Weekend at Silver Lake

It's finally summer! We spent last weekend camping with the Wibbeler's at Silver Lake and had a great time! The weather was perfect for camping, riding in the dunes, bonfires and sleeping at night...the water could've been a little warmer, but no one's complaining. Between the fun things we did, the little mishaps we have to look back on and laugh about, and bonding with best friends - we're ready for lots more weekends like this one!

Our campsite...Fortunately we had a very BIG spot - large enough to cram the truck, the boat, the motorhome, a tent, AND the bonfire pit on :)

Taetschs...Wibbelers...

Larry's truck at the top of a sand dune!

Test hill???Enjoying the sun by Lake Michigan:Two men and a baby... or just one lucky little girl :)The next Chex Mix advertisement:Think Kylah's having fun too?!Sunset cruise on the boat in Pentwater(Yep, she still hates the life vest)Our last night's bonfire:Can't ask for much more than this, right?!

Kylah's new bedroom

Last weekend we moved Kylah over to a bigger bedroom - one that will hold all of her toys and stuffed animals so they stop taking over our whole house! She's now across the hall in our old master bedroom, which is way more space than she needs but we love having our living room back. We randomly decided to take away the crib rail and give her a big girl bed, with just the half rail so she can climb in and out by herself. She absolutely loves it! And fortunately for all of us, she doesn't get out of bed after we lay her down for the night. (I thought for sure the first night we'd find her up at midnight playing with all her toys...I was pleasantly wrong!)

I know I say this all the time, but it's so true. I can't believe how fast my baby's growing up!!

"Choo-der"

This right here proves that although Kylah will always be our "baby", there's no part of her that's truly a baby anymore. I bought a little scooter at our neighbor's garage sale, thinking that maybe by the end of the summer she'd be able to use it. I was planning to let my mom have it for her day care kids in the mean time - but the minute I got it home Kylah wanted to ride it. She calls it her "choo-der"and she knows exactly how to use it. It's so cute to see such a little body using a scooter!

5 Year Anniversary

Five years ago today, we stood face to face,
You wore a tux and I wore lace.

We exchanged our vows and confessed our love,
As everyone witnessed, including our God above.

From that day on we've been husband and wife,
And I've been the happiest I've ever been in life.

Every day you make me laugh and smile,
You always consider me by going the extra mile.

Life isn't always easy, sometimes it's rough,
But there's nothing we can't handle, easy or tough.

We've created memories and have had so much fun,
We have pictures to show for it, but we're no where near done.

We hold each other, we cuddle, we hug and kiss,
And when one of us is away those are the things I miss.

I look into your eyes and know this much is true,
I'm so blessed you agreed when I said "I do."

I tell you I love you all the time,
And I really do mean it, it's not just a line.

You are my world, my love, my best friend,
And I know that these feelings will never end.

Almost 20 months ago we added to our life,
We became so much more than just husband and wife.

Our little girl Kylah, she is sweet as can be,
For she was created from the love between you and me.

As I watch you with her, I can easiliy see,
That you are the best father there ever could be.

1 year, 5 years, 10 years and more,
I will always feel honored to be called yours.

You are my husband, you're my best friend,
And I will love you forever, there is no end.

Play Dates

It's so much fun having close friends with little girls about the same age as Kylah! On Friday Kylah and I met Sarah and Trinity for breakfast, and then went to Millenium Park. The weather was perfect and the girls had a great time running around! Give them about 6 more months and I think they'll actually play "together"...

Peak-a-boo!

Then on Monday, Amy and Olivia came over to play! The weather wasn't quite as nice so we stayed inside and got out Kylah's Dora tent. Again, Kylah had fun - she must have because she slept like a rock that night!

The girls, saying goodbye!

Golf!

Helping dad put together her golf bag:

Kylah's first golf lesson with daddy!

Kylah loves everything and anything that has to do with being outside. She typically goes for the soccer and basketballs first, but she loved her new golf clubs we got out last weekend. We're looking forward to the warm weather this weekend so we can go out and play again! Maybe she can show mom a thing or two about hitting the ball ;)

Happy Easter!

After a few days of Easter celebration, Kylah is completely wiped out! She went down for a nap at 10:30am today...it's now 1:30pm and she's still sleeping. Although we've been very busy, we've had a lot of fun with all sides of our family the past few days.

Easter started with Kylah's day care party. Eating cookies, decorating hard boiled eggs, and then the ultimate easter egg hunt with all her friends!


She found the first egg, but didn't understand to put it in the basket. We switched her basket for a zip lock bag and she started to get the idea. She found about 3 eggs by herself, and the rest of the kids filled her bag for her.

On Easter Sunday, we got up early and went to Church. Afterwards we met my mom's side of the family for brunch, and then spent the rest of the day with Craig's family in Lansing. The Easter bunny visited Kylah twice yesterday! She's one lucky little girl...

All ready for church!

Kylah and Caleb after breakfast...he was fixing her hair (or petting her?)!

Kylah got a camera and a phone in her Easter basket, along with a whole bunch of other things she loved!

Fortunately, the weather was beautiful so we were able to take a family walk in the afternoon too. It was so nice to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine again!

Hopefully you all had a great Easter holiday too!

Update

Craig and I want to say thank you to everyone who's been here for us the past week. Your phone calls, emails, messages, visits, and edible arrangements have meant a lot to us, and really re-emphasize how wonderful our friends and family truly are. Your encouraging words and advice are greatly appreciated.

It's still very quiet at our house. It's hard to come home from work and not be greeted at the door, and it's hard to fall asleep at night without the sound of Riley breathing beside our bed. We are constantly reminded of him all throughout our house, but are in no rush to put any of his toys or blankets away.

We are hanging in here though...and are enjoying the time we're spending with Kylah. She never ceases to amaze us with her fun loving personality and innocence to life in general. She recently started singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, her ABC's (although she skips quite a few letters), and can count to 4 by herself. At only 18 months, I think that's pretty good!!

Anyway - thanks again to everyone for your support. We love you all. (And we love you too Riley!)

Saturday, March 28th

On Saturday Craig, Kylah and I said good bye to our best friend, our first baby, and our family pet, Riley. Saying good bye to him has been nothing short of the most difficult and painful event we've ever been through. Although we are completely heart broken with his absense, we know that he is enjoying heaven, free of pain, discomfort, and infection.

As those of you who met him know, Riley was one of the most well behaved, emotional, loving, and happy dogs around. He certainly kept our life interesting, and from day one we made memories with him that will last a lifetime. We can look back and smile at all the fun times we had together, and fortunately we have a lot of pictures to show for it. He made us better people, brought us closer together, and taught us that the simplest things in life can make you happy.

It's been a very difficult past few days for us as we learn how to get through the sadness we're constantly feeling and adjust to our quiet home. I heard a song today on the radio that helped me feel a little better, and now has new meaning for me: Sarah Mclachlan's Arms of the Angel. "You're in the arms of an angel, may you find some comfort here." We know Riley is in God's hands, running in the grass, eating food that contains corn, and looks fantastic. Even still, we miss him, love him, and will always wish something could've cured him.

Please pray for Riley and for us as we get through this.

In loving memory of our best friend, and first baby - Riley Taetsch. We will always love you buddy.