Traverse City - Part 4

After dinner Saturday night, we hurried back to the beach to take some pictures with the brilliant sunset.

The Girls (L->R): Amy, Cait, Steph, & Sandy.

Our little family.

The Swartz Family.

Grandma and Grandpa with their grandkids.

Traverse City - Part 3

Dinner at Sledders in Traverse City, MI.

Ella at dinner with Aunt Mimi, Clayton, and Uncle Swartz.

Tim, Cait, & Gracyn.

Grandma and Grandpa.

Clayton & Edy.

Traverse City - Part 2

More pictures from Traverse City...

Ella and Daddy checking out the lake.

"I love it here!"

Ella and Mommy.

Ella and Grandma.

The Lake Michigan baby pool.

Traverse City - Part 1

This past weekend (Aug. 1-3) we traveled to Traverse City, MI with Matt's family. We had such a ball. Ella LOVED the beach and the lake, especailly the part about eating snacks on the beach. :) We had fabulous weather, and memories we now have are priceless. We stayed at the Shoreside Inn -- a GREAT place for kids. If you ever want info about it, just let us know!

Ella and her first dip in Lake Michigan.

The Girl Cousins -- clockwise from top -- Edy (almost 5 yrs.), Ella (16 mos.),

Gracyn (almost 2 yrs.).

Gracyn cooling off with a drink of water.

The shark Matt created on the beach.

Uncle Tim!

Another Trip to the Zoo

Again...we are behind in the postings, so this was a trip we took to the zoo back in June.

Ella and Daddy by the monkeys.

She loves the monkeys!

Gotta Wear Shades

For the longest time we could not get Ella to wear any of her sunglasses. All of a sudden she can't go without.

Soooo cool.

A diaper and shades, what more does a girl need?

Even needs them inside the house!

A visit from Ava

Ava and her parents stopped by one night to hang out, and the girls played in the backyard in their pjs until way past their bed time! This was back in June....I'm a little behind in the postings.

Ava is about 8 mos. older than Ella.

Such a sweetie!

Swimming with Makenna

It is amazing what an inflatable pool can do for your confidence. Makenna loved swimming last summer, but this summer she has been terrified of the water. That is, until she came to Aunt "Tuff's" to swim in Ella's inflatable pool. First Courtney and I got in, then Ella, then Makennna's curiosity got the best of her, and in she came! She and Ella splashed and played for quite awhile, not evening being bother by water on their little faces.

Miss Makenna in her cute little suit.

Ella and Kenna -- best of friends!

Introducing....The Blacks!

On June 7th our good friends Steve and Meridith were married in Indianapolis. Here are a few pictures from the big day.

The happy couple.

The Joneses posing with the Blacks at their reception, which was held at a dairy farm! There were actually chickens walking around the reception - it was a blast!

Most of the groomsmen got together for this picture. Due to the humidity, some decided to go with the MC Hammer look.

Steph with Jen Wright.