Ho Ho Ho!

What a fun day at the Santa House! Midland has such a great place to visit Santa. It's like a great toy land with a dozen trains going around. There was so much to see, and it even snowed inside.

The Farmer in the Dell

I love playing with my new farm! My friend Mitch gave it to me because he doesn't use it anymore. My favorite part is to play with the windows that open and close. I also like to try and pull the fences off because they make a cool sound when I knock them together. Once in a while I get so into it that I tip over and pull the whole barn over top of me like a blanket. Wanna come over and play farm with me? I also have a farmer and tractor, some sheep, horses, cows and piggies!

Thanksgiving and Beyond

There is so much to be thankful for!

Want to see my impression of a lion?

ROAR!!!

Family Ties

After my "udderly" rediculous Halloween, GramS came for a short visit. Mom and dad needed somebody to help watch her while they went to work...so I volunteered. She seems to be a happy Grammy. She's easily entertained. See that ball in front of her? She turns it on, pushes it around in front of me, and pushes the buttons that make noise. All I have to do is watch.

Then I went to Grams and Gramps Lepard House for my Cousing Greta's baptism. The night before I found a comfortable place on Dad's lap to sit and listen to new stories from the books at Grams and Gramps' house.

My Cuzin' Greta did a great job of getting baptized. She just showed up and everybody was "oooohing" and "aahhhhing". Funny thing though, I think she's intimidated by me because when we get together, she never wants to play. Here's a picture of me whispering in her ear. Man, she didn't like that. I think maybe she's had a traumatic ear event in her lifetime. Oh well, we're still good buds.

Speaking of good buds, check out the rest of my cousins, man we are a good looking group of kids! Jencen and Hayden are my two oldest cousins. They're going to teach me how to play sports. Parker and Madeline are brother and sister. I'm thinking Parker and I will have some fun someday picking on the girl cousins.

Boo! (Or is it Moo?)

Yes, they dressed me up as a cow. Everyone kept telling me that I will someday roll my eyes at my parents for this. I did have so much fun though. In the morning Mom took me to her work to see all the kids dressed up at school on parade. Then we went and handed out all our milk products. We gave Milk Duds to co workers and Milkbones to anyone who had a dog. Then we went to Dad's work and did the same. Why do people pinch my cheeks? After a good afternoon nap and a few visits to the neighbors, we went to Bay City to hand out candy with Uncle Brad and Aunt Kristin. See more fun pictures of us! I can hardly wait to see fun pictures of my lobster cousin, Greta, my fireman cousin, Parker, and my baker cousin, Madeline!

Like Father, Like Son

So Mom found me this shirt that just so happens to match one of Dad's favorites! We were so studly at church today. Now wer're being silly together making funny faces. I love being so silly with Daddy. He sure knows how to make me laugh. Good thing I have a funny streak of my own. Some of my active facial expressions make both Mom and Dad laugh. And Lucy tries to sneak in on all the action too, inching closer and closer until she gets in a good lick. I guess that's what I get since she lets me pull on her ears all the time.

Fall Clean-up Begins

These leaves are so crinkly! I love to watch them fall from the sky and flurry around in the wind. But who knew they'd be so entertaining to sit in too! The weather is getting cooler here, so I get to wear my pumpkin hat more often. I don't really like getting stuffed into my car seat with my coat on though.

Today mom and I went to the play place at the mall to meet some friends. I can't do much more than watch them play, but I'll be able to get around before you know it. Then we went to story time at the library. What fun to see all our buddies today!

We have all sorts of new tricks these days! Sitting up and playing with the stackable toys has become a favorite time of day. We are even working on using a sippy cup and feeding ourselves. They are both a work in progress still, but it's awfully fun to watch all the learning. Sitting up allows for more splashing during bath time. We also like to clank together different toys to see what they sound like. There is more cooing going on as we begin to learn consonant sounds.





Tonight we are going to get our pictures taken because Uncle Brad and Aunt Kristin gave us a gift certificate. Hopefully we are full of smiles tonight. If not, the sad face is still the cutest one ever! Better go have a bath and eat lunch...wait, maybe the other way around.

Pumpkins, Pumpkins, and More Pumpkins!

We found tractors at Johnson's Giant Pumpkin Farm too. We went to visit the farm while Uncle Drew and Aunt Allison were in town. (It was so fun to see them.) We found lots of good pumpkins to hide in. Now the trick is if you can find Macabe amongst all of them. Good luck!

Chicago or Bust!

A day in the city with Mom and Dad. We saw the Sears Tower, Navy Pier, the Magnificent Mile and took naps along the way.












The park at the end of Navy Pier was full of brand new tractor equipment, a sight in the city, but not at home. Everyone thought we were pretty cute.







Millenium Park had the giant bean sculpture. Can you see me in the reflection?






Chicago was a fun trip for the family. Macabe was great at going with the flow. We did have one rough night that he was just a little too confused by the surroundings, but the smiles and laughs made up for all of it. Sunday night we went to Gruncle Ron's and GrAunt Claudia's. We got to see cousins and kids and eat Aurelio's Pizza. It was great to see everyone, and they all make it so easy to stay and feel comfortable. Now we're looking forward to a visit from Uncle Drew and Aunt Allison.

My new favorite activities...

Wahoo! I love to be outdoors and swing on my front porch in the evenings.

Reading time before bed is a definite must. Usually I like to chew on the books.

Who knew it! Cereal isn't all that bad when I'm hungry enough.

And of course, you can't forget my very favorite....walks in the backpack with Lucy.

A Month with Cousins

Meeting new cousin Greta







Hugs from Madeline on the 4th of July

June at Our House

Planting Day at the Scholtens' House






Loons Baseball Game




Fathers' Day

Summer Fun

Okay, so the helmet is a little big yet, but we strap the carseat in and away we go. everyone loves their bikeride. We take our bikes to the Nature Center, ride the trails to downtown and grab some dinner at Pizza Sams maybe. It's good family time.

We are getting ready to see great fireworks in Bay City on July 3rd with Uncle Brad and Aunt Kristin. Then we will head to Grand Haven on the 4th to go swimming and see grandparents, aunts and uncles. Maybe Aunt Hannah and Uncle Craig will have their baby! That would be so fun. We can't wait to meet her. Friends Rob and Toni will be joining us for a few days in GH, and it should be a good time for all!

See you soon!!!

A Week of Firsts

Swimming in the pool, a horse carriage ride around Charleston, the beach and ocean...so many firsts this week. The favorite is swimming in the pool. Those legs are kicking all the time, watching the water wiggle. The week in South Carolina was a good one. Everyone had a great time and Dad and I got some good bonding time. So much has changed these past two or so weeks. I am full of smiles and giggles and am chatting up a storm.

Tummy time in the condo was as fun as ever, though there wasn't much of it. There were plenty of good people to hold me. As it turns out, I am a good traveler. I like to visit new places, and Mom and Dad say if they're desperate, they'll get on an airplane to help me fall asleep, though a little pricey. Back at home now, Mom and I are braving our first over night, just the two of us, as Dad has had to go away for work. So far we're having a great day together. We miss you, Dad!

Preparation Day

Today we are running around the house trying to get ready for our very first airplane ride. We are going to South Carolina for the wedding and then to sit on the beach with my new shades from Gramma and Gramps Lepard. Gramma says the girl babies are going to swoon over me.

We all wonder how that first airplane ride will be.

Today I am not napping very well again, just 30 minutes here and there. And when I awake...not happy. Why do kiddos fight their nap when they are tired? I am full of smiles if I am able to pull off a longer nap. How can we make those longer naps a common thing? Hopefully time will tell.

See you in the Carolinas!

Sweet Dreams for a Sweet Face

Monday night we all slept through the night! He ate at 11pm and didn't wake up until 7am. What a guy!

As for the baseball game...Burrr! Mom got too cold and we had to leave. We'll try again soon. And we forgot to bring the camera. Macabe was looking mighty fine in his baseball outfit though.

Yesterday Macabe and Dad had lunch together while Mom had a meeting. Then Mom and Macabe met some other mms and babies down by the Spraypark. It was a fun day for all.

Caught on Tape!

The boy does smile and coo and sleep! What a difference. He is seemingly feeling much better with his new medicine for acid relux. I hope it lasts. Oh, the fun we have together now! I told the Dr. on Monday that I had two very differnt children who were trapped in the same body...I am thinking we may have found our true little guy again. Mom and Dad even left the house to socialize with others last night during the evening hours. He slept most of the time, instead of purple faced crying...for everyone (see last weeks' Friday night post!). We are feeling cautiously optimistic, but certainly enjoying our fun right now. Tonight we are going to try a Loons baseball game in the evening with Uncle brad and Aunt Kristin. We've got the baseball outfit all laid out. We'll be sure to bring the camera.

Friday Night Lights (out)

Friday Night...Little Macabe is trying to decide if he's hungry, hurting, or happy. Mom is still trying to understand "why" the little man fusses. Dad is trying to decide who needs him more. Finally...Rest for all....Dad decides to start a blog....why not.