Baptism Day & Potty Training

August 22 was Anneliese's baptism day. We celebrated with home made cinnamon rolls and went to play at the water park (just a park with water features not an actual water park).

 

Also, during one of our stops on our drive home from Michigan we let Malachi pick out some new underwear and we've started to potty train!

 

This was after his first time ever going on the potty...we have a cute video of him saying "no more diapers for 'chi!" but videos never work on here so I'm not even going to try.

His treats after going potty...yes those are jelly beans from Easter but at least it was an unopened fresh bag and he loves them! Oh and it's super cute he even shares his treats with Anneliese!

This was after what seemed like hours...probably realistically a little over one hour, of waiting for him to poop. He finally did it. Anneliese has been quite the cute cheerleader for her big brother thru all of this!

 

I remember my mother in law telling me that potty training hadn't been that big of a deal for my sister in laws. I had been skeptical this entire time leading up to it with Malachi but I have to admit it really hasn't been that bad...(besides last Tuesday but EVERYTHING was going badly that day). He has gone by himself without any of us helping or even knowing that he needed to go. AND he's even gone on big potty's in dr offices and gone a couple of times in a porta potty! Good Job Malachi!

Michigan Trip

The kids and I were able to take a trip up to Michigan for a couple of weeks starting at the end of July. Andrew was only able to join us for the last weekend as he had some work and Army obligations so Auntie Jen flew out to NJ and drove with the kids and I up to Michigan. We of course had to stop by Carlos Bakery and see the Statue of Liberty the morning she flew in.

Road Trip! Kids did great!

 So, the original reason we went up to Michigan was because the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist were having their First Profession Mass and Ceremony which is open to the public. Sr Jamie didn't make her first vows yet (2 more years) BUT the night before, in a private ceremony she received her white habit and her new name...which is Sr Cora Rose. SO beautiful: the name and habit. Sr. Cora Rose was her first pick but it the Mother Superior with the Holy Spirits guidance that makes the final decision, and she got her first pick! Sr. Jamie has always had a devotion to Saint Rose of Lima so that's where Rose comes from and Cora means "Heart" in a different language (I don't remember which one, latin or greek or something). She liked Cora because it reminded her of Jesus's Sacred Heart....and from a letter she had written us a couple of months ago "It is because of the love and mercy from His Heart that I was healed from my past sins and felt all His love for me. The soldier pierced His side so that us sinners could have access to His Heart. Even if I don't do anything extremely spectacular in this life, I at least want people to remember me as my living and loving with a heart like Christ"

It was such a blessing to see her and for the amount of time that we did! I thought we'd be able to see her for like a half hour but we got to spend a couple of hours with her and she gave us a tour of the Motherhouse!

After the ceremony we all headed up to my dad's cottage on a small lake called Lost Lake in northern Michigan (parents were with us too). We celebrated my moms birthday with lots of dancing and a big delicious chocolate cake!

Malachi's first motorboat ride

Dancing it up for Grammy's bday

 

Anneliese started walking just about 100% of the time while at the lake.

My mom and I took this exact picture in 1989, my mom was pregnant with Robin and I was 2 years old!

Malachi caught his first fish!

Who knew acorns could be SO entertaining? The kids played with them the entire time.

 The house on Lost Lake has been in my Dad's family for 46 years I hadn't been there for over 10. We look forward to going back next summer when Andrew can join us!

 Andrew was able to fly to Detroit after his 10 day military commitment in Oregon and attend my cousins wedding with us. He even flew in a day early and surprised us!

Anneliese was a dancing maniac!

Malachi was Mr. Cool

And mommy loved that the kids could play in the "Gardens"

The next day we drove home, this was after we attended Mass in Toledo and received a marriage blessing since our anniversary is in August!

Construction added an extra 4-5 hrs to our trip...Andrew had to do something to keep himself and Malachi occupied as we sat motionless. His "stereo headband" was from a kids meal at Wendys.

As much as I enjoyed seeing family and spending time at the lake, I was very appreciative to see my husband again and be in our own home. No more big trips for us this summer and I am happy to stay in one place for a while!