29 June 2010

Visited & Visiting

June was such a busy month and as we look forward to the rest of the summer, there seems to be no stopping the constant planning for visitors and vacations! So much fun! Mya, Nora and mom recently took a visit to Michigan to see our family and spend some much needed time on the beach. All of the kids enjoyed Lake Huron and Nora even got into the action. She like to dig her toes and fingers into the wet sand and at one point took off crawling into the lake where she enjoyed splashing around and showing off her bathing suit curves. Mya was a great big sister, dipping Nora's feet in and carrying her around showing her different sticks and rocks. But more than anything, Mya loved when she could get in and swim around with her cousins. Usually being so close to the lake we get a cool breeze but not this time! It was very hot and cooling off in the lake felt wonderful.

On Saturday we headed to the Port Austin Farmer's Market which was voted among the top markets in all of Michigan! Not too bad for such a small town. Mya got a new necklace which she wears every single day and loved petting the animals, holding chickens, and buying fudge from the vendors. Nora just loved looking at everything and getting pushed in the stroller, that girl loves to stare and people watch in general, it's a bonus when someone talks to her and she can give a great big smile.
Earlier in June Aunt Jessi and Noah came to visit and help out with our garage sale. Friday was great but it rained on Saturday so we weren't quite as lucky with sales that day. Mya was very invested in it because whatever she sold when towards a new camera for her. She managed to make enough that with all of her other saved money, she can buy a brand new digital camera. I didn't realize she had saved quite that much. On Saturday we headed to the Air Force Museum where Noah was the happiest little boy in the world. So many airplanes (or jets) to look at! It was a great visit and we hope they come back soon!
For Dad's birthday this yea (31 years old now) we had a cheescake with whipped cream and strawberries. Everyone loved it, including Nora who dug in with both hands. She couldn't have the cheesecake but she was content just squeezing the whipped cream and strawberries in each hand. We can't wait for her first birthday now to see how she handles her own cake!
So, even though it's half a year away, I found the greatest present for my nephew Noah. He LOVES dinasaurs and I saw this one and had to get it for him. It's not brand new, but it will be to him and I can't wait to see him with it. Nora and Mya love it so I think we have to fnd a place to hide it; although it's so huge we will probably just end up throwing a sheet over it. It moves it head and blinks its eyes and roars, which Nora isn't so sure about, and you can sit on it, amazing!

02 June 2010

Here's One For Grandma


Grandma Kathy wanted us to post this picture of Nora, some people have talked about it and she wanted to see it. It's probably my favorite picture of Nora so far - so precious.


01 June 2010

Memorial Day Weekend

Such a busy weekend for the Stammen family. On Friday night Mya had a soccer game to make up and then another regularly scheduled game on Saturday...it was hot...she was tired...but her team ended a perfect season with no losses. Last season her team also had no losses, Mya now believes she is unbeatable - forever.

Saturday night we went to Mark and Marie Francis' house to hang out. I didn't take a lot of pictures, but it was cute when Mya tried to get Nora to hang out on the hammock with her. Mya could barely sit in it without falling over so we weren't sure it was a good idea, but Mya was careful and we got a good picture. It was nice to see some friends we haven't seen in a long time and to get the kids together. Nora tried to be a bully and attack Grant, but he easily defended himself.
On Sunday morning we headed to the lake to visit with Grandpa and Grandma Stammen, Uncle Brad, Aunt Val, Lauren, Maddie, Uncle Jason, Aunt Marcie, Emily, Kate, Abby, Tess, Sarah, and Sophia. Mya got to ride in the tube and Nora had her first boat ride. She thought it was really fun until she got hungry and tired and we had no bottle or pacifier on the boat (Mom was not very prepared) so she held out on cheerios until we got back to the house.
Nora and Sophia played great together except for when Nora felt like she had to touch Sophia's eyes, pull her hair or steal her toys. Because Sophia has five older sisters it didn't seem to affect her too much, but Nora is most certainly a bully. She wasn't too impressed with Sophia sitting by Dad either, a lot of screeching and growling occurred at that point. She needs to learn how to play nice!
Mya caught her very first fish this weekend (well she did last year but she was screaming and running around so much that it fell off the hook). This year she managed to pull it all the way up, she wouldn't touch it but she caught it.
We headed to the park for one of Nora's favorite activities as well...the swing. It's time to purchase one for home because she couldn't have been happier! It was such a hot, busy weekend, but a lot of fun....

 Nora may have had too much fun....