More Summer Updates

As I said in the last post Mike was gone A LOT this summer. I just got the calender out and counted the days he was home. Starting from June 26th and going till October 20th Mike was home exactly 59 days! (Huh, that means he was gone 59 days, no wonder he get free first class upgrades now.) He went to Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco (2 times), Cologne Germany & Paris (2 times).

During his last trip to Paris we had quite the trying day at home. Gabriel was having a hard time breathing, took him to the doctor's (asthmatic bronchitis). Got home from the doctor to find that Dutchess had punctured her foot on something in the backyard (blood was all over the kitchen & dining room), took her to the vet to get stitches and they had to tie off two arteries. And Mia called from school, she was sick and needed to come home. But don't worry we had lots of fun days when Mike was gone too. Here are a few pictures to end our summer updates (well into fall).

Mia's outfit Mike brought back from Paris

Rust & Dust Days in Hanover (he sure loves tractors)

Playing in the sprinkler

I sure have busy kids! This is one of the very few pictures I got of them both this summer.

Summer Road Trips

Because Mike was so busy this summer with his work stuff we didn't go on any long vacations. We did however get to take a few quick trips for some fun family time!

*At the end of June Cousin Krista (Peter's cousin) got married in Madison, WI. Mike didn't get to go with us because he had to be in Denver and Gabriel spent the weekend with Grandma Kathy (I was not about to attempt to corral this busy body alone at a wedding). Even without our two guys we had a van full, Peter, Lisa, Mia, Myles, Carson, and me! We had lots of fun hanging out with everyone. I am so lucky that I still have such a wonderful relationship with this part of my family!

*The weekend after the wedding was the 4th of July and once again we headed west (slightly). We went to Great-grandma Douglass' (Peter's Grandma) 4th of July party (and Mike came with us)! It was raining but that didn't stop us from having tons of fun. The kids played in the yard with umbrellas and we had lots of fun with the African drums.

*When Nickie was home at the end of July to celebrate her birthday/move all her stuff down to Florida we took a trip to Cedar Point. It had been 9 years since I had gone! And I loved it just as much. :)

Nickie was home for a week (not long enough but I guess I will take what I can get) then I helped her drive her 26 foot Penske truck the 993 miles to Panama City Beach. That sure was an adventure! I am sure you heard all about it if you follow us on Twitter or watch our status updates on Facebook. It was an early morning!

Why are we up at 4am? Oh cause we have to drive across the country with this truck full!