Tigers Game, take two

Another Tiger's game for Kayla this year! It's a blast taking her to the games. Although, towards the end of this game she asked about watching the fireworks again. We explained that those are only on Friday nights, and tonight was Tuesday. She took it well. Until, on the way home, half asleep in the back seat, she said "I don't want to go back to that stadium unless there are fireworks". That gave us a good chuckle. Not to worry, she has plenty of fun at the games riding the ferris wheel, merry-go-round, playing tee ball, and eating frozen lemonade. Bonus, the Tiger's won!

That's one way to do it

Here's one way to keep your little sister from getting your things... pile them on top of your cart and then place the cart on top of the couch. Problem solved!

Twins

Thanks Aunt Jo and Uncle Joe for our cute matching dresses! We finally got to wear them!

Sophie is 5

Today we made the trek to Brighton to celebrate our friend, Sophie's, fifth birthday Rainbow party at her home. It was a spontaneous trip and all the pieces that needed to fall in place to allow us to go, did. Yea! We just wish we could've stayed for the much anticipated fireworks show and smores at dark, but bedtime and the two-hour trek home were calling. Eight hours went by too fast! It fills the soul to catch up with good friends!

The beautiful, sweet birthday girl

Stella was a birthday girl too, just a week before, so she got a gift from us too

Silly faces!

Sophie and Kayla handcuffed together!

 And guess who enjoyed themselves way too much at the end of the day playing in the cooler, half naked, eating ice? You guessed it. Aaron's daughter.

More, cousins

Just a few more pictures to add to the fun Amstutz reunion weekend!

 What a great lookin' family, huh?! I'm proud of all of us for looking like we're enjoying the moment despite the fact our faces were melting off standing in the 100 degree hot sun. But you wouldn't know it behind all those happy smiling faces. 

The picture's not complete because a few were missing!

Apparently she was super excited during her pinball game that she actually hit something with the ball.

15 months

Hello our little sassy, funny, fiery sweet 15 month old that never ceases to amaze us with her spunk, monkey-like climbing abilities, new words, and independence!

We love cousins!

And there were plenty to go around! It was the annual Amstutz family reunion on my Uncle Wayne's lake in Indiana. Every year the reunion grows and grows. Last year Khloe and Ethan were the new additions; this year it was Kempton's turn. We wondered, who will be pregnant next year... or will there be a new one already before 12 months from now?!

At one point in the weekend, my mom said it was like "deja vu" of when she and Dad - and all the aunts and uncles - were our age, and me - and all my cousins - were small and running around at family gatherings. Now, the aunts and uncles are grandpas and grandmas, my cousins and I are the parents, and there's a whole new generation of young, crazy, fun cousins running around! It's just that, in thinking back to those times my mom was talking about, the parents seemed soooo old... is that really us now?! Wow!

Our host, Uncle Wayne! (And Aunt Shelia, of course)

All the cousins!

Cayna (3), Sohpie (4), Kayla (5), Charlie (5), Cohen (5)

Isabella (6), Aleah (9), Khloe (15 mo), Bruce (7), Ethan (14 mo)

The only ones who were temporarily missing from this photo were Beau (4) and Kempton (6 mo)

It was a fun, refreshing weekend catching up with all our family that we love! We missed you Aunt Amy and Kristi!

 Isabella and Kayla - They were inseparable

 Here they are showing me how they can swim

 Aaron took the wave runner out to get it warmed up...

 and then it was Aaron and Kayla's turn. She kept yelling "faster! faster!"

 Khloe was content to sit on the beach and throw rocks

Getting the boat ready

There were many, many, many rounds of tube-riders

 Another round of riders

 Hello sweet little baby Kemp who was sleeping during the cousin's picture!

 Kissing cousins! (Just like her mommy and his daddy did 36 years ago!)

 We also stopped in to visit my Grandpa and Grandma G at their home. We wanted to check out their cool new pier they just had built on their pond! It is a favorite hangout spot for my Grandpa who loves to fish but can't get out like he used to. Grandpa gave us food to feed the fish and the turtles. It was a beautiful summer evening watching the sun set.

This evening, before we got to their home, Grandpa and Grandma were out to dinner celebrating their anniversary - the anniversary of their first date, on August 2, 1940. That night, 72 years ago, they played miniature golf. How sweet and cute that they still can - and do - celebrate that special anniversary date. And this November, they'll be celebrating their 64th wedding anniversary!