Chipelewski Family: October 2008

Too cute!

County Fair

At the end of August we went to the county fair. They liked watching the rides go around and around, and even took their first ride on the Merry-Go-Round.

County Fair

The kids loved the animal barns. They were walking up and down the aisle and were squealing! A pig snorted a Kendall and she jumped a mile high! Kaleb was quacking when we went into the area with the ducks.

Skylar's 1st Birthday

Here are some cute pictures at Skylar's 1st birthday! Hard to believe that we got all of the kids in a picture!!!! So cute!

Brita and Brandon's wedding

My cousin Brita and Brandon (Williams) were married on August 16th in Marquette, MI at the gazebo on Presque Isle. Her dad (Rick) and my dad built the gazebo in the late 1980s, so it was really neat that she was married there.

The kids sat pretty well in their stroller during the ceremony.

The also had fun dancing at the reception! Here is Kaleb showing off his moves!

Playing peek-a-boo behind the curtains.

Kendall loved chasing the bubbles! It was a really fun day!

Update

I know it has been a while since our last post. Im sure Jill will put out some pictures real soon, but wanted to recap the past couple of months for those that are not "in the know" and would like to be.

Beginning of August - Jill's cousin Brita was married to Brandon. We stayed in Marquette, MI for the weekend and had a wonderful time. The kids did very well during the reception and stayed out pretty late!

We also closed on our new house at this time. It is a lovely place on the Paint River in the township of Crystal Falls, MI. We have a wonderful view and multiple acres of land. Most of August, many people helped with some of the minor (and some major) renovations we did to the place. We stripped wallpaper (not a very enjoyable job), cleaned walls, and painted pretty much the entire place. And for the major renovation - the kitchen. We started out by wanting to move an island that was oddly place in the kitchen. So, we had to demo the island, replace tile where the island once existed (luckily we found the same tile at Menards), and built the new island. On top of that - during the middle of the island construction, we decided to tear out a fire place that was oddly placed in the kitchen. The fireplace really obstructed the views from the river. So, with the help of her uncle/cousin, we demoed the fireplace and put in a new picture window. It was the best decision we have made with the house thus far!

The kids are given ice cream in a cone by Grandma Surface - what a treat/mess! They are also starting to sign "please". They take their two fists and pound them together. Kendall can actually say "nease". They both are also able to do pounds and blow it up (new age version of high five).

Middle of August - Jill and I celebrated our 6th wedding (8/17) anniversary. We ate out at a local pub. Good food and good company :) Additionally, we had vacation with my side of the family at Houghton Lake, MI. See previous posts.

Kaleb loves to do somersaults (with help from Mom and Dad)! Kendall loves to nurture her babies. Kaleb really loves the golf set that Grandma Porcaro gave to them!

Late August - We moved into our new house after all the work that we had done.

The twins really started to express their opinions at this time. The started saying "no." Yikes! With football season underway, they also learned how to tackle their Dad! Yes - that was my idea! Luckily, they have not tried to tackle each other... yet!

Early September - We continue to unpack all of the unnecessary stuff that we own. We are definitely consumers of the US marketplace.

We also met up with Bryan, Jessica (our friends from college) and their two little ones. We met at Lake Antoine in Iron Mountain, MI and had a wonderful day swimming and hanging out.

The twins are starting to do circles.

Mid September - Jill went to Vegas for a trip with the girls! She says they had a good time! Im sure they did. Im not sure if she is planning to post pics or not - what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas - so they say.

I traveled to Indy for work. On the way home, I stopped in Detroit for Marlee's baptism. I am a godfather to the beautiful little girl. It was a good stop and it was nice to see everyone. T, Shawn, Tom and I also got a round of golf in on Sunday before I left! Jill stayed home with the twins - it is too far of a drive for her alone!

The twins are playing ring around the rosie! The kids are climbing on the kitchen chairs! They love to go to the park and are actually going down the big boy/girl slide. On one occasion I took the kids to the park alone. I was helping Kaleb on one of the toys and across the way, I see Kendall on top of an 8 ft slide! You will never see someone run as fast as I did - Olympics - here I come. She was fine, but I was terrified and relieved that she didn't fall.

Late September - Jill's sister was married to Tyler in Eagle Harbor, MI. We had a great time while staying in Copper Harbor, MI! K & K actually were their ring bearer and flower girl. They did really good and walked down the isle by themselves holding each others hand part of the way. Im sure there will be other posts in the near future, but we had a wonderful time.

One of my highlights was playing golf with Jills Uncle Paul, Jills dad and Tom Lesso at Timberstone golf course. It is just an amazing course in the UP (5 star from golf digest). I golfed the best round of the year here (84 - not bad for me).

The kids are starting to run and walking backwards. They are truly monkeys now as they try to climb on everything. They are starting to listen to Mom and Dad pretty well at this point! Im hoping that doesn’t change :)

Early October - Still unpacking! The cold is starting to set in here in the U.P. Not too bad yet, but the nights are a little chilly. Golf season is pretty much over, but fishing is getting better and bow season starts.

K & K started 2 different day cares 3 days a week to socialize with others. At first Kaleb was a little reluctant to let Mom walk out the door, but has adapted pretty well. They are able to play with their friends (Skylar, Elsie, Kevin, Vic - and many others). They enjoy all the activities that are planned daily. Jill and I feel really good about where they are going!

Mid October - Still unpacking! There are multiple benefits to living up here. Here are a few events that occurred the past couple of weeks:
- Purchased a 4 wheeler (Honda Foreman 450) - went on a 4 wheeling trip with Jill and her friends... stopping every 2 miles for a "break".
- Shot a buck (6 pt) out of our front yard with a bow and arrow while I was practicing with my bow. If you want the full story shoot me an email... it is pretty good.
- Caught a couple of walleye and ate them for dinner the next night!

K & K have been a little sick with a cold, but it hasn’t hampered their busy bodies. Kendall can say just about any word that you say. Kaleb is catching up, and has been doing real good this past week with his words. They also love this show called the "Wonder Pets". It has been a nightly routine lately to watch before we go to bed. They both get so excited... they dance with their hands waving in the air. It is so funny!

Sorry to bear everyone with so much detail.

Jamie