Ethan and Norah

Chiara, James, Norah, and Luca came for a visit this weekend.  It was great to see them!  Ethan had fun showing Norah some of his favorite Art Prize entries.  Here they are by the hands at the Ford Museum.  

Ethan and Norah by the fountain at the Ford Museum- this is what I get when I ask them to smile!

Lucy Last Night

Wild Hair! Her hair is in that stage where it's not quite long enough to do anything to except clip it back. 

Mohawk Hair!

Exploring Art Prize

Ethan, Lucia and I went down to Art Prize last week with Cecca and Jarrod.  Luica loved this big beach ball, I don't think Ethan knew what to think. 

I thought this was a fun idea, I want the pan in the shape of MI!

Ethan actually smiling for a picture!

Cecca and Ethan explore the forest of Encyclopedia pages. 

This piece was interesting, but the magnifying glasses would spin and move slowly- it kind of gave me a headache. 

On Saturday the kids and I went downtown with Nonna and Bree.  The piece behind the gang is in the top 10.  

Ethan and Bree posing by the hands at the Ford Museum.  

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!