A weekend getaway ...

This past weekend we ventured up to Northport to spend some time with the hubs parents. We were pretty excited to take Ellary sailing for the first time ... and I think she was excited too :)

Saturday was a beautiful day - we so love this marina! A perfect summer place!

Of course, eye protection was a must with the bright sun ;)

Ellary fell asleep before we took off sailing.  We put her down below in her carseat right where the hubs used to spend time in his carseat when he first started sailing at 6 months {Ellary beat him by a couple months ;)}

When she started to stir I quickly transferred her to the life jacket to bring her up above ....

And it was a success because she slept the WHOLE time! 

It was the perfect weather for a nice cruise in the boat - I was brave when we started to heel, I had a baby in my arms after all ;)

Ellary woke up once we were back in the marina and she was ready to rock and roll ;)

We ended the day with dinner down at the marina and then a nice walk out on the break wall.

Sunday was a lazy cool day spent hanging out at the house - Ellary loves her puppy so much, Otis still isn't too sure about it ;)

Ellary slept the whole drive back home and after a rough nights sleep up north, we think she just missed her bed as she passed out as soon as she was put in it when we returned home :)

Happy 3 Years ...

This week we celebrated our THIRD wedding anniversary!! My oh my how time FLIES!

Never did we think that three year later we'd have a fur baby and a real baby ;)

For our special day we headed up north so that Grandma could watch Ellary {we had to twist her arm you know} and we ventured out to dinner ... 

We treated our selves to dinner at Apache Trout and Grill -- such delicious food and a beautiful view, what could be better?

We were told there could be no talk about Ellary ... yeah, we made it pretty far into dinner without talking about her but eventually she did come up ;) 

After dinner we enjoyed some family time to let the food settle before dessert ;)

Of course it should be no surprise we took Ellary on her first visit to moomers for a special treat ... too bad she slept through it all :)

It was a great day and so hard to believe three years have already flown by!

And just because, a picture of the sweetest girl in all the land :)

Happy Father's Day ...

Happy FIRST Father's Day to the hubs ;)

Ellary and I love you to the moon and back!

First Mother's Day as a MOM ...

Today was the first of many "firsts" of being a mom ... my first official Mother's Day!

We ventured down to Lansing yesterday afternoon to take part in my nephew's dedication at church today.  It was the first time my SIL and nieces met Ellary, and to say they were smitten is an understatement --- the girls asked if they could keep her :)

Judah wasn't too sure about what to think with someone smaller than him around! :)

And today the weather was absolutely beautiful out for our first official Mother's Day!  What a gift it is to be able to be a Momma to this sweet girl!

It was so special to have the WHOLE family together ... that really doesn't happen nearly enough!

To say this Grandma was in heaven with all her littles there is an understatement.

It was so special to be able to spend my first Mother's Day with my mom - she's a constant rock for me and I know I'd be lost without her! 

Ellary is so lucky to call her Grandma!

Thanksgiving 2016 ...

A couple weeks ago we celebrated Thanksgiving with the hubs family.  We're on an every other year rotation with Thanksgiving {trying our best to make it fair} so this year we were with my family for the actual holiday. 

Our time up north was spent resting and watching football - Otis and I had the same leg positions going on :)

We took a nice walk down by the marina - which was SO weird to see so empty! There was just one lonely boat left. 

We enjoyed family time - 

Celebrated a birthday ...

and ate some yummy food! 

On Thanksgiving Eve we ventured down to my brother's house.  And what an adventure it was! The roads were horrible - my anxiety set in and Otis was on my lap in the car literally shaking.  Thankfully we made it safe and sound! 

We enjoyed Judah cuddles ...

And Otis enjoyed seeing his brother from another mother ...

So nice to spend some time with these little ladies! 

And this little man who is growing so quickly! 

I must admit too, it's always nice to see my brother as well :) 

And my SIL - we enjoyed some day after Thanksgiving shopping, after sleeping in a little :)

Otis was put to the test with kids ... and I have to say he passed ...

Even throughout the numerous hugs ;)

After feasting on the delicious food we took a family walk, pups and all.

Ava had to bring her accessories - ha! 

It was a great couple days of family and love - we have so much to be thankful for this year!