Mia's Dance Recital

Like I mentioned previously, Mia had been taking dance for around 10 months and finally had a chance to showcase her hard work at her recital. Mia's class danced tap to a song called "Wake Up." The performance was at the local high school on the auditorium stage in the BIG auditorium. I wasn't sure how she would react and I wondered if she would be nervous. Well, if she was, you couldn't tell! She seemed to love being on stage and did a great job with her class. It was definitely a proud mommy moment! When the recital was done she was already asking what song she would be dancing to next year. :) We were not able to take pictures at the actual recital, so the ones of her on stage are from the dress rehearsal. They aren't the best since the lights were so bright, but you can get an idea.  

Mia in the "waiting room" with Pam where all the girls waited until it was their turn to dance 

Mia and Erica 

Sammy and Mia 

Final bow after the show

Venessa had the idea to get the girls flowers that matched their costumes.  The bouquets turned out beautiful! 

So proud of my girl! 

Family pic 

Mia and Daddy 

Cole congratulating Mia 

Congratulations Mia on your first dance recital! We are so proud of you!

Indiana Dunes

Last summer Cort and I took the kids to the Warren Dunes and had an amazing time.  After talking with my Mom and Jen, we were reminded how my Mom used to go to the Dunes ever summer with her family, bringing fried chicken that my Grandma would make and spending the day in the sun.  We thought it would be fun to bring my mom there (fried chicken and all!) since it had been a long time since she had visited.  The original plan was to go to the Warren Dunes in Michigan, but the weather forecast was looking a little sketchy.  We decided to go to the Indiana Dunes instead in case the weather turned we wouldn't have driven as far. 

Just like last year, the Dunes didn't disappoint.  The kids and adults all had a great time!  My only complaint is the water was quite cold, although it didn't seem to bother my water babies!  Here are a ton of pictures from the day....

Cole enjoying the sand

Mia doing her best Baywatch run  :)

I cannot begin to explain how cold the water was-it hurt my legs, but apparently Mia didn't notice

Diving in-Mia became much more comfortable in the water this summer

Cole got in on the water action, but my little skinny bones got cold a lot quicker

Love how happy he looks here!

Enjoying the waves

A view of the whole family enjoying the beach

Claire-bear putting her toes in the water

Mia and Mommy building a castle

Cole and Cort pondering life :)

Grammy and Mia!

Mike working on his super-cool sand castle

Cole and Aunt Jen

Time for a break!

Lunchtime-fried chicken and birthday cupcakes for my mom

And of course, we had to conquer the dunes (click to see larger)!

Proud to be at the top!

Cole making his way up

Cousins 

Cole and Daddy at the top

The kids chose a variety of ways to get down-rolling, running, taking breaks, etc....

Sandy face after rolling part-way down

Pulins Fam

Where's Mia's body?

Brave Cort-did I mention the water was cold??

Cole

Family Pic

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