Watermelons Watermelons Everywhere

We had Grace's 2nd birthday party at Duck Lake on Sunday. I toned it down this year, only inviting local family, which still was about 40 people!! I tend to go a bit overboard when it comes to birthdays but I can't help myself. I want my kiddos to grow up and remember what a big deal mom & dad made of their birthdays. It was a watermelon theme. Complete with watermelon cupcakes (white cake infused with strawberry jello) ...

Petite watermelons (watermelon jello in hollowed out limes)...

Watermelon sugar cookies (with mini choc chips for "seeds")

...and Miss G in her watermelon dress. She loved the party. Had a big 'ol smile on her face the whole day and was surrounded by lots of people who love her very much.
Blowing out her 2 birthday candles and digging into some cake!!

She opened presents like a pro. Ripped off all the wrapping paper by herself and did all the appropriate ooo-ing and ahh-ing. She really liked this giant rubber ducky from Uncle Matt.

We borrowed a bounce house from LeeAnn & Tony and it was a big hit. Grace spent a good deal of her party in this thing with all her cousins. I can't believe that she is two. I know every mother thinks this but it is amazing what a little person she has become. She is just my ray of sunshine and these last two years with her have been the best of my life. Thank you for making me a mommy two years ago sweet pea. I love you.

Pretty Pretty Toes

This one is for you Mere. I told you she is always looking at her pretty pretty toes and telling me "Mo-dif" painted them. She loves her auntie Mo. Thanks for being there for me this past weekend.

She is always attacking the camera now becasue she loves to watch herself on video and see the pictures on the LCD. She is endlessly entertained by herself- lol.

Change in Plans

I have struggled with the decision to write this here but ultimately it is my place to vent, seek support, and share real life. Sometimes life surprises you and bites you in the ass. At six weeks pregnant I am having a miscarriage. Notice I didn't say "had" because in all honesty it is quite the long drawn out process. I started bleeding on Saturday and blood tests today confirmed that I am, in fact, miscarrying. I just took for granted that everything went off without a hitch the first time around and this would be the same. We had told our parents and most of our extended family. I even made Grace a "Big Sister" t-shirt. We were so excited and it happened right on schedule and according to our "plan". It is a heartbreaking lesson that life doesn't always go "according to plan". I guess I just have to have faith and to trust that God has a different plan for our family.

Vote for Grace!

My favorite photographer is having a contest over at her blog and the prize is AWESOME. Grace is in Group #1 so if you have a minute go here and vote for her. Round 1 of the voting ends Friday. Thank you!!

Lake Fun

(click on collages to see bigger, click back button to bring you back to post)

So what in the heck has the Dawson family been up to? It sure hasn't been blogging! We have been enjoying every minute of our summer. We have been spending a ton of time at the lake soaking up the 3 months of nice weather we get here in Michigan.

Grace loves the lake. She gets to spend time with Grandma and Papa, Apu and GG (great grandparents), lots of aunts and uncles, and Lexi and Noah. She always sleeps and eats great when we are out there. All that fresh air!

Sydney really likes the lake too. What Scottie dog likes the water? She can't get enough. She gets on the slide with the kiddos and floats around the water on a raft and loves boat rides. She can barely swim with those short legs but she loves being near the water. It is hilarious.


The most fun at the lake is the bucket of water on the dock to splash in. Grace, Noah, and Lexi spend hours playing with that bucket. Who knew a bucket and some water could be so fun?

Father's Day

We spent Father's Day weekend at the lake. Actually, come to think of it we have pretty much spent every weekend since the beginning of June at the lake. That is why I am so behind on the blogging! LOL

Grace LOVES to color, or "colaar" as she says. She really likes to do it with her big cousins Lexi and Ally. It is pretty much the only time I see her sit still these days. Here she is working hard on daddy's Father's day card with Lexi.

Dooley thinks he is a helper. A girl and her dog. Our constant companion :)

Grace has become quite the daddy's girl. When I pick her up from Nana's house I always have to tell her we are going to go see daddy and Dooley to get her to leave with me. Her whole face lights up when she sees him. She helps him in the yard and when anything needs to be fixed she knows who to ask. I can't wait to see their relationship grow even closer and I fear for the boys that will want to date her some day.

Walter, George, and Henry

My cousin Jared had a high school graduation party in June (yup that is how behind I am on the posts). It gave us an opportunity to see my mom's side of the family which doesn't happen that often. His sister Sarah is only a year younger than me so we were always really close growing up and had a ton of fun together when we were little. She was always my favorite cousin :)

Now we both have little people of our own that can play with eachother. Walter (on the right) is her oldest, George (on the left) is her middle, and Henry (not pictured) is about 5.5 months now. Can you imagine, three boys under 4?! They are just too cute, though , and I couldn't resist getting a picture of the 2nd cousins together. G has A LOT of boys in her life....