Up North Fun!!

So we've all been a little busy around here -- weddings, birthday parties, playdates, bike rides, trips to the lake, splash park, sleepovers at grandma's, vacation, and more -- and the best part is, we're staying healthy!!!

First things first -- Mid-August, Easton had his 9 month follow up appointment with Pediatric Radiologists and Oncologists at UofM, and an ultrasound, chest x-ray and 2 viles of blood later, we were thrilled to hear that Easton is staying healthy! That made our vacation the next day so much more enjoyable!

Easton has his first taste of Northern Michigan this month. We spent a week at a cabin at Boyne Mountain with my entire family. And by entire family, I mean the three of us, my sister Colleen and her three boys, my mom and dad, and Clare even joined us for the weekend! It was a lot of fun, and a great reminder that I never want 4 kids. :) 

The vacation was pretty go-with-the-flow. We spent a little time at the pool, some time at the lake and even hit up Avalanche Bay, the indoor waterpark, for some rainy day fun. This place was awesome. There were things for kids (and adults!) of all ages to do - a shallow children's pool for the little ones, a lazy river to take a float, two hot tubs, a raging waterfall and five fun-filled waterslides. Easton loved splashing in the water, dancing in the sprinklers and even the waterslides. Cash and Briggs weren't quite tall enough to ride on the super waterslides, so we took full advantage of having to ride with them over and over again. I have to admit, I was pretty impressed at how much fun I had!!!

The hardest part about vacationing with toddlers is working around mid-day naps, so we made sure to get up and moving first thing in the morning so we could have some fun before naptime. We ventured into Petoskey for a little shopping and lunch one day, and into Boyne City for the Farmer's Market the next. The Farmer's Market wasn't anything to call home about, but the kids sure had fun on the huge play structure.

On another day, we headed over to Charlevoix to visit with, get this, mine and Colleen's old daycare lady and babysitter from when we were like 5 years old!!!! My parents have managed to keep in touch with them over the years, and just happened to talk to them a few weeks prior to our vacation, and when they found out we were coming up, they invited us for dinner. So we packed up the cars, and to Charlevoix we went. It was so fun to reminisce with them and to hear stories from when we were young.

On our last night, we headed back into Boyne City for a special ice cream treat. Easton loved sampling all of ours and then burnt all his energy running around the park.

We (the adults) spent our evenings playing cards and games, and counting how many times Cash and Briggs came upstairs. Too bad we didn't count the first night -- I'm sure Briggs would have broken the world record. :)

We packed up and got on the road mid-morning on Sunday. I had arranged to stop in Midland for lunch with a college friend, and of course, I just had to hit up the outlets for a quick shopping trip, which Bryan was thrilled about. Easton was great on the 4 hour car ride -- I think this picture explains how much fun he had on vacation!

Friday Letters

Happy Wear-Your-Pants-On-Your-Head Day!!

Dear International Delight, Thank you for the creation of your iced coffee line. Not only are you supporting my iced coffee obsession, but you are saving me big bucks in the process. Good bye Biggby's ridiculously expensive, not all that delicious, drinks and hello affordable iced coffee-at-home! Dear Big Brother, While I thoroughly enjoy the hours of entertainment you provide to me each week, you are very demanding of my time. Not only is my house feeling neglected, but my husband is too! Not to mention, your 8pm shows are interfering with Easton's bedtime routine. Dear Comcast, Our love/hate relationship is become more and more of a hate relationship. I subscribe to services for my convenience and I expect them to work. While I appreciate your efforts to credit my account and provide me with free premium channels, I'd much rather the services I pay for work! Dear Vacation, I can't wait for you to get here! Next week please fly by. And lastly, Dear Nicole, Happy Birthday (tomorrow)!!! Enjoy your last year of being 20-something. 

Love, 

Courtney

Wordless Wednesday - Potty!

So not exactly 'wordless' but I want to give you a little background information. Over the course of the past few days, Easton has started hiding behind the couch/chair/table to go potty. One second he's there and the next he's is nowhere to be found and I hear grunting in the corner. I mentioned this little phase to Dawn when I dropped him off this morning, not expecting to receive this picture just hours later. Low and behold, she caught Easton going off to hide. She said 'potty', he said "potty", so on the potty seat he went. I'll spare you the after shot, but trust me when I tell you it was success!!! Potty training is in full effect!

FiFteen (and a half!) MoNths!

It appears the monthly updates ended with the monthly stickers, so in turn, I'll try and update with Easton's well-visits, for as long as those lasts. The past 3 months have been a whirlwind -- lot of fun and lots of growing.

Back in May, Easton had his routine follow up appointment (6 months post surgery) with UofM pediatric oncologists. He had an MRI, along with lots of blood work, and thankfully, everything looked awesome. Prior to the MRI, we opted to do some pre-meds to relax him and make the transition to the anesthesiologist easier, and Easton put on quite a little show for us. We go back in August for our next check-up, and our fingers remain crossed at all times for continued success!

We have spent a lot of time at the lake this summer. At first, Easton wasn't so sure about it. It took a little time to get him used to the lake, and now he can't get enough! He runs for the water, belly flops, swallows a mouthful of lake water and laughs uncontrollably, only to do it all over again. We've taken a few boat rides and he seems to enjoy it. Thankfully, only one paci has gone overboard!

Cash, Easton, Briggs, Cal and Zain

Easton and Ga

Easton had his 15 month check up earlier this month and he's growing right on track. 23lbs, 9oz and 31 3/4 inches tall. Doctor says tall and skinny. He must get that from me. ;) 

My little man is getting so big, so fast. He walks nowhere and runs everywhere. And he amazes us with the things he knows and the words he can say, even using them in the correct context!

ball
car
sit
doggie
dada
mama (not often, but he does say it!)
papa
ga (grandma)
nana
thank you
paci
bottle
uh oh
byebye
welcome
nuh nih (night night)
pease (please)
up
down
ah done (all done)
ove ou (love you)
cookie
kacker (cracker)
ack (snack)
sue (shoe)
diaper
poo-poo
kiki (monkey)
Row, row, row (your boat...)

His newest accomplishment is learning to put two words together 'byebye papa', or 'up ga, up'.  We are also having fun learning animal sounds. Easton is working on his doggie bark, and thinks cow and sheep sounds are so silly! We're also working on learning body parts and Easton has perfected the tongue! Nose and belly button aren't far behind. :)

Silly boy!

This little boy is seriously the best thing ever to happen to us. Just when we think he's at the most fun age, he's prove us wrong. Each day gets better and better!! Can't wait for tomorrow. :)

Love you to the moon and back!

~Mommy

Wordless Wednesday

The diaperless swimmer!

Lucky in Love

Four years ago today, as I walked down the aisle to marry the love of my life, I didn't think it was possible to be any happier. Here we are today - 8 years together, a dog, 2 houses, 5 jobs, lots of laughs, a few tears and one silly little boy later, and I feel like the luckiest girl alive! Happy Anniversary to an amazing man. Thank you for all the memories, for loving me (even when I hit your truck!) -- and most of all, for letting me love you! I look forward to growing old with you. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails. ♥

Then:

And now:

"I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend." ~Jason Mraz

Dear Easton,

The past 14 months of your life have been the most amazing, rewarding, scary, challenging, emotional and happy days of my life. It's crazy to think how much we've been through since the day you were born, and even crazier to think how much we have to look forward to in the future. As you read this, ten plus years from now, I want to thank you for all the things you have taught me and for giving me a life full of joy. You have changed my life in so many ways and I wouldn't change that for the world.

As you grow up from a little boy into a young man, there are a few things I want you to keep in mind - a few things that will help you get the most out of life:

Be kind. Treat people with respect. Take care of yourself. Believe in God. Dream big. Smile. Love yourself. Take risks. Play hard. Be honest. Laugh everyday. Believe in yourself. Follow your dreams. Have fun. Be patient. Fight for what you want. Learn from your mistakes. Know who your true friends are. Fall in love (and love with all your heart). Get married. Have babies. Work hard. Save, save, save! Travel as much as you can. Call your grandparents, but call your mother more. :)

Most of all, live each day to the fullest. Life is to short to be anything but happy!!

Love, Mommy

"I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."