the Leys family vacation

We spent a 5 day weekend in Sheboygan celebrating Mark's parents 60th birthdays plus both of their retirements from the school district. They are starting a new chapter in their lives and it was fun to all get together to honor these events. It also gave us a chance to spend some time with both of Mark's brothers, whom we normally only see during the holidays.

Mark and his brothers, Chuck & Paul holding Cam




Charlie and Zach spent hours in the tent on the beach working on a counting book together


Family photo shot




Mark, his brothers Chuck & Paul
with the boys and Chuck's kids, Charlie and Emily. My creative sister-in-law, Jackie, made t-shirts for the celebration that said, 'Sheboygan 08, 60'

Wedding/Calvin Reunion

Mark & I traveled up to Michigan this weekend (without the boys I might add) to enjoy the wedding of our college buddy, Jon Kok. The wedding was beautiful, the bride looked stunning and all of the speeches were both hilarious and tear jerkers.

We had a great time catching up with old friends and even though we have been gone from Grand Rapids for over 3 years, sometimes when we go back it doesn't feel like we have missed a beat. This weekend was one of those times. Too little sleep with 2 late nights, but well worth it.

Oh, and of course thanks to my Mom & Dad for watching the boys all weekend. They have now jetted off to England for a month for some R & R after an exhausting weekend, as my Dad likes to tease me.

Some of the Calvin babes in attendance at the wedding

Hanging with our gracious hostesses, Brad & Bradi, for the weekend and good friends, Steve & Stacy

Camers

14 months and these are the terms/expressions that we use around our house to talk about Cam

"He's somethin' else"
Trouble maker
(Zach) "Ahhh! My brother!"
Stinker
Temper, temper
"He just won't eat a thing!" (I know, hard to believe as it doesn't exactly look like it, but its true, he hardly eats)

The list could go on and on...

He a hilarious little guy, but I as said to Mark the other day,
"Mark my words, this one is going to give me grey hairs"



Can be cute when he wants to be

Cousins

What a fun, busy, and crazy week we had last week!
My sister and hubby came to town last Monday for a 2 night stay on their way to Michigan. They are in the process of moving back to GR from Rehoboth, New Mexico (Jason is from GR & took a new job) and they took a week long cross country road trip to get here. Sian & Jason left on Wednesday to head up to GR to accomplish tasks such as getting their mortgage, opening bank accounts, etc... without their kids. The 3 kids stayed with my mom & us for the rest of the week to enjoy some sleepovers and 'cousin' time.
We jammed numerous activities into the week. We managed to fit in Zach's daily swim lessons, hours of swimming at the pool, 2 trips to the movie theatre, my Dad took Dirk to the Museum of Science & Industry Downtown Chicago, cousin outing to the toy store and out for ice cream. Phew, we were busy!
Then on Saturday we packed 8 people into the minivan and drove up to GR for one night to return the kids. We ended the week by celebrating my niece's 10th birthday together. We had a great week together and we are really looking forward to having my sister live closer so we can see each other more frequently.

Swimming was mandatory everyday.
This picture crack me up, as it looks like Zach is about to drown Dirk.

Cameron with his favorite babysitter, Dayna. He managed to roll with his cousins and hang in there till closing time at Brookfield Zoo.

Dirk & Zach at the zoo

A mandatory stop for my parents in Saugatuk, MI on the way Grand Rapids

ahhh.... swimming lessons and my child.....

We had 4 days of hyperventilating tears last week as I attempted to force my child to participate in Level 1 swimming lessons at the Beach, Downtown Naperville.

I could have pulled him out after the 4th consecutive day of tears, but being the MEAN Mom that I am and the frustrating fact that he swims like a fish at my Mom's pool (with arm bands), I forced him to deal with it. Is that so mean?
We changed it up a bit and decided my mom would take him without me (and by Friday I was burned out from the hysterics almost forcing Mark to take a morning off from work just to take him!) for a final attempt and the little stinker.... didn't shed a tear!! Unbelievable. Now the last two days, my Mom & Dad took him and he proudly showed off his new swimming skills without a single tear. I guess some things are not Mom things...

The first picture, is the 1st day trying to 'coach' his group into the deeper water

Happily splashing his teacher, the day my Mom took him

Zach & his friend Emma (also in his class) enjoying playing after class

Beach Bums

This was our weekend in a nut shell...
Hanging out at the beach all weekend. We had perfect sunny weather. Although Lake Michigan is still a little chilly, but that didn't seem to stop the boys from going in. I on the other handed, opted to stay in my beach chair.
Fortunately, Cameron loved being on the beach for his first time and thoroughly enjoyed collecting sticks in his bucket.



Thanks Mom & Dad Leys for letting us use the house in your absence!! Much appreciated.

Dad and his boys


Looking for sticks






No shame hanging out in his diaper







Cam followed Zach everywhere and was trying to copy him with everything. It was cute to watch.

1,2, 3 Go!

Staying up late, waiting for the 4th of July Fireworks to start

Our last few weeks

Waste Management 'family night' at a baseball game. Zach thought it was the coolest thing.



My lumberjack husband and my Dad took down a tree in our back yard last weekend, with the help of our handy Forest Ranger neighbor, Dana.

A surprise one night visit from Uncle Paul!

This was the second time Paul and I pulled off a surprise visit for Mark. He was shocked! It was great.

Now for the 4th we are off to Wisconsin for a long weekend on the beach.

Happy 4th of July! (kind of sad that summer is half over already)