HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVE... (aka: the Big 3-0, aka: June Part 1)

On June 12, 2010, Steve turned 30! It was a milestone, so I planned accordingly. Like, planning a surprise party with 50 people at a West MI Whitecaps game the week before his actual birthday. And then planning an after party at our house, which even involved sending Trey away for the night (for the first time!). He had no idea, no clue whatsoever, and was COMPLETELY shocked. It was SO fun to do that. I still can't believe all the logistics with that many people and that many variables worked out. It was amazing, even though the weather didn't cooperate. After being beautiful all day, it started raining as we were walking into the ball park (which was my biggest fear). We were able to get into our private area and have our bbq though. They did eventually call the game, so in the end we actually ended up with free tickets to another game, AND were able to have our party. Steve had such a good time and couldn't believe so many people came out to celebrate and that I was able to pull off so many surprises. Here's a few snippets into the celebrations of Steve, both at the surprise party and on his actual birthday with his family.

There are a lot of June birthdays in our family, so even though it was a big one, he was still sharing a cake. I did make him his favorite chocolate eclair dessert though, too.

Overwhelming...

So last time I updated, many months ago, I swore I wouldn't wait so long again or miss so many events. Sadly, I was not so successful and as more and more time went on, I got more and more overwhelmed. So, I've just decided to start from where I left off and try and update a little as soon as I can (in my mind I think every day, ha!). So, on May 16, Trey was baptized by his Nana in her church. He was VERY good, even though likes to use A LOT of water! :) He was also the first baby to be baptized in her newly founded church in their new space. It was a wonderful day for the whole family and we were so happy so many people were able to share this special day with the three of us.

Mommy and Daddy with our new little Christian ;)

Three RSB's, all in a row

What a popular little guy!

I just couldn't resist this one... he's such a cutie!

The past few months...

We did lots of fun things this past spring. Here's a small snippet into what springtime with the Bosses was like :)

Tulip Time 2010- every year Carley and I take the kids to Tulip Time. Sometimes Steve even gets to join us, this year he and Ed came along, even though you don't ever see them in the pics. We had so much fun, even though Carley and I STILL haven't gotten/made Dutch costumes for the kids. Maybe next year...

Trey and Sam's first Tulip Time

Everyone LOVES a Dutch boy! :)

Opening baseball weekend we went to a Tigers game, which was GORGEOUS where our seats were in the sun and to the opening West MI Whitecaps game. The entire weekend was spent with our good friends Derek and Grace. As you can see, Grace and I also got very into the foam finger movement...

Grace and I with ALL our paraphanalia at the Whitecaps game.

Trey also thoroughly enjoyed the foam

Running the Riverbank Run 10K was a group effort. If you can't tell, mine and Carley's shirts say, "Step aside for the Bride". We just thought that would be fun. My first race ever was super fun, kind of got me into running, I will definitely do it again.

My first Mother's Day with my little man :)

Florida...

In April I promised I'd post more Florida pics soon. Wow, Florida sure seems like a long time ago now! So, as promised here is our 2010 trip to Anna Marie Island, FL! Sorry it took so long, but we really had a great time. 4 kids and 8 adults sharing one house is a bit chaotic, especially when 1 of those kids and 4 of those adults had to share a big, lofty room (aka- Trey, Steve, Me, Katie and Joe), but we had SO much fun! Our house was right across from the beach. We visited Steve's grandparents and their pool, had lots of great lunches and dinners out, did lots of shopping :), and Trey LOVED the beach. We got him a little inflatable bath tub and he sat and played, crawling in and out all afternoon! We saw some great sunsets and even A MANATEE!!!

First trip to the beach...

We just got back from our "spring break" getaway to Anna Marie Island, FL.  It was SO much fun and I will get around to posting more pics and stories soon, but for now here is Trey's first experience with the beach and the ocean... :)

FINALLY...

Wow!  I just thought I'd try this and it finally worked for me, a video uploaded!  It is nothing too exciting, just Trey playing in Ripley's dish like he isn't supposed to :)  He has just recently discovered it, and now thinks it's as much fun as being in the bath tub (he LOVES the bath tub).  Enjoy!

Goings on...

Nothing super exciting has been going on at the Boss house lately... well, Trey has been doing things and learning everyday, but nothing much new for Steve and I.  We've had a couple fun night out recently, which are great every once in awhile.  It is really nice to get out of the house and do things with friends.  We celebrated St. Patrick's Day downtown GR- we hadn't celebrated in 3 or 4 years, so it was fun to "get back out there" :)  We also celebrated our very good friend Arron's (surprise) 30th birthday party.  So fun to see lots of friends we hadn't in awhile- some since even before I was pregnant!  

Trey has been a VERY busy boy lately... he did FINALLY stop rolling and start crawling- he mostly drags his tummy and does an army crawl, and it's SO cute!  He can lift his tummy up, but it takes him longer to get to the entertainment center and the cords, or the woodstove, or Ripley's water bowl... all the things he's not supposed to touch.  :)  He's also clapping (which is SUPER cute) and doing "SOOO big"- which really makes him think he's a big deal, because I get very excited.  I do hear random "da-da"s and "hi", but don't really think he knows what he's doing.  He's also standing up all alone, which is VERY scary to me.  He already runs into enough things with that noggin!  He walks if he's holding someone's hands and a little bit along the couch, but only with someone behind him.  And, most recently, like today, he climbed up a step in our house- from the family room to the landing leading to the kitchen.  Again, exciting but scary.  The coolest thing was discovered on his 9 month birthday the other day... A Tooth! We've been waiting and waiting for those pesky buggers to appear, and appear it has, with a vengeance.  It is very cute, but hasn't been easy on him- he has had to suffer through a little fever and runny nose and I have had to suffer through a VERY needy, VERY fussy baby.  I do feel very bad for him though and Steve's only question is, "is it going to be like this for all of them?"  No sympathy, that one. :)  

We've also been TOTALLY loving the weather lately.  Belfast really comes alive in the spring and summer.  It has been great seeing everyone come out from winter hibernation and the kids playing up and down the block.  Hopefully it bodes well for summertime and lots of warmth and sunshine!  Fun times coming up... excited for Easter weekend in Newaygo and seeing Steve's mom's new church... Steve and I are going to Tigers opening weekend (unfortunately not opening day) and Whitecaps opening day next weekend... AND THEN... FLORIDA!!!  Cannot wait for our week long trip to Anna Maria Island with Steve's family- the WHOLE family.  8 adults and 4 kids in our beach house... chaotic and crowded, just like we like it! :)  Steve and I are also training for the 5/3 Riverbank Run 10K.  Should be fabulous... just kidding.  It has definitely been hard training, I haven't exactly been a runner lately... or anytime since high school... but, we're doing it.  Steve is an excellent motivator and it is so much nicer having someone to train with- it's way harder on days I do solo runs... Ripley just doesn't have the same encouraging words for me Steve does. :)  So, wish us luck May 8!

And, just because he's so cute, here are some recent pics :

Just a couple of Pearl Jam fans hanging in the sunshine

"Grrr... I'm the little bear"

SOOO cool...

"C'mon Ripley, let's hold hands..." "Seriously, Mom?  This kid wants to hold my hand???"

Awww... just two buddies hangin' out