summertime

Who knew summer break could be more tiring than actually having stuff to do?

Wow...wow...we are tired...it has really been a crazy summer - we haven't had a free weekend for the last 2 months...literally. We have had a lot of fun during the last 2 months for sure - just looking forward to September when we can get a free weekend or two.

We have already had 2 yard sales, Taylor had a play, we had a bachelor party and wedding, visited Cleveland to see Christina's play, had Taylor's birthday...and that's just off the top of my head.

Here are a few more pictures of our incredible summer...only a week and a half left to cram the rest in before school starts.

Nana Karen helping at the yard sale (couldn't have done it without Jaimie's Dad and Karen for sure - they made it a great event).

Trinity working hard for us at the yard sale.

Dizzy following Trinity's lead.

Jaimie and Taylor at the Detroit Zoo.

Taylor and I at the Detroit Zoo.

Us visiting Cleveland for Christina's play - The Emperor's New Clothes.

minnesota

Who knew a place could still feel like home even though you haven't lived there in 11 years?

Going back to Minnesota is always something I really love - not only do I have a lot of really great friends there, it really does feel like home. We started in Rochester visiting friends for a few days then went up to the cities - and driving through Bloomington (where I grew up) always feels good inside. I even gassed up at the station that I learned to pump gas, drove by my old house, drove by the Toys R Us where I got my first job, and had the chance to play basketball with some high school friends.

It's been a wonderful trip so far - here are a few pictures.

Bowling with Ben, Becky, Bailey, Phoebe, Abbye, Micah, and us.

Taylor and Bailey

Jeff and I at Target field - went to see a Twins game in the 'new' stadium.

All of us in the glove at Target Field

View from the big screen (Jeff and I climbed the steps to see what it was like - just for fun).

View from our seats.

My classic lunch...so good.

Jeff and Tay in our seats.

teenager

Who knew time really does fly?

Last week Taylor turned 13 so we are now officially parents of a teenager. Sigh.

She had a great time hanging with her friends - and so far hasn't changed much at all - just as lippy as ever...ha.

Here are some pictures of her birthday...

Birthday crew - Laura and Trinity, Kayla, Jessica and Lake with Dizzy.

Taylor and the girls eating cake truffles.

Taylor, Emma, and Wroxy at the Toledo Zoo.

The girls at Mr. Freeze in Perrysburg after visiting the zoo...needed to cool off.