Such a sweet little guy!!! ♥♥♥

Aunt Lori, Ethan and Alex come for a visit!!
It was great to see them! Emma and Ethan swam, played games, explored the tree house and generally enjoyed having a play mate for the day. Alex had a blast with Grandma Sandy, blowing bubbles, checking out Emma's cool blocks and bouncing the balls. Keenan even let Aunt Lori hold him for a while! We miss having them here in Michigan!

Alex and Ethan thought Emma's pony was pretty cool! :)

Emma and Ethan with Great-Grandma Thelma

My wonderful family! :)
Every time Joe goes away on a business trip (this week for example), I am reminded how lucky I am to have such a great husband who helps me co-parent two wonderful children. Although we may do things differently sometimes, I am sure as a team we are much stronger than either one of us would be on our own. While in Mears this past weekend Joe and I celebrated our 11th wedding anniversary by enjoying a few hours alone on the dunes. I am looking forward to the next 11 years almost as much as I look forward to Joe coming home from his business trip tomorrow! Hats off to all the single mommies and daddies out there- I can't imagine experiencing this ride alone!

Emma at the Lake House
I love the picture of Emma reading to Liam!!

Keenan at the Lake House

Family Time in Mears!
While in Mears, Keenan met Aunt Tomi, Denny, Uncle Grant, Aunt Kim, Liam and Grandma Betty for the first time! Of course he had play time with Grandma Mary Ann, Grandpa Byron and Emma too!!

Liam turns one!!
Emma had fun with the cute masks Aunt Kim found for the treat bags; and had a great time helping Grandma Mary Ann decorate Liam's cake. Liam was a cute little sailor and a such a sweetie! He even shared his food with Grandpa Byron. :)

Keenan meets Great Grandma Howe...
Emma, Keenan, and I stopped by to visit GeeGee. Though she isn't home yet, she isn't (currently) in the hospital either. She was happy to meet her newest great grandson and happy to see her newly 6 year old great granddaughter. Hopefully we will get to see her again soon.

Emma, the big 6 year old, jumping, jumping and more jumping!!
Emma loves to jump so this year we got another bounce house; how cool that we could even find a pony one to go with the horse theme. Grandma Sandy bought her a trampoline for her birthday to continue the the jumping fun after her birthday; and what a great uncle Uncle Paul is; he was suckered into being the obstacle in the bounce house jumping madness! :)

Emma's 6th Birthday Cake... and Pie!
Emma has voiced a strong preference for pie over cake (just like her mama- and yes probably on both accounts; voicing her opinion and liking pie) so this year we made cake for many of the party guests who request the carrot carrot cake each year, a cherry chip cake for Emma's friends (per Emma's request) and a berry pie for my birthday girl. She had such a great group of girls over for her party. They were all so well behaved and helped make Emma's day extra special.

Random Birthday Shots
Auntie Shell and Keenan up early on Em's 6th birthday, a few of Em's friends with Emma in the treehouse at her party and Grandpa Howe and co. playing with silly bands. :)

Emma's 6th Birthday Party Pinata!
Although I was a little worried someone might have gotten hurt, due to Auntie Shell successful managing of the line, no one did! And the kids seemed to have a lot of fun with it. It even provided a little after party fun when Emma used pieces for dress up hat. :)

Emma's presents for her 6th Birthday
Emma liked the Polly's and the pony set, really liked her twin girl bath tub, and LOVED her Pony (So did her friends who lined up to it ride it at her party)!!