Friday, June 3, 2011

an update. finally.

I'm here...the delinquent blogger. I'd make some sort of I promise that this type of break won't happen again but it probably will. so, sorry.

But right now I'm soaking in one of the best spring/summer nights yet-- with this as my view.

iced coffee, blog/photo editing, a studious husband with a brand new book (shocker), my screened in porch, and the sound of motorcycles going way too fast and kids up way too late. ahhhhhh. summer. (in fact, ben just looked up at me and said this is livin'. and totally meant it--and if you know him, you're not surprised:))

today we yardworked. In other words, ben's list got check marks and mine really didn't...except 'dinner' (more on that in a few). But it was productive, and fun, and time well spent. and our generous neighbor let us borrow his pick-up so we could bring a couple loads to the dump--which, of course, made this kiddo's day.



Jonah and I just returned from a great couple days in Iowa celebrating my little brother's high school graduation (cue I remember when he was born?!, when he graduated from kindergarten!, when I knocked his front teeth out!---well, kind of. by accident obviously). We also drug along my sister in law, Jess, who bravely trekked the 12+ hour drive and was awesome company (we're meeting my family in boston in a week and a half, so Ben really didn't think he could swing this trip too...). Lots of people coming and going at my parents' meant that Jonah's most used words were definitely "blankie" (a recent word, but a long standing source of companionship and security) and "mama" (which up until this trip, he could say but just decided he wouldn't). But now we're home, and the little man could not be more ec.stat.ic to see his beloved "DA!!!"

Daniel is headed off to an awesome university next year where I have no doubt he will have a ton of fun learn a lot (don't worry, Dad). Congrats, Dan!

(I didn't take many pics, but here are a couple).


(mind you, I am 5'9. and wearing heels...?! Either I'm slouching, or the rest of my siblings are just that tall. I mean, if ya ain't dutch, ya ain't much!)




While we were away, Ben's dad had quite the successful adventure on Lake Michigan.


Which has given us a freezer stocked with amazing salmon and a belly full of this.


ahhhhhhh. summer.

Monday, May 16, 2011

troops 11

'Twas the annual girls weekend at the lake--and it was wonderful. It rained non-stop (slight disappointment) but we managed the fill our time with food, movie, game, and a whole lot of conversation. Of course, it was way too short--but we all made it (5 years in a row!) and that, in itself, is always a feat. Here are a couple pictures from the weekend...actually almost the only pictures from the weekend. It wasn't a particularly photogenic time :) (except for the little ones...they were cute the whole time).


Taylor roomies

Round 2!

the newest mamas and their babes (lucy and rudy)

the whole group (minus graham and jonah--they're at a 'not so relaxing' age)




Tuesday, May 10, 2011

18 months {kinda}


I'm a little late on getting these pictures taken but 18 and 1/2 months just didn't sound quite right. We took a little trip to the park (a favorite place these days). Getting him to sit still was...difficult (we have alot of blurry pictures). Getting him to sit still, look at the camera, and smile? impossible. So here's what we came home with...









(this is the point that a little boy showed up with some new wheels. I call this one "bike envy".)












these days...

have been fun. I'm finally feeling better (so happy to be well into trimester 2), the sun has been shining, and we have a little man that continues to keep us laughing. Much time has been spent


hanging out with daddy any. chance. we. can.

eating our (very few) favorite foods


saying 'cheese' everytime we see a camera


showing our muscles

and wearing our John Deere hat (because we really think we look pretty awesome).







Sunday, May 1, 2011

easter recap

Soooo...I'm not the most punctual blogger. But, better late than never? Here are some gems from our Easter celebrations.


Jonah can get away with about anything with Grandma...even daffodil picking.







his new favorite face. say something he likes? you get this:




The day after Easter we celebrated Grandpa's birthday. Pretty sure Jonah thought it was for him.

oh, and his new favorite thing? mud.