And We're Back

I love vacation.  Although, my dad and I were talking and both agreed that much of the joy that comes from vacation is in the anticipation of what's to happen.  I must say, the reality was more similar to the anticipation than it has ever been. 

Before we left for vacation, I managed to scrounge up enough money to get Matt a new set of golf clubs.  I'm pretty sure the garage sale set he was using was older than him (that's old for golf clubs).  Needless to say he was surprised and overjoyed.  The best part: I made the 30 minute trek to Grandville to purchase the clubs with a toddler (during nap time) and a 5 month old.  I must have been a site to see!  I paid for the clubs with cash too.  That felt great!

We vacationed at my sister-in-law's parents' cottage in Muskegon, Michigan.  This is the view of the channel that leads out to Lake Michigan.  It was a beautiful place to stay!

Papa and Granny with Annelise on the beach.  It was a little windy, but she was loving every minute of it.

Playing a "civil" game of Monopoly our first night at the cottage.  I won't brag, but I won.  Enough said.

I couldn't resist buying the cousins matching outfits.  Annelise is almost 19 months old and Alayna is 5 1/2 months old.  They ended up switching the underwear that went with the dresses because the 18 months were too big for Annelise.  That cracks me up!

She looks so sweet and innocent, doesn't she?  Don't be fooled.

Me, 31 weeks pregnant and feeling it.  I think I was taking a rest after our walk.

Uncle Matt and Annelise enjoying snack time by the pool.  

Aunt Leah taking the girls swimming. 

 

Annelise watching daddy and Aunt Sarah play beach volleyball.  PS - See that beautiful, purple sippy cup?  I got it on sale at Dick's for $6.99.  A little pricey for a sippy cup, but its a Nalgene and our new favorite.  She loves using it!

Matt, being the outgoing extrovert that he is, invited himself to play beach volleyball with a bunch of strangers.  He had a great time - and my sister even joined him!

I thought this shot was cool.  

1)  Could she be any skinnier?  Try not to hate.  

2)  Look at that form!  I hope she's playing college volleyball this year!

And last, but not least, the girls decided to do a little something for themselves this week. Since the guys spent the majority of the vacation money on golf, we decided a pedicure was in order. And boy did it feel glorious!  Here's mom and Leah enjoying their pampering.

As we return to reality (its so hard after such a long time away) we're anticipating many milestones in our future.  School starts in 6 weeks, we will have a new addition to our home in 9 weeks and life will be completely different after that.  

And We're Off

Again.  Vacation officially starts tomorrow. We're heading to a cottage at Maranatha for a week of family fun.  We hope to enjoy lots of sun, relaxation, golf, swimming, shopping, eating - and all of the other things you do on vacation.  Pictures will follow.

Pregnancy Update

Even in the midst of a busy summer, I have managed to carve out time for my OB visits.  Maybe that sounds surprising to you, but it just hasn't been much of a priority this time around.  15 minutes in the doctor's office for them to tell me I am still pregnant and have gained weight doesn't sound too appealing.  Can you blame me?

At any rate, I have felt much bigger this time, much more movement from the baby and have been increasingly more uncomfortable.  Lest you think I'm complaining, I'm really not disliking this pregnancy as much as the first.  It has really flown by.  

My doctor confirmed a lot that I had been feeling today.  Apparently I am measuring almost 3 weeks ahead.  The baby's legs are extremely long (which explains my inability to find a comfortable position other than standing).  And I gained 7 pounds.  That brings my total to 15 pounds.  Not bad.  

So, we're either going to have our little girl early, our big girl on time, or our abnormally large girl late.  Doesn't leave you with much, huh?

Hello Again.

We have been a busy clan.  I know this because I'm always so prompt with downloading pictures from my camera.  When I plugged it in today, I noticed I had three separate events on there!  Yeah, that sounds lame.  Welcome to the life of a type A personality.  Moving right along...

This is Annelise with her 5 month old cousin Alayna.  13 months separates them.  Yet, they are only 4 pounds and 2 inches different in size.

Its Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven.  We enjoyed Worship on the Waterfront with Papa and Granny - oh and Avalon.  Doesn't Annelise look like such a big girl in this picture?

She looks pretty stylin' in these, if I do say so myself.

For the past few days we've had college friends visiting.  Aaron, Emily and Miles Cope and my roommate, Becca joined us for some fun in West Michigan.  Miles loves the tire swing with his daddy.

Emily was wonderful to help me chase Annelise around the playground.  My pregnant self isn't moving too fast these days.

Annelise and Miles - They loved each other as much as is possible being two first born, only children.

Daddy & Annelise enjoying some time at the beach.

You know, we were all friends at Moody before any of us starting dating or got married.  Its such a fun story!  And none of us has changed much...which also makes for a very fun visit. We are so blessed to know them.  They will all be our friends for life!

Annelise and Miles playing together before they left.  Anne cried for 20 minutes when Miles was gone.  She kept saying "Bye Bye."

Aaron, Emily & Miles Cope.  We love you guys!

Kentucky Trip

Ok, so I've been lazy.  We returned from our trip to Kentucky on Monday, but I haven't been the least bit interested in blogging about it.  Probably because once we got home, we jumped straight into work again.  And boy is there a lot to get done before I go on maternity leave in October. 

We were thrilled that Lee & Candace Nordine welcomed their sweet, baby girl, Ana Christina while we were in Kentucky.  We were even able to make an unexpected visit to the hospital.

Matt and his parents doing what we love to do: eat.

Visiting Kentucky wouldn't be the same if we didn't play some cornhole. 

Aunt Sarah enjoying some time with Annelise.

Me, taking my turn at cornhole, which is much harder to play when you're top heavy!  And for all of you wanting to see the baby belly, well there's no missing it.

 

Sarah and Mom playing cornhole.

 

Sarah's husband, Willie, laughing at something.  He's good at that!

Cousin Mia or "Mima" as Annelise likes to call her.

 

Playing outside at Nana's.

Nanny and Paw Paw with Annelise, before we left for home.

What a fun trip!

Off We Go

Its time for another trip, really?  Seems like we're on the open roads a lot this summer.  This time, we'll be headed to Kentucky to visit Matt's family and hopefully see some friends.  I was thinking an afternoon playdate at a local park would be nice so that some of us moms could catch up.  Any suggestions?  The last time I lived in Kentucky, I wasn't exactly a kid-toting, park loving mama, so nothing fab comes to mind.  I was thinking we could meet sometime after lunch, but before afternoon naps.  Can't wait to see some of you!

More Irresistible Wedding Pictures

The bride and Annelise.  Annelise adores her!  When they left for their honeymoon, she cried.

Twin sister Sarah caught the bouquet and her boyfriend Jasper caught the garder.

Sisters times 3.

I think I've got ups for a pregnant lady.

Mother and bride.

Wedding Weekend

My little sister Leah got married Saturday.  It was a beautiful, simple ceremony with family and friends.  Needless to say, after a week of preparing, decorating the church Friday, rehearsal and dinner and the whole event day on Saturday, we're pretty exhausted.  I sometimes forget I'm pregnant, which might be why I'm feeling so under the weather.  In the works today, laundry. That's it.  Oh and enjoying my sweet baby.  

Think Again

For those of you that commented on my last post that I don't look pregnant, maybe you'd like to retract your statement after this picture. 

Ha!  I'm just very selective on which photos I post.  Its just not as glamorous the second time around.