Gus's first haircut! (and Arjen's first major haircut)!

Before:

The Process:

"Oh his hair is so beautiful!  Look at those highlights!  But yes, it is too long."

"We're really doing this?!?"

Still not really sure about this whole idea...

And the after!:

"I have Aden hair!"

"Look at me! I'm a real boy!"

The post-cut lollipops were also a huge hit, but not enough to distract Arjen from feeling his new 'do!

Arjen's 2 3/4 birthday party!

Not every kid is lucky enough to get a birthday party, let alone two! This kid did something right, because he convinced Grandma Cherie he needed a birthday cake, in the middle of summer, and if you're gonna have a cake, why not also have a party?!  So party we did, Superman style!  Not sure who had more fun...him, or Grandma!  Thanks for the great party!

All 5 of the Anderson grandkids!

Runnin' Runnin'...

For the past few years, I've wanted to do the Lake St. run in Elkhart, but for one reason or another, never made it.  This year, fully untrained as far as running goes, I managed to get myself signed up and running, thanks to Cherie reminding me about it and the whole crew getting me out the door that morning!  It turned out to be a perfect running weather day, and a great way to round out our summer in Wisconsin.  To make it even better, Arjen got to join in the fun, and did his first race!

Ready...set...

Go!!!

Coming back on the 1/2 mile kids race (although, rumor has it, Arjen decided to turn around with the leaders rather than go all the way to the actual turn around)

We did it! 

Elkhart bits and pieces

Pretty sure we had too much fun in Elkhart Lake this summer.  There are just too many pictures to sort through!  We windsurfed.  We stand-up paddled.  We kayaked.  We boated.  We fished.  We hiked around the lake (well, at least Arjen and I did!).  We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa. We camped out at Tracy and Arden's.  We stayed at "our" cottage on the lake for 2 weeks.  We saw fancy race cars in town for Road America.  So here are yet some more pics to help us remember all the fun we had!

Father-son evening paddle - Arjen loved learning to kayak using Aden and Adalin's junior kayak.  He struggled to understand that it wasn't actually his!

3 generational paddle (Gpa Wayne, Arjen, Andrew)

Arjen and Gpa Wayne.  Could not get that kid off the water!

Some pirate fun back at Gma and Gpa's house.

Arjen "learning" to windsurf!

Arjen watching the vintage race cars drive into town, with Gma and Gpa

The boys "helping" water Gma's flowers

There's just a few million dollars worth of cars in this parking lot.  Anyone want a Ferrari?

Pretty much a morning ritual - head outside to play with all the toys!

My boys out ridin'

The early birds and their near matching hair

Gus tries so hard to be just like the big kids (who he observed jumping from raft to trampoline and back again!). 

Having fun playing with Adalin's dolls - and yes, Arjen is also wearing Adalin's bike helmet, tiara and all!

Oh the fun I had trying to keep a straight face all morning while playing with these 3!

Well, the raft didn't make it out on the water, but Arjen and Adalin sure had fun making it the center of their make-believe world!

I believe they were supposed to be sleeping in their beds here, possibly while camping if memory serves.  They later proceeded to put on a gymnastics routine for me, that involved them jumping, running, balancing, and "ta-da"-ing around.  It was quite entertaining! I think Adalin really enjoyed having a younger someone who followed her every move and order, and I'm pretty sure Arjen was in heaven, getting to play like a big kid!

End of summer fun in Wisconsin

A long overdue post, but here are some pics from a fun day at Bay Beach in Green Bay with fam.

Okay, so this is Gma and Gpa's driveway, but cousin fun no less.  

Look in the green helicopter...pretty sure they've maxed out on the weight limit...

"Hi Mom!"

Of course it's my kid who got reprimanded by the ride attendant for sticking his hand in the water

Gus's first solo mission

Arjen's first - and likely last - cotton candy.  Last, because he ate probably two bites, then decided he was done with it.  Proud mama! 

 After our fun filled afternoon at Bay Beach, it was decided we'd all go to dinner at a restaurant inside Lambeau Field.  The boys must've known that morning, when they decided to wear their Packers jerseys!

Saying hi to Vince

Where's Gus?

Gus has been entertaining himself and us with hide and seek lately

Bed head!

This is how hair looks in the morning when cousins have a sleepover!