First Menke Reunion!

Every year, Aaron's mom's side of the family has a reunion at his Grandpa's cottage at Cody Lake in Coral.  Since so many people attend, most camp in tents in the yard.  The festivities start on Friday and go through Sunday.  Everyone enjoys the lake when the weather is nice and there is always an annual washer toss tournament.  I have yet to win and get my name on the suspenders...maybe one year.

This year was Zoe's first year AND cousin Ida's.  Zoe was kind of indifferent to Ida at first.  Then kept looking at her with this weird face like, "who is this little person next to me who's crying?"  THEN she got curious and wanted to continuously poke her.  Thankfully that happened right before we left so that we didn't have to police her all weekend :)  I can't wait to see Zoe and Ida during the holidays when Ida's a little more mobile and they can start playing together!

Ok guys, who is this little person crying next to me?

The boys were so cute with Zoe.  They were hugging her and stroking her cheeks.  It was adorable.

Nana with her grand babies.

Zoe had so much fun playing with Nana all weekend.

Great Grandpa with all of his great grandkids.  So special to have these memories.

We dusted off my family's old standby.  Just the three of us slept in it, but we needed
something the pack n' play would fit it.  At least now we know we all
fit if we ever go camping without my parents and their camper!

Zoe woke up at her usual time on Sunday and daddy wanted to catch a few extra minutes of sleep.  She
actually fell asleep again.  So cute :)  Aaron was not happy with the flash though...

Baptism and Family Time

Our child could very well be the oldest baby every baptized...Not really, but she definitely was old :)  We wanted to make sure that my sister and her fiance could be in town and after Christmas, they weren't coming back until the summer.  And I did not have myself together at Christmas to even be able to think about planning anything.

So July it was.  Jodi, Mark, AND uncle Andrew all made it in town.  We hadn't all been in the same place since Christmas so I was really looking forward to spending time with everyone.

Nana and Grandpa Taylor were kind enough to host the lunch after mass.  The food was delicious!  And it was so nice to be able to have it in Grand Rapids so that extended family were closer and could come.  Thank you Nana and Grandpa!  

The guest of honor took a 2.5 hour nap so she missed almost the entire party.  But I guess this girl was tired!  

We also later realized her baptismal candle completely melted in the car.  It was such a hot day!

Staying up way too late but so worth it!

Uncle Andrew!

Aunt Jodi!  It's past Zoe's bedtime hence the tired look.

Playing with cousin Jayda.  I wish we lived closer so we
could have play dates!

Aaron's face is priceless when we realized the gown wouldn't fit over her head.  I guess
that's what happens when you are 9 months old AND your head is in the 90th percentile.

Thank you Aunt Becky for making the cake!

Zoe's First Visit Up North

We are alive over here!  Summers are just so busy for us.  And July has been crazy.  This is the first weekend we've been home all month.

It's no secret I love up north Michigan.  It's absolutely gorgeous.  I don't know how you can't love it - especially in the summer when it's warm and sunny and the beaches are beautiful.

Every year (almost), my family goes camping up north.  When we were little, we'd go to different campgrounds, but at some point we got stock on Traverse City and we've been going there for a LONG time now.  We weren't able to go last year because of my brother's wedding (it was worth it!), but this year we were able to fit in a few days around the 4th of July.  And Miss Zoe got experience her first trip up north AND her first time camping.

She did awesome for the most part.  The last day/night were rough.  She was hot, tired, whiny, and cutting a tooth so it was just a mess.  Not much sleep was had.  But thankfully it was the last day/night and the rest of the time was perfect.  

She even got to sleep on Uncle Andrew's table bed.  She was one lucky girl to have that whole thing to herself!

She LOVED the beach.  She could have
stayed there the whole time.

She even took a 45 minute while Grandpa held
the umbrella for us so it wouldn't blow away.

Beeba helped us take a bath in the same "tub"
the three of us used as kids with original stickers
on the side and all.  She BARELY fit.

Aaron claims this was the cause for his
horrible game.  I won by the way.

She loved the campfire!  I can't wait for when she can
actually stay up a little longer to enjoy it.

Mommy even snuck her some frozen yogurt.  It was like crack.

And her 4th of July outfit.  Nana got her and Ida matching onesies and I found
this headband on Very Jane along with some super cute bloomers that she
has on that you can't see.