This little guy sure had a great time in the water and sand. At first he was not sure what to think but by the end of the week he was a regular ol' BEACH BOY!!!

Our Family Summer Vacation

Arick, Jacob and I took our first family vacation for 1 whole week! I mean we have taken many long weekend trips but never for an entire week. We went to a cabin at a resort in Montello, WI called Scharenberg's White Lake Beach Resort. The Venable family has been going to Scharenberg's for over 40 years! My Grandparents found this family friendly resort and I loved growing up going. We were so excited to take Jacob and enjoy some family time. I have not spent one whole week from sun up to sun down (haha get it sun up to sun down aka son up to son down) with our son since my maternity leave! Much needed it was and I feel like we really learned so much more about our son and each other. I must say we have a really funny, and happy little guy! Oh and a pretty cool family too. ;)

Be prepared for a long post with LOTS of pictures!!

We started our vacation with lunch at the Mecan Lodge before we could check into the cabin. Great restaurant and really a pretty lodge!

It was a beautiful log cabin and Jacob thought it was a house, so my polite little boy knocked.

Jacob was a little cranky and inpatient at lunch so like any good mother on vacation
I gave him SUGAR!

After lunch we went outside to the beautiful deck to enjoy their fantastic garden

Then we were off to meet our new house for the week!

So another photo regret...I really wish I would of gotten more pictures of the actual cabin. Here are the few random shots I did take. I loved the wood ceiling and the high ceilings. It was a very open feel...very beachy!

I did remember to take a picture of my fruit pizza!
I really should make this more often...YUM YUM!
OH and obviously I needed this picture of my very 1st good morning, you are on vacation coffee from a 1985 coffee mug!

We had some friends come up and hang out at the beach. The boys were able to squeeze in a game of golf.

We were so excited to have the Krueger's spend the night with us. It did not go as planned but the first half was fun! Eli ended up getting very sick and it became a really scary situation for everyone. He is doing fine now but that little boy sure did not feel good.

If I had to pick a favorite time for Jacob during our friends visit it would have to be his rides down the big boy slide with Auntie Stacy...that boy was all smiles! We as a family are so blessed to have so many fantastic, supportive, loving, and caring friends in our lives. How does that sayin go? It takes a village to raise a family?? Well we have a small village and I am so thankful for that village. So much wisdom, laughter, and love in our village. I have so much comfort in that village.

It was a great day with beautiful weather. Here is my favorite picture of Jacob from our friends visit. Picture is courtesy of his Auntie Kaitlyn. I just love the baby face and the sand on the brim. This boy L-O-V-E-S sand.

So many great pictures and so many wonderful memories were made. I have so much more I want to share so stay tuned...

Pool Party with the Krueger's

POOL PARTY!!!!

Jacob's buddy Eli threw a pool party on Sunday. Well when I say Eli I really mean Eli's G-ma, but close enough! My friend Nicole's parents put a new pool in this year and we got to enjoy a nice summer day with them. So sweet to welcome all of those kids (and big kids) into their beautiful home. Kathy, Nicole, Eli and Jason. Our Hostesses!

Amelia jumping to her mom right before she jumped in without telling anyone...ugh my heart is still skipping from that whole thing. She is fine but she sure scared us!

The big girls helping the little girls! Sydney is such a great friend, teacher, and helper.

The big girls making their plan...

Executing the plan...
And of course they had to DO IT AGAIN!!

Jacob found a great friend in the twins Hailee and Jordy's Dad. He went right to him and even let him take him around in the pool!

Saying HI to his buddy Eli

What a fantastic day! Arick could not make it due to Drum Major try outs, so I did not get a lot of pictures of my little man. These pictures here were "stolen" from a friend. The water makes me a little (A LOT) nervous and so I was on my A game which in turn meant NO pictures. Whoops!

Little Miss Amelia is 3!

Oh how time flys...like they always say, and boy how it ever rings true with Miss Amelia. Amelia was born to Lindsay and Travis. Lindsay was one of my very 1st bestest friends when I moved to McFarland. Her family became a part of my life and who I am today. Lindsay and Travis are HS sweethearts and it is so fun to be apart of their lives. Watching them now having their own family is really just fantastic! They are great parents, and in fact they are who Arick and I have trusted Jacob too. Morbid to think about I know but if anything ever happens to the both of us we feel so lucky knowing that he would be raised with a fantastic family!

Alright back to Amelia...She has been so much fun to watch grow and I am so thankful she is in my life. Just brings a smile to my face to think of that little girl.
Here are some of the very 1st pictures I have of Amelia...

What a doll right?! Gosh she was such an adorable baby and is now the cutest little girl!

Here are a few pictures from her fab 3rd Circus Brithday party. Happy Birthday Miss Amelia...you are so loved!

I really wish I had better pictures, but my camera battery plunked out on me, so as more friends post pictures I may need to update you again. ;)

Jacob's 1st Haircut

Today we took Jacob to Rote's Hairstyling to get his 1st haircut. Rote's is owned by a really really special person. My Grandpa! In fact barbering is a family affair. My Grandma and Grandpa Rote were barbers together and my Mom and Uncle Bob worked with them. I spent a lot of time when I was little at the shop. I loved getting sticks of gum from the register counter, and quarters for the M&M machine. My Grandma and I would walk down to the 5 and dime store while my Grandpa cut hair and when we got back it would be Grandpa's lunch time, so they would take me to Hardees. My Grandma also would set up a fake head and let me "do" her hair. I would perm it and cut it...you should see this poor lady now. Her hair is like 1cm long. Lots and lots of great memories from Rote's Hairstyling, and I was so happy my Grandpa was able to do Jacob's first cut. I know my Grandma was watching the whole time and loving every minute of it. Here are a ton of pictures because like always I took a ton and loved them all! He looks so big and handsome!

Here is a great picture of my Grandma, Grandpa, Mom and Uncle when they were all working together!

Here they are today! We all sure miss Grandma.

And here he is now! He sat so good, and the cut looks great! What a big boy we have!!!