Please don't send us away!

Lucia and I went over to Nick and Sunny's last night- they both climbed into this box and then gave the most serious of expressions! 

Ivana's 1st Birthday

The birthday girl enjoying her new lounge chair. 

Lucia had a lot of fun at the party- enjoying the kid sized furniture!

Ethan enjoying a moment with his new cousin Freida- at the party he was telling people that his mommy has a baby in her tummy too!  Not true!

Miss Freida

Nick and Sunny welcomed another daughter a few weeks back.  Welcome little Miss Freida- you sure are cute!

 

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum (and Bruce Springsteen too)

A few weeks ago Jim and I (along with Cecca and Jarrod and a few of their friends) headed to D-town to witness greatness- in the form of the Boss.  On the way there we stopped in Okemos at the Travelers Club and Tuba Museum for lunch (really good food if you are ever in that area).  After lunch we continued our trip east and stopped in Farmington Hills at Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum.  I wasn't sure what to expect- but it was pretty awesome.  The guy who owns it has collected different games from around the world- and the majority of them still work.  I heard he has been in the same location for 40 years or so- which is funny because now the museum is surrounded by Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, Buy Buy Baby, etc.  If you are ever in the Farmington Hills area- I would recommend checking this place out. 

There are some pretty interesting pieces inside. 

Jim testing his pain tolerance.

Jarrod practicing his dance moves before the concert. 

"Ucia"

 

Lucia- or "Ucia" as she refers to herself- enjoying some dinner the other night.  I love how she stuck the spoon in her mouth so she could use her hands to get those final bits. 

Spidey!

 

Ethan has been wearing his Spiderman costume around quite a bit- it was great watching him try to ride his bike with the mask on!

Aman Park

Last weekend, Jim and I took the kids (and Zero) to Aman Park.  Aman Park is my favorite park in Kent County- probably because I grew up going there all the time for nature walks. 

Ethan is a great walker and loves exploring. 

The Trillium were out in full force- they sure are pretty! 

Lucia did very well walking too- towards the end she would stop and sit down and ask whine "carry you?" until one of us picked her up.  As soon as we would pick her up, she would start whining again saying "walk around"- we can't win with this girl!

Lucia trying to navigate an obstacle- Ethan was quick to help. 

In no particular order . . .

Ethan and Lucia love Meijer Gardens- in fact- when we pull in, Lucia starts yelling "Meijer Gardens!" over and over.  Oma and Grandpa have a membership and they will often times take the kids. 

During a spell of hot March weather- Meijer Gardens opened up the water area in the Children's garden- Ethan and Lucia had a blast playing with the boats and things. 

Norah and Luca stayed with us while Chiara and James went up North a few weeks ago.  Cecca and Jarrod took Ethan and Norah to Saugatuck one afternoon.  They had fun exploring the dunes and collecting stuff "treasures" from the beach.

Ethan did a good job coloring Easter eggs this year.

This is kind of blurry- but Oma and I took the kids to Meijer Gardens during their visit.  It sure was pretty busy watching two extra kids!

Where Cecca and Jarrod work

Jim recently had a Reuben sandwich from Founders and he could not stop thinking (or talking) about how good it was.  So, a few weeks ago, we packed up the kids and went down there for lunch.  Ethan was excited to see where Cecca and Jarrod work.  Jim was very excited to eat another Founders Reuben.

Cecca was brave enough to take Ethan behind the bar with her.  While he was back there we heard a big crash- Cecca assured us it was her fault!  She also took Ethan back to see the big cooler which he described as "awesome."

Who's that sneaking in the picture?  That's Jarrod! (every time I think the words- that's Jarrod- I get the Jarrod- Galleria of Jewelry theme in my head- now you will too!)