MOA

Wednesday we headed to Mall of America for the day. Jeff took the kids to Nickelodeon for the rides while Erika and I shopped. Well, I didn't get to shop as much as I would've liked because Gerrit wouldn't go on the rides until I joined him. Here is a glimpse at our day:

I love the one of Gerrit crying by Lenny - he was very scared of him and most of the characters. The only one he got close to and even gave her a hug was Kai Lan. Once I went on a ride with Gerrit, he was ok - so I thought. He went on the bumper cars next and you can see how well that turned out! They stopped the ride so he could get out! I went on most rides with him and he started to enjoy himself. (He was running on little sleep which didn't help.) Max, Ella, and Mia loved the rides and did not want to shop. Erika did some serious power shopping when I had to leave her to tend to Gerrit. We finished the day by going to REI and then dinner on the way home. It was a quiet ride home.

On the Move

While cleaning today I left the living room where Emmit was playing on his blanket and went to do something in the kitchen. When I came back, I found him here:

Guess this means we have to watch all the little stuff on the floor now!

Swimmin' in the Rain

We went to Lake City only to arrive and it started to rain. (We took Luke and his friend Maddie too.) That didn't stop the kids from swimming! I sat in my bathing suit by the pool and got wet even though I didn't go in the pool! Gerrit loved the mask and even tried out the snorkel.

Emmit stayed in the condo with Deb as she was doing some sewing. He had fun laying next to Max when Nikki and the kids came.

It was a nice chance to get out of the house and enjoy the big pool.

Covered Bridge Festival 2010

Was busy around town this weekend. The traffic is bad by our house this summer due to the bridge being out and then you add the festival and it was hoppin!

Sat. I ran the 5k in town while Adam went for a bike ride so there are no pictures of me running. (Anne watched the boys for us.) Following our workouts we took care of some things around the house and Adam got in a round of golf. The start of the parade was fast approaching and thankfully Dahlen's thought of a quick dinner. So they came over and we had a quick dinner and headed to the parade.

1st row: a festival coming to Z-town this fall, our post parade waiting for the fireworks spread, the seating area to watch the fire works, Luke in the parade with his baseball team, Adam and the boys at the parade.

2nd row: Adam and Emmit, the boys watching the parade waiting for people to throw candy, Gerrit ready with his bag to keep his candy, Gerrit, Olivia, and Abby, Gerrit.

Row 3: Gerrit enjoying the view of the parade, various parade participants

Row 4: Band judge (we sat near the judging area for the marching bands. I never knew there was a competition involved in parades. These 3 guys were more fun to watch than the parade itself! They were so animated, talked with their hands, and dictated notes of some sort into the tape player. I learned something new and was entertained at the same time!) The ZM marching band, Gerrit, the gang watching the parade, same picture as in the top left, guess I didn't have 20 pictures to fill up the collage!

Following the parade everyone came back to our house and we hung out till dark and watched the fire works thru the trees. We are so thankful we have a nice driveway to hang out, shoot hoops and have a party! Gerrit watched his first fireworks display too. Emmit was in bed right after the parade. A late nite for all, but fun.

Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Emmit sleeping during the storm tonight.

He looked so peaceful laying 1/2 on his tummy snuggling up to his little blanket while outside it was blowing, raining, lightening, thundering - you name it!

Its the little things in life that are worth taking the time to slow down and cherish...

Edge of the Storm

The view from our front porch at the end of tonight's storm:

I used my handy dandy tripod Adam gave me. It works slick. I didn't take the time to really get myself aligned, hence the odd angles. I needed to act quick before the sunset was gone. Oh, to have been on Lake MI (Michigan side) to see a storm like this. Nothing beats watching the storm come over the big lake! And then to see the sunset over the lake while watching the lightening in the north! Amazing, I miss those days.

I Learned My Lesson

We closed all the windows tonight due to the storm coming through the area. Gerrit's room is pretty warm so when I went to close his window, I said I'd leave the door open (felt bad that it would get too warm in there). He liked the idea and said he'd stay in bed.

Fast forward 5 min....

I walk through the living room to find 'bank' at the bottom of the stairs and think to myself why is bank down here and why hasn't Gerrit called for it....

I look up and see Gerrit sitting on the steps smiling at me.

I told him he needed to go back to bed and his response:

"That is why you close the door".

So now his door is closed and locked and the air turned on. Good night!