Fireman Kenny, Camping

Kenny did his first "speech" for Mason's class (actually 3 classes) during fire safety week. He did really well. He had hats and coloring books for afterwards. He went over fire safety plan, smoke detectors, and stop drop and roll. There were lots of questions, some of my favorites were: Do you have a fire dog at your house? and Did you drive your fire engine here? Gotta love 3 and 4 year olds! Mason was so excited, he had to bring his fire boots to school!

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Mission Impossible: CAMPING WITH 4 KIDS

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So the Deitsch family came over for a little camping. It was perfect weather. We pitched some tents, had a campfire, and most importantly: SMORES!! Yes, Marc, along with the kids, had his very first smore! Mason actually sat down and SAVORED his entire smore. Smart kid already! Add a few glo-sticks and airmatresses for jumping and SUCCESS! When it came time for bed, it got. . . a little chilly. After deciding the big boys could sleep outside, we bundled them in lots of blankets, and a hat (which Mason pulled off in the middle of the night along with all but one blanket. He's hot blooded like his dad). The mommies took the little ones in to sleep in the warm and cozy house. In the morning, we had a big breakfast and picked a few pumpkins from the Lang Pumpkin Patch (yes, Kenny planted pumpkins and watermelons this year, which produced really well!!) All in all: MISSION COMPLETED!

Cameron, Mason, Joey, Audrey

Kenny's big break!

OK, so it's not a very long picture, but he made the news. He's the one on the ladder, it's about 14 sec. in and not very long, so keep your eyes peeled. The kids and I were sitting at home watching the news (as we do every morning when he has worked the previous day). They were showing a fire that had happened earlier this morning, and all I could say was, "Mason, I think that's your daddy!" So at this point it was 8am, I called Kenny and asked if he had a fire this morning, he said,"Did you see me?" How fun! Audrey kept squealing "fireman, fireman" and wants to watch the news clip over and over! While I was on the phone with Kenny, Mason was asking, "was it him? was he on the roof?" when I nodded yes, He smiled ear to ear!
Enjoy:
http://www.fox59.com/wxin-garbage-truck-fire-091109,0,620715.story

State Fair! WooHoo!!

Who doesn't love the State Fair! Lots of great food, Lots of people to see (there are some interesting folk that live in Indiana), Educational (Mason didn't quite know what to think about seeing where milk came from), did I mention the food! It was hot hot when we were there, but again, state fair. Mason had one thing on his mind for food: chocolate ice cream. He is not a sweets person, but the boy can eat some chocolate ice cream! Audrey, stuck with the cheese fries and funnel cake. We did not try the choc. covered bacon. Sorry, there's something about eating something called "pigs in mud" that makes me not want to stop there. There was an IFD engine there. The kids felt right at home. Can't wait for next year! (Thanks for the pictures, Grant!)

On a side note, Mason, even though he comes off as this rough and tough little boy, I think has inherited my sensitive side. They other night it was just the three of us (Kenny was working), Mason came up and sat down next to me on the couch, looked at me and said," Mom, I love you." Just out of the blue. Talk about melting my heart. It's not the first time he's said things like that out of the blue before. Just days before that, we were getting ready to sit down for dinner and he said, "this looks good mom. Thanks for making dinner. Thanks for taking care of us." I stopped in my tracks! I was shocked. Talk about tears in a moms eyes. I think he's too young to be buttering me up for something, right?

Audrey, as always, in the drivers seat of the engine

Mason, checking out the back seat of the engine, after finishing a blue slushy

Mini me getting a piggy back ride, she thinks she's too big for the stroller!

Mason, getting a piggy back ride from Jeron (who we can blame the need for speed on!)

SILVER LAKE (warning-lots of pictures!)

We just got back from a week long vacation in Silver Lake, Michigan. It was so relaxing and fun! We did lots of biking, swimming, 4-wheeling & wave running. We went with Kenny's family. There were 11 of us and we all stayed in one house. It was a blast! It was right next to a wooded area, on a cul-de-sac (which we used a lot for kickball or wiffleball). Kenny's Aunt Barb and part of her family came to visit for a couple days! It was great to get the kids together and see everyone. We took a Mac Woods Dune tour. It's hard to describe, but the vehicle is like a jeep with 6 or 7 rows and no top or doors. They take you on "roads" on the sand dunes and give you a tour. Very fun! Riding the 4-wheelers on the dunes was a blast. I'm proud to say, I went up every hill Kenny did! and didn't get stuck! One night we rode go-karts. It was Mason and Audrey's first time. They both loved it and I think has their uncle Jeron's "need for speed"! Audrey kept squealing "faster, faster". We also went to see the lighthouse there on lake Michigan. There were some 140 steps. Mason climbed up the whole way! The view was amazing when we got to the top. We ate well, enjoyed being around family, and hopefully starting a new vacation tradition! We are already ready to go back! Thanks Bonnie, for planning such a fun, memorable vacation!

Sitting on the wave runners

Mommy and Audrey on the Go karts!

Lake Michigan!

Playing on the beach at Lake Michigan

Aunt Netty and Audrey

Getting ready to take off on our Mac Woods Dune ride! Thanks for a great tour Bob!

Audrey and Brooke on the Dune tour

The BIG chair, Bonnie (Kenny's mom), her sister Barb, and part of their family (Kenny's sister Annette, his other sister Cherie, her husband Todd, kids-Brooke and Tyler, me, Kenny, Mason, Audrey, Kenny's cousin Jane, her boys, John, Will, and Daniel, also the photographer, Dan-Kenny's uncle. Thanks Dan!)

All the kids. Trouble!

Mason making a "sand angel"

Me, Kenny, Mason, Audrey, Brooke and Tyler

Silver Lake

Climbing the Dunes (huge dunes = holy butt/thigh workout!)

Kenny, Tyler, Aunt Netty playing on the Dunes

Lake Michigan

Tyler and Mason = Double Trouble

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Right before we left for Michigan, Audrey finished her swim lessons!! Finally! She has been given the green light to save her life if need be! She got her medal and a prize. Of course she picked the baby doll! We will miss Barb and are very grateful for what she taught our kids, but are very glad we don't have to drive to Southport road everyday!

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I just had to though this one in for the Deitsch's. This is what hockey and heels look like!

a few more wedding pics

The couple of the night!


Daddy and his princess!

Walking back down the isle

Me and Justin

Jeron and Ashley

Kenny with the kids right before they walked down the isle. What a great dad! That was a hard job!! Can you just read Mason's eyes, all these people weren't here last night!

SUCCESS!!!

Last night was Grant and Jessica's wedding (my brother). Mason and Audrey were the ring bearer and flower girl! Let me just tell you, at the rehearsal we were wondering if they would make it down the isle in one piece! Mason wanted to carry the pillow on his head, and Audrey kept screaming "no" and "mine!!" Well did they shock us all! They walked down so nicely and smiled and gave high fives the whole way!! Thanks to Kenny and my aunt Lori for getting them together and started walking down the isle. That was a job in itself! The wedding was beautiful. It was one of the most heart warming, emotional weddings I've ever been to. Grant and Jessica looked so perfect together! I wish I would have taken more pictures, but we were busy, busy!!! I'm sure the photographer will have some good ones!

Mason took this picture. I wish I would have taken more. Oh well! This was their first dance. It was so sweet! I loved her dress. it was so beautiful and perfect for her! She was such a beautiful bride. And of course, Grant was handsome too!