Shipwreck Museum

If ever in Alpena, I recommend you check out the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. It's an awesome interactive shipwreck museum with free addmission. That have a life size replica of a ship you can go on that's kind ot tipsy like it's being tossed in the waves. There are tunnels you can crawl through to simulate what you see scuba diving. Not to mention to abundance of historical information and salvaged artifacts from ships lost on the Great Lakes.

Olivia looking overboard

Daddy and Mia strolling through the lower deck of the ship

Olivia outside standing by a massive size anchor

A beautiful view of St. Bernards Church - This is the church my mother was raised in and my parents were married in. Out behind the museum they have a gorgeous walking/biking trail that crosses the river and has such scenic views. I can't wait to use it myself this summer.

The Alpena Pier

Here is the first of many entries of photos from the past couple of months. We went to Alpena and stayed at our property for Memorial Day weekend. We spent a day heading in to Alpena and walked the beautiful pier. We all enjoyed it thoroughly, even Vada.

Lounging by the waters of Lake Huron

Looking out

The whole family walking the pier

Later that day we headed to the Shiprwreck Museum. I thought this was so precious watching my three hold hands walking together. It was a wonderful weekend away. More photos to come.

Welcome Baby Jane!

I know it seems like an eternity has passed since my last entry, but it is well worth the wait. I am pleased to announce that I am now a proud aunt to Jane Smith, born on my dad's birthday, June 11th at 12:45 P.M. She weighed in at 9 pounds, 12 ounces, and is 22 1/2 inches long. Of course when I heard the news I was ecstatic and on my way to Lansing a couple of hours later. Olivia got to hold her before I did since I was busy chasing Mia all around. Both Jane and Elizabeth are doing well. Her brothers on the other hand, are a little disappointed in a sister, but I know they love her anyways. James is quite adorable kissing her.

Olivia holding her GIRL cousin, Jane

Jane sleeping on her proud daddy's chest

Congratulations to Elizabeth, Jared and all the boys on their perfect little Janie!

Many more entries to come of all that has been going on in our life the past couple of months, but Jane had to take precedence.

Spring Break 2010

We headed up to Alpena the Wednesday of Spring break. Of course the weather had been beautiful for over a week straight and when we decide to go up north and stay in our camper we get cold, wind, rain, and even some snow. We still had a great time. We dressed for the weather and never really got too cold. We also had some nice visits with family up there. The girls and I headed into Alpena to see my Aunt Julie and Uncle Pat one day. Olivia was excited to see they were dog sitting their grand dog Sophie for the week. We also got to spend some time at Uncle Jere's. It was a nice and relaxing few days in our home away from home.

Olivia posing on our swing

Andy borrowed Jere's tractor and Olivia and he smoothed out a new trail. They are standing proudly in the trail they made in the photo above.

Even Mia enjoyed the nature surrounding us. She went around picking up leaves and handing them to all of us. At least she wasn't eating them.

We couldn't forget to take Vada with us. It made the trip a bit more challenging, but she did very well overall. It's so much nicer to be able to take her with us, rather than board her some place. I think she really enjoyed being able to walk around the woods and trails.

Easter Festivities

Easter is a joyous holiday and we are so thankful to have family around to share this special time with.

Coloring eggs at Grandma and Grandpa McNeil's on Good Friday. Olivia is like her grandpa when it comes to having a picture taken, they both automatically tilt their heads. A good time was had by all.

Mia finding eggs Easter morning that the Easter Bunny hid at our house. Both the girls really enjoyed hunting for eggs and baskets. Well, Mia just enjoyed being able to play with them.

Both my girls were spoiled with Easter goodies from various family members all around. Here Olivia shares her excitement of getting a new Barbie DVD at Nana and Papa's house on Easter. We went over to Nana and Papa's after church for a delicious meal and egg hunt. It's supposedly the last year of the egg hunt for the adults, but we hear that every year. Maybe the "Esther Bunny" will stick to her word next year.

Mia loved this darn chick that Aunt Jen got her. We couldn't pry the thing from her hands until she finally fell asleep.

Happy 1st Birthday Mia!

Saturday, April 3rd we had family over to celebrate Mia's first year of life. She had so much fun digging into her cake! A bath immediately followed her eating of the cake. Thank you to all our family for coming to help make this day even more special!

I love this photo more for the expression on Olivia's face. Daddy was trying to get her to move out of the photo for a bit and her feelings were hurt.

Aunt Joan and Scott came up from Fort Wayne for the special occasion. Mia has been enjoying all of her gifts she received.

She even got to try punch for the first time. Mommy was unaware of course.

Spaghetti Tacos and Mia is ONE!

The last weekend in March, Andy headed to Minnesota for a swim meet. He skipped it last year since I was very pregnant. He missed us celebrating Earth Hour this year, but we had fun without him. We had spaghetti tacos for dinner, played cards and did puzzles by candlelight, as well as a bath by candlelight. A good time was had by all. Spaghetti tacos for those of you who are unaware, are the favorite food eaten on the T.V. show iCarly. Olivia wanted to try them and surprisingly they were pretty good. We even tried the soft shell version the next night with our left over spaghetti. I preferred the hard shells myself.

FYI: they are messy

On March 31st, our little Miss Mia Margaret turned one. It's so hard to believe this year has come and gone. We just had a nice family dinner at home for her birthday and let her open gifts that had come in the mail. We planned her party with just family for the following weekend. She still had no teeth by her birthday, but two bottom teeth appeared a few days later. She continues to be such a happy girl, but is in to EVERYTHING! She will literally run circles around the house all day long. She doesn't listen when you say "No." Although, she knows things that are "no nos." She goes up to them, taps at them until she gets my attention, and then smiles and grabs it. She thinks it's all a game we play. She had her 1 year check up and weighed 17 pounds 4 oz. and was 29 1/4 inches long. She didn't score very high on the weight charts, but was in the 75th percentile for height. Olivia was very similar in both aspects.

What a wonderful year we have had with our little girl. I am blessed every day to have such healthy, beautiful daughters in my life!