Can you see what she's saying?

(Hint: It's about the hair.)

#3 turns #2.

This child wakes up running. She wakes up laughing. She spends the day running from each of us telling us "i yuv you" with a big kiss. Everyone is "cute" and anyone who looks her way will get a big "Hiiiiii!!".

She's a constant joy.

"I Nee-Nee. I 2 now".

(these photos narrate themselves!)

her first day of grade 2

Anna. She grew up so much this summer. She's so calm. Always level- headed. Not moody. Doesn't complain. Does what's asked of her. Takes care of her sisters because she wants to. Never leaves anyone out. And ALWAYS wants to help. This September, she had to start a new school, in a new town, living in a new house. She cried into my shirt for 20 minutes standing in the schoolyard waiting for the bell to ring. So worried that no one would like her. So worried that I wouldn't pick her up on time. I just rubbed her back and told her it would be ok and that everyone would love her and she'll soon be leading the schoolyard games at lunch time... and since that first day- Every day has been the "best day ever, like Christmas."

It's been waaaayy too long!

The summer of 2011 has to go down as the best one we've had as a family. There was so much fun going on that I haven't felt like blogging cuz I might miss something else that's going on! So now that life has somewhat settled down, here are some photos of one of our summer excursions. We road tripped up to Traverse City which is in Northern Michigan. It's a really great city surrounded by lake Michigan. The water's crystal clear and there's a ton of fun to be had. We met up with one of my very best friends, Anna (Anna's namesake) and her husband Mike and their gorgeous daughter, Lucy. 

Anna's specialty- the cannonball.

Seriously. Life couldn't have gotten any better at this very moment!

Anna with 8mos old, Lucy

A really great beach called North Bay and it had an inlet that opened up in to lake michigan. I wish I had a picture of the mouth of the Lake because it's almost prettier than the ocean! We played ALL DAY. i even tried paddle boarding, which I'm pretty sure I could do everyday. 

Believe it or not, there are a lot of vineyards in Traverse City and Mission Point area. We tried a few.. but we'll stick to Canadian and California wines! :)

Another amazing beach on our last day... We picked up some skim boards. There are not pictures of this skim boarding event.. but I have some scars on my shins to show for it.. !!

Our last goodbye with Lucy ... stay tuned for a yearly shot of this group!!