Northport Vacation

We took our annual vacation to Northport last week and again had an amazing time! The weather was beautiful, the water was warm, well maybe refreshing is a better word for it, and the sun was shining. We went fishing, bike riding, kayaking, hiking, did a little shopping and a lot of relaxing. Thank you Neil and Patty!!

Jackson going for a dip in the lake.

Helping Papa drive the boat
Brandon & Jackson flying a wooden airplane. Playing with the boats on the beach Jackson kayaking! Lake Michigan
Playground fun.
More playground fun.
Watching the sunset in Northport He's too cool to smile. :)
Just north of Onekema. We stopped to use the restroom and caught an airshow.
Minature golfing with cousins, Austin & Cameron. Bumper boats!!

SIX!

This morning at 8:00am Jackson turned 6. It's hard to believe that my baby is growing so fast. I can close my eyes and remember visiting him in the NICU just after he was born. So tiny and fragile, yet even then he was so strong willed. Now...well now he's a little boy. A bright, funny, sensitive, adorable little boy who is about to start kindergarten. I'm amazed at just how fast he is growing up. I pray that the next year doesn't go as fast as the the last.

So today was all about Jackson. It started with him opening a little present from Brandon and I, a train Smudger, and a book of Thomas puzzles. He opened his big gift, a Wii, a couple of days ago. I think Brandon was almost more excited about it then Jackson. Though it only took a game or two and Jackson didn't want to put it away. He loves to bowl, play baseball and tennis. Especially tennis.

Birthday's are your one special day of the year and so I have only one rule, anything goes (well pretty much anything). So he decided he wanted popcorn for breakfast. He did have scrambled eggs & sausage later but the first thing he wanted this morning was popcorn. After breakfast we played trains and puzzles and tennis on the Wii while we waited for our friends to arrive so we could go to the zoo. It was the perfect zoo day! Most of the animals were out and about and the weather was beautiful. We checked out the animals, had a picnic, got ice cream (blue moon of course) and then rode on the train and the carousel. When Brandon came home from work Jackson wanted to play putt-putt and then we all went out for pizza. He was so tired that he fell asleep on the way home.

Presents he picked out from Great Nana Barnett & Luban Geyer, Liam and Birthday boy at the zoo
Grizzly Bear in his "easy chair".
Polar Bear Geyer & Jackson watching the seals Lion
Boys w/their Blue Moon ice cream
Liam had his own Blue Moon too. :) Everyone on the Carousel. Birthday Boy

Happy 6th Birthday Jackson Dean!!

Batman & Bowling Birthday Party

This year for Jackson's 6th birthday party (wow, 6!!!) he wanted to go bowling but also wanted batman. So we put the two together and did a Batman Bowling Party. I made capes for the kids to wear while they bowled and the cake and favors (which I forgot to take a picture of) were also Batman. His birthday falls on a Tues this year (same day he was born), and so many of his friends were busy the weekend before his birthday and we will be on vacation the weekend after so that left two weekends before his actual birthday. He invited 9 friends and all were able to come. I think it turned out well. He had a great time and I believe that all the boys did as well. Jackson was so tuckered out after the party that he fell asleep on the car ride home.

The invitation
Batman Cake
Party room at the bowling alley
The birthday boy & his friends

Getting the bowling started
Ryan & Pierce
Jackson & Rob
Brady, Brett & Andrew making silly faces
Rob bowling

Birthday boy bowling
Enjoying pizza
Happy Birthday Jackson Dean!!
Liam loves the cake!

Ryan likes that he has a blue mouth.
Party balloon fun
Presents!! More Presents Sleepy boy

Washington County Fair

Since we've moved to Washington County, each year we've attended the Washington County Fair, though we've never stayed for fireworks. Since we missed the 4th of July fireworks because Jackson was sick he was really excited about going to the fair and seeing the animals, riding the carnival rides and especially watching the fireworks. He was even more excited when we seen his friend Matt and his family there. It was a great family night spent with friends and the fireworks were fantastic!! We'll definitely be back next year.

Watching the horses

Checking out a combine

Crazy rooster
Fuzzy bunnies
Sweet little calf

Non-woolly Sheep
Cuddling Pigs
Clydesdale
Baby goat Riding Pedal Tractors Hanging out w/his friend Matt
Milking Station
Dragon Coaster Ride

Bouncy Car Ride


Balloon Ride w/daddy

Waiting for the fireworks