Our first camping trip

We packed up the car and pretty much everything we own (that's what it felt like!) and headed out on our first family camping trip!  We started the day at 7 a.m., drove to Grand Haven and met our friends the Wolak's at the beach.  What an awesome day!  Then we headed a little north to a camp ground and tried our best at our first night with the kids in a tent.

The night time went ok, except for Tyler sleeping with Erik & I because he was scared at night.  The morning was a disaster.  The second the sun came up (5:30 a.m.), Tyler was up.  And when I say he was UP, he was loud, talkative, and screaming at everything.  He wanted to make sure the entire campground was awake too.  Needless to say, we were packed and out of the campsite by 6:15 a.m.  We learned that age 4+ is probably best for camping.  Evan had a blast and loved everything about our camping adventure!

Packed & ready to go!

I love my minivan.

Road trip!

We made it to Grand Haven!  Beautiful water & beaches and great friends to enjoy it with.

I'm holding a cold, wet Tyler and trying to smile for our picture!

Evan's beach set-up

Tyler & Gwen, beach buddies ("Hey, is your diaper as sandy as mine!?")

The best we could get for a pic of the kiddos; Evan, Tyler, Kellan & Gwen (Yes, Evan is dropping sand onto Tyler's head)

I love the sand!! (yes, that is sand on his eyelash)

Grandpa Kent gave Evan is FIRST fishing pole and Evan got to test it out!

After a full day on the beach, Tyler fell asleep before we even left the parking lot.

But he perked up the second we got to the campsite!

Our set-up!

Family walk to the lake / sand dunes

My boys :) XO

"MOM, I love camping!"  We call this Tyler's camping hair (holy humidity!)

The boys were running so fast!  Pure Michigan :)

Evan: "Mom, how do we start the fire?"  Me: "Rub two sticks together."  Evan: "OK."  That kept him busy for 5 minutes.

Boys love fire.

 Cutest camping buddies ever.  Seriously, Tyler's hair!

Erik had a few camping "rules" that Evan liked to remind us of (he's clearly the first born, Type A child):

1)  No shoes in the tent.

2) Close the tent door, don't let bugs in.

And the rule that Evan added to the list?  No farting in the tent.  

Love these two!

Springtime fun

This spring was filled with LOTS of activity - the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum, bike rides, soccer, a trip to the farm, and lots of memories!

Spring time means time to mow the lawn.  Evan still follows Erik with his toy lawn mower he's had since he was 2! 

AAHOM - Tyler of course loves all the exhibits with balls.

Evan loves figuring out how things work.

The best thing ever - a ball exhibit!

His expression here says it all! 

Nia came to the museum with us one day!  We love when she's in town!

This picture clearly shows what it's like to be a boy mom sometimes - everything can be turned into a toy & jumped on!  That fuzzy image on top of the couch cushions is Evan jumping!  And Tyler is watching only to figure out how he can do it too! 

This kid loves to eat!  And those curls! 

I love breakfast with these two.  Pajamas, breakfast food, and these smiles are the best thing ever!

Evan helping me plant flowers

Tyler's first hair cut at 21 months old.  We only had a little cut off (so he could see!) but kept the curls.  They are just too precious!

 "Mom, I made paper airplanes out of all your money."  Well, at least he's creative!  But maybe paper next time, haha!

We waited too long to take Evan's training wheels off.  He got the hang of it right away!

 Evan's first soccer season.  He liked playing, but only when he had the ball......

Silly faces soccer pic (Evan is sitting bottom left)

Enjoying the beautiful Spring weather in MI with a run / bike ride.

Evan planted this for me for Mother's Day :)

Supporting one of my friends at a charity run with Tyler & Grandma Denise

Love this little guy!

Tyler loves the wagon.  Except he's learned he can easily climb out of it so if I don't keep an eye on him, I'll turn around and he's two houses behind me running and laughing!

A few of Evan's drawings; so talented!

Perfect day for a farm trip with our friends.  Tyler loved chasing the animals around!

Tyler would chase them saying "quack quack."  Too funny!

Of course the other boys wanted in on the fun!

  

This little goat was very fond of Tyler because he had food all over his face & hands!  Tyler couldn't stop laughing every time the goat tried to lick him or get close. That laugh just makes my heart melt!

A trip to the farm isn't complete without a horse ride!  Evan will go to a week long camp at this farm in August.

My little farmer

 Our family purchase for the year - bikes!  Lots of great trails around us to venture out on.