I Married Up

I married up, I have always known this but I am often floored by this fact when it comes to watching my husband being a dad. This man was created to be a husband and a daddy. He is irrationally crazy about the three of us, which is contagious, both emotionally and expressively, in this family.

He has created a family that truly loves being together, though he does not judge when I have moments of needed solitude. In fact, the exact opposite for he takes the time to know me well. (#imarriedatherapist)

He expresses daily, truly daily, that he wants nothing more than to soak up as many minutes with us as he can. He is grumpy when he hasn't had enough time with us. He scrutinizes over his schedule to make sure that he is deliberate about savoring "us."

He is the most intentional person I know, he has a reason for all things from what toys the kids are playing with, to the chosen words that come out of his mouth, to the actions he performs in full view of little eyes. He reads the long books at bed time. He cuddles in the chair long after bed time. He snuggles in the morning and is the parent they seek out in the night.

When I asked them what is their favorite thing about their daddy?

He is the "silliest" daddy with a "heart" they and I love times infinity + infinity.

I love being loved by this man!

Poor little blue-eyed boy has troubles adjusting to the sunshine...

This girl is just straight crazy!

Family Reunion 2015

This weekend we made our annual trip to the MI to reunite with family. Our offspring were off the charts excited to head to MI, to see Oma and Papper, and because they have reached the ages where they have distinct memories they were stoked about this year's family reunion. Their excitement reminded me of when I was a kid and pretty much all of our "family vacations" were visiting family in Michigan. We would have trouble falling asleep the night before because we were too excited about getting up at the crack of dawn to begin our 12 hour trek to the mother land. Thursday morning, in the hour of 6, we were greeted by two fully dressed, all the way from underwear to smiles, little-big kids ready to get on the road!
It appears that for all four of us the good times start in the car. We love the long car trip, the being together, the snacks, the conversations, the sing-a-longs, the snacks, the naps, the movies, the snacks... I love that my family loves our family! Yeah there is crying, kicking on seats, and arguing but at least it is all in a "novel" location!

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At this point I am going to dump a bunch of family pictures, so considered yourself warned!

This year it was COLD! The kids were looking forward to swimming in the lake again, but mom and dad are party-poopers and forbade the action. Though they found other ways to have fun and get wet in the process.

Look alive, he doesn't do this but once a year!

He believes his dad is the BEST fisherman. EVER.

BOY!

Wading through the "fishing" lake and she is upset she got dirty. There was an increased lack of sympathy.

Told ya they would figure out something!

Abandon ship!

What could go wrong with a group of kids all spinning themselves into delirium?

Oh yeah, this is what could happen.

That should leave a mark.

Serious work

Attempt 1 at getting a collection of cousin together.

Attempt 2 has my son pouring sand on his sister's head.

Attempt 3 is the best we could do.

These two...

Papper and mini-Papper! Say cheese... literally!

Even Mimi thinks these two are cray-cray