Evening Stroll

Jim, Ethan, Lucia and I took a nice walk downtown to look some more Art Prize.  I really wanted to see the monkeys on the blue bridge, so we walked around the Public Museum and across that bridge.  Here's Ethan standing under a neat dog made out of tree trunks and car parts.  

I really liked this sculpture- "Portal" by Christopher Weed.  

This big blue chair was also part of "Portal".  Ethan and Lucia try it out for size.  

The monkeys on the blue bridge.  They were pretty cool!  Ethan was a little scared so Jim had to carry him across most of the bridge.  

Art Prize with the Grandmas

While we were busy painting our garage, Oma, Nonna, and Grandma Jeri took Ethan, Lucia, and Bree to Art Prize.  

Ethan (mouth agape) and Bree watching the puppet show at Art Prize

Garage Painting Party

This past weekend we invited both sides of our families to come help us (Jim and I) paint our garage.  It has been six years since I painted my house with the intention of painting the garage- we figured it was about time to get this done.  Vince(my dad), Dave (Jim's dad), and Dan (Jim's brother) answered our call for help.  Thanks so much guys!

Here's Jim and Dad working on priming the garage (I helped too- even though there is no proof!)

Jim in the very narrow space between our garage and our neighbor's garage. 

Dan brought his awesome paint sprayer over- Vinnie and Dave read up on how to run the darn thing. 

Dan spraying away- once the garage was scraped and primed, Dan put the final coat(s) of paint on with his sprayer- he probably spent 45min-1hour spraying the entire garage- what a time saver!

Before Art Prize

Nonna, Ethan, Lucia, and I went downtown last week Tuesday before the official start of Art Prize.  Some of the artist had already started putting up their pieces and we did not have to struggle with the crowds. It was a great day. 

Ethan acting somewhat cute in the birch trees.  I'm surprised he gave me a decent smile in this one- lately he will usually look away from the camera- or not smile- see next photo.  

The photo on the left is the face I usually get when I ask him to take a picture.  Luckily, there were some very nice ladies standing near by and they started to tease him a little- begging him to smile- so he finally gave them a nice smile (photo on right).  

The Great Pie Debate 2011

Nick and Sunny hosted a pie contest this weekend.  I made my first pie ever- and it turned out pretty good!  Here's Lucia in her cute party dress. 

My sister-in-law Sunny is very organized- she had fun carnival games at the Pie Party.  Ethan had fun playing and picking out prizes!

The Judges Table- Uncle Dave was lucky enough to be selected as one of the judges!

Hey- this pie looks pretty good- I wonder who made this awesome thing- that's right- I did!  I decided on a Peach Pie for the contest because peaches are in season.  This was my first ever attempt at an actual pie where I make the pie crust and everything!  It turned out pretty darn good if I don't say so myself!

And look- the Judges really seem to be enjoying my pie- don't they?  At least Uncle Dave!  But alas- it wasn't in the cards for my pie to win this year- or make it to the top three even!  I guess there is always next year!

Here's the winning pie- a tropical treat created by Jeri- Congrats Jeri!

During the pie judging, the kids made up their own entertainment- it was hilarious watching them all work together and lift up whoever was riding in the sled!  It was pretty cute. 

Lucia saw mamma painting her toenails for the party and wanted hers done too- what cute little piggies she has!

Lucia loves balloons- or any type of ball really.  She got a kick out of these yesterday- repeating over and over: "ba, ba, ba"  while pointing at them.

Ava and Lucia

Lucia and her cousin Ava

Breaded Chicken Breast?

Nope!  Just Lucia's lovely plump thigh covered in sand!  See bottom picture if you don't believe it!

Cecca thought that these fat little sand covered legs looked like breaded chicken- before cooking of course!  I thought that was hilarious! 

One Last Beach Day

On Thursday I took the kids to Hoffmaster with Cecca and Jarrod.  It was a hot, beautiful day.  The Lake was perfect- no gross seaweed and very calm.  Lucia and so much fun walking/crawling in the sand.  Ethan had a blast making sand castles with Jarrod and taking a walk with Cecca.  It really was a great day!

Lucia, Ethan, and Jarrod building stuff in the sand.

Lucia enjoying the beach!  She was loving the sand!

Crazy Hair Day

Lucia has been having some pretty wild hair lately!  I went to get some barrettes for her and was standing in the aisle at Target looking at two different sized barrette packages having a hard time deciding on if I should get the really small barrettes or the next size up.  I didn't have Lucia and her big head with me, so I settled on the small barrettes.  When I got home and looked at her head, I knew I had made a mistake- I should have gotten the bigger ones!

Lake Michigan

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Jim and Ethan went camping at Hoffmaster last weekend with Jim's side of the family.  I stayed home with Lucia, but went out on Saturday and we all went to the beach.  It was a lovely day- the lake was pretty calm when we got there, but as the afternoon went on the wind and waves increased quite a bit!

Mamma and Lucia.  

Jim (3rd from L) and his siblings- Dan, Kerri, and Mark.  Mark has pretty fair skin and was trying to stay covered up as much as possible!

Norah and Nonna joined us at the beach.  It was a great day- I love Lake Michigan!

End of Summer Fun

Grandpa, Oma, and Lucia enjoying a nice summer evening.  

Lucia still loves being tossed up in the air by daddy!

We had a pack of sparklers left over from the 4th- Ethan was a bit nervous holding it. 

Cecca and Ivana enjoying a nice evening.