st. joe

We got back about a week ago from spending time in St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI with Ben's family. It was a super relaxing time of beach, pool, and a whole lot of good food. I know, by the past few posts, it may seem we're just constantly on vacation...I promise, we're not...

the lone thunderstorm (severe thunderstorm)...but really cool to watch

tv in your sweatshirt and diaper. life. is. good.

J didn't love the big lifejacket...

but was a fan of the jet ski...so it all worked out

why yes, Michigan does have lovely sunsets, doesn't it?

While we were there, Ben and I had the chance to slip over to Chicagoland for the wedding of some great friends.

we got to see some of our favorite people...

and celebrate Jake and Erin. Congrats DeClutes!!

a country's birthday

We spent our 4th doing what you do on the 4th. We went to a parade--you know, the good kind. Basically 35 minutes of candy being hurled at you, and tractors and dirt bikes and endless emergency vehicles (sorry no pictures of this Decatur, MI bash). Then we ate, a lot, and caught up with friends, and swam, and laid in the sun, and inspected Grandpa's corn. And we completed it with sparklers, which...is almost like a birthday candle. So happy birthday, America! Thanks for giving us a gorgeous day off.

new gogs from grandma

can't you just feel the excitement? this, my friends, is a boy who loves the water.

we be jammin'

The strawberry variation. We picked (well, mostly Ben picked) strawberries on Thursday which meant Friday (despite the relentless flu bug that swept our house) was for making jam. So, my little helper and I added sugar to strawberries (or strawberries to sugar--probably an unfortunate/tasty wash) and now we have ourselves a freezer full of this loveliness. You would think that amidst all these amazing berries, one couldn't contain themselves from trying a few. Well not the littlest man in the house--he has the willpower/stubborn will much beyond his years, and I'm pretty sure he still has never even made tongue to strawberry contact. oh well. more for me...

out east

We got home last week from our 10 day adventure to Boston's northshore. Ben was attending a conference and the rest of my family decided to meet us out there (since P & J live out there, too). We spent a week in a house in Rockport reading, sleeping, walking, playing, eating, beaching (really not all that much--the atlantic is a bit chilly in early June) and enjoying the quaintness that is new england. We also had a chance to see some friends that are still in the area -- so hard to believe we've been gone 2 years.

our morning view: I could get used to this...

my dad's first introduction to angry birds.

a trip in to beantown and dinner in the North End

niagara

On our way home from Massachusetts (post forthcoming...eventually) we swung through Canada and took a look at The Falls. Ben had been there briefly in college, but this was Jonah and my first time. Pretty cool--worth the 2 hour break in our drive.