Growing in double time

At a combined 40 lbs, a trip out with the boys is no easy task.

Erin has done a terrific job photographing their ages. It is amazing how fast they grow, yet how similar they look to their early photos.

Mixed Camping Weekend

We did it! We camped in 2011. We have an unofficial goal to get the pop-up out for at least one camping trip every year. Knowing this year would be a challenge we waited as long as possible, but survived.

The trip had its ups and downs.

UP: Sunset #1

UP: Nice stroll through Pentwater on Friday night

DOWN: 2 very fussy and whiny babies. 1 naughty 3 year old.

DOWN DOWN DOWN: Sleeping. We intended to camp Friday and Saturday nights, but only survived Friday.

• 8:00 pm - 90 minutes of screaming babies until lights off and everyone quiet
• 10:30 pm - we go to bed
• 11:45 pm - William wakes up hysterical. Holding him with a pacifier does no good. Takes a full bottle and goes back to sleep.
• 12:30 am - finally back in bed after the William debacle
• 12:45 am - Jack wakes up. Stands up, giggles, and bounces around for at least 15 minutes. Mercifully doesn't start crying.
• 2:45 am - William wakes up hysterical. Holding him with a pacifier does no good. Takes a full bottle. This time Jack wakes up and starts jumping around while laughing. Decide to give him a bottle as well.
• 3:30 am - finally back in bed. Swear to each other that we are not staying a 2nd night.
• 7:30 am - everyone wakes up. Considering how poorly the first half of the night went, we were pretty happy with the 2nd half.

UP: Lewis farm. The animal farm nearby was the highlight, especially the camel.


We thought we'd give William a little scare by putting some food in front of him and letting the camel get real close.
Instead of crying, he latched on to the camel's nostril.
UP: Charles Maers State Park. Saturday afternoon was beautiful.
Happy at times.


UP: Evelyn and Esther goofing off together
UP: Hike up "old baldy"

UP: Sunset #2



Overall it was a good trip, but there was a lot of crying and a lot of work. Hopefully next year will be better.

School Days

We started a new era this week - SCHOOL. Evie started 3-school on Tuesday. Day 1 went well and I have no doubt Evelyn will enjoy school, especially the early years.

It took all summer and 1 weekend into the fall, but we finally made it to Holland State Park for a sunset. A bit chilly but a great scene.




Lots of birds to scare.

End of Summer

And just like that, summer is gone. It was a great one.

We had torrential rain for about 15 minutes on Saturday. It rained hard enough to wash a significant amount of the beach into the lake.

Will and Jack hung out with their future cottage buddy Ethan. At half their age he's already bigger than them. I'm sure the trio will make many cottage memories.

Washing the boat.
Meal Time
The boys are standing and almost walking. Erin and I can just feel the destruction that is coming.
Princess Evelyn reminds us daily who really runs the house.
Did I mention that we can feel the destruction coming? I'm sure it has only just begun.