Wisconsin Week - One

Ethan recently spent the first of two weeks (not in a row) with his Grandparents in Wisconsin. But, it seems that they got sidetracked on the way home and slept in a submarine, USS Silverside. This was a great surprise for Ethan - even if Mom and Dad knew about it in advance.

He also had plenty of time for scooter fun and playing at the lake with his cousins.

While at the zoo ( I think it was at the zoo at least) Ethan did a high ropes course. Looks like it was fun, glad to know he is not too scared of heights.

Ethan's week in Indiana

Right after our trip to Colorado, Ethan spent the weekend with his Grandparents in Indiana. He had loads of fun. He went from not wanting to get his head wet in the pool to doing cannon balls (I forsee a pool in our future - next year!), rode Grandma's horse Poco, went fishing, played on the farm, and just had lots of fun. Here are some photos of the week.
Ethan swimming.

Ethan after swimming.

Horse back riding, with Grandma holding the lead line but Ethan learn to steer and control. He liked to trot.

And fishing. Ethan would not bait the hook but he did take 7 bluegill off.

July trip to Colorado

This year for the week of the fourth of July we joined Rob's parents on a trip to Jackson Lake Resv. in Colorado. After ~19 hours of driving we arrived. In all the drive was not too bad, no real traffic issues. We had fun boating, jet skiing, and visiting with family there. Ethan even had some kids his age next door to play with. While at the lake Ethan went scurfing. Yes, scurfing. This is where you use a board ahd surf behind the boat in its wake. Rob's cousin Alyssa did it with Ethan. I am still amazed the 1) Ethan wanted to do it and 2) they managed to get up since you have to be pulled onto the board much like water skiing. About mid-week a few of us went for a short lived tube ride on one of those banana tubes. In short we wiped out and Ethan hit is mouth on Dad's head and bit through his lip resulting in 2 stiches outside, 1 stich inside and a chipped tooth. Dad's head was unharmed much to the amazement of the ER doctor.

This dampened Ethan's mood for a couple days, but he was happy and ready to go when we went to an amusement park in Denver. He rode all the coasters he could even ones that go backwards through loops! Mom and Dad also rode them, and we even got Grandma Harman on the backwards one! After that we went to the Denver zoo. It was a nice zoo, we even got to see the tigers catch a wild bird in their cage for a snack. And try really hard to catch some other. It was really exciting to watch.

Ethan and Alyssa scurfing

Stichtes!!!

Amusement Park - Adrenaline Freaks!!

Yes, we sat in the front row when ever we could!

Zoo Photos - We had a great time even if it did rain for part of the afternoon (or should I say storm). We were also joined by more family which made it more fun including Myron, Lisa, Megan and John and their little girl Shannon.

Rain gutter Regatta

Ethan's cub scout pack had a rain gutter regatta this month. The boats are light weight wood that the boys sanded into shape and used the dremmel to lighten out the middle and then painted. The goal was to blow your boat down a 10 foot gutter section. It actually went a lot better then I thought it would. I think Ethan ended up third overall. No trophies for this one, but afterwards they did unload the water and fill the gutter with ice cream for the boys so none of them cared how well or poorly their boats had done. In all it was a fun time.

Bird Watching

Spring has reached Michigan this weekend. We restocked the bird feeders and got out the patio furniture. Ethan decided to do a little bird watching. He is in his cameo (face paint too) so the birds will not see him. Now, he has to learn about birds hearing him. He say robins, woodpeckers, and finches.

Pine Wood Derby

Yes, I know it has been a LONG time. Yes, the school year is near over. What can I say it has been busy. It is amazing how fast time goes when you go to work come home, dinner, homework with Ethan, some play, bed and do it all over again. Add to that I started a new job in January; still in research, just for the USDA on the MSU campus.

Ethan has been busy as well. Soccer and cub scouts. They just had the pinewood derby and Ethan did GREAT! He was the fastest Tiger scout and came in 4th place overall. A little more weight and we think he would have been in the top three. Still really great. His car even beat Dad's!

Ethan's car is the multi-color one closest. It even had a leggo star wars driver.