Family Pics at the Beach

While in Michigan City, we decided to take advantage of the beautiful beach and take some family photos.  My sister, Abby, was a great photographer and I've had some fun editing some of the pictures.  Here are some of my favorites...

Michigan City Vacation

*Warning...Lengthy post ahead*
Last week we spent the week in Michigan City, IN.  We rented 2 beach houses and had a great week.  There was a 'Blair' house and a 'Puricelli' house.  My Grandpa Blair and his friend, Sally, stayed in a campground in town and came over to the house every afternoon for dinner and to visit.

The 'Blair House'

Back Row: Alex, Abby, David, Grandpa Bob 

Middle Row: Jared, Ethan, Becky, Terri, Shannon, Jim, Josiah, Tyler

Front Row: Paige

The 'Puricelli House'

Back Row: Beth, Steve, Libby, Josh

Middle Row: Micah, Kacey, Linda, Wayne, Tom, Sara

Front Row: Scout, Haley, Finley, Markey

We had great weather and our days were mostly spent between the houses, the pool, the beach and the outlet mall (and the golfers spent some time on the golf course).  Our houses were in a small community of beach houses that had a pool, playground, small lake and was within walking distance to the beach on Lake Michigan.  The kids loved playing in the sand and swimming in the lake.  Here are some beach photos from our trip...

Steve and Beth with Paige and Markey...Finley playing in the lake

Ethan digging...Haley enjoying the chair (while NOT touching the sand)

Josiah & Ethan...Ethan with Mommy

Tyler pulling the wagon on the boardwalk from the beach while Josiah, Paige and Finley rode happily.

Josiah and Ethan playing in the hole...Jared and I relaxing on the beach

When we weren't swimming, playing in the sand, shopping or golfing, we pretty much hung out around the house. 

Josiah wanting to go to the pool...Scout and Ethan hanging out

Paige, Hazel, Finley and Josiah coloring...Josiah and Paige being cute

4 of 5 Blair Grandkids (we're missing Lily) Paige, Josiah, Tyler and Ethan...Grandpa and Sally on their cooking night

Phillip and Amanda along with their little ones (Hazel and Callum) live in Chicago and were only an hour away so they came up for 2 of the days we were there and we wanted to get a picture while all the little ones where there...here it is!

Scout, Callum, Hazel, Finley, Paige, Haley, Josiah, Ethan and Tyler

(Squibb great-grandkids not pictured:  Markey, Lily and Caleb)

On Saturday evening after we got there, Abby and Alex disappeared right before dinner.  Little did I know, it was for a good reason.  Alex proposed and Abby said YES!  They had walked to a lighthouse down the beach a ways (a much longer 'ways' than they thought).  We are all very excited for them both and are looking forward to planning a wedding!  On Sunday we went back out to the lighthouse with Abby and Alex to take some pictures.  Thanks Steve for being such a willing and awesome photographer (also thanks to Beth, the photography assistant). 

Engagement collage made by Steve...The Ring!

News Flash!!

Just a quick post from our vacation...Ethan is walking!  He has taken steps in the past by himself, but he is really getting the hang of this walking thing.  I'll be working on a video for sometime in the future but here's an action shot for now...

1st Haircut

I finally had Ethan's hair cut today.  He had grown quite the baby mullet and it was time to get it under control.  I already miss being able to run my hands through his long, blonde locks, but it does look great.  He looks like a little boy now and not a baby (*tear*).  I can't believe how great he did during the appointment.  I thought I was going to have to hold him but he sat on that booster seat like a champ!  Here a few before, during and after pictures...

Before...just a little shaggy.

The first few snips!  Look how serious he is :)!

Baby mohawk (Again with the seriousness)

After!  He looks so grown up!

A Little of This and a Little of That...

This is a somewhat random assortment of things to put into one post...but I have some really cute pictures from the last few days to share.  A quick recap of what's been going on in the Collier household.  Ethan is slowly starting to walk...he has taken 3 or 4 unassisted steps!  He has also learned to stand up on his own from sitting down!  I will be working hard to capture these moments on video for a future post : ).  He also is into getting inside anything and everything.  He likes laundry baskets, regular baskets and really just anything that has an opening large enough for at least one leg to fit in...

Basket for blankets...and Ethan

His drum...after dumping all the instruments that are supposed to be in there.

We've also started doing a little bike riding.  We got a seat for Ethan at a garage sale, and surprisingly enough, all the pieces were there.  Until yesterday we had been borrowing our neighbors helmet for Ethan, but we are now the proud owners of our very own brain bucket!  (That way we can ride with Heather and Braden).  Jared doesn't have a bike yet...but we're on the hunt. (So, if you know of a decent one for a decent price let us know) 

His helmet is a little cockeyed...but we've since fixed that.

And finally...today after a long bike ride, playing in the park and in the back yard, this is how Ethan finished up his lunch.

Tired little boy :)

Happy Wednesday!

Trip to the Salem Waterpark!

We headed to Salem for the weekend and just had to visit the new Salem Aquatic Center.  It's seriously like a small waterpark...we pretty much spent our time in the shallow end, but we did venture down to the 'Green Scream' waterslide.  I must admit it was pretty fun...and fast!  I only took a few pictures while at the pool, but enjoy!

Ethan, Abby and Alex enjoying some pool fun!

Wayne, Libby and Haley

Jared, Ethan and Pop splashing around

Happy Daddy's Day

Today is Jared's 2nd Father's Day as a dad.  He and Ethan have quite a special bond.  I like to watch Ethan's face everytime his daddy walks into the room.  His eyes get wide and he smiles great big and usually lunges for him.  No doubt, before long he will be running towards Jared when he gets home from work or walks into the room.  Here are some of my favorite father/son pictures from the last year or so.  Thanks for being a great dad, Jared.  And a thanks to both Jared's dad, Mark, and my dad, David, for always being there for us.  We love you!

The day we came home from the hospital (5.30.09)

Ethan's 1st Cardinal Game (7.19.09)

Halloween (10.30.09)

Christmas Time (12.27.09)

Father's Day 2010 (6.20.10)

Father's Day 2010 (6.20.10)