The long trip back to Michigan!

We left Arizona at 3:30 a.m. on Friday and went 1,000 miles (15 hours) to El Reno, Oklahoma. We saw three elk, a fox and a deer along our journey! The kids were amazing. We arrived in El Reno at 7:00 p.m. Arizona time which was 9:00 p.m. Oklahoma time. It was a long trip.

We stopped at a Dairy Queen for some ice cream at ate outside on the grass so the kids could run around for a little bit.

Saturday we didn't leave until 9:oo am and we arrived at my Aunt and Uncle's at about 3:00 p.m. and spent the afternoon with them. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures while we were there. I didn't even think to get my camera out. We had a good visit though and it was fun to see my Aunt and Uncle and my cousins.

Sunday we left at 5:00 a.m. and arrived in Muskegon at about 7:00 p.m. It was another very long day but the kids did really well.

Myles had one major meltdown and so I ended up sitting next to him in the back for part of the trip while my mom drove. Other than the one meltdown, he did awesome!

Adalyn & Broedy, Broedy kept her entertained pretty well!

An unhappy moment.


We gave the kids licorce and Adalyn wanted some too. As it was being passed over her head, she kept lifting up her little hand for some so my Mom gave her a couple of pieces. When we went to get her out of the car, we just started laughing. She was covered from head to toe in red. She looked like she had some kind of disease. It was so funny!

My licorce loving little girl!

The pool!

It's been in the 100's this week and we have gotten plenty of use out of our pool!

Raelyn loves it when Daddy throws her through the air!

There she goes!

Raelyn can now dive down to the bottom of the pool and get the little sinking rockets.

Myles loves the pool.......

and has learned to swim on his back!

The Rocking Chair

Adalyn loves playing in our little rocking chair! She climbs in it almost daily! I took some picture of her this morning playing in it.


Getting ready to climb in!

climbing in her chair.

My cute little girl.

Rocking away!

One Year!

Adalyn Grace,

Yesterday we celebrated your 1st birthday. Tonight I rocked you to sleep. I held you close, took in the smell of a fresh out of the bath, sweet smelling one year old, blue eyed little girl and went down memory lane. My baby, my fourth born, my sweet little girl has turned one. I have to admit that it is so bittersweet to me. I’m so grateful that I have a healthy little one year old that is into everything, yet part of me is sad too. Sad that family is so far away and missed out on most of your 1st year. In five short days we will load up in the suburban and head back to Michigan for a visit. I can’t wait. I can’t wait to celebrate your birthday in Michigan surrounded by family.

At one year, you weigh in at 17lbs, 8 ozs and are 29 inches tall. You may be little, but you have a big attitude. You can hold your own against your siblings and have no problem voicing your opinion when things don‘t go your way. You are very funny and I have to laugh at you almost daily. You love the rocking chair and spend hours climbing in and out of it. You love watching cooper run around the house and as soon as you hear me getting dinner ready you try and climb into your chair. You climb on just about anything. Last night when we were out for dinner you kept climbing on top of the table because you wanted a drink. You are cruising around furniture pretty quickly these days and I know it is only a matter of time before you will be walking on your own.

You are still a total mommy’s girl and I have to admit, I love it. As soon as I walk in the door you want nothing more than me to pick you up and carry you around. If I don’t honor your request the instant you notice I am home, you are very clear about how unhappy you are and will follow me around until I give in and pick you up.

You are adored by many. We came home yesterday to balloons from my co-worker and friend and you got a new doll and a new bathing suit from Ryan and Alissa. Although far away from family, we are blessed with many wonderful friends here and I am so grateful for that.

One year. It’s been a great one and I have enjoyed every minute of watching you go from a newborn to a independent little thing.

Happy 1st birthday sweet baby girl!

With much love,

Mommy

Adalyn's Birthday Dinner!

Last night we went out for pizza to celebrate Adalyn's 1st Birthday!

She kept climbing on the table to get a drink!

She likes drinking out of a straw!

Chris

Adalyn chowing down!


Raelyn

After dinner we went and watched Ryan and Alissa play softball and then we came home and had cake and ice cream. It was late and I tried to talk the kids into waiting a day to have the cake and ice cream but they wanted to have it on her actual birthday.

Happy 1st Birthday Sweetheart! She was so tired and after we got done singing to her, she started crying:-(


She liked the cake though:-)

Yummy!

I'll just pick up the whole piece!

Adalyn's Birthday Video!

Happy 1st Birthday Adalyn from Rebecca on Vimeo.

My Cute kids!

Just some random pictures I took of the kids this morning!


Is she not the most adorable thing ever?


"Stop taking pictures and pick me up mom"


I found Myles in the girls room today with "his" book. He LOVES this book (curious george) and carries it around the house all the time.

Myles and his book!


Adalyn plays in this chair all the time. Myles saw me get the camera out and jumped up on the chair too!

My nephew, Logan

Me and my nephew, Logan! I am so happy I got to finally meet him! He is a doll and I can't wait to see him again very soon.

Cousins!

Some fun pictures of our visit with Logan!

My new nephew, Logan!


Sleeping Baby!


Raelyn loved having a baby in the house again!


My baby girl!


Trying to get a picture of the diaper babies.


Logan, Myles & Adalyn....what a crew!



We decided to try and get a picture of them laying down on their bellies. This was LOTS of fun:-)

I think Raelyn sums up how fun this idea was.....Raelyn kept crawling towards the camera and Myles kept going to sit on the couch to watch cartoons!


Trying a different spot! Yeah, no go!


Myles was very proud of the fact that he got to hold Baby Logan!

Logan, Myles & Adalyn


Adalyn, Myles, Logan & Raelyn


Four very crazy kids!


Adalyn trying to figure out what is going on!

The Zoo

It was 107 today....we decided to go to the zoo! It was hot, but we did have a good time!

Lee & Bridgett at the zoo!

When it's 107 outdoors, it's nice to play in the splash park at the zoo! Even us adults ended up getting wet:-)

Adalyn getting wet!

Lee watching the kids in the splash park.

Bridgett

Even Logan got wet!

Raelyn, Myles & Adalyn

Adalyn loved playing in this little river that ran around the splash park.


Our family in the monkey exhibit! You could actually walk right in with the monkeys.

Raelyn on a wooden horse!

My little cowboy!

My big cowboy!

The petting zoo!

Lee on a tractor in the kid's area!

Logan hanging out in the stroller!

We came home and headed straight to the pool!