Word-less Wednesday

He enjoyed his ice cream cone just a little. Ha!

The boys with Lake Huron behind them

Cole asked me to take this picture for his blog. So funny!

He tried to go in even deeper but realized that when waves came, it wasn't so fun to drink the water.

Just being a goof

Chase has taken a real liking to Crokinole. 

Having a blast!

The Beach Was a Hit

The boys loved the beach!  Cole was a little unsure on our way there, but once we got on the beach and he saw the waves coming in, he was ready to go.  Chase didn't hesitate for more than a few seconds.  He even wanted to go way out with Scott and jump the waves with Daddy.  We will be back every day I'm sure.

"We are here!"

Chase laughed and squealed the entire time.

Jumping the waves was lots of fun

Grandma lounging in the water.  She did NOT fall.

Cole jumping in front of the camera

This is a video of how Chase would "jump" in the water. 

Thanks Girls!

Just want to send a quick thanks to my friend Jen for organizing a birthday dinner for me and thanks to Lacy, Shannon, Jill, and Mary Beth for coming.  We missed a few others who couldn't be there and hope they can join us next time. You know, next year!  Although the weather didn't cooperate for a pool party, we still had a great time just sitting around having pizza, wings and beer.  It was great to get out despite two crying boys when I left home (Cole and Chase were the ones crying in case you thought it might be Scott) and it was really appreciated.  Thanks girls!!!  

We're In Canada, EH?

I really need to clarify - we are in Goderich, Ontario, Canada.  Simply saying we are in "Canada" would be like saying we are going to the "United States" for vacation - not very specific.  So, anyway, we are in Goderich visiting Scott's parents while Scott coaches a hockey camp here. 

Our drive took us quite a bit longer than normal because of a massive community yard sale that lasted about 30 miles up the side of Lake Cayuga.  We even saw a convertible Lamborghini for sale at one of them.  Seriously.  Apparently that wasn't your average yard sale.  Up the road a bit there was a measly little Cadillac Escalade.  We offered them $100 for the Lamborghini but they didn't take it.  Imagine that! 

The boys were great on the drive despite the length.  Chase found a really cool new toy to play with in the car.  You take a full orange tangerine juice box and shake it and then squirt it on the windows and on yourself.  It may have been messy and sticky, but boy did he laugh and managed to keep himself entertained for a good 15 minutes.  And bonus: the car has a lovely orange smell to it.  Ha!  We made it after almost 8 hours in the car.

The boys have been in the driveway all day today playing hockey and we are going to head to the beach for a while.  I hope to be able to upload some pictures tomorrow if all goes well. 

Grandpa taped a regulation-sized net on the carport wall

How?

How is it that when I really NEED some chocolate, I can't find any in the house. Yet today at 9:00 in the morning, Chase comes out with a Hershey's nugget with almonds, a Hershey kiss and a face dripping with chocolate?  Then Cole comes in a minute later with a bag of various chocolate pieces?  Apparently I don't know where to look.  

A Few Family Photos

My Boys

Judy, Kelly, Art, Cole and Chase

Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop with the boys.

I love how Chase is gazing up at Poppy.

      I actually like this picture somewhat

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLE AND CHASE!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLEY J AND CHASER

Today is the big day - it's the boys' birthday! Cole is now 7 and Chase is now 2. They both got some great gifts from us and from Mom Mom and Poppy this morning. Aunt Allison also sent gifts - thanks Aunt Allison. Cole actually got his main gifts from Scott and me yesterday. He's been wanting a 1st baseman's glove and a new bat. We ended getting him both and giving them to him yesterday to use at his party.

After Chase opened his presents, he opened the bag they were in and said, "More!". He's been quite happy with his trains, puzzle and football passer he got.

COLE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Cole's party went off without a hitch. The weather was great (sunny and high 80s - luckily most kids don't mind being hot), the turnout was great, and the baseball was great.

We started the party at the Wall Street ball field and despite the heat, it was really fun. After a little batting practice they split into the two teams, gray and white, and the "game" began. They played two innings and everyone got a turn at bat each inning - somehow Chase managed to play for both teams so got extra turns at bat. (That boy loves baseball already.) Cole would have preferred two more innings but we had to get going.

Cole and Uncle Art

                                              Looks like Chase is about to steal a base

      Even though it was 90 degrees, that didn't stop Cole from putting on the catcher's gear.

Our next venue was Montgomery Park for cake and ice cream, whacking open the pinata and playing on the playground. On the invitation it said that we were going to walk to Montgomery Park. It turned out that there were many parents that stayed so there were enough cars to transport all the "players". However, that was QUICKLY vetoed because the kids thought it was cool to walk there so off we went and they were awesome!

                                                                That's Cole on the cake

Everything at the park went well and it seemed like everyone had a great time. Friends were very generous with gifts and he is quite a lucky boy. I'm sure we will be hearing for days to come "Can we go to Dick's? Can we go to Dick's?" since he received a few Dick's gift cards. Those'll just be burning a hole in his pocket, for sure.

That night, with my parents and Art, Judy and Kelly, we sang Happy Birthday to Chase and did he ever love that! He asked for us to repeat the singing multiple times, including instructing Kelly to turn off the light while we sang. They also gave the boys some really terrific gifts. We are so glad they could be here with us this weekend. It was a perfect addition to the weekend.

                                                                        Chase's cake

It was a great day and Cole is already planning next year's team rosters. He said it was a great birthday party and since that's what matters most, we count it a success!!!

Fun, Busy Day

Oh, how I love my husband. While I will be running around with Chase in the morning buying the final party supplies, he has offered to stay home and clean the house. Now, I'm not sure if this is more because he wants to be helpful or if he just wants to get out of shopping. And to be honest. I. Don't. Care. I would much rather shop than clean so this works out well for us both. Cole has offered to stay home and help with the cleaning. That should be good. He can be a good cleaner/helper when he really wants to be, he just usually doesn't want to be.

So, why all the cleaning anyway? We are having some much-anticipated company starting this afternoon. My parents are coming and Scott's Uncle Art, Aunt Judy (hee hee - sounds funny saying "Aunt" Judy), and Kelly are coming, too. They will all be here til Sunday. We haven't see the Port Elgin Garrows since...well... since... umm.... Ok, it's obviously been too long since I can't even remember the last time we saw them. We are really happy they are coming.

Tomorrow is the big party so I'd better get going and label some party bags or something.

The Countdown is On

Only 3 more days til the big day in the Garrow house - Cole and Chase's birthday! We are busily working to plan Cole's party on Saturday. He is having the same type of party as last year - a baseball game party! There will be two teams - one gray and one white - and the name of the teams are both Cole's Phillies. Thanks to Uncle Joe and Aunt Teresa and their awesome design skills, the shirts are going to be really cool! As of right now the weather report is calling for cloudy and warm. Yay! If it rains it will be a skating party and I'm really not looking forward to trying to gather that many pairs of skates. I guess I worry because you know how accurate the weather predictions are this year. Not accurate at all. I'd feel better if they said it was going to rain, then it probably wouldn't. But, it's probably all because of global warming, right? Oh, wait. Don't get me started on that. That's for my other blog.

Cole at 6th birthday party

Chase on 1st birthday. Boy, has he ever changed. Don't you love the mullet?

Check back on Saturday or Sunday for pictures from this year's party.