more pictures from our beach picnic

beautiful evening

Tonight we had a little picnic on the beach. The kids played and I got some knitting done. Ruby is very content to sit (or lay) and play in the sand.  She's even learned not to put it in her mouth!  The lake was very calm and warm, I wished that I had brought everyone's swimsuits. Jack so needs his little sister to be big enough to play with him.  He tried coaxing me into a game of "wild animals", but I told him I'd rather watch him be the ferocious lion.  

It was again another moment when I had to give thanks for living in this cute little town on Lake Michigan.  I should never feel bored with nothing fun to do-- there's always the lake or a forest or a playground that needs exploring.  I definitely need to start taking advantage of these things when the weather isn't perfect like it was today.  More pictures tomorrow!

Church Picnic

at the lake

Another trip to the lake, this time a small lake in Buchanan that we used to visit as kids.  It is a lot easier for the kids to swim in than Lake Michigan-- no waves, pretty shallow, and much warmer!  Jack and Olivia amazed us with their swimming skills.  Livi insisted that I shoo away the fish to make a path for her.  The babies had a lot of fun as well-- it's funny how fearless they are in the water, I guess they haven't learned anything to be afraid of yet.
Ruby took a short little nap (under the umbrella, towel, and sunhat, of course) while the kids splashed around.  I still can't believe that Jack can swim by himself with floaties.  He'll be taking swim lessons during preschool this year at the Y.  Did I say "preschool"???  Yep, that's a whole other post entirely.

so easily sunburned

Poor red-faced, red-haired Ruby.  Mama needs to remember to put sunscreen on you, even if we're only outside for ten minutes.

Berrien County Fair 2008

We had a great time at the fair this year.  We ate way too many fried foods, including the elephant ear that Jack is eating in the picture above.  This was the first time that he's really scarfed down an elephant ear-- the other times that he's tried one he's just picked at it.  He loves them now!
Ruby didn't have an elephant ear, but she was pretty darn happy anyway.  She absolutely loved seeing all of the animals.  She's really into animals lately.  She screeches whenever she sees one-- whether it's a picture, on television, or in person.  Her favorite seemed to be the poultry barn.  I'm not sure who was louder, the screeching roosters or Ruby.  
There was a free circus that we went to one of the evenings.  It was Jack's first circus, and he really enjoyed it.  I had a lot of fun, too.  Those tight-rope walkers had me holding me breath and clapping like a kid.  Ruby screamed at the elephants in the background the whole time.  Overall, a great two days spent at the fair.  Next year I'll try to eat a little less fried food-- not only did I end up with a belly ache, but it's darn expensive!  And I can't keep fooling myself with the fried vegetables dipped in ranch dressing.  Note to self:  just because they started out their lives as vegetables doesn't make them healthy.

Olivia Grace

Botanic Garden

A few weeks ago we made a trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden with Meagan and the boys. They had a lot of fun, mostly making up their own games as we walked.

There was a great Model Train Garden, with little villages made from tiny plants, flowers and trees. There are model trains running throughout. They especially loved the "Thomas" train that they spotted.

You wouldn't believe the looks that we got upon entering the cafe, with 6 children in tow. They looked at us like we were crazy. A few people even commented to me, "gee, think there's enough of you?" and "that's a pretty big brood". Both comments were said with smiles, but interesting nonetheless.

caught in the act

playing with jack's watercolor paints.

making a nice mess of herself.