Update.....

Despite the not-so-summer like weather, we've had an eventful July, enjoying every ray of sunshine possible. Here are a few of the highlights.

We had a cookout at our neighbor's house. Here are Emma and her friend Katelyn, playing with the pool and slip-n-slide.

We had an outdoor church service and picnic down at Fayette State Park that included baptisms in Lake Michigan. Our good friends and neighbors Jarrod and Jessica Flood were baptized. So wonderful to worship outside in God's creation.

Pastor Lon, Jarrod and Jess, during Jarrod's baptism.

Jessica's baptism......she wasn't cold at all. :)

The sun went behind the clouds during the baptisms, making the event chilly, but we decided that just made it more memorable.

Jarrod and Jessica Flood....see the clouds breaking already? The rest of the day was warm and sunny.


Emma enjoying her hotdog at the picnic.

Brad enjoying his hotdog.....and everything else at the picnic! :) So funny. I had only brought flimsy paper plates for us to eat on - not good enough for Brad. So being an engineer, he took the insert out of our picnic basket and used it as his plate. Priceless.

Jarrod's parents, John and June Flood, came up from Grand Rapids for the big event. Here they are with a sleeping Ashlyn.

Ashlyn.... all smiles at the picnic.

Emma and her friends Hannah and Olivia.

Emma and Jarrod. Emma always talks about Jarrod, but gets shy whenever he is around. It was pretty special that she let him pick her up.

Later that day we went to the lake to let Emma get some swimming in.....here she is taking a break with her gold fish.

Brad and his girls on a Sunday morning......

Ashlyn says, "Hey, I'm trying to learn to eat rice cereal. It's not that tasty...."

"....but boy, do I LOVE playing with my toys in my highchair!"

Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!!

Shower Time

My mom and sister threw my cousin Tricia's bridal shower this weekend in Menominee. It was a beautiful day for a beautiful bride!

Tricia and Emma Kay.

She was such a good girl!!!!

Emma Grace and Emma Kay. My cousin Kari and her daughter Emma were at the shower. The Emmas were born only weeks apart, but this was the first time they met. So fun! They hit it off, and are excited to dance together at the wedding.

This is a special picture for me....my great-aunt Shirley, my mom, great-aunt Bernice, aunt Ginny, me, Tricia and Lindsey. Bernice and Shirley are my Grandma Engstrom's sisters. They were quite a trio....being with them reminds me so much of my Grandma - boy we all miss her.

And of course, Miss Ashlyn Beth! She was SOOO good....smiled, giggled and pooped herself out. She's rolling over, holding her head up and discovering her feet these days - sticking them up in the air when she is lying on her back. I love to just listen to her babble and check things out.

Had to Share....

I just had to share this.....this is a photo my amazing friend Keri took of our daughters running in my backyard. Holland and Emma had SUCH a good time together these past weeks......so sad that the Luedtke family has to head back to Colorado tomorrow. We miss you guys already......Keri also took the photos for Lindsey and Kyle's wedding. I can hardly wait to see them! You do great work Ker!

July 4 and More!

What a fun filled holiday weekend we've had!!!! We spent the 4th up in Munising with my family and our friends. Em loved catching candy at the parade, and Brad and I enjoyed some of the best fireworks we've ever seen! The weather was amazing, and we were able to get out on my parents boat and let Emma do some swimming. Sunday, Brad's sister Laura and her husband Ty came up from their vacation in Mackinac to visit us for the night!!! We showed them around our neck of the woods, and then spent some more time out on Straits Lake. We had a ton of fun, and are so glad they made the extra trip up our way!

Grandpa and Emma with the Blue Goose before the parade.

Em, ready and waiting for the candy to come.

Brad and Emma, taking a rest.

Ashlyn rested too.....she sat so good during the parade, eyes wide and checking everyone out.

Our little swimmer!!

Brad and Ty, way up high on the lift at the garage. We got lucky and Brad is able to borrow this toy to help finish the garage roofing.

Brad and Emma took Ty and Laura out on the quads to show them around.

Awww, come on Ty....you had plenty of leg room! :)

Emma and her Aunt Laura, all snuggled up on the boat.

Happy late Independence Day to everyone!!! We are so blessed to have such freedoms......thanks to all of you who served/serve our country to keep them safe!

A Visit from Jones Camp South

Brad's cousin Nate, his wife Jessica, and their daughter Kayla came up from their family cottage in Boyne City to visit us for a night. Kayla and Ashlyn were born only nine days apart, so it was a ton of fun to see them together. The weather wasn't the best for their visit, but Jess and I got to do some wine tasting/buying, and we went to see the lighthouse in Gulliver. We mainly got to spend some time together, hanging out with our girls.

Kayla and Ashlyn Jones!! Kayla is so cute and smiley.

What a pair.

Look how little they are on that big ol' couch!

Nate and his little girl....

Ashlyn, Jessica and Emma. Emma warmed right up to both Jess and Nate. They even played Candyland and Chutes and Ladders together - Emma's favorites!

Jessica introducing the girls. :)

Here Jess and I had the girls talking. :) It was so fun to see how they would just look at and follow each other. They were both very interested in putting their hands in their mouths, babbling....standard 4 month old behavior. Too cute!

Nate and Jess - thanks again for spending part of your vacation with us. We loved having you here, and hope you enjoyed it too. We'll have to come your way next time......I'm sure Jess and I can find some wineries around Boyne!!! :)

Many Hands Make Light Work......

.........or at least lighter work. This weekend our friend James came up to visit and help Brad work on the garage. So Brad pulled together a crew of friends, and they were able to lift and set the trusses on Saturday. It made me a bit nervous, but I always have to worry about something. :) They actually went up fairly quickly.

James on the scaffolding.

Brad, Dave, Nate, Charlie and James....lifting...

flipping.....

securing........

James and Brad working on the bracing.

It was tricky getting the last truss up there.

This was just after I had delivered lunch.

Sunday morning, James and Brad started the Tyvek.

Another great weekend- a big job accomplished with the help of many. Thanks again to James, Nate, Dave, Charlie, Nathan and Richard for spending part of your weekend helping us.

Mr. and Mrs. Kyle and Lindsey Boyd!

Saturday June 20th Lindsey and Kyle got married!! It was an amazing day.....here are some hightlights......

The happy newlyweds!

Photos on AuTrain beach......Lake Superior was so calm.

Me, Linds and Mom before the big event.

My cousin Suzanne with Grace, Lauren and Emma at the reception.

Linds with our "big brothers" Craig and Clint Michelin. We all grew up together as Michigan State Police kids, and are more like family than friends. We have a picture of the exact same pose from the day Brad and I were married.

Mom, Linds, and Dad before the ceremony.

Emma made it down the aisle with Isac, her brave and handsome escort. They were so cute!

Cheers! The Erickson girls and their handsome husbands.

The bride and her flower girl at the rehearsal.

Lindsey and Ashlyn.

It was such a special day, made possible by the help of so many wonderful people. We had friends and family from all over, helping with all the details that go into such a big event. Brad's parents drove all the way up from Grand Rapids and spent the weekend being in charge of our girls, so we could focus on the wedding. What a gift!!!!! Thanks again Mom and Mike! Without you, I would have never been able to enjoy the day with my sister, and meet my matron of honor duties. Now Linds and Kyle are enjoying their honeymoon in Florida. Congratulations again.....can't wait to see you both!