Great Wolf Lodge

Lane inspecting one of the many water spouts.
She loved this area and we spent a lot of time here


Enjoying the view of the buffalo (or "bucks" according to Laney) across the street from our room.

Not so sure of this one :), but enjoyed growling at the bear below.
Lane and I were finally able to join Chris on one of his many business trips this past week. We went to Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City. Lane and I kept busy while Chris spoke at the conference by playing in the indoor water park, going for walks and checking out the many "stuffed" animals at the Lodge. We were surprised at how well she napped and slept in the hotel room which allowed me time to relax and catch up on some reading. We had a lot of fun just being some place different and I for one think an upcoming trip to California should include two more :)

The UP

Lane enjoying her favorite part of the day...breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Bath-time in the same sink Daddy used to take one in!
Chris, Laney and Dad on their way to raspberry picking.
Raspberry picking with the fam. on the driveway to the cottage. Mom made a fabulous raspberry pie later that night with our crop.
Mom and Lane down by the lake.

Lane got her very first doll from Chris's parents. Needless to say it has replaced Big Bird as her best friend.
Chris's parents also gave her this ride-on Leap Frog toy that makes noise if you practically look at it. She LOVES this (and pushing the same button over and over) but by about 3:00 in the afternoon..Mom and Dad are done with this one :)
Mom, Ryan, Maribeth and Joel enjoying our pontoon ride around the lake.
Definitely a Daddy's girl!

A couple of weeks ago we headed to the UP for our annual trip to Chris's family cottage. The 8 hour car ride there proved to be interesting as we are still having problems with Lane wetting through her diaper and all of her clothes, except this time it was more than wet, if you get my drift. Good times. Besides the diaper issues and feeling like a circus performer entertaining her from the front seat for a few hours, the drive went well.

The cottage, was as always, wonderful and so relaxing. My mother-in-law cooks for us every day like we are fine dining and the lack of TV, Internet and phone reception is such a nice break from the every day. Lane loved swimming in the lake and the only reason she had to come out of the water was because her lips would turn blue and her teeth would chatter. If we let her, I think she would have stayed in all day!

We were also able to celebrate Laney's b-day with Chris's family while we were there. Great Grandpa and Grandma Petersen (who live on the other side of the lake for the summer) came over to help celebrate too. She did great until it all just became too much and she broke down while eating her cupcake. Don't worry though, she of course managed to finish the cupcake while screaming and arching her back. Good girl.

Overall, the trip was so needed but as all good things are, too short. Until next year!!

Allergy Update

Lane saw the allergist today and we found out that she is officially allergic to milk. On a rating scale of 1-4 (4 being the most severe), she is at a 3. This means absolutely no dairy products or any food item with milk in the ingredients. We have been doing pretty well with her diet to this point but I think I will be the most nervous when I have to hand her over to other care-givers. I guess it's probably a nice combination of being a Mom and having a few issues with control :). We are now in the fine world of always having Benadryl and Epi-Pens on hand...lets just pray we NEVER have to use them!
Lane will be re-tested in a year, and every year after, if the allergy continues. There is a possibility she will out grow it at the age of 3 or 4, which we can only hope is the case!

College Friends!

We all took turns playing a competitive game of bags. Just for the record, Chris and I were the champs :).

Kate Van Otteran and her kids Nathan, Ava and Natalie. Marie Bauer (missing her husband, Josh and son Caleb), Amber Wiersma, Annie Timmer and Lane and I.
Joined by Kate's husband Glen (in the back), our friend, Nate Burgers and Chris.

This past weekend we got together with my college friends and their families. The Wiersma family was kind enough to host the festivities at their place in Grand Haven. We try to get everyone together at least once or twice a year but it's not always easy as a few of us live in different countries!

We had a wonderful afternoon together and it's always fun to reminisce about the old days :).

John Ball Park Zoo

My nephew K.J., niece Brooklyn and my cousin's son, Ike, playing with all of the fun toys Aunt Jan brought.

Laney and my cousin Amanda's son, Isaiah waiting patiently while the big kids got their hands and faces painted.
K.J. and Auntie Karissa
Lane was not to fond of petting the goat..or any of the other animals in the petting zoo for that matter.

This past week we headed out to John Ball Park Zoo with the ladies and little ones of my side of the family. It was a very hot day (almost 90 degrees) but all the kiddos did great, even Lane who missed her first nap for the occasion. The last time we were at this zoo Lane was about 5 weeks-old and it was really just an excuse to get me out of the house. This time around she was able to enjoy all the animals, her favorite being any type of bird or duck (which happens to be my least favorite). After we toured the whole park we had a picnic lunch and the little ones enjoyed playing with toys brought by Aunt Jan.

Pictures

Lane had her 1-year-pictures taken last week by our good friend Kate. She didn't smile as much as I would have liked but they still turned out great and her personality shined through. Feel free to check them out at www.photosbykaity.com. Click on Client Proofs and then on Laney.
Kate does a great job and we would recommend her to anyone interested.
Now the hard part, trying to decide which ones to order!

Happy Birthday Laney!

We spent the day at my parent's house this past Sunday to celebrate Lane's 1st b-day. It was such a great day filled with family, presents, swimming and most important, cake. Lane LOVED her first experience with sugar and devoured her entire piece of cake in no time ( she must be mine :)).

It is hard to believe that our little girl is already a year old. I sometimes wonder where the time has gone and now understand what people meant when they said "it goes so fast." This year has been a whirlwind of new and exciting things and Lane has brought us so much joy. We love being her parents and look forward to the many adventures ahead.

We love you Laney, you are truly our little blessing!!!!