Frankfort Children's Museum

Tuesday we met my cousin Anne with Sam and Margot at the Frankfort Children's Museum. It was a bit crowded and chaotic and we were only there for about and hour and a half but that was plenty enough time for the kids to have lots of fun and for Anne & I to have hit our limit of "fun." It was great for the kids though and they just ran from one exhibit to another checking it all out. After the museum we went for lunch at Culver's where we met up with Aunt Cath and Gram...which, along with custard was a special treat!

Searching for bugs and stuff.
Sam in a danger zone.

Margot thought it looked super fun...until Mom started doing the actual painting on her face.

Sam was so patient as Anne drew on his unicorn.

Makin' music.

Margot the giraffe.

Marching to the beat of his own drum.

Not To Be Outdone

So Chad was really disappointed that he couldn't join in the waterpark fun...so much so that on his way home he bought a super cheap slip-in-slide to play in with Gavin.

He got it all set up and was thinking Gavin would love it. But...he hated it. Did not want anything to do with it. So we did what any good parent does...we forced him to go on it...multiple times. However, as you'll see in the pics, Chad set it up on our hill which is pretty steep and the first time he pushed Gavin down it, he ended up flying off the end a few feet into the grass. No wonder he didn't want to do it again. Not to mention, the water was like pure ice. Regardless, I just kept snapping pics and making him do it again. Really, we're not mean, we're just encouraging him to have a sense of adventure. :)

Waterpark Fun

Last week we went on a group playdate to the Tinley Park waterpark. It should be no surprise when I say that Gavin was IN HIS GLORY. In fact, upon arrival, I barely had my stuff on the ground b/f he was headed to the water with determination. Right next to us were these mini fountains which he promptly stuck his hands, legs and face in...and clumsy boy that he is, within the first 20 minutes he had already tripped and gone under the water 3 times (each time coming up surprised but not the least bit upset).

The kids all had a blast playing and splashing in the water...and as for us moms, I have to say our enjoyment came out of watching the smiles on our kids faces...not from hanging with each other. We hardly had time to talk!! Next time...we need something where there is a bit less mom-hovering and more mom-enjoying!

By far, his fav part of the day.

Moms parked in the sun with the kids.

Lisa and Lauris.

Becca & Elena.

Gavin and Cooper running around in the splash park.

An ADORABLE pic of Debbie & Sophie.

Splashin around.

Gavin and his mom (with a major neck extension...I know you saw it but I am sorry now that's all you see). :)

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is such an important day...one that should definitely be recognized and celebrated. We love the chance to tell our Dads that raised us how grateful we are and how much we love them still. Now, I love the opportunity to tell the father of my child(ren) how much HE is appreciated.

Moms often feel under-appreciated and that all of our "hard work" goes unrecognized. Frankly, Mom's deserve their own day (maybe more than one truthfully) but I'll be the first to admit so do Dads. Especially Gavin's Dad--who works hard every day so I can spend time at home with our little monster. This is the Dad who will instill in Gavin his strong work ethic which Gavin will see through Chad's dedication to doing his job well and with integrity. It isn't easy being a "summer widow" (as I like to refer to myself when Chad works 24/7 in the summer) but I know that it takes a strong man to work as hard and as dilligently as possible...only to come home and dedicate every spare moment to us. It is easy to claim his priorities are in the wrong order through the summer months...but looking closer, it is so easy to see they are EXACTLY how they should be. For that, Gavin and I (and baby Harris currently making small taps in my belly) are very grateful.

Anyway...enough blubbering about how much we love Daddy in our household...on Father's Day we hosted my fam and those in the extended Yonker family that were around at our house. I think we had 10 adults, 4 kids. It was a fun day where we grilled out and watched the US Open (many would argue a perfect Father's Day). Unfortunately, Chad had to go to work that night but at least we got lots of time together during the day.

Four generations of Yonkers:

Harrison, Kyle, Dad & Grandpa

Grandma & Grandpa with their two grandsons.

Grandma & Grandpa trying to reign in 4 of their 7 great grandbabies.

Gavin and his Daddy.

A Cottage Getaway

Earlier in June, we went on a long weekend away to Sturgis, MI with Chad's family. We tried a new place and a new cottage this year. The cottage was so un-cottagelike. It was a fully loaded brand new house with everything from flat screen tvs to granite countertops. It was located on Lake Templene which is a small lake about 2 hours away from us. Unfortunately, out of our 4 days there, we only had 2 sunny days and the other two happened to be quite rainy. However, we found ways to navigate through the Amish country and find things to do. When the weather WAS nice, we could barely get our little fish Gavin out of the lake. He just loves water...and loves his cousins so he was either swimming or chasing one of them around. So despite the tempermental weather it was a fun weekend hanging out with the Harris clan.

The day we arrived..we were hopeful of this nightime pool bath happening EVERY night before bedtime.

And the rain began...as did cartoons with Grandpa.
We found our way to Amish country - Shipshewana.
And discovered a very entertaining toy store! Gavin was immediately drawn to the train table. And he happened to fix himself a little snack.

The kids and Daddies went on a carousel ride.

Across the street from our cottage was an Amish farm. We began feeding then carrots...and obviously they knew the drill.

I swear the look on my face is b/c I thought my whole hand was a goner.

Morgan on her bike.

Gavin in Kate's awesome pink helmet riding her trike.

Sunny morning...Gavin was OBSESSED with the horses. Every time he walked by the window of the cottage, he would start waving and saying hi to the horses (across the street mind you) and signing horse over...and over..and over again.

He gets a big badge of courage. Although later he did show a bit more hesitation preferring to throw the carrot quickly down on the ground for the horse to help himself...he was still in horse heaven.

Waving and Wading.

Floating and playing.

Grandpa patiently gave all the kids a "ride."

Gavin is all set for his big adventure.

I told them to give me their "MOST EXCITED" faces. I don't think Katy got it.

Gavin and Daddy headed down the dock.

Father/Son QT...Fishin' on the end of the pier (a favorite and most precious pic of mine).

Splash Splash Splash!

Kids and their kids...Morgan (4), Kate (2), Gavin (21 months) & TBD (16 weeks in the belly).

Aunt Jenny and Moe on the pontoon boat.

Co-captains.

...which lead to a few other co-captains as well.

Grandma enjoys a rare moment of peace and stillness from her grandson.

More crazy kayak rides.

Our Harris branch of the tree.