Pure Michigan with the Longo Family

Our stay at the Longo lake house was dreamy. The big boys woke up at the crack of dawn each morning ready to take on the day's new adventures. Lucky for us, Mimi was happy to greet them each morning at 6:30 to play trains and feed them breakfast. Papa, Mimi, and Zia kept Henry and John busy - fishing, swimming, building sandcastles, kayaking, tubing, and slip-n-sliding. Peter took his first swim in the pool. He even went under. He should be ready for his first tube ride next year.

Peter wore the same mint green romper that Henry and John wore when they met Great Papa for the first time. And, yes, the monogram has been changed three times. We spent time with many other family members and friends while at the lake house. We visited with Ms. Niki, Mr. Joe, Miss Hannah, Great Uncle Joe, Great Aunt Cathy, Great Grandpa Guilbault, Great Grandma Guilbault, and cousin Nikki. Peter was spoiled rotten with all the cuddles. He wouldn't let me set him down during our first day home.

Henry and John had their first taste of 'smores, too. Henry thought the 'smore was too messy and asked that the components be separated. I wonder who he got that from. John took down two entire 'smores and then asked for 'smore.

Lastly, I captured two videos from our trip. Each one is a performance from our boys. Henry reciting a poem that Gus taught him. And John doing what he does best - cleaning his bowl.

Pure Michigan with the Makris Family

Last week we drove to Michigan for a summer vacation. We spent the first part of our trip in Troy with the Makris family. All seven Makris grandchildren were able to spend time together. They played with trains, ran in the basement, and, courtesy of Uncle Chris, threw water balloons in the backyard.

We were honored to attend the baptism of Baby James, which took place at Holy Name Catholic Church in Birmingham, Michigan. The kids made it through the mass with pretty good behavior, but they had a difficult time with the photos. Oh well. You can only ask for so much when you are dealing with seven kids under the age of five.

After the baptism we went to Chris and Stacie's home to celebrate with food and fun. Uncle Chris and Uncle Joe had a homemade water slide and sand pit ready for the kids.  The thirty-something kids and the little kids both ran wild through the backyard, throwing and dodging water balloons. And the babies were happy to be snuggled by Grandma and Papou. By early evening, exhaustion had set in, and it was time to head to the Longo Lakehouse.

Floppy Mop

Henry's favorite Bob Book to read is, "Floppy Mop." His silly voice makes me smile.

Thank you, Wally World!

It's tough to take the boys to the neighborhood pool when I'm by myself.  But the backyard is easy.  And that's why the best purchase we've made this summer was a $14 plastic pool from Walmart.  John likes showing off for his little brother - "Watch Pita, watch!"