Wednesday, August 01, 2007

Me and the boys...

This week, we have a team here from Lake Odessa, Michigan. They're working out in the community doing several different things with Steve. We're adding on an upstairs apartment to the church so that the pastor will have a more private place to live than in the kitchen/bedroom combo that is the church's and makes up his home. So the group is helping out with that addition, plus doing a daily soccer tournament, plus helping out with the sewing classes. More about that at www.wilsonsworldmexico.blogspot.com.

And what does all that have to do with me? Well-- it's just one of those weeks where Steve leaves the house before I'm out of bed in the morning and gets home when I'm putting the kids to bed at night. AKA...long days with three little guys!!! Monday & Tuesday went really well. I think the novelty ofthe "Good Behavior" Chart still propelled my big boys toward just that---good behavior. Something happened today though. Phew. Today I'm having to talk myself through the day, "They won't always be little like this, Heather. Hang in there...you can do it!" And then there's little (or NOT so little) Matthew. Have you ever seen a baby that's so juicy chubby and so smiley and happy that you could just eat him up? I have. :-) He's sleeping right behing me in his pack and play. But the beautiful thing is that I don't thin that way of him only when he's sleeping. :-) He really is like - the most content, happy, wonderful baby ever! Thank you Jesus for knowing my limits! :-) He's 4 1/2 months old now, and he's big enough to be like 9 months old, I think. I took him for his 4 month check-up yesterday. He weighs 20 lbs. 4 oz. (HOLY COW!) and 27 1/3 inches. He is chubby chubby chubby, and I just love it.

For your biewing pleasure, I thought I'd stick a few pictures in here from our recent vacation to Michigan. We just got back a week and a half ago. Man, we had a GREAT time! It was the first time that we got to be together with the whole McClain family as married couples!!! We had such a blast. It was great to get to know Ashley, Joey's wife, a little better (love you, girl!), and as always we loved being with Amita and Josh, and with my parents. Here are some pics for you. Enjoy! Tired little Matthew with some drool ready to fall
Quick foto op halfway around Mackinac Island on our bike ride

YES! We ran in our first 15k (that's 9.3 miles) and MADE IT! :-)

My sweet Grandma Katherine (92 years old), me, and Matty

Look at those pretty flowers, Meme!

Uncle Josh is practicing up for his own one day. He liked me a LOT. He was really cozy to me, too. We're standing in front of the Grand Hotel here. Mommy says that if you haven't seen the old movie entitled, "Somewhere in Time" you need to see it. It was filmed on Mackinac Island here at the Grand Hotel. (Rates start around $400 a night I believe. We didn't stay there, by the way. :-)
The boys on the coast of the island

Read to ride- Tandem Style! We had a blast!

Man, I love this guy! Isn't he just gorgeous?

Here's everyone at my cousin Tammy's house at our McCain Family reunion.

Playing at the Sleeping Bear Dunes

I think those other two couples need some kids to balance out the picture.

Great Grandma Katherine and Matthew
Ian and Tyler did AWESOME at the Cherry Pie Eating Contest! Tyler even made it in the paper. I'll have to scan that in and stick it on here another time. :-)

We rented a house on Long Lake. Both the boys caught their first fish!

Go Tyler GO! We coached him for like MONTHS before this contest that he had to be the first to finish his pie! So- even after they awarded him the first place ribbon, he kept right on eating!

Aunt Ashley and the boys. The funny things is, they look like they could be hers, don't they?!

Family picture...CHERRY STYLE

With Art and Connie Hooker at their AMAZING bed and breakfast!
Uncle Joey, Aunt Ashley, and Ty

All tired out

3 comments:

Heather :) said...

I loved all of the pics. It was fun seeing you in all the places we have been this summer or plan to go! You really can't beat a MI summer~ winters, well, we WON'T go there!
Thanks for the update. You and your family look great. I love the way the older boys seem to adore each other. They always have their arms around each other in the pics. What great buddies!
I have to talk to myself somedays too, and remind myself that certain stages end~ hopefully, sooner rather than later! ;)
Glad you had a great trip!!!
hugs, Heather

Deanna said...

Great pictures! Looks like you guys had a wonderful time in our neck of the woods :)

Anonymous said...

Heather,

It is great to see the pictures of your time in Michigan! I have been on the Sleeping Bear Dunes too while I was at a camp north of Travese City years ago :-)

Matthew is a big baby!! Thanks for this blogspot so we can keep up with the whole family!

Love,

Caryn