Happy 2nd Birthday!

She's two already.  She wakes up every day this different little person who knows more and says more and it never ceases to amaze me.  We decided to have her birthday party in northern MI again so that she could be with family and a lot of friends.  Her birthday was Sunday the 23rd, but we had her party on Saturday at Cobblestone Ranch in Kingsley, MI.  Such a darling place for a birthday party and to just drop by and visit for pony rides!  The owners, Pat & Pat are great, and even though it rained (of course) it was a really fun day.  Each child was able to get their pony ride if they wanted to and then we had a little western-themed lunch followed by presents and cake.  We stayed at Cambria Suites in Traverse City that night, along with some of my family.  Margaux swam with Sophie and she got to play with Cousin Alivia that evening.  The Prater bunch came by for drinks in the hotel lounge.  It was a great weekend and we thank everyone who was there! ( I posted more pictures on my Facebook profile.)
***My sister Ruth asked me how I came up with the cowgirl/western theme party and I told her the truth:  it all started with the little red cowgirl boots! I ordered them for her this past spring and they were too large.  They sat in her closet and one day I looked at them and was inspired to find her a matching cowgirl ensemble...and then the party was born!  I was surfing the internet for venues in the Traverse City area and happened upon Cobblestone Ranch which at the time, had JUST opened!  Perfect.***

2 Year Check-Up

Yesterday was Margaux's 2 year checkup with DrG and it was a great visit!  She now weighs 29.2 lbs and measures 35.5 inches tall and she is right on target for all of her developmental milestones.  She was super chatty and friendly with the office girls but very serious and watchful of DrG.  She got the nasal mist flu vaccine and also one shot in her leg and she didn't cry at all!  (Though she did point out her "boo-boo" for the rest of the day!)  After her appointment we headed out to County Line Orchard in IN to spend the afternoon with our friends, the Brazier family....she always has such fun with Ryan & Addy! 

Big Girl Bed

Grandpa & Grandma Prater brought Margaux's big girl bed this weekend and it's all set up and looking pretty!  I was so happy to find this beautiful trundle bed on Craig's List in Chelsea, MI.  The branch above the bed was made by Daddy right before she was born, and the stuffed owl was made for her by Aunt Susie.  Sweet dreams, little MVP!

Fun Fall Weekend

 Doing the Benihana thing!  Yum.

 Another oldest cousin/youngest cousin pic!

 MVP with Cousin Sam and Aunt Ruth

 Tappin' a beat on the rock.

MVP & Aunt Susie

What a wonderful fall weekend...the weather was crazy warm and sunny and we had family here to visit!  My sister Ruth came down with my nephew Sam and my sister Sue and brother-in-law Dennis are here as well.  It was also nice to see my nephew Drew who lives right here in Chicago.  We love it when family comes to visit!

There's A Party In My City!

Margaux and I went to the Yo Gabba Gabba live show again this weekend.  We went last December and I figured she would get even more enjoyment out of it now that she's older.  She was kind of scared when it started because it was loud.  She was VERY serious about it again...not many smiles, but she did clap and dance and watch intently.  We had aisle seats and she was able to touch Foofa and Muno! 

Girl With Red Balloon

Jennifer's Baby Shower

The day after the anniversary celebration, my sister Ruth hosted a nice little baby shower for my nephew Clint's wife, Jennifer.  They will be making me a Great Aunt for the 6th time at the end of this month when little Dominik Charles arrives!  I can't wait to meet him during the upcoming holidays! 
The last picture is Margaux & Grandma staying up VERY late and playing with stickers.  "Papa" was also a big hit with Margaux on this trip again.  :)

Diamond Anniversary

Married on September 23, 1950

My parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this year!  Our entire immediate family gathered for a celebratory dinner at Dam Site Inn last weekend and it was a wonderful evening.  Sixty years together is a true accomplishment, especially in this day and age.  There was a nice piece about them in the Petoskey News Review and they even received some nice cards from strangers.  Cheers to you, Mom & Dad...we love you!  xoxo

Camping At Starved Rock

Long time no blog!  We've been busy-ish.  These are a few of the pictures from our camping trip to Starved Rock in Utica, IL.  We went the second weekend of September and we had a great time!  I am still amazed that somewhere so beautiful exists in flatland Illinois AND it's only about an 80 minute drive from Chicago.  The State Park was really nice and Starved Rock Lodge is adorable...we hope to go back and stay there sometime.  There is a lot of history to Starved Rock and even a 1960 murder saga...you should Google it and/or read the book The Starved Rock Murders by Steve Stout.  We did a ton of hiking, hitting most of the canyons that we wanted to see and Margaux enjoyed her first camping experience.  Fall must be absolutely gorgeous in this area and the spring is when you can see the waterfalls flowing.  Good times!