raspberry pickin'

we decided to do something different and go berry picking today. jimmy's been out of town a lot lately for work, so wanted to make the most of our day since he was home today. it was a REALLY hot day today so we didn't stay out there too long. but we got a couple pints of fresh raspberries. and the girls had a lot fun. :)


we're ready to pick!









this one looks good!


















the perfect raspberry!



even ellie was getting pretty good at picking the good ones. :)



yum!

summertime

we're enjoying the summer so far... lots of playing outside and miscellaneous activities between both girls. addison is not in school as much this summer. i wanted her to enjoy herself a little before "real" school this coming fall.

just hanging out at home...




eating ice cream on a summer day!
























can't forget about my other baby

and addison is taking some golf lessons this summer....

love the oversized club and ball! i need those for myself! :)









her class. they looks like a bunch of little golfing rascals! :)

family trip to traverse city

we went on a little vacation to traverse city. it's our first family vacation this year. in the 6 years that we've lived here in michigan, we have never gone "up north" (what michiganders say for going to their lake homes). many people have cottages and summer places that they head to throughout the summer months, but since jimmy doesn't really have 2 consecutive days off from work, we aren't really able to take advantage of having a place like that for our family. but after 4th of july (which a really busy time for jimmy's work), jimmy decided to take some time off and experience what everyone else does around here. we booked a couple 2-bedroom suites in a hotel up in traverse city for a couple of nights... we took some of his family and packed up the cars to the gills with swim and beach toys and equipment, mini grills, snacks, the whole shebang! i was looking forward to doing something different. we made it up there. but turns out when we got there, poor ellie got a 24-hr. stomach bug. :( with her naptime and nighttime sleeping all messed up because she wasn't feeling well and her constant diarrhea... it put a slight damper on our plans. well, we got to see northern michigan. and played a little on the beach. and we even took a slight detour and visited jimmy's aunt and uncle nearby and got to see their lakehouse. so in the end, it was fine. but boy, traveling with a sick 2-year old can be tough and slightly stressful. but we had some good moments! and hopefully, we'll do this again someday soon... without any illnesses! :)


at a cute breakfast place in town. all was good until AFTER breakfast when the stomach bug hit!






passing time until our food comes.



jimmy's brother and wife admiring addison's creamer stacking skills. :)






haha! goofy smile!!






the town was so crowded while we were there because there was a cherry festival going on. parking was hard to find and it was a little crazy. but we managed to find a spot to sit for a little while. if ellie wasn't sick, we could have enjoyed the festival and water, but with her upset tummy, we were limited on what we could do and the amount of time we had out and about.



addison enjoying herself regardless! :)



i think this may be the first time on a beach for ellie?












this was at jimmy's aunt and uncle's house in cadillac, mi. they live off a big lake there. they prepared a delicious lunch for us and we got to ride on their pontoon boat before we headed home.








and these are just random pictures i forgot to post earlier.... i think they are just silly. :)