Reflections from mommy on the eve of your first birthday....

To my little bump....

The greatest days of my life began with the day I met your daddy and when I couldn't imagine a more perfect life you blessed it even more. I can't imagine one day without seeing you smile or hearing you laugh. You can turn the worst of days into sunshine when you reach out for me, calling for mama. There are so many things I want to say to you and so many things I hope for you. I just hope that over the year's I can help teach you to be a wonderful man. One who is compassionate and intelligent. One who is strong and determined. One who is loving and true to himself through and through. This is one year with many to come and I look forward to each minute, each day, each month and each year I have with you. Your daddy and I love you so much. Always remember this and always know this.

Happy 1st Birthday Justin....

Traverse City Vacation IV

Our 2nd to last day of vacation we headed over to Ranch Rudolf which is a campground and so much more. During past TC visits we've went their horseback riding. This year mommy and daddy went "rump bumping" which is tubing downriver. It took us an hour and a half to flow about 2 miles. While we were "bumping" Justin played on the playground with Nana & Great-Nana, but we played with him for awhile while waiting to "bump" :) One interesting and funny story to share..... The water 62 degrees...brrrrrrrrrrr.....and mommy had a run in with some amature kayakers who happened to run her over and tip her into this freezing water. Mom had quite a few bumps and cuts, but daddy saved the day as always! :)


Before bumping mom and dad strike a pose!



Daddy drifting along.....

Mom showing off her pedicure and pink toes! (Also this is the last picture before her bump into the water!)

Swinging

Really cool wagon monkey bars

Daddy been silly, mommy being cute....always the same story!

After his bath Papa Hawes gave Justin a mohawk!

Justin, you may not remember it, but you had a great time and we look forward to all the future trips to Traverse City and all the other places we explore together. Mommy and daddy love you and hope these photos help you have some lasting memories....

Traverse City Vacation Part III

Join us as we venture to wine country! These are some of our favorite pictures at the Vineyards. We also went to an amazing ice cream place called Moomer. It's a definite favorite waypoint in TC. Good Moring American even named it as one of the best ice cream in America! Jealous we got some? You should be :)

Disclaimer: Justin didn't have any wine...but he really enjoyed his ice cream!

Overlooking the Moomers Farm

Justin enjoying the creamy goodness of Cherry's Jubilee!

Uncle Bud, Justin and Daddy taking a break at the Bower's Harbor Vineyard

Family Photo!

Perfect photos rarely happen; but look at this shot!

Our little ham on the way to Moomers!

Traverse City Vacation Part II

Please join us as we continue our Michigan lakeshore adventure....

We happened to be visiting during the National Cherry Blossom Festival so one of our days in TC we walked around the downtown art fair and made some purchases...which by the way were mostly for Justin...so spoiled isnt he?! We stopped and took a break for lunch at Dillinger's Pub.

T-R-O-U-B-L-E

One big happy family! :)

Steven and Nana Irene

Our little buddy!

On a day back at the cabin we decided to take Justin on his first boat ride....

He looks like a little twinkie (Justin, not Steven)

A look of pure excitement, right?! :)

Look at the whopper he caught!

Traverse City Vacation Part I

We recently returned from a week long vacation in Traverse City. Nana & Papa Hawes joined us along with Great-Nana Irene and Uncle Brian aka Bud. This happened to be Justin's "first vacation" so as he will more than likely never have memory of this occuring we knew it was our parental duty to document it appropriately. So, Justin...don't ever say we never took you anywhere hunny! :) Here's part one of the vacay blog!

Here are some pictures of our beautiful, serene and secluded cabin; it was exactly what we all needed!

I love this picture....

Daddy relaxing in the hammock.

Our dock, where we swear Papa Hawes and Uncle Bud kept catching and releasing the same fish...over ....and over.....and over!

The back of the cabin...yes, that's a hot tub...which we never really used haha!

Gotta love bonfires!

The front of the cabin.

View of our camp from the lake.