Karson would be screaming. Surprisingly they did really well. When we got off the boat Molly spotted a horse. She started barking at it. That is until she realized it moved. She was terrified! Every time one walked past us she hid behind DJ or I. I have to say, she did impress us! She walked well and once she realized the horses were real, she stopped barking at them. We tried getting her to swim to cool her off, she put all four paws on one rock so her feet wouldn't get wet. We are still debating as to weather or not she is really a lab! Of course, Karson slept the entire time we were on the island.

Enjoy the pictures from our trip.....

The view from our campsite. We forget how beautiful Michigan is!

Karson has decided he no longer wants to be rocked to sleep. Instead he wants to walk. I loved walking him on the shores of Lake Michigan watching the sunset each night. Just doesn't get any better!

She was SO tired!

Hanging out at the campfire.

Daddy and his babies.

At The Mackinaw Bridge

Love this picture!

On the boat to Mackinaw Island. He wasn't so fond of his life jacket.

Trying to entertain Molls on the boat. Her toy was filled with spray cheese. :-)

Karson slept through our time on the Island. We just put the stroller in front of the Natural Spring.

We tried to get her to swim to cool her off. She put all of her paws on one rock to get out of the water.

SO TIRED!

Happy Baby!It started sprinkling so we put Karson's Poncho on!

On the way home.Our victory Picture...

In case you were wondering all you have to do to completely wear out a 15 month old Lab is....go camping, stay outside for five days, where there is way too much going on so of course there is no napping. Take them on a boat ride. Walk around Mackinac Island for 5 hours. She thinks a bunny is terrifying...imagine a horse. Put them back on a boat, and take them for numerous walks around the campsite each day. She slept the ENTIRE six hour ride home!

Colorado

My Mom, Karson, and I traveled to Colorado the beginning of June. I was so worried about taking Karson on an airplane, but he did so well! Our trip consisted of visiting, swimming and playing with the babies.

Karson did really well on the airplane! He took his bottle and crashed until we landed!

Jax, Jaelee, and Karson playing.

We went to a park by their house so the kids could play. Karson had to just watch this time, next time he will be able to play on the swings. Tommy taught Jaelee how to climb a tree.

When your trying to get a picture of three kids, this is as good as it gets...

Grandma Nana and her Grand Babies

Too cute. We just happened to have matching outfits, so the boys wore them for the Memorial Day BBQ.

...they don't look alike at all..

Jax pointed at Karson the whole week. Karson just looked at him with his BIG blue eyes.

Jax playing in the pool outside.

Where Jae had her swim lessons, the babies could play in the Zero Depth pool. They LOVED it. Karson loved floating on his tummy and back. Jax figured out he could crawl around in the water.

All that swimming tired Karson out!

My cousin Billy and his daughter Rebecka came to visit the Friday before we left. It was so nice to see them!

Weekend Fun

This weekend the weather was beautiful!!! Saturday morning Karson and I went to the farmer's market with Alycia's. We also spent time shopping. Karson don't love it so much, but Mommy had fun getting him summer clothes! We tried going to the beach on Saturday night. It was so foggy we couldn't see across the channel. Sunday we spent the day at Grandma Nana's and Grandpa's.

Our Family

My Babies

Grandma Nana and Karson

Maggie and Molly