Fun & Friends

Aloha.

Happy Memorial Day. Thanks to all those who gave their lives in service for our country. To those left behind: Thank You also. Your mom/dad husband/wife brother/sister son/daughter is part of a history of freedom, and I am grateful for their sacrifice.

Now, go grill or watch a parade - cause that's how Americans do it.


Moving on to Ava's house, we're just trying to enjoy the time. It goes too fast to deal with sometimes. There are a LOT of things going on this summer. Our schedule is already overflowing. She got to hang out with me this weekend for awhile at the Waterfront Film Festival Office. I'm the lead volunteer on the weekends. Kind of an "office manager." We also went to our friend's lake house. I met the girls there after my shift in Saugatuck. Then we hung out with Steph and Ike, and had dinner. They have a boat, but Ava wouldn't go out on the water. She liked hanging out on-shore, but as soon as we tried to shove off it was all over. Maybe next time.

So I thought I'd share some photos of times with our friends from earlier this spring. First you'll meet Shelby. Her mom works with Becky, and they're a cool family. Shelby has a younger brother, and Ava's right smack between them in age. 4,3 and 2 years old. Then we see Samantha again. She's Nick and Rachel's daughter. She's getting big. She'll be a great big sister. So, on with the show!

Ava and Shelby posing at one of our favorite meeting places - a playground!


Shelby's brother Jonas. Ava says "here, I'll help you up" as she grabs his arms. It looks like he's thinking "what is going on? Save me, please."


I was the "shark" and the girls were on the boat. They had to taunt me, scream, then run away.




Say cheese :)


"Come here, come here" Ava says as she smooshes Shelby for a cuddle.


"I'll race you!"


"Push me, push me!"


Visiting Samantha. Riding Nick's back. He wouldn't let ME on, but he took the girls for a ride.


"Regulators! Mount Up!"


"Dismount!" Just look at those bright eyes.


So friendly.


Hungry? Have a nut.


Ava's Halloween costume she refused to wear. What a cute love-bug!


Recent "activities" for us included a trip to St. Ignace and Tahquamenon Falls. The U.P. is gorgeous! I'll post those pics soon. And just the usual hometown fun, too.

We'll see each other soon.

Cheers.

Check, check, checking in

Aloha.

Glad you're sticking with me, even though I don't update as often as you'd like. But the good news: I have new pics now. :) Enjoy.

Every year we're putting Ava in this dress. We'll watch her "fill it out" as she grows up. Interesting. And scary.


Beautiful.


In this one, I can picture her at 16. ~chokes me up~


Dancing with Daddy in the kitchen. Kind of a switch for me to be in front of the lens.






Cuddling with Ava is our favorite thing about waking up.


I just called, to say, I love you!


This is our Borgess Run for the Health Of It! run camp team. I ran the 5K. (in 25 minutes, 23 seconds) Not bad for a former "fatty daddy" who's never run more than a sprint in football.
(Ava was in the stroller, but decided the paparazzi was too 'in her face' - she's off and running WAY to the right!)


Action shot!


That's it for now. Ava's getting big. We're all having a great time and really looking forward to the spring. We planted part of our garden, and can't wait to harvest our produce.

And here's a funny story to share. This morning I was shaving. Ava said "shave off your beard daddy." To which I replied "no thanks." She asked "why?" like she does. I said "mommy likes it, and I like to look good for mommy." Ava's reasoning skills kicked in "Well, when mommy dies you can shave it. That would be good for me."

Cheers!

Impending Update

Like the rumbling of the Chilean volcano which erupted this weekend for the first time in a thousand years, you're about to witness an event. And it just might change your world.

I've prepared photos to upload, and will do so shortly. Which means you'll have an Ava update to peruse shortly!

Cheers.