Happy 30th!

Happy Birthday!

Jon is 30 and a daddy now, so he obviously needed a helmet :)

The Beach: 2 Trips & 2 Lessons

Don't ask me why it has taken us so long to take our son to the beach because I don't know the answer, but to make up for it we have taken him twice in the last couple weeks. Both were very fun and learning experiences...live and learn ya know?

The first time was one of the first super hot days this summer. Holland State Park was full, so we went to Tunnel Park. We parked on the side of the road with countless other cars. We stayed for an hour, and then got a parking ticket. All those cars...hiding a no parking sign. So our first trip to the beach as a family was an expensive one.

The second trip to the beach was after Jon got home from work one night. We were waiting in our swimsuits, and I had packed a picnic dinner - I was quite impressed with myself. The night turned out to be quite windy, but we adapted. The lesson we learned was that picnics at the beach just don't work with our son at least at this point in life. He didn't eat a thing. The sand + the water = no desire + no time for food.

As a write this, Bright it sleeping and it is not a beach day, but maybe again soon?

Muscles

60 Years

As you know, the Walcotts had a lot to celebrate this past weekend. We're still tired over here.
We celebrated Grandpa & Grandma Walcott's 60th anniversary with a lot of the family at Beechwood Inn. We had a great time together.

60 YEARS!!! Jon and I have only been married 6. Wow!

Walcott Wedding...Woo-Hoo

Congratulations Scott & Erin!

Blueberry Pickin'

We are very lucky that we have lots to do in see within a very short distance of our house. Nestled on the north side of Holland are quite a few blueberry farms, and we all like blueberries, so we drove a couple miles to pick them - a first for our family. We had a great time, and I think we just might have an annual tradition on our hands.

On The Verge

We are on the verge of some major events in the Walcott Family:

Jon's youngest brother Scott gets married this weekend to Erin (Auntie RayRay). Congratulations Scott & Erin!

We are celebrating Jon's Grandpa & Grandma Walcott 60th Wedding Anniversary. Congratulations Grandpa & Grandma!

Finally, this coming Monday, Jon's parents, Dan & Kathy Walcott, leave for Nigeria. We'll miss you Mom & Dad/Grandpa & Grandma! Thank goodness for Skype right? Dan is going to teach Bible at Hillcrest School in Jos, Nigeria and if you know my mother-in-law she will have no trouble helping others in the area.

As you can imagine, spending time with each other is a top priority. This week we headed to Tres Lobos (our favorite Mexican Food restaurant), and then we climbed up to the top of Mount Pisgah, a dune near Holland State Park that they worked to preserve, but we get to now enjoy as well. I was impressed with the walk ways, the steps, the views, and the informational signs. My mother-in-law even saw a fox while we were up on the dune. We highly recommend the excursion if you're around here and up for lots of steps.

Yes, on the verge now, but we'll have stories and pics to share when we reach the other side. Have a great weekend!

Park Play

In the last couple weeks, we've introduced Brighton to playing at the park. We didn't really know what to expect. I had a feeling he would love it, but we weren't sure what he would be able to do. I wasn't really sure what I was ready to let him do. I quickly realized that keeping tabs of a toddler in a jungle gym with small passageways and tunnels is really tough and not my idea of a good time. I 'm so thankful that my husband does readily accept and enjoy being the park wrangler (at least when he is with us) for our son while I snap the pics.

To Kayak or Not To Kayak

Brighton loves everything about the kayak when it is setting on the lawn. Due to his high interest, we decided to give it a try on the lake.

[You can roll your eyes about us being first parents here.]

Jon didn't make it out much past the dock...not that I would've let him go any farther. The ride went so quick the whole family missed it, but it still was his first kayak ride.

Maybe better luck next year.

I Need My Auntie J

1.) This weekend Daddy did my hair like this.

2.) Mama decided it was high time for another haircut.

3.) I got my hair cut today. Thanks Auntie J!

Shop Til Ya Drop

We had our annual girls outing again this year to the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. I've blogged about it before. I LOVE IT! New fall and winter stuff on sale while the summer stuff is on sale too. We had such a grand time. We did miss out on the Ann Arbor Art Fair this year, but we headed to Chicago for two nights to take in the city and take our time with the sales. Really, what isn't on sale these days? We did some damage, and had a great time. My sister is missing from the pic (she's taking it).

Back on the home front, I am so pleased to report that we have had a number of not just tolerable, but really enjoyable short trips to the mall. My son is a trooper, and at least for now will put his smile on and hop into the stroller. He waves and says "Hi" to folks in whatever store we're in. We took a break and tried out the play area at Woodland Mall this week (a first for him), and he was a hoot. On the way home, we realized we were pushing him a bit much as lunch and nap time were a bit too close for comfort. It was grandma's idea to stop for some french fries. I must say as new parents, we quickly discovered (Bright too) the addictive qualities of french fries while we were on vacation as there are just so many kid meal options and lots of them come with fries. He loves knawing on those things, and this day was no different. The kid was in his glory. As we approached home, with greasy hands and greasy face his eye lids started to get heavy, but he didn't want to let go. For at least two minutes, his eyes were shut while he was chewing and tightly gripping the french fries. So wish I had a picture to share. I guess it was my son's first "Shop Til Ya Drop" experience.