Schrenk/Lutz Wedding

Could they BE any cuter?
Alex abandoned his seat at our table in exchange for a seat between Grandma Kathy and Chuck. He was bummed because we had to eat BEFORE we could dance.

Jenna and Jeff with ring bearer Alex.

Alex and Mommy tearing up the dance floor.

Weddings are great for catching up with college friends. Nikki was one of my bridesmaids a long, long time ago :) We both are married with two kiddos now. Time flies!

Our good friend Jeff Schrenk married Jenna Lutz on Saturday, August 28. Alex is Jeff's godson and served as the ring bearer. He had a blast hanging out with Audrie, the flower girl, and all the groomsmen. This was Alex's 3rd stint as a ring bearer and he has the gig down pat at this point. He LOVES getting everyone out on the dance floor and dancing the entire time. We had to convince him to take a few water breaks throughout the night because he was sweating so much!

We were able to catch up with so many of our college friends and were sad when the reception was over! It was a little reunion of sorts with roommates, housemates, friends, and family. Jeff and Jenna are perfect together and we wish them a lifetime of happiness together. A great weekend indeed!

Our Little Kindergartener

So excited for his first day of Kindergarten!

And just like that he was on the bus and off to school.

Alex's first day of school was Friday, August 20 and was just a half day. His first full day of school was Monday, August 23 and he is doing great so far. He is certainly tired when he gets home and the first thing he asks for when he gets off the bus, most days, is a bottle of water. I think riding the bus, lunch/recess, and PE/Music/Art are his favorites. His teacher, Miss Gomez, is lovely and a perfect match for Alex. He rides the bus with a few of his friends and even his friends who are 4 come out to say "bye" to him in the mornings (so cute!).

Field Trip

Alex was just SO happy to spend the day at the zoo!
Partners in crime!

Alex, before he got his clothes soaking wet!

"Which way do we go now big brother?"

It was so hot today that I could not say "no" when Alex asked if he could get wet at the splashground. Abby, not surprisingly, wanted nothing to do with this.

"Kak, Kak" says Abby as she watches the ducks swim by.

The kiddles and their new plush snakes. Neither kid fell asleep on the way home as both were entertained by hitting the other with their snakes.

This morning we headed over to the zoo for a quick visit before Alex starts Kindergarten. He loved all of it. Abby loved the warm-weather treats like ice cream and ICEEs and any of the animals that she could see in underwater tanks. She fought being in the stroller pretty hard and did not enjoy the splashground as much as her brother. Alex read the map remarkably well and led us around the park along his agenda. Both kids loved watching the penguins play and we all decided that river otters are the cutest things ever!

This afternoon, Alex was able to meet his Kindergarten teacher and see his new classroom. She seems very sweet and he told Brad "yeah Dad, she's really nice". He also met his bus driver and is eager to ride the bus to school in the mornings. It looks like he'll know a few of the kids in his class already as they attended preschool together. Some of the neighbor kids are in the surrounding classrooms too so he'll see them from time to time at school, as well as on the bus. Hopefully those familiar faces will bring a little comfort in a new place for him.

What's New With Abby?

Abby's first attempt at wearing make-up?

She's getting used to sleeping in the toddler bed this week.

Or is she??

The past two weeks, Abby's vocabulary has really taken off. She tries to say quite a few more words and is developing quite the spunky personality. Tonight we asked the kids if they wanted to go outside and she literally picked up her gym shoes and threw them at Brad right before she jumped in his lap. The degree to which she understands what we ask her to do really surprises us sometimes. She's adjusting well to the toddler bed although last night we briefly panicked when we couldn't find her, then later located her asleep behind the rocking chair.

Abby's favorite words:

cup/hat/Dowa (Dora)/Maaaax/nack (snack)/moo (when she sees a cow)/cack, cack (when she sees a duck)

New Buffalo, MI Beach Vacation

Our little beach set-up each day. Looks like it must be snacktime here.

Aunt Nicci and Uncle Andrew after he prepared a great dinner for us. Best guacamole ever!

Alex challenging Grandma Eileen to a game of UNO on the back deck.

Brad, Grandma Kathy, and Gigi check out the views from the rooftop deck.

Grandpa and Patti lounging with Abby, who insisted on sitting on the side of the pool only.

Abby loved her some sand...in her hair, her mouth, her hands, her suit, pretty much everywhere!

Grandma Eileen and Abby kicking away in the water.

Playing Jacks with Aunt Jackie.

The arrival of our first Amtrak train, an added perk to the beach house.

Last Thursday we left for a week long trip to the beach on the shores of Lake Michigan. New Buffalo is about 90 miles from home for us and proved to be the perfect choice! We rented a lovely beach house where we met up with family and friends throughout the week and made lots of great memories for ourselves and the kids. We had great weather all week with rain only one morning.

Upon arriving we realized the Amtrak station for New Buffalo stopped feet from our back deck which was AWESOME for the kids and actually kind of neat for the adults as well! Alex adored playing at both the beach and the pool, eating special ice cream treats, and sleeping on bunk beds. Each morning he'd ask "who's coming to visit today?" It really was a wonderful trip! I'll be sure to add more photos to our photo of the day blog as well!

Company Picnic

She always wants to play with the big kids.

I don't know who enjoyed the slide more, Alex or Abby! She kept running back for more so we took turns sliding down with her. A friend snapped a funny shot of me riding down with Abby and I looked terrified! I'll have to get a digital copy of that one :)

Alex got to start the race by waving the checkered flag and standing in the center of the track during one of the little races. Other kids took turns driving the cars from the sidelines.

Abby LOVED the little racetrack!

Oh yeah, all the cotton candy you can eat!

Abby played more around the outside of the pool and in the sandbox than in the pool, but at least she looked cute while doing so.

Saturday we attended Brad's company picnic, as we have the past several years. It is exactly the same every year and that is a VERY good thing! We've come to expect the same yummy food, great entertainment, and time to socialize with all of the other coworkers' families.