We're Back!

And we had a fantastic time! So much sun, water, sand, eating, family, and friends! The week went by way too fast. Brayden loved every second of it. He got spoiled by everyone, loved the water and sand, and wanted to go on the boat all the time. Below are some of the pictures I took. I don't normally like to post this many pictures, but when I have 313 to choose from, it is really hard to narrow it down. So sit back and enjoy the (many) pictures!

Playing the water with Uncle Chad. After 5 minutes of screaming and crying because he didn't like the sand or water, he finally tried it and the rest of the week, it was impossible to get him out of the water!! When asked what he wanted to do on a particular day, his response always was "water!" It also helped that the lake water was on average in the mid 70's!!

Loving every second of being in the water!

Playing in the sand and building castles with Patrick.

Playing with his little cousins, Jaiden and Eliana.

Playing in more sand back at the trailer.

Watching a storm come across the lake. We had a couple rough storms while we were up there. Did I mention that we were staying in a tent?? :)

Going out in the water with Daddy.

Sitting in the shade and taking a break with Papa.

Playing in the water...again...with Nana and Papa.

The sunsets in Pentwater are indescribable!

In the stroller getting ready to go get some ice cream. We found out that he doesn't like to share ice cream with anyone. He has to have his own! :)

Going for his first boat ride. Standing up front with Papa.

Sean sitting on the back of the boat enjoying the ride.

Brayden and Jaiden driving the boat.

Playing in the sand....again. This is where he spent the majority of his vacation...at the beach.

Cheese!

Making castles with Papa.

I LOVE this picture!! Brayden's sandy feet! :)

Getting water with Papa.

Playing in the water with DayeAnn. They had a blast together!

Going to get ice cream. Riding in the wagon with his cousin Jaiden.

Yummy! A blue rasberry glacier!

Playing with trucks at the beach.

Taking a quick break.

Playing with his cousin Ellie. They were chasing each other around. Everything that Ellie did, Brayden did and vice versa. They loved playing together!

Chase me!

My little fish!

Having so much fun!

Running!

Playing in the water with GiGi!

Shucking corn for dinner with Papa.

***

We had such an amazing time and are already looking forward to next year. It was so wonderful to spend all that time with family and friends. This is truly one of my favorite times of the year!

Pentwater or BUST!!

In about 72 hours, we will be watching this...

here....

with the men in my life that i love so dearly...

spending time as a family....

watching sunsets....

resting and taking snoozes....

eating lots and lots of ice cream....

and playing cornhole with family and friends....

going for walks and wagon rides....

building sand castles in the sand....

and knocking them down....

waiting for yummy dinners to cook over the campfire...

and having as much fun as we possibly can...

We can hardly wait!! Pentwater hurry up!!

**Isn't Brayden super adorable in these pictures? He is growing up way too fast for his momma! Sigh.....

Running through the Sprinklers

Today was a hot one. The temperature reached a balmy 91, with the heat index at 96 degrees! It was so warm outside and of course, Brayden only wanted be outside. So, we made the best of it and turned on the sprinklers! Brayden took one look at them and ran straight into it laughing and giggling the whole time! The kiddo never stopped running in and out of the water. He was totally drenched! He was not happy when he had to come inside. He finally calmed down when he was told we could go outside tomorrow and play in the water again! :)

Binder Park Zoo

For my sister-in-law's birthday, she wanted the whole family to spend the day at Binder Park Zoo. What a great idea! It was such a fun and exciting, although very warm, day! Brayden had an absolute ball! We could barely keep up with him as he ran from exhibit to exhibit. He was in awe the entire time. He loved all the animals and was so excited! We all had so much fun and we were glad that we could help Keri celebrate her birthday!!

Daddy and Brayden

Grandma and Brayden eating lunch. (Brayden spotted a peacock walking by the window as I took this picture!)

Mommy and Brayden getting ready to head out to see the animals.

Aunt Keri and Brayden feeding the giraffes. Brayden was a little unsure of this at first!

With Grandma and Aunt Keri looking at the monkeys.

He was so excited that he couldn't contain his enthusiasm! He was squealing and jumping around here. :)

Keri, Sean, Brayden and I posing for a quick picture before leaving Wild Africa.

Going for a carousel ride. He loved it!

Feeding the pygmy goats with Grandma. This picture was taken about 5 seconds before he freaked out!!

Doing one of his favorite things....going down a slide!!

Brayden cooling down in one of the misters they had going at the zoo.

His favorite part....riding the train!

This was the scene about 5 minutes after leaving the zoo! We tuckered him out!!

Wheeee!!

A couple months ago we bought a used swingset from a family down the street from my parents. Brayden is an outdoor lover and we needed something to occupy him while he was outside. We are just finally getting time to assemble it in our backyard. Sean got the swing up the other day and Brayden has been swinging non-stop. Tonight, Sean got out the slide and you would have thought that Brayden was going to explode with excitement. The whole time he was putting it up, Brayden kept repeating, "slide? slide?" Sean couldn't get it attached fast enough and Brayden was already flying down it, giggling and squealing the whole time. I think this has been one of the best investments that we have made!!

Ready. Set. Go!!!!

Wheeeeeeeee!

Watch out Milo!

Up the rock wall.

Here I come!!

Target Deals!

I cannot believe the deals I got at Target today. When the cashier first told me my total, pre-coupons, I nearly fainted. And then I nearly fainted again when he told me my total after coupons. Even he was speechless and couldn't believe what I saved with coupons. You are not going to believe this!!!! The picture below is all of my purchases today at Target.

Total Cost: $81.50

Total Savings: $74.98

Total Out of Pocket: $6.52

Yay!! I couldn't believe it! It really pays to take time to research and clip coupons. It is times like this that motivate me even more. I never used to clip coupons and often scoffed when I got behind someone who had coupons. Now....I can't imagine paying full price!!