New Windows!

Our home improvement project this summer was to replace the windows in our Living Room and Dining Room. All of our windows are 50 years old, and the ones in the front don't even open anymore. Instead of just replacing them, we decided to put in a bay window to open up the room a bit more.

What do you think???

Outside view before...

And after...

Dining room window before...

New dining room window with privacy glass so we don't see our neighbor's big screen tv.

Madeline enjoyed the space to run in the living room!

And here she is supervising with Dad.

A BIG hole!

Ahhh... we love the morning sun streaming through the new window!

The final product. We're quite happy! As soon as we get the interior painting and finishing done, I'll get those pictures posted too.

Swimming Lessons

We've signed up for swimming lessons at a nearby pool, and so far it's going pretty well. Madeline hasn't been in the water too much, but seems to really enjoy it. She loves to play in it on her own, but hasn't been too fond of floating on her back or going under. That seems to be pretty typical.

Camping!

5 families, 5 toddlers, 3 babies. A great camping experience! Our playgroup decided to be brave and take the families camping at Indiana Dunes State Park. Dan and I haven't been camping since we got married, but we quickly remembered the fun of being outdoors, the torture of getting out of a warm sleeping bag in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, and the comraderie that develops around the campfire.

The three of us squeezed into the tent Dan used for camping as a teenager. Madeline was wedged in between us on the air mattress, and she loved it. We agree that before we do this again, we need to invest in a bigger tent!

After we arrived and set up camp, we spent early afternoon at the beach. It was a beautiful day and water was warm enough to wade.

This beach tent was a great idea! We had sandwiches, fruit, and chips for lunch... and nothing ruins a sandwich like a little sand. Madeline stepped on my plate and knocked the sandwich off. I tried to salvage it, but it was just too crunchy.

We headed back to camp in hopes of taking some afternoon naps. No luck. But Madeline did enjoy taking everyone's picture.

The play-doh was a big hit.

It was a little chilly the next morning, but a hot plate of eggs, sausage, and pancakes warmed us all up.

We could have stayed another night! Maybe next time. :)

Our artisic picture of the weekend. A spit bubble.

It's a.....

???

Stay tuned January 12, 2010 to find out. :)

Great-Grandma Schmitt's 90th birthday

We took the good old Amtrak down to Quincy again Labor Day weekend to celebrate my grandma's 90th birthday.

It was a huge gathering of "immediate" family- my dad's siblings, my cousins, and Madeline's second cousins. Counting New Baby Hay, there were 32 1/2 of us there. Madeline loved playing with the girls, especially cousin Bethany.

Great-Grandma arrived and was thrilled to see all of the kids. "That's what makes the world go round" she kept saying.

Yummy pork sandwiches, fresh fruits and veggies, and pies for dinner.

Cousins!

Here we stand and sing "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" before dinner, our traditional family grace.

We then spent the evening sharing updates on our lives and our memories with Grandma. Laura and Hunter were the only ones absent- way out in Colorado. It was nice to spend the weekend with everyone!

Michigan Vacation

After a year of careful planning, we pulled together our family vacation with the Wyckoffs and Wenks. It was a wonderful week filled with friendship and laughter, and good times with the kids.

Our family vacation photo 2009.

Clint, Lindsay, Mallory, and Hadley

Jason, Kristi, Ella, and Miles

Time was spent both hanging out at the house and hitting the road to see local attractions of Southeast Michigan. One day we all went to Elkhart, IN to tour the RV Hall of Fame.

It was interesting to see how camping has changed through the years, and how you can travel in luxury today!

This is a picture of the backyard of the house we rented. There was plenty of room with a big kitchen and gathering area, and nice places to play outside.

Madeline enjoyed playing in the sandbox with Miles.

And on the warm days we took a dip in the lake.

With three families and seven kids, there was lots of cleaning to do. Madeline and Hadley stayed on top of it.

Madeline learned how to play "Ring Around the Rosie" with all the bigger kids. It's a lot more fun to play with a big group rather than just mom.

"We all fall down!"

Late at night we got out the Wii Rock Band. Here Dan relives his old YMC drummer days.

Mallory, Madeline, and Hadley enjoy some snacks at the apple and peach orchard. We got to hand-pick peaches and apples off the trees. They were delicious!

YUM! Fresh peaches!

We look forward to our next get-together!