Our road trip to Winnipeg

Our first road trip (almost 20 hours) was a huge success! We drove through the night and made it to Winnipeg shortly after lunch. Our visit with Justin, Heather, Ethan and Ella couldn't have been more enjoyable, and it was so great to see the kids spending time getting to know each other better. This trip will hopefully become an annual event as it was well worth the drive!

These photos are in no particular order:

Running around the cottage with Ethan

Swimming in the front yard

Playing with balloons from Chez Cora

Sydney was obsessed with the Cozy Coupe!

Funny photos at the cottage

Eating fresh veggies from Auntie Heather's garden

Lovin' on cousin Ella

Beautiful baby...

Thanks to Auntie Heather for my first popsicle!

watching Curious George or Dora (who knows?) with Ethan and

Ella in the camping chairs

Spending a cool morning on Lake Manitoba, skipping rocks, wading in the water, and pulling Ethan on his boogie board

Going for a short walk during a sunny spell

Summertime

What a great summer we have had so far! We have been busy going on short trips, swimming in the pool, going for walks, spending time at Meijer Gardens, and hanging out with friends. Sydney has been running all over the place, getting into every cupboard, and babbling away as if we know exactly what she's talking about! She has become quite the little imitator and is so much fun to listen to.

Here are couple photos of those good times.

Giving open-mouth kisses to cousin Evelyn

Hanging out with buddy Jori every Wednesday

Camping at Warren Dunes State Park

After a busy few days in Traverse City, we headed to Warren Dunes State Park in southwestern Michigan for a camping trip with the Alderinks. Despite rain on our first night, the weather was beautiful and we spent Saturday hiking over the dunes and hanging out at Lake Michigan. Sydney enjoyed running around in the dirt with Jannika and riding around in her new backpack carrier.

Climbing the dunes on Dan's back - Sydney had it easy!

Playing in the sand and shade with Daddy

Giving kisses to Daddy

Hanging out with Nana & Grandpa

Traverse City

While Dan was in Traverse City for work, Sydney and I tagged along and spent some time at the beach and in the hotel just hanging out. The weather was beautiful and it was fun teaching Sydney how to play in the sand (although I could use a few lessons myself!) and introducing her to cartoons!

Girls Trip to Calfornia

Some quality time with the cousins in Portola Valley,

A quick visit to JQ & Tante Karinne's Pilates studio in Berkeley, CA,

Then a couple days at Lake Tulloch and a couple days at Pake & Beppe's house in Oakdale...

...and how quickly it's over! We missed you, Dan/Daddy!