Memorial Day Weekend at the Cottage

Mama, Leah and Cameron went to the cottage over Memorial Day weekend.  Tim didn't come with us because he was in Atlantic City for Matt's bachelor party.  We will NOT be sharing any pictures from that!

The three of us headed up to the cottage on Friday night to get there by dinner time.  It was an easy drive, especially at the border where there was no wait.  The weekend was warm enough that we could play in the water and swim a little, but we mainly did work on the cottages.  When we weren't having happy hour, of course!

Poppa and Leah hanging out

Aunt Jen, Grandma and Mom.  And a million happy hour snacks.

Tattooed cousins!  Leah was showing off the strawberry tattoo on her belly, and Joe decided to one-up her with his four stomach tattoos.

We celebrated Bridgie's birthday

One of the days we went for a row.  Poppa showed Cameron how to row the boat, and he did it for a little bit.

Maddy, Kelly and Leah with one of the turtles that the girls caught

Poppa also showed Cameron how to kayak.  Since Poppa didn't have a swimsuit on, he was telling Cameron to stay in close to shore where Poppa could reach the kayak.

Cameron didn't listen!  He was able to figure out how to get back though, and was thoroughly proud of himself for doing it all alone.

What is Leah so excited about?  Check out what is in her hand...

A better view of the TINY baby turtle that she loved.  It was so cute, about the size of a quarter!

Mama and Leah with more turtles.

It was a great weekend at the cottage - great weather, non-stop happy hour and a million turtles!

The Tuttles visit!

Meg, Ryan and Wes came up for a visit in mid-May.  We had a wonderful weekend with them!

They arrived on Friday night at bedtime, so everyone pretty much went right to bed. On Saturday we woke up to a beautiful day, so we decided to go to the park.  We went on a long walk and then let the kids play on the playground.

Cam and Leah skip the playground stuff and go straight for the math puzzles.  Yep, I think they are our kids!

Mama and Leah

Cameron climbing around

He is finally tall enough to be able to do a bunch of the stuff at the playground now

Wes is a great climber too!

Wheeeee!

Wes checking out the sprinklers

After we were done at the playground, we headed over to Heid's for lunch.  While we were waiting for food to arrive, Wes and Cameron showed off their tattoos!

We went home and everyone had naps, then we had dinner and spent the night hanging out and playing games.  On Sunday morning, the mamas went shopping and the daddys took the kiddos on a walk outside.

Can you find two cute boys in this picture?

 Bushwacking

Daddy and Leah

 Leah dipping her toes in the water

Cameron contemplates the water

On the walk back, everyone has sticks.

After the Tuttles left to drive home, the kiddos went for a swim and played in the yard.

Thinking about climbing in the water - I think this is about as far as they got.

Thanks Meg, Ryan and Wes for coming to visit us.  We always love to see you all!!!

Cameron Playing T-Ball

Cam played t-ball again this year.  He really enjoyed it, especially because this year they got to use real bats and balls and wear batting helmets.  He had a great season, having lots of fun and really improving over the course of the weeks.  Mama and Daddy learned an important lesson: when the coordinator asks you to coach the team, you should do it, otherwise you may get stuck with pretty much the worst coach ever.  Lesson learned (and applied during soccer season)!!

Cameron (crouching in the middle) waiting to field the next hit

He's got it (he is the one leaning to scoop up the ball)

And throwing it to first

Cameron's team

Posing for the camera

Daddy and Leah watching the game

First Ice Cream of the Season

With how warm it was all winter long, it was a little bit surprising that we waited so long to go out and get ice cream.  But here we are in early May, having some yummy ice cream for dessert.

Each kiddo got to have their own ice cream.  Leah picked orange and white swirl; Cameron picked chocolate

Leah went to town on hers

Obviously, Cam enjoyed his too.  Leah is sitting here next to me as I type this, and her commentary on this picture is: "There Cameron.  Look at Cameron.  He taking a big bite."

Messy face #1

 And messy face #2

Good thing we brought a lot of wipes to clean up afterwards!  We all enjoyed our first ice cream of the season though!!

Cameron's Bug

One week for show-and-tell, Cameron's assignment was to make a bug and bring it in to show it to his class.  The teachers suggested drawing a bug or making one.  Cam chose to make one out of his Trios.  He was very proud of himself and his creation, and so were we!  What a sweet, creative boy.

Cam and his bug - it is actually three bugs (mom, dad and baby) and they rest by standing on top of each other like that.  Their home is the box to the right.

Snuggling with his bug

 And being silly

Leah's 2nd Birthday Party

We had Leah's 2nd birthday party on the Saturday after her actual birthday.  It was a beautiful day, warm and sunny.  We were lucky enough to have Mimi and Grandpa up visiting, so that was extra fun for the kids.  The other people who came to the party were Nana and Poppa, Uncle Matt and Aunt Gina, Omi and Opa, and Bonnie and Emily.  We were supposed to have about 10 people more, but a bunch of them got sick on the day before or morning of the party.  So it was a much smaller party than usual, but we still had a lot of fun.

For her birthday, Leah asked for cupcakes and a bug cake.  Here are her cupcakes, a caterpillar and some tiny ladybugs.

And here is her ladybug cake.  She requested the colors - purple and green.  The girl knows just what she wants!

Joan enjoying the warm weather.  We spent lots of time sitting outside in the sun, eating some appetizers, talking and playing.

 After lunch, Leah opened her presents.  She requested to sit in her rocking chair.

Cam was, of course, the very helpful brother, bringing Leah her presents and "helping" her open the cards and gifts.

What a handsome boy!  And Leah is very intent on opening the card in her hands.

Reading a card to the birthday girl

Leah checking out one of her gifts.

Going to town on a card

Leah, just after having opened one of her favorite gifts.  She was not interested in opening up anything else for a quite a while after getting this doll.

The doll dances and sings - Leah has entranced by it.

After giving the doll to Nana to get out of the packaging, Leah was convinced to continue opening her presents.

Leah and her cake, now complete with candle antennae

Happy girl - she loved having everyone sing to her

Leah picked a cupcake for her birthday treat

Yummy!!

Leah's friend Emily loved the cupcakes too

As did Grandpa!

Wow, messy girl!

This is a few weeks later, when we finally took down the streamers from Leah's party.  She wanted to be decked out in them - she thought that she looked very pretty.

Leah had a wonderful second birthday.  Thanks to everyone who came and helped make it so special!