Ross Reflections. . .

This is the ship I climbed with Isaiah in my arms and praying for dear life as I exchanged freaked out looks with Tim. I couldn't believe we got ourselves into this mess, having to act brave while I watching Logan scale the steep steps wearing flip flops and me climbing one handed, up to the tippy top of the ship. It was actually quite cool to see when we were enclosed and I really want to learn more about the coast guard. Grand Haven, Michigan is a great little town, we will return!!! Logan, Annah, Noah and Gabe had a blast this trip being reunited after many years!!! Annah and Noah spent many days playing from 8 months old until they were 3. Now they had fun playing dance, dance revolution and Gabe and Noah were just silly together. Off to have dinner at the Lake and run up the dunes. Does life get much better?

This is on my top ten list of favorite things to do! I love picking blueberries and I have always done this with Tricia. (ok, this was only my second time but will be a yearly thing from now on) As I type this I have 19 pounds of blueberries in my freezer and have plans to make a pie and muffins in the next few days. Our dear friends, Tim and Tricia Taylor PICK A FEW. . EAT A LOT!!! Noah and Isaiah loved blueberries and ate them by the handfuls. Logan ate ONE, only because I made her try it. She said it was OK but didn't eat anymore. They loved picking them and Isaiah loved to show me how many were in his bucket. Annah and Gabe

Tennis is the new recreational activity in the Ross household these days, well in the last week. We are "all or nothing" kind of people so when I went to "tennis league" for the first time, I was hooked. When I was telling Gary how much fun I had, he encouraged us to play together the next night. We took the kids and now we ALL have rackets and Logan has declared tennis her new favorite sport. She made this statement after playing with an adult racket for 10 minutes but has been quite serious about her declaration for a week now. Tonight, Dorothy joined our family at the tennis "course" as Logan said. I quickly corrected her. If this is going to be her sport, she needs to know the lingo. Noah is as serious in this sport as any other. He also has watched his dad all of 2 days and picked up how to put spin on his ball. Isaiah found lots to do at the courts. The air guitar was first on his list of how to entertain himself. Then he created a drum set to ja...

Where to begin I just don't know. It has been two days since we got home from our Pigott family reunion and I am still smiling and laughing out loud at times about this past weekend and all the catching up and bonding that took place. I hadn't seen two of my cousins for 7 years. I will post an insane amount of pictures because there were thousands of pictures taken and that is NO exaggeration. Thank you Bill and Teryl for hosting all of us and sleeping 19 people in you home. Thank you for all the preparation and planning it takes to entertain all of us, we weren't lacking for anything to do!!! So many choices, fishing in the pond, throwing rocks, paddle boating, ping pong, corn hole, crafts for the kids, tea party for the girls, dress up for hours, (thank you Amy!!), golfing, bowling, swimming, ladder ball, and the slip and slide. Did I miss anything??? Above: The kids all reconnected or met for the first time down by the lake, throwing rocks. Allison had fun being a swamp...

Nolan and Noah haven't see each other in years but they acted like no time had past. There was some excitement on the paddle boat when Noah fell off the boat because he was trying to keep up with Nolan and stick his head in the water, losing his balance. Boys will be boys!! I loved that Isaiah called Nolan, Olan and would say, "Olan you so sunny." (translation: Nolan, you are so funny) These boys spend HOURS fishing and caught quite a few fish.

In the game of golf, competition is expected. Bowling, I can see how Gary and Mark can want to beat each other. Ping Pong, come on guys, seriously??? Can't you just play a friendly round? Why does everything turn into a head to head battle? The ultimate competition happened when Gary, Mark and Jamison turned the children's slip 'n slide into an all out war seeing who could out reach each other off the plastic, past the stick marker. Crazy but oh so fun. This was a family event, everyone was cheering them on in their competition. Here the men are having yet another competition, Ha ha, not really, they are just seeing how big the grass divots were in certain places. See how red and bruised they all are, not to mention Jay's broken ribs from tubing with Gary just weeks earlier. (I am thinking my husband may need therapy, competition therapy)

Grace gave Logan a run for her money when it came to dress up. These two spent a ton of time in the basement dressing up in MANY outfits. Everyone ended up downstairs at one point laughing as the girls dressed and switched wardrobes. Penny pulled out her 45 records, playing Mr. Roboto and "oh Mickey you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind, hey Mickey." There was a little dance party. We also reminisced about Michael Jackson and who shed tears over his recent death. Grace and Logan Below: Allison Arden was all about being a jaguar and even slept in this costume. Gotta love the Illini. She insisted this 3T costume fit perfectly. My ballerina

Golfing of course. Aunt Barb and I stepped up to save this poor fish that Noah caught while every adult male was on the golf course. It was a challenge for Barb to hold the fish and for me to unhook the swallowed bait. It was hilarious!! Barb, I still think you did the hardest part. Thanks for making memories and saving Billy the big mouth bass. Barb's face is priceless in this picture!! My is a bit stressed, it was not easy to do this.

My dear sweet cousins!!! The second cousins Cousins and spouses minus Andrew and Mark The original Pigott clan

Congratulations Noah, we are so proud of you!!! Today Noah played in his third golf tournament this summer and placed third out of 18 players in his age group. Noah also got his first birdie on a hole EVER. Before this tournament, Noah was able to practice a lot the week before and his hard work and effort paid off with winning a "black" (plaque) as Logan called it. Gary was texting me throughout the round and I would keep Logan updated. When we finally heard he placed third, Logan wanted to talk to Noah on the phone. She started her conversation, saying, "Noah, I heard you got a birdie." So sweet to support him but so funny to hear her use correct golfing terms. The correct terms ended when she then said, "Noah, you didn't use your sandwich did you??" (sand wedge, and Noah had left it on a golf course up in Michigan.) We were all excited for Noah and will remember this win for a long time. Noah has the taste of what it takes to win. His fina...