We've come a long way baby!

It's been almost 2 years since I wrote on our family blog. I actually forgot about it until this past 4th of July weekend when I was reminded of it by my mother in law Juli. So we are going to attempt to start it again. Let's just say the last two years with the twins has been chaotic. They are getting to the point again where they are easier. Elle and Cole are both still very different in looks, personality, size and interests. They are both finally potty trained and starting school in the fall. They are talking like crazy. They love singing in the car, making disasters all over the house, and tag teaming on Ian and I. Over this summer we have been extremely busy. We went to Binder Park Zoo and Michigan Adventure over the weekend of our 6th Anniversary.  Ian had the GVSU alumni golf outing the day of our anniversary so he took off 2 days before to do some fun stuff.  We had dinner together in Grand Haven together and went out to the football alumni dinner together that week.  The kids loved feeding the giraffes lettuce at Binder Park, and going on all the rides at Michigan's Adventure.

I can hardly believe it has been 6 years since that hot day at Lubbers Stadium. So much has happened since then. Ian and I have both switched careers and jobs. Ian and I both have been extremely happy in our career changes. Ian switched from mortgages to pharmaceutical sales this past fall and has more time now to spend with the family. We have had some highs and lows in these six years loosing my dad and grandpa, but gaining two beautiful kids via invitro. We have truly been blessed over the last 6 years. We try to get to the family cottage as much as possible, but it is hard with our busy schedules and events. It is funny how 6 years can change your life so much.

This fall will be busy. I was just hired as the new Freshman Volleyball coach for Sparta High School. I am extremely excited to be a part of the program and coaching my own team again. Although I will miss coaching the young girls through the AIM program I coached last year this should be a fun season. Cole and Elle will be starting School as well at the Sparta Coop and I am excited to be a working parent in their classroom. I know they will love it and have fun with all of their new friends.

Over this last weekend we went to Ludington to spend time with Ian's family. On Saturday on the way up north we stopped in Pentwater to visit our friends the Dauser's and then went to Grandpa Dave and Oma's for dinner.

The kids enjoyed the beach in Pentwater and catching bugs, blowing bubbles, and doing squirt guns at Grandpa and Oma's. We spent the night at Grandma D's house and woke up on Sunday to go for a picnic at the Ludington State Park. At the picnic Elle was picking on Great Grandpa Norton AKA Pistol. How she instinctively knew to pick on him is beyond me.

Picking on Grandpa Norton and the funniest beach picture I think we will ever get.

Then we went with Uncle Tim, Aunt Jill, and Grandma D for a walk around Hamlin Lake. We were about 30 minutes into it when Cole looked up and said, "Mommy I have to poop." As I went to get him to find a safe spot he said, "Oh no mom, accidents happen." They sure did happen. I had to take him in the lake and wash him down. It was more like explosions happened in those kung fu panda undies. Considering we had no diaper bag and nothing to clean up. We did the only think I could think with a half hour walk back. We Elle take off her Dora Undies and go commando with her skirt on so Cole wouldn't be naked. Poor kids. Madison did not like it that Cole had Elle's undies on and that Elle didn't have any. What an experience!! We survived. LOL The kids loved going to the beach at Ludington afterward. Sunday night we went to dinner with all of the siblings, but Mead and Grandma D watched the kids. We had a nice dinner at PM Steamers. On the 4th of July we had lots of fun at the parade. The kids loved all of the cars and floats.

Then we went to lunch and then to the American Legion. At night we went to fire works and the kids enjoyed running around in the sand. Cole loved the fire works this year and Elle enjoyed them, but was really tired. We enjoyed a family filled weekend up north. I love watching the kids experience things because everything is fun, new and exciting. I think that is one of the best parts about being a parent...you get to remember what it feels like to be a kid again. I love to see their eyes light up over the simple/ little things. They make you appreciate life so much more.

These are a couple of my favorite pics of these last few weeks and a picture of Ian and I with Coach Kelly the day before our anniversary.

I never knew I married a hottie until the football Brian Kelly Era night out at the Bob...dang Ian!

 Elle giving a very fierce Model pose!

 Cole is such a ham...love it!

 Coach Kelly, Ian and I for all you Notre Dame fans!

Fall with the Fonnesbeck Family

Cole and Elle are growing and changing everyday, every minute, and every hour of the day. Today we had our first day of MOPS. It's a mothers of pre-schoolers group. I almost cried when I left them in the daycare for an hour. It was pathetic I know, but I couldn't help it. It was scarey leaving them with people I didn't know and thinking that they would not be getting the attention that I would be giving them. I don't know how all of the working mom's of the world do it. After today I don't think I could. They are too important to me...thank God that I can stay home with them. Today I thought, even on my toughest day when I want to pull my hair out atleast I see them, and know what they are doing. I am so lucky! I thank God each day for them and for such a loving husband. As far as my MOPS went...it was ok. I hope the weeks to follow have fun activities...or I might have just Mopped the floor with the money I spent.

Cole is so laid back and Elle is so wirey! I cannot get over how different their personalities are even at just over 7 months. They definately are their own people. Cole is all boy and Elle is all girl. Even their size is so different. Cole is 21 pounds. Elle is 16 pounds 4 ounces. They are both long with big domes! Elle is scooting all over in a barrel crawl...it's almost like she does push ups forward. She can't move her arms singlely yet. Cole pushes up with his feet, but can't get his chest up. He pulls on the carpet to pull himself forward. Elle and Cole love to slap the wood floor and bounce in their bouncers like crazy. They are now eating eachothers faces and pulling eachothers hair unintentionally. They are both snugglers. I love it. Elle is a mover/squirmer though when she isn't tired. It's so amaising how they learn things...they both say hi and dadadadada all day long! :)

Yesterday I joined the YMCA. We are going to start working out as a family...I am really excited to take the kids swimming. Cole and Elle just love the water. I am, also, joining a Monday night volleyball league and really excited. We took a walk with Paige and Ethan on the White Pine Trail. It is always fun talking to other mom's and it is nice that our kids are the same age. The babies love to walk...although Elle was being a stinker that day...squalking.

Last weekend we had Scott's wedding....Mike was his usual self singing kareoke and humping the microphone to Ache Breaky Heart! HA! Cole and Elle were the life of the party. Grandma Jamma as always took her babies to show them off! Saturday morning while Ian was watching the kids...he yelled, "Amy, I need your help." I came up to find Ian with poop all over his arm and Cole with an explosion in his pants. He had poop all over. Cole was literally "full of shit." Needless to say he went into the tub asap.

We, also, took the kids to their first tailgate at GVSU. They played with all of their friends (Grant, Lance, Cousin Madison, and Liliana...along with the rest of the herd). They did surprisingly well....Grandma D, Aunt Mel, Uncle Mead, Uncle Karl, Aunt Lindsey, The Horodyski's, The Dausers, and lots of other friends all helped us out holding the little ones. They looked cute in their new hats and outfits. They enjoy other kids and love to be with eachother.

Hollywood!

The Mad Hatters! Babies first Tailgate!

She's a looker! My sweet girl!

And next Madison teaches Cole the 3 point stance!

On Sunday we took the kids for their first bike ride on the White Pine Trail to Rockford. All was going well....we biked...ate ice cream (the kids just had to have it)....and on the way back we switched so that I would pull the babies. I must not have been quite in the center of the sidewalk and the trailer hit the curb. The babies tipped over and Cole smashed into Elle. Elle hit her head on the bar and the ground. I felt awful (like a horrible mama)! My poor babies! How could this happen? But like all kids she was back to normal when we got home. Thank Goodness! My poor babies!

Labor Day weekend was pretty relaxing. We got to hang out with Aunt Luba most of the weekend with the kids. Cole and Elle enjoyed the water and the sand. They both like to put sand in their mouths along with seaweed. I can't wait to watch them on the beach next summer. The Grandpa Dave, Oma, Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Karl, Cousin Madison, Great Uncle Dan, Great Aunt Kim, Jamma, Grandpa Ron, and Uncle Mikey all came up. We celebrated Grandpa Dave's birthday along with Uncle Karl. Leslie and Karl played a good one on Grandpa Dave. Leslie said that she had another birthday gift for him...he was going to be a grandpa again....assuming she was pregnant Dave's jaw dropped! They pulled a fast one over on us...it was Lindsey however that was pregnant! We are really excited for Karl, Lindsey and Madison. I hope they have a boy so Cole will have another boy around! What great news!

The weekend before Labor day we had a great weekend with Aunty Stephanie up at the cottage. I enjoyed ganging up on Ian with her. We laughed all weekend, played with babies, and got some sun. As usual Ian tried making up some Scrabble words..and gloated when he beat us at dominos. It was dumb luck!

Cole and Elle went for a walk today down the White Pine Trail with their new friend Ethan! We were excited to talk with new friends for mommy and babies. They, also, played with Liliana while I cut Louie's hair. Elle loved seeing her and laughing. It was cute! I was mad I couldn't get our camera to work...the lense won't come out...I hope it's not broke! :(

Cole and Elle went to bed by 8pm today...it might be because they had no afternoon nap, but I am all for it! YEAH!

The Summer of Fonne

Cole and Elle are hitting milestones by the minute! Last week Thursday I was overjoyed when they picked up cereal and put it into their own mouth! Yippi! Since last Friday they both can sit up with hands off the floor and balance! It's amaising how this stuff just happens overnight. They enjoyed another relaxing weekend at the cottage playing in the sand and swimming in the lake. Cole could stay in the water for hours. Elle gets the shivers...but still loves it. I have fish!

We enjoyed seeing Great Grandma Piccard, Jamma, Grandpa Ron, Great Uncle Bill, Mike, and Ronald Saturday. We, also, had the pleasure meeting a dandy from Bitely named Mark...who told my mom he couldn't have sweet corn because he didn't have teeth. He pulled up with Uncle Bill on the 4-wheeler with what looked to be blood all over them...we thought what the hell happened. Apparently it was just paint because they were painting Uncle Bill's cottage bright red. Another neat person from Bitely goes down in the books.

On Sunday we enjoyed visiting with Grandpa Dave, Oma, Great Grandma Mikula, Larissa her friend, and Uncle Bill. Everyone enjoyed playing with the twins and relaxing by the water. Needless to say we sent food home with Uncle Bill so that we didn't have to have Mark over again for dinner. Everyone was surprised at how much the twins had changed. It seems as though they are changing now every week. I see younger babies and thing where did the time go.

I helped Lynne with her centerpieces today for her wedding. Tonight Ian and I went to check out the Wolverine YMCA. We plan on getting a family membership the first of September. It will be nice to go work out and have provided daycare for the twins. I know they will love swimming and I think it will be good to expose them to other kids even if it is only for an hour or two. It will be good for Ian and I to do something together that is healthy and fun. We both despirately need to get back into shape.

As for me right now I am enjoying every minute being a momma and the little moments I have with Ian that remind me of us before we had the babies. I love watching Ian be a dad. He is so great with the babies and such a wonderful husband! I really lucked out finding such a good hubby.

Fonne Update

Cole and Elle are growing up too fast! This past weekend Grandma D watched them while mom and dad went to the Arbor summer celebration at the DeVos Center. We had a blast dancing to the MEGA 80's. Ron Jr. told us to meet him at McFadden's so we walked there from the Amway and paid to get in...only to find that Ron doesn't know his bars downtown and was at Flannagan's across the street...HA! Cole and Elle had fun hanging out with their Gram, Aunt Jill, and Uncle Tim. They enjoyed their walk and were laughing at Uncle Tim. Grandma D said that she, also, heard Cole say, "El-Le."

We went to the cottage on Saturday...and shoveled the 20 yards of sand Jamma had brought in for the twins to play in. We now have a BEACH at the cottage. Cole and Elle enjoyed it already sitting in their bumbo seats and eating it. Elle got a big mouth full.

Another enjoyable weekend!

Jamma gave the twins a bath in the cottage sink......

Aunt Amy, Uncle Johnathan, and Noah sent Cole and Elle these cute shirts over the last week! Too CUTE!

This week the babies have been really wanting our attention 24/7. They now hug and reach for you. We might need the other crib from the cottage because they are starting to wake eachother up in the middle of the night. Elle will no longer sleep on her back she rolls now to her belly within seconds. Elle-Belly! Needless to say they have been coming into our bed to sleep a in the middle of the night.

Good Mornin' SUNSHINE!

One day I walked in the family room after washing bottles and found Cole had woken up from his nap and was sucking on Elle's head. They like to hit eachother in the face. Both are sitting up well on their own, but I still put pillows around them incase they fall backwards or to the side. They both are scooting all over hell. We put the gate up so that we will be prepared for crawling. They both are gobbling food down like no other. They grab at our food when we are eating. Today we tried to go swimming at Jamma's house, but the water was too cold for the babies, Aunt Reba, and I. We took a few dips and said forget it. Cole and Elle now play and splash in the water. Cole gets so excited splashing that I do not put my clothes on for the day before baths! I just stay in my pj's and get drenched. Tonight they both took cereal and put it in their own mouth. It was like WOW! It's so funny how excited you get over stupid milestones like that. They will be grown before we know it. We are enjoying every minute.

Ian and I are considering joining the YMCA close to our house to start working out and take the babies swimming. Sarah Pepper and I are trying to encourage eachother to loose weight. So far I have lost 2 pounds or a bucket of water out of the ocean. All I know is that our family needs to get healthy!

6 Month Check-Up

Yesterday Cole and Elle had their 6 month check up with Dr. Kokx (my pediatritician when I was little). They are doing great he said and excelling! Cole was 19#15oz. (75% for weight), 28 1/2inches (90% for height), and off the charts for his head size. Elle was 15#6oz. (Just over the 25% for weight), 27inches (50% length), and 75% head size. So our kids are long with big domes! They hated their shots and I feel so sad when they cry to the point where nothing comes out. :( Poor Babes!

I gave them bath toys today to play with in the tub. They are almost able to sit up without help to play. Cole and Elle both learned how to splash today. Cole was going ape shit throwing water around. It is so cute watching them learn and grow. We are just enjoying every minute.

Love my babies!

Our Little Beaner on a walk today decided to pull off for a photo opp. She is my little peanut and getting so strong! She is almost sitting up all by herself! She also pushes off with both feet trying to crawl. Her little smile in infectious! Love the bean!
Cole is such a studmuffin. He is almost sitting up on his own and he is very curious about the outdoors! I could hardly get him away from pulling the grass! My big guy is going to be a heartbreaker with those eyes.
Double Trouble is our middle name!

PLAY TIME!! Bounce 'n Baby!
She's crazy as all hell in her saucer!
Food Now Bi-atch!
Pitstop in the sand...he likes getting dirty! He's all boy!