New Years Eve!

After a bit of shopping we went on a hot date to BUCA for a great dinner!

Warren Community Center

Joshua with his cousins at the indoor waterpark at the Warren Community Center. We went there while we were down visiting some family over Christmas Break.

Benja-baby

Taken and posted by Stacey

Benjamin and Jake

Benjamin seems to have something thats not his.

More fun

Marble madness! Joshua likes to get creative with these whenever he sees them ... So now he has his own!

Fireman Christmas!

I know its not Halloween... But how fun is it for a 3 year old to pretend he is a fireman? VERY FUN!!! ... He has a doctor set too :)

Cool gift!!!

How awesome! Stacey took most of my shirts from the 10k Turkey Trot I do every year in Detroit and made a really nice fleece blanket out of them. I am missing one year because Joshua was born. And, she didn't sow on any of the sweat shirts that were given out some years. I have been doing the race since high school... Thanks hun! .....I love my wife :)

My Birthday!

Opening a couple gifts for my birthday with my boys!

Taking over the library...

A beautiful frosty morning. We thought we'd go to the library for a bit. Joshua doing a puzzle, Benjamin with some blocks and Stacey with some books... joshua impressed when he did 4 puzzles! Its nice to be on break... I am thankful!

Swash-buckeling!

Aye matey!

A couple of maties.

Shiver me timbers!

Getting ready for a pirate birthday party! Arrgg!!!

Secret Santa...

A top given to me for Secret Santa ...

Duck towel...

Even more duck after the bath.

Rub a dub dub...

Bath time... In the duck tub.

Flurry Fest...

The Petoskey Steel Drum band during the Flurry Fest in Charleviox.

Boy In 'Da Hood

Making French toast in the morning with Stacey and my Boy In 'da Hood

Thanksgiving Day Parade!

At the start of the race! It took up 2 min to get across the start line. Over 10,000 ran.

Thanksgiving Break!

Just got to grandmas! You've gotta love Thanksgiving break... Looking forward to so much more.

Free cone

Joshua got a coupon for a free ice cream cone a while ago. Well we thought tonight was a good night to hang out for a bit and get that cone. I thought the older gentleman in the background drinking coffee was pretty cool. We said good night to each other on the way out... With big smiles.

Out for a Run...

Went for a run and now I'm trying to find Stacey, Joshua, Benjamin, and our friend 'Uncle' David along the shores of Lake Mi. They are hiking through the woods, Mt. McSauba, and its beautiful out here today!

Joshua!

I snow blew joshua's name in our street. He loved running through the letters to his name...

Random...

Benjamin!!!

My happy, beautiful Benja-baby!

Someone wants snow!

What happens when you get up early

Early morning walk high a top mt mcsauba.

Surfs on!

Surfers down at the beach. There were three of them surfin' it up today!

Fall...

The people I love... Just takin' a break after getting some icecream downtown.

'T-Wrecks'

Joshua playing with a new toy Stacey got him from the MOM Swap.

Afternoon walk

Walking with my perfect boy - Cutting across the golf course on probably the last "warm" day left of the season. Its a great night!

Golf It Up

My pal Dan Hasty works in the pro shop at Dunmaglas. We T 'd off at 1pm and just had a great time talking and hanging out. This is us at the top of hole 14 overlooking all of Lake Charelvoix - its a beautiful view so high up.











Am I a golfer? No. But I have golfed and like to go out with friends - Dan is the pro :)


Here is Dan hanging out in the beach. At least he didn't lose as many balls as me!

Uggg!!!

Well I must tell all of you that my phone (from which I send all my pictures) is now very CLEAN and also very DRY.... Hmmm??? But it doesn't seem to be working - at all! So I am in the process of fixing that problem and hope to get some pictures up soon. We have been doing some pretty cool stuff to so I will have to get those pictures (that I have taken either with a camera or Stacey's phone) up soon...

Thanks :)

Grandpa Semrau with Benjamin when we were down visiting. Grandpa Semrau is such an amazing man of God who loves Jesus with everything. He is such a role model for me and my family.

Teddy Bear Factory

We were at Sommerset Mall while visiting my mom. Joshua wanted to check out the Bear Factory so my mom took him in. He had all kinds of animals to pick from and ended up getting this stripped cat. The people there were really fun in that they had Joshua rub the heart that went in the cat and do all these other personal little things to make the experience of making a "bear" fun and meaningful.

Bike Parade!

Joshua was in the Bike Parade for the Venetian Festival. We had fun decorating his bike at the middle school and riding in the parade after. Although Joshua decided he was done riding when a girl on a "big" bike ran into him. After that I carried him, while he still sat on his bike, for the rest of the parade. It was funny though because he got more cheers while I carried him then when he was riding. I got a few cheers from the dads in the crowd :) I just shouted back, "yea... this is what we do!" It reminds me of how God is always with us... and will pick us up and carry us when we freeze up too.

First Time Ferris Wheel!

This was the first time Joshua has ever been on a Ferris wheel - or any carnival ride for that matter (other than a carousel at the mall). We were walking by and he said he wanted to go on it. So... we did it up. I love the look on his face in this first picture as he looks over the edge.
























Here is Joshua riding some kind of motorcycle ride. He looks a bit bored here but he had a good time...

Kids' Day!

My good friend from High school and college came over from his vacation in Traverse City with his wife Brandi and his two kids Gordon and Gavin. We went to "Kids Day" down at MI Beach during the Venetian Festival. Everyone had a great time and it was good to see my pal and his family. Here is Joshua feeding a goat with Gavin, Gordon and Jason in the background. Hope to see you guys again soon!

Joshua went on the big inflatable slide that Omega Hang and Shauna Spenceley helped him on. I think he was one of the smallest kids onit - but with their help he did it. Then he wanted to run through the huge inflatable obstacle course. He did so well! I was able to walk near him on the outside and encourage him. Brock Yenglin and Amber Hoffman (two great Chem students I had last year) were inside - there to help him out. Here is Amber holding Joshua. Thanks Guys!

The boys got some "face" painting done... well arm painting for Joshua. He wanted a couple of fireworks put on his arm. Michigan Beach was absolutely gorgeous! You can only see the sky in the background - but the water was the perfect blend of blues and greens.

Mike!

You're always running into people downtown but its great when you run into people you love. Mike saw us by the band shell and came over and picked up Joshua - Joshua adores him. Mike is a student of mine, but more so now a great friend. We have been on a bunch of adventures with groups of people (ice climbing in Canada, climbing and repelling during Colorado Challenge) and just dinner and campfires at our house. He's a solid guy that loves Jesus and pursues him with zeal... I see why Joshua adores him. Thanks Mike! We love ya!

The new East Park

Our first visit to the new East Park downtown Charlevoix. We're on the roof of the Harbor Master's office looking down at the interactive water fountain and Round Lake. ...You can also see my beautiful Stacey and Joshua (with icecream all over himself) in the foreground! :)

Feelin' froggy...

Joshua and I ran out to Marvins Gardens to get some things for our trees. This really nice worker took Joshua to feed some fish and look at some frogs ... I had thought about going somewhere else for everything at the chance things may be cheaper - but there really is something to say about great service and friendly people!

Bemjamin digs Jack...

Benjamin likes Jack Johnson ... zzz

Hangin out...

Joshua and I on the carousel in TC. Pretty much went there just for that! Had a blast together - love that boy!