Happy Birthday, Tyler

This week was full. Between late conferences at school, Aubrey getting very sick and needing to see the doctor, then Tyler ran a fever on Thursday morning, Tyler's Friday night birthday gathering was in question. Deep breath. However, he ended up feeling much better (mind over matter)? and we had a couple of his friends from school over Friday evening. We went out to eat, and it was fun to get to know them even better.

Devon, Michael and Tyler

We came home and after some trampoline jumping, he opened gifts and we had dessert.

Michael was able to spend the night and they stayed up until 2 am!?!?! Yikes! I think Michael was trying to beat his brother's latest time. :) The next morning, they played for awhile and both boys were not ready for the fun to be over. I am glad that this crew has such a great time together.

Nic and Jess Get Hitched

Last weekend, we hitched a ride with Ted and Sue for a quick weekend trip to Watervliet, Michigan to help celebrate the marriage of Nic and Jess Bitting.

The kids enjoyed the DVD player in their van on the ride.

And we ate lots of pretzels.

We happily joined up with Hollins and Rachel (and Reid and Jillian) when we arrived.

Aubrey and Jillian picked up right where they left off.

The first evening, all wedding guests were invited to attend a potluck by Lake Michigan. Our kids met their second cousins and we got most of them (okay, everyone minus Tyler, I realized later) to pose for a picture.

The hotel had an indoor water park and the kids loved spending the rest of the evening swimming.

The next day was Tyler's birthday. He opened presents in our hotel room. He was thrilled, but we made him wait to open everything but the books until he was home.

 The ladies ready for the wedding.

Aubrey and Jill

My boys.

Tyler didn't want to pose...silly.

Between the wedding and reception, we had hors d'oeuvres, drinks, yard games, and pictures!

The Eigsti clan. 

During the reception, Nic led everyone in singing Happy Birthday to Tyler and one other in the room. Tyler even got a few gifts from Wayne's aunt and a couple of cousins. How sweet.

Aubrey conked out before all the fun was over. She kept covering her head with my scarf.

There was a bonfire, dancing, and music. Little love was just too tired to keep going.  We enjoyed making a lot of great memories on our brief trip. And, we enjoyed a safe and uneventful trip home. Back to school and work the next day. Phew!

Hammock

Wayne and Aubrey relaxing in the new hammock...with the mosquito net that Wayne dreamed up and Sue executed. Since then he bought a second hammock, and he and Tyler slept outside one night.

Powered Parachute

Some pictures Wayne captured during a powered parachute ride over the fairgrounds during the hot air balloon launch.

First Day of Preschool

Water Center

Tyler and Wayne went disc golfing while Aubrey and I explored the park outside the water center.

First Day of 3rd Grade

Favorite Color: Green
Favorite Food: Cocktail Shrimp
Favorite Restaurant: Longhorn Steakhouse
Favorite thing about school: The End
When I grow up, I want to be: Don't know yet
Favorite Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series
Favorite Hobby: Legos