Summer in Elkhart Lake, Part 4

A lot sure can happen in a month!  Since my last EL specific post, we've spent 2 weeks at a lake front cottage, had all 4 grandparents here, had our friends from SF here, been to CA for a week, and celebrated the end of summer by entertaining the idea of fall.  Having spent the last 8 years living in the bay area, where summer is just starting to get under way this time of year, I'm having a hard time accepting that summer is ending in the majority of the country.  We're starting to see the first hints of leaves turning, and today, the kids and I went to a pumpkin/apple farm with Tracy, Aden and Adalin.  It has been a fabulous summer, packed full of fun and plenty of beach days!  We're looking forward to the upcoming weekend signifying summer's end, planning a trip to Bay Beach in Green Bay, more time at the lake here, and we'll check out the Sheboygan County Fair, before heading back to CA for a stint.  Our past month in pictures:

I think this first photo is actually from the beginning of Summer, but we've been lucky to get to have the whole family together so much this summer!

Another lovely day at the Village Beach with the Elkhart Lake Anderson Clan.  Gus had fallen asleep in the stroller/carseat, so he kept his turtle shell on for the photo.  Poor kid is going to think he lived in there when he looks back on his baby photos some day.

3 generations

During Andrew's vacation, we rented a cottage on the lake, in what used to be Elkhart's first Lakeside resort: Sharpe's.  It was almost perfect, and made us wish it was ours!  We stayed there for two weeks, and enjoyed having my parents come stay for a week, and our friends, the Geerdinks, for a couple of days.  And of course Andrew's family came to play too!

A drooly, happy Gus Gus

Andrew was happy to see some white caps one morning, and fortunately on a Sunday when the lake is closed to motors.  Makes for some serene days and happy sailors!

"Go Dada!" (Arjen would yell this from our Lake Cottage every time he saw Andrew sail by)

From the pier on the Cottage property, we could see across the lake towards Victorian Village

Wayne, Andrew, and Arden, pleased they could launch right off the Sharpe's beach

I couldn't resist capturing happily sleeping babes. 

Fortunately, these kids don't seem to mind sleeping in different beds or homes on a regular basis!

Yes, that is Grandpa Dave, sporting a camping-slash-love-for-Rafa beard

Captain Arjen directing the Kayak traffic

Arjen wasn't too thrilled with the rocking of the paddle board while I stood up, so we did some sit down paddling instead

"Prost!" We enjoyed many a meal on the screened in porch with the lake view.

Arjen and Frits really got to have fun actually playing together this visit now that they're almost two years old!  No more parallel play for these big boys!

More of Gus's gummy smiles.  Aahh, love.  :)

Putting my own vanity aside, I just had to share this moment that Gus and I had.

If only we knew what the shared look means.  

First Father-Son fishing trip

Gus and Gma Cherie basking in the sunset glow

Our nightly sunset view.  :) 

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and here we are at the end of summer.  Arjen, Gus and I joined Tracy, Arden and Aden for a last hurrah of summer before those guys start school next week.  The took us to "Little Farmer", an apple orchard/pumpkin patch just north of Fond du Lac.  Needless to say, we all had fun!

Gus is half a year old today!!

I can't believe my youngest babe is already six months old. And my
oldest babe is almost two!

Updates on Gus:
- he apparently just found his voice, and it sounds screechingly just
like Arjen...maybe I should invest in earplugs!
- he sits up unsupported now, but still needs some padding or arms
behind him to break a backwards fall
- he just mastered rolling over from front to back, so at least he
doesn't get frustrated to the point of tears when on his belly
anymore. Phew!
- he survived his first (3!) airplane rides with hardly a peep
- now that he's more mobile on the floor, I'm noticing the early
stages of pre-crawling. He'll scoot himself backwards on his belly
now, which ends up frustrating him when that toy just keeps getting
further away!
- he seems really interested in eating, so I guess it's time to get
out the ol' food mill again!
- and my favorite (please read the sarcasm here)...just like his big
bro did at six months, he has decided to start waking up in the middle
of the night again. Woohoo!!

Thank you por coming!

The unexpected passing of our dear friend Rafael brought us home to CA a few weeks early. While he shared many gifts with us in the years we knew him - his joy for life, eating well, and all things Tico - a most
valuable gift he gave me this past week was having the courage, and the flexibility to travel with two small kids. Andrew was already out in SoCal for the week, so the boys and I embarked on an adventure to meet Andrew in Davis, so we could all go say our goodbyes to Rafa. The kids were again, amazing travel buddies! After a whole day of travel, we got to spend a relaxing day in Davis, before a whirlwind weekend in NorCal.  This weekend also happened to be Aunt Patsy's 50th birthday, so on Saturday we were able to visit with the (almost) whole Keane family.  Then on Sunday we were able to attend Rafa's celebration of life party.

Arjen excited for take off! (Also, thrilled to be  holding the new motorcycle, or "ding ding" that Gma Cherie gave him)

I was lucky to have the whole row to myself and the kids, so I could free my arms for a short while.  Gus didn't seem to notice.

Instead of flying back to Wisconsin solo with the kids again, we all flew south with Andrew on Monday, to stay in Irvine for the week, then fly back to WI at the end of the week. I gotta say, whether it's living
with grandparents or in a hotel, I'm starting to feel spoiled in this homeless life of ours! I haven't had to cook or clean in months!

It's hard to see in the photo, but Arjen is "on the phone" in this pic.  I was at first shocked that he even knew it was a phone! I'm pretty sure he's never before seen an "old school" phone like this.  He definitely noticed it quickly once we were checked into our home for the week.  No sooner had I unplugged it to avoid unwanted calls, and Arjen was walking around calling Dada, Baba, you name it! 

"A picture is worth a thousand words"  - well, this picture is a fun story.  I had the pack n' play for Gus at the foot of our bed in the hotel room, and after a day or so, Arjen had figured out he could climb up onto the bed (which is no small feat! It had to have been at least 3 ft off the floor).  He was uber determined to climb up there, because he figured out he could then lower himself down into the pack n play with Gus!  They spent a fair amount of time playing in there together, but the sweetest moment was this one, when Arjen brought a book for himself, and one for Gus.  

Arjen carrying his carry on luggage.  He was great about it too!  Didn't want to lose that precious cargo (ding dings, jeeps, john deere catalog...)!

So, thank you Rafa, for coming into our lives.  We will miss you dearly.  

Happy 5 months Gus!!

At five months, Gus has really started to show his personality. He continues to be the ever happy baby, flashing his megawatt smile at anyone who returns the gesture. He still watches Arjen's every move, but now I can see him almost starting to stand up for himself by holding on tighter to his toys when Arjen comes near. He loves playing in the exersaucer, even appearing to stand on his own at times. He's starting to sit unsupported for moments at a time, even reaching for toys while sitting. He's got a bit too much junk in the trunk to show any true signs of attempted crawling I think, but I have no doubt that the motivation of that brother will get him going soon enough! He seems to love the water also, kicking his legs like a wild man during bath time, and he even got to take a dip in the lake. The Gus is such a chill little dude, he makes having babies seem easy!

Summer in Elkhart, Part 3

Fun times at Cher Cher and Wayne's house!  Apparently, Arjen has decided to keep his Gma's and Gpa's straight by calling them all by name, rather than grandma or grandpa.  After our first week here, he finally figured out that Grandpa Wayne is not the same as Grandpa Dave (poor Wayne had to put up with being called Dave for a few days).  Arjen has been getting plenty of outdoor time for honing his ding ding skills, both foot powered and gas powered.  He's also beginning to speak more clearly, and starting to put together 2 and 3 word sentences.  And I'm already feeling like these videos are outdated, but they're only a week old! 

Yeah! woo-hoo! Number 1

Arjen knows too much about Ding Dings

A message to Dad and general conversation with Arjen; please pardon the yogurt face and eating while talking.

So, I had to add another strider video because I was so proud and impressed with my little guy!

Yeah! woo-hoo! Number Two

And I've saved the best for last.  In the past few days, I've noticed Gus starting to spontaneously laugh at Arjen.  It's one of the sweetest sounds I've heard!  Arjen doesn't even have to be trying to be funny either, Gus just finds him hilariously entertaining I guess.  So I managed to get a little on video.  Yeah, it's 2 minutes long, but I was just enjoying it too much to stop taping.  

My babies!

Summer in Elkhart, Part 2

Not sure that this post really deserves it's own "Part" as it's mostly just a collection of pictures from the past few weeks.  But they're pictures I wanted to share and pictures I want to remember!

Arjen sporting his new helmet

Adalin and Gus

Arjen found a new hiding spot

Our first, of what I hope will be many, walks to the lake.  As my timing gets better with the boys, between feeding and sleeping,  hopefully we'll work in a swim too!

Cousins having fun playing at Gma and Gpa's house.  Arjen has really gotten into playing with trucks lately, and there is no shortage around here!  He also really likes Gma's dollhouse.  This particular day he decided the tractor should be parked in the living room of the doll house.  The kid thinks outside the box!

Summer 2012 Maiden Voyage on the "toon boat" as Captain Arjen has been calling it.  Arjen is also sporting his first (and hopefully last!) black eye.  He fell over in one chair and hit his cheek on another.  :(

Gus didn't seem to mind the life jacket, unlike his brother who wasn't a big fan last summer

"spash!" (he can't quite get the 'l' in there just yet).  As Arjen's vocab is growing, he's enjoying giving commands, such as "spash mama!" or "spash dada!" 

Blowing bubbles!  It only took Arjen a couple of days getting used to the lake before becoming almost too confident and comfortable! 

Andrew and his mini-me heading to the beach

On Sundays, motor boats aren't allowed on the lake, so we load up the stroller with all the beach toys!  (and a Gus hiding in there too)

Gus has learned how to roll over now, and Arjen has learned that we clap and say "yay Gus Gus!" when he does so.  Once he's on his belly though, Gus is clearly mentally ready to move on to the next stage of crawling, although his body hasn't quite caught up.  Arjen likes to get down there with him for a little extra motivation.  

My little Prince...ess?

Gus having some quality time with his penguin beanie ball

Arjen insisted on holding Gus.  Thank you iphone for the self portrait feature so I could take this shot while holding both boys!

Arjen really is a lover.  He loves giving hugs and kisses, whether it's to family/friends, or just random kids he meets at the parks.

Not even 4 1/2 months old and he's sitting supported by himself! (At least long enough for me to snap a photo!)