Ice Cream with Pop

Father's Day celebrations wouldn't have been complete without some time spent with Chris dad, aka "Pop" to the girls. 

We went up for a visit and it was quickly decided to head into Sand Lake for some ice cream (it was a HOT day!).  We all enjoyed out frozen treats and did a good job of eating them before they melted on our hands and laps.
 
Afterward, we let the girls run off their sugar buzzes on the playground.  Dani also made friends with a large family having a Father's Day grill out.  She just kept running over to say "Hi!"

Chris pushing Dani on the swings.  She had fun going as high as he'd let her, while Michaela freaked out and started crying from just being put in the swing.  Dani is definitely our fearless little dare devil!

The playground structure in Sand Lake has 7 different slides on it, and Michaela made sure they all worked!

Posts are for hugging.  When you hug a post you should also make sure to smile pretty for mom.  :)

It was a challenge for Dani to get herself over this little wall around the playground, but she didn't give up and eventually managed without falling! (you can see the family she befriended in the background)

Gymnastics classes have made Michaela much more confident in her climbing abilities.

Dani and Chris blowing each other kisses.  Daddy loves his little girls!

Grilling with Papa

This past Saturday we packed up the kids and made a trek out to Coopersville to get together with my Dad (aka Papa) to celebrate Father's Day.  He wanted to use his new smoker grill, so my sisters and I all brought a dish to pass and showed up for dinner.

With temperatures in the 80's I knew the girls would end up getting wet with the hose/sprinkler so I packed swim diapers (for Dani), a swimsuit (for Michaela), an extra change of clothes for each girl and their PJs.

Papa manning the grill.  3 different flavored pork loins, country style ribs and grilled veggies. YUM!

To keep the kids cool my sister Jodi turned on the hose for them.  Surprisingly Dani was the biggest fan of the freezing cold water.  She ended up with 2 outfits soaked and blue lips before we made her change into PJs to go home in.

Each time she'd take a pass through the water she'd run over to share some with Royce's toes.  I'm not sure what he thought about that, but Dani sure had fun!

Michaela and Dylan both had great faces to share with Aunt Jamie when took a turn with the camera.

"Oh! Dylan, what's this?  You want to share your salad with me?"

Dani likes ranch dressing and... anything vegetable covered in ranch dressing.

See how blue her lips are?!? Good thing Daddy noticed and wrapped her up in a nice fluffy beach towel. :)

Memorial Day at the Cottage

Because of Chris' foot pain and impending surgery we didn't make it up to my grandparents' cottage on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend with the rest of the family.  We did however, make the drive on Monday when it was set to be in the 90's.  My grandparents were there when we arrived and my Aunt Lisa & Uncle Andy came up with their kids as well, a pretty quiet day at the cottage compared to what it would have been like the day before.

Picnic tables leaning against the wall?  Oh no, these are Dani sized jungle gyms!

Michaela proudly showing off her new swim assist vest from Opa Cove (review coming soon on SIMPLE!)

My cousins Kristyn and Nicole took Michaela turtling.  Kristyn took Michaela with her in a kayak and they actually came back with a few turtles without dumping in the muck.  Then the girls took her out to the raft on the paddle board as well.  Basically, they made Michaela's day with all these 'firsts' since she has gotten big enough to enjoy these things.

Uncle Andy because he specifically called back to me at the dock to take his picture in the kayak...

Great Grandma got out the old play kitchen toys for the girls.  Dani had a lot of fun playing tea party.  The only person she'd serve tea to though was Uncle Andy!

Checking out the dock with Daddy. :)

Happy Mother's Day! 2011

Since I'm 95% sure I won't be talking to my mom today (working third shift all weekend makes that kinda difficult) I wanted to make sure she still got her "Happy Mother's Day!" message all the same.

So, because I know that you'll probably check this before I can talk with you... "HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!"

Easter Sunday 2011

We started our day off with, "DAD! There's EGGS by my TV!!!" from our Michaela alarm clock at 7:15 AM.  We got about 20 more minutes of rest before we had to start our day though, because she was just sooo astounded by those mysterious eggs. :)

After finding their Easter baskets and enjoying their indoor egg hunt, we all got ready and headed off to church.

Aren't these just the cutest dresses ever?  Our friend Jen made these for Dani's birthday.  Every where we went today the girls got compliments on their adorable dresses. :)

After a delicious lunch at Twisted Rooster with Pop & Grandma Mary we came home with two more baskets of candy and treats and 2 dozen 'colored' eggs that we didn't have to dye.

Here's our dozen green and dozen brown eggs next to some white eggs that I had bought from the store with intentions of dying.  Michaela sneaked into the fridge last week & colored them with crayons instead.  Same thing, right? ;)

Small amount of quiet time (We don't need to stinkin' naps!!!) and it was time for another family get together with Grandma, Aunt Gigi, Uncle Kevin & Aunt Jodi, Dylan and Royce.

While Aunt Jodi held her, Dani scowled at EVERYONE (seriously, isn't that face is just priceless?) and Michaela got a chance to hold Royce.  She definitely loves her baby cousin, but has already forgotten how to be extra gentle with babies who look older than they actually are.

More fun, more playing and right after everyone but Grandma leaves... OUR 3rd WIND!  Yep.  Didn't even know it was possible.

All in all, a great day celebrating the ultimate gift.  Hope you all had as blessed a day as we did!

Christmas 2010

I've been very slow in catching up on all my blogging.  I will blame it on the excessive amount of parties and family gatherings we've had lately (sounds good right?).  Anyway, here are a couple random holiday photos and some from Christmas Eve morning with Chris' dad.

 This is the skirts that I made them! I thought the skirts turned out so cute, Dani's has trim in the fabric that is the reversible side of Michaela's 'twirlly' skirt.  Michaela has to hold Dani so she doesn't decide to make a break for it as soon as I try to take the picture. :)

The tree was fascinating to Dani. Thankfully we didn't have to many problems with her touching it, Michaela was another story...

This is what happened when Dani found the presents from Pop and Grandma Mary.  She never even tried to open the presents under our tree but as soon as Chris' parents brought presents over she TORE into them like a pro.  You would never had guessed that she hadn't ever opened a present before! hehehe

 Michaela had slept with braids in her hair the night before.  Hence her unusual style.

Believe it or not this was the best shot of everyone.  Michaela had run off for the one picture that Mary wasn't talking, but her eyes were closed anyway so this is the winner.  (BTW: Those are the dresses I made the girls for this year)

 Danny (aka Pop) and Dani :)

Huffman Family Christmas

We had the Huffman Family Christmas party last weekend in Kalamazoo.  It was great seeing everyone and watching all the crazy kid run around!  Thanks to Ed & Jill for planning everything this year and finding a gymnasium to help give the kids some room to play!

 

Gingerbread Lane

Last Christmas I took Michaela to the Gingerbread Lane program at the Caledonia KDL.  She loved going to the library, listening to Christmas music and most of all decorating her very own gingerbread house.  In fact, that little house was out for our viewing pleasure well into Spring when finally I slipped it into the trash one day.

When I saw that the new Kentwood library would be having a program this year in their new building I signed Michaela up immediately.  We listened to Ms. Helene, the children's librarian, read a story to the kids and then they were set loose to make their gingerbread houses.  Basically it's a bunch of graham crackers stuck to a small milkbox with icing.  The kids loved it though and I'm sure Michaela wasn't the only one who ate as much candy and treats as she decorated with.