Last Day of Summer

 We spent Labor Day enjoying the end of a seriously GREAT summer. Despite the lack of LAKE in it - we still had a great one! It was the final pool weekend. Always a bittersweet day in Michigan. No one can deny that fall in Michigan is AMAZING...but what comes AFTER fall is just... I can't even talk about it.

And after we grilled out for dinner - we headed to Dairy King (yes, King) and got some celebratory ice cream. We'll miss you, summer.

Tyson's Birthday

Tyson turned 34 on the 19th. We celebrated his birthday with cupcakes, singing, and the kids picked out his gifts at Five Below. I handed them both $5 and they shopped. Josie bought him some Detroit Tigers flip flops and Jack bought him a portable table tennis set for the dining room table.

 Nolan MAY have gotten a taste of cake. And he liked loved it. Bring on the smash cake!

I decided to give Tyson the gift of "adult only time." I hired a babysitter for the afternoon & evening. we went out for coffee, then drove to our favorite mall and spent THOUSANDS of dollars {in our heads} at Restoration Hardware. You'll all love our new furniture. ..just as soon as we win the lottery.

A Visit to the RenCen

Last Tuesday the kids and I visited Tyson at work. We always have a fun time when we go for a visit. Josie and Jack were most impressed with the Palm Trees that live in the Winter Garden there. Josie was hugging them - in true Tree Hugger fashion.

We tested out some cars. All of them got HIGH ratings from the kids. They were both BIG fans of the Lime Green Chevy Spark...and - when I pointed at a beautiful blue Corvette and asked Jack which one he would want...he chose the Spark. Fine. But I have a feeling he'll be changing his tune over the next few years. {Also, for the record, NO BECKER CHILD - in this family - will ever drive a Corvette on their parents' dime}

 After the car testing - we enjoyed lunch in the food court. Big stuff for the kids!

 Then we jumped on the elevator and went to meet Tyson's "work friends" (as Jack calls them). Josie worked on some Excel Spreadsheets...

 And Jack caught up on some light reading...as some barges passed on the Detroit River.

 Nolan was just happy to be along for the ride {literally}.

Little tidbit - I have never been to Canada. And every time I'm downtown Detroit I think "I'm just going to grab my passport and drive over there." But I still haven't done it.

Daddy's Work Trip

This guy is two weeks old today. I captured a little "gas smile" - unfortunately you can't see his dimple.

Grandma Shirlee is back for a few days. Cooper & Tucker are in heaven. She makes them gourmet meals...and she cooks for the humans in the house, too!

Tyson is in Chicago for a few days. Jack and Josie had to get in their goodbyes before he left.

It's true what they say - "{Toddler} Love hurts."

Mud Run

Last Sunday Jack and Tyson ran in a 100 yard dash obstacle course. It ended with a run through the mud.

They got to run with our old neighbors Sydney and Jessica. Jack wasn't a huge fan of the mud, but Syd down right HATED it. 

 Jack showed off his big muscles after the race.

Our friends Nick & Christian Festa ran, too. Since Christa and I have recently had babies & couldn't run this year, we have dibs on next year!

A few more from the hospital...

Nolan and I had an extra day in the hospital. Long story short, he needed to receive an antibiotic before delivery - but he came SO fast there wasn't time to administer it via IV...so he had to stay 48hr for observation. I was discharged Thursday morning, but moved to a "Nesting Suite" so we could have a nurse continue to observe him. (FYI - he was PERFECTLY healthy, it was simply a matter of following hospital protocol)

 Jack and Josie did some pre-Nolan shopping at the Dollar Tree. They came with gifts! A stuff dinosaur and a mini soccer ball...along with a Happy Birthday balloon.

Despite being a little guy - he was definitely "fully cooked." Just look at those cheeks!

Tyson is the most amazing Daddy! So much love.

See that hair? We're debating color. Some believe it has a hint of red, while others see "dirty blonde" or "light brown." Only time will tell....

Time to go home!

Father's Day

Tyson announced on Saturday that he wanted to go to the lake...so, since it was Father's Day weekend - we went. Nancy and Denny joined us for breakfast & lunch on Sunday!

We had a nice family boat ride. Lots of horn honking from the U5 crowd.

And then Josie, Jack, and I bravely took a dip in the lake. I say "bravely" only because it was a tad windy. The water felt amazing. Have you noticed my obsession with being in water?

Josie LOVES swimming in the lake. She's my little swimmer of the family. I had to hold onto her so she didn't drift away...but she squealed and had the best time.

Happy BELATED Father's Day to all of the dads out there - especially our dads and, of course, Tyson! We love you all!

Bedtime Rough Housing

So at night - when kids are supposed to be calming down and getting ready to sleep - mine want to wrestle & jump on the bed & be tickled. It's like they must expend that last tiny bit of energy before they drift off to sleep. Tyson does a great job taking on both of them.

See! He took them both out in one quick swoop. We occasionally have "injuries" or children falling off the bed head first (Josie).

Cooper and I supervise. By the time we send Jack & Josie off to dreamland - they are tired and Tyson is sweating.

My Blue is Happy

Happy Wednesday!

Josie the Flirt

Saturday night we spent some time with our friends, The Festas. They live just up the road from us and we like to get together for dinner every now & then.  It's also a great time for the kiddos to play. And PLAY they do...

Jack, Christian (almost 5), Josie, and Landon (2)

Josie was getting cozy with Christian...and who can blame her? He's cute! But Tyson wasn't having any of it! Josie also showed off her flirting skills a few weeks ago when the Carsten boys were here. Well, the Festas will be adding their 3rd boy in April... Josie thinks she will enjoy being the center of attention for years to come.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Tyson! I can't imagine a better partner in this life or a better daddy for my children. We are lucky to have you and we appreciate everything you do for our family! We love you SO much!

Also - a VERY happy Father's Day to our dads - Denny & Jerry! You are both AMAZING grandpas! Jack and Josie adore you. Tyson and I love you. You are both the first people we call when we need guidance and advice. Thanks for everything you've done for us throughout the years.


And of course, a Happy Father's Day to my grandpas, too! I love you both!

XOXOXOX

Towers

We are happy to have Tyson home from the Academy. He's been in Chicago since Tuesday. Jack really misses his daddy when he's not home. But I'm pretty sure Tyson misses Jack (and Josie) more...

 Jack and Tyson built a pretty amazing tower this morning.

It didn't take Josie long to realize that Jack didn't want her anywhere near his tower. So, being the little sister, she walked as close as she could to it…just to get a rise out of him. Her grandparents think she has a halo…but they don't know the other side of Josie...

Mad Ants

Tuesday night Tyson and Denny took Jack to a Mad Ants game at the Coliseum. Jack was pretty excited to spend a night out with Daddy & Grandpa!

Daddy even gave up watching the IU game live (he recorded it, although I'm not sure it was worth recording).

 Apparently Jack was obsessed with the Mad Ant mascot (imagine LARGE red ant in a basketball jersey & shorts). Sadly, he didn't get to meet the Mad Ant this time.

He came home with some fabulously noisy BOOM BOOM sticks. And - BONUS - a pair for Josie, too.

Oh AND his father bought him cotton candy. JUST what an active 3 year old needs…right before bedtime.

He had a blast and I think Tyson & Denny did, too.  Jack walked into school today and told his teacher, "I watched basketball with my Daddy and Grandpa last night." Too cute.