Traverse City

My girl Grace and I spent the last couple of days in Traverse City. My cousin had a wedding shower so my mom and I decided to make a weekend out of it. Took the day off Friday and stayed at The Grand Beach in Traverse. Never a dull moment however. As we were trying to leave I was packing up the car and had it running because it was so hot. Grace was playing inside the car and I was just happy it was keeping her entertained. I close the back hatch and she proceeds to lock herself in the car. Not in her car seat. I freaked out of course because the car is running and she is loose in there!!! I am frantically yelling at her and looking like a wild monkey as she calmly sits in the driver seat looking at me like, "what mama?"eating all my gum as fast as she can. I called 911 and told them the situation. Finally I got her to push over the unlock button and was able to get her out before the police got there (and probably arrested me for being an IDIOT).

Anyway, Grace loved the beach and the pool. It was a great warm up for Hatteras in less a week. It was great to see this side of the family. We spent Saturday night and my grandpa's cottage on Fife Lake with my aunt, cousin, and her three boys. They had a good ol time in the lake and with each other.The shower was really nice, Rachel is going to be a beautiful bride. She is getting married on our 5 year anniversary October 9th so we will have to go up a little early for the wedding and make another weekend of it.

Big Day (take 2)

Grace's actual birthday was on Tuesday, the 4th. I took the day off to take her to the Aquatic Center in East Lansing. We met Nana, Papa, and Luke there for a picnic lunch and then played in the zero entry pool and the splash pad. She loved this place!!

I just love her little wet footprints...

After a few hours in the water we picked up daddy from work in EL and went to the Ingham County Fair.

We just went through all the animal barns because Grace loves to look at all the animals. Every time we walked out of a barn she asked for more "moo cows".

The petting zoo. Ain't no way mama was gonna get in there with all those goats. Me and goats don't get along. There were baby pigs, a calf, ducks, a donkey, sheep, and other assorted animals in here.
There is just something about this picture of them hand and hand that melts my heart.


We ended the night with dinner out in Jackson at Rocky Tops with a fried Twinkie for dessert. We sure did we have a tired little girl on our hands but it was such a good day.

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?