Because a laugh is good for you...

...here's one on us this morning...


...and another...


...and finally...

12 years

Dave and I have been married for 12 years now. We've known each other for 15. 15 years including...
...my job as a teacher
...his crazy college buddies :)
...volleyball and waterskiing at the lake
...his proposal in my classroom during our Valentine's Day party
...a wonderful wedding
...a gorgeous honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas
...grandma so sweetly calling me "Mrs. Nosek" and how much I loved hearing her say that!
...our first townhouse together
...our first anniversary--the romantic cruise on the Badger, the ferry from Ludington to Pentwater, and the Christmas tree lights my parents strung up in the trees for us at the Lake Michigan cabins
...two moves, including one where we built the house
...4 pregnancies, 1 miscarriage, telling our families with ice cream, pickles and a hamburger bun in an oven
...becoming parents, joys and struggles
...becoming an aunt and uncle 8 times, and losing one niece
...our trip to Italy for Dave's brother's wedding
...going to Pentwater and the Dells with our family
...going to the lake every Sunday with our family

I love you, Dave!

It was too wet to go out...

...and too cold to play ball......so we sat in the house. We did nothing at all.

All we could do was to SIT, SIT, SIT, SIT. And we liked it. Quite a bit.
When I saw Caroline and Seth sitting in their chairs by the window, I couldn't help but think of the beginning scene in The Cat in the Hat, and we do love our Dr. Seuss in this house!

We got the kids new baseball gloves, and they were trying them out tonight. That is, until a thunderstorm rolled in. Given our recent experience with lightning, we ran inside at the first flash. Caroline set chairs up by the windows so that we could watch the lightning show.

When the kids went to bed, the storm grew a little more intense, and Evan was not too thrilled about that. He kept hiding under his blanket, and would scold the thunder, saying "Go away, Boom-Boom! You are too loud!" :)

Reunited

After a week where our family was separated into three different locations, we are all finally under one roof. We didn't do much when we got home from picking the older ones up from my sister-in-law's house, but it was just nice to be together, eating dinner and snuggling up to read some books.

Since I didn't take any pictures today, and am hoping I can procure some from my in-laws of their week with the kids, I'm sharing a clip of Evan and Caroline visiting the butterflies...

He missed his Daddy!

Thanks, Karen and Jim!

Henry, Seth and Caroline spent this week at Grandma and Grandpa Nosek's. They went to Vacation Bible School and were able to play, play, play with their cousins, Anabel and Nadia.

Dave spent a few days at home working on some projects and enjoying a little peace and quiet.

And Evan and I spent a few days at my sister and brother-in-law's house, where Evan was able to play, play, play with his 1 1/2 year old cousin, Robbie. They totally spoiled us, cooking the most delicious dishes (and fabulous mojitos) and taught me how to make them. My sister and I were even able to steal away to a lunch together when her mother and father-in-law watched the boys. We watched movies, talked and relaxed. It was very special to me to spend that time with my sister and her family. I love you guys!

I'm excited to see Dave tonight, and the kids tomorrow, and to have everyone together in our house again. Its only for a few days though. My mom and I are driving to Texas on Tuesday to visit my other sister, Lisa and her family. (UGH--14 hours in a car with 4 kids!!) Poor Dave's on his own again. :(

I like Robbie's house!

Evan and Robbie have been having a fabulous time together for their cousin sleepover. We've been at my sister and brother-in-law's house since Monday morning, and have been playing non-stop, except for the occasional naps. We've been doing most of our playing inside, as it has been unbearably hot outside. The temperature reached at least 100 yesterday. Ugh.

Most of the time when my sister and I get together, we don't get to really talk much, as there's always so much going on with the kids. Its been wonderful to have this time to hang out, talk, and enjoy our babies together. The kids have even gone to bed early both nights, so we've had the entire evening to relax and laugh with my brother-in-law, Jim.

We took the kids to an indoor pool today. Robbie was a little hesitant at first, but by the end he was loving it! Evan was jumping in the water, blowing bubbles and put his face underwater a few times. He was having a ball.

Here's a few pictures:

Robbie enjoying some milk, and Evan enjoying his new favorite, water with ice.

Robbie lounging poolside, playing with his belly button.

Evan lounging in their backyard, where he proclaimed, "I like Robbie's house!"

Evan, living it up at the mall :)

Happy Father's Day!

First of all...I love you, Dad, Dave and Denny!

After a fabulously fun Father's Day full of boat rides...
trampoline jumping...
sliding...
aiming...

and shooting...
we sent Henry,
Seth and Caroline off to spend the week at Grandma and Grandpa Noseks' house for a week full of Vacation Bible School with their cousins.
It was odd just bringing one child home tonight. He was sad to see them go, and asked about them for the first ten minutes of the drive home. Then, the action-packed day, the Berenstain Bears and the quiet of the car lulled him to sleep......with him probably dreaming of his "vacation" with his cousin. See you tomorrow, Robbie! (and Karen and Jim!)