S~

She is so cool! She is unique, beautiful, and very entertaining. Tonight at dinner we had a rotisserie chicken, and as soon as it was set on the table, the verbal battle for the legs began. "I get a leg, me too, no me, no me" etc, etc, etc...As soon as they were claimed and S~ did not get one, she piped right up and said...

"Well, I'll take an arm then."

What's it Going to Take??

The kids spent an hour cleaning their rooms this afternoon. I should have taken before/after pictures, because the difference was HUGE! I was thrilled! When Ben came home from work he went to check out their work as well. He looked it over, was pretty impressed, and said

"Now boys, what's it going to take for you all to keep it this way?"

(Using his best car salesman voice by the way)

Q~ answered,

"YEARS and years of practice."

At least he has a firm grip on reality...

Swagbucks

Alright, I admit it, shameless post to help me earn swagbucks. Click the banner above, sign up, and the first 100 bucks you earn, I earn too! You earn 'swagbucks' for just doing a normal internet search using their search engine (which is google and ask.com by the way). I figured I would give it a shot and try it out, seeing as I search the internet already. I've been using swagbucks for a about 2 weeks now and I have 28. The prizes work out to roughly $1 worth of merchandise or giftcards per 10 swagbucks. Check it out!

Vacation Stop One: Michigan

Well, we are back. We made our trip, came back in one piece, and slept for a week. I'd like to blog about everything we did in one post, but since that is impossible, I will break it down. Nothing like looking at other people's vacation pictures, right? Right.

First Stop:

MICHIGAN

We drove for two straight days to get there. The kids did really good on this leg of the trip. Things were new, including our vehicle, which we bought the week before, so the kids were happy, thus making the parents happy!

We stopped to see Lake Michigan before driving up to see our family. There was a man here playing relaxing music on his guitar, making it a very enjoyable experience. VERY BEAUTIFUL, as was the entire state! Here is H~ seeing for the first time what looks like endless water.


Now, does this look like a man that just drove 18 hours? I don't think so...looks pretty darn good to me!


The next day, we got up and went to the Coast Guard station to see the helicopters...Ben's brother is a pilot, so we had up front accessibility.


Ahh...the sling...


Afterward, we went to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore...the kids had a great time! It reminded us of our Colorado dune experience from last vacation...


S~ was old enough to really enjoy it this time though...


I thought this was a neat photo.


The kids found the best way down, it just wasn't quite as fun coming back up this one.


Great picture of Ben and his brother Jeremy and their little ones.


The next day we went to the beach. It was freezing cold, but if you'll look in the distance, all the kids are in the water. I was cold on the shore with a sweater. Kids.


After we got back, we had a bonfire in the backyard. This is a priceless picture of one of my nephews. I love it! What you don't see on the end of that stick, is the marshmallow that was supposed to go in the graham crackers I was holding for him:)


The kids also played baseball that night. Here is Q~ on second base. Prettiest second base I've ever seen. Kid's not bad either!


J~ had his first solid food while we were there: Bananas...he didn't much care for them...


Two of a kind:


Talk about a gaggle of kids!


We had such a great time hanging out with our family! It was so peaceful and beautiful!

Next Stop: Chicago...