Monday, April 21, 2014

Celebrating Early

It has been almost two months since I have written a blog post. I spent most of March without a camera. It was actually nice. It gave me some time to be away and I came back with some new perspectives. I usually find if I am in a rut that helps. My camera was actually replaced and upgraded. So I now am sporting a brand new camera. While it is the exact same model as my old a few changes have been made. One, is the color. My last camera pulled a lot of green and I had a good workflow to fix it. Now, my colors are great so working out a workflow is where I am. Either way it has been a good month away. 


A couple weeks ago, we headed to Grand Rapids for the day to go to the museum with the kids. There was a Dinosaur exhibit at the museum. They were so excited. Anthony and I also were going to stay on the West Side at the Lake Michigan shore for the night as the kids were staying with Grandma.

We began our day. It was beautiful. After the long winter we had, I think when it is above 50 it feels amazing. It was bright and sunny. We had to park a little way away from the museum. We should have known it was going to be busy thanks to Spring Break.  We took our walk from the parking garage to the museum and enjoyed downtown Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, is a very beautiful city. The river runs right through it. I believe it was actually rated the 2nd Best City in the U.S. to raise a family. 




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The waiting begins.......


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Unfortunately since it was spring break and the dinosaur exhibit is about to be done, the line was very long. I didn't realize it would be that long. In fairness to my kids they did great. We waited at least an hour maybe a little longer to get in. Poor Ari had not taken a very long nap and he did well until it was time for us to pay. At that point he had had it and had a bit of a meltdown. Either way I can't complain if it took an hour to get to that point.

Part of the Berlin Wall......




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The museum was really neat. I think next time we go they all need to be a bit older and we will spend more time. It was really fun though.



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They loved the dinosaur exhibit. 


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The Museum also has an old wooden carousal. Well of course, we had to take a ride.....


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By this point the kids were tired and it was time to head back. They loved walking back over the bridge. For some reason the bridge over the water was a huge hit with them. 


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We met Anthony's mom and dropped the kids there. They loved seeing where Grandma works and getting to go home with her.

Then Anthony and I had a wonderful night alone. We did it to celebrate my birthday early. We love staying at B&B's. There is a great little town that has several. We decided to try a new one. I really liked it. Each B&B has had great things I have loved. This particular one had bikes we could use. We enjoyed a walk at the beach and watching the sun set. It was such a beautiful day. Believe it or not it was 70 degrees and there was still ice on the Lake. If you look in the pictures you can see it. We won't mention the fact that Anthony thought he could walk on them and be careful. Needless to say he ended up with wet pants and shoes.

Either way it was a wonderful evening. The sunset was beautiful too!! 


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This is the South Haven lighthouse which is actually spectacular in the Winter. I have seen some wonderful winter photos of ice hanging from it.


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Saturday we got up ate and then went for a bike ride all around the town. It was a lot of fun. 


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And because Anthony told me I couldn't take a picture and ride............


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....I proved him wrong.

All in all it was a great weekend. It felt good to get away and have some down time to recharge. 

Monday, March 17, 2014

Celebrating 5

This post has been a long time coming. Shortly before Eli's birthday I knew I would have to be sending my camera back to Nikon for the supposed "fix" they did last time. Sunday after he was in bed and his birthday was over, I downloaded photos and video and prepared my camera to be packed up to head to UPS. 

In that time Anthony has been working nights which makes things really weird around here, been out of town, and I have spent my extra time emailing Nikon. My camera returns today thankfully. Supposedly it is fixed. We will see. This week I finally had time to put this together. Once again, excuse the videoing. I am learning. These ones are a little better so that is good. I will keep practicing. Eli really has enjoyed watching while I make it. He keeps asking me to play it. Enjoy...........






Monday, March 3, 2014

5 year Photos

I am a bit late on getting Eli's photos posted for 5 years! I can't he is 5! This is the hardest birthday yet. 

Here are his interview questions from years past....

Three Years Old


1. What is your favorite color?  Red 
2. What is your favorite toy? Smart Cycle
3. What is your favorite fruit? apples
4. What is your favorite tv show? Mickey Mouse
 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? 
Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? 
Dinousaur Pajamas
7. What is your favorite game? Farm Bingo
8. What is your favorite snack? 
Applesauce
9. What is your favorite animal? 
Pig
10. What is your favorite song? 
Jesus Loves Me
11. What is your favorite book? George and The Dump Truck
12. Who is your best friend? 
Hayden
13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Raisin Bran
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? 
Tractor 
15. What is your favorite drink? 
milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? 
His Birthday
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
Blue Blanket
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? 
Oatmeal
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Pancakes
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A conductor


4 Years Old



1. What is your favorite color?  blue
2. What is your favorite toy? firetruck
3. What is your favorite fruit? grapes
4. What is your favorite tv show? Little Einsteins
 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? 
Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? 
Spiderman
7. What is your favorite game? Marbles
8. What is your favorite snack? 
Watermelon
9. What is your favorite animal? 
Elephant
10. What is your favorite song? 
Veggie Tales Theme Song
11. What is your favorite book? Train
12. Who is your best friend? 
Colin
13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Raisin Bran
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? 
Sandbox
15. What is your favorite drink? 
lemonade
16. What is your favorite holiday? 
Halloween
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
Blue Blanket
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? 
Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? 
Pancakes
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Dog



5 Years Old

1. What is your favorite color?  blue
2. What is your favorite toy? play-doh
3. What is your favorite fruit? blueberries & grapes
4. What is your favorite tv show? Sid the Science Kid
 
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? 
Peanut and Jelly Sandwhich
6. What is your favorite outfit? 
Robot Shirt and Jeans
7. What is your favorite game? Hungry Hungry Hippos
8. What is your favorite snack? 
yogurt
9. What is your favorite animal? 
Elephant &Dinosaurs
10. What is your favorite song? 
Veggie Tales Theme Song
11. What is your favorite book? Dinosaur Book 
12. Who is your best friend? 
Hayden
13. What is your favorite cereal? 
Cinnamon Chex
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? 
Sandbox and Play in the Snow
15. What is your favorite drink? 
Almond Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday? 
Christmas
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? 
Blue Blanket, Dinosaur, Dog
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Homemade Gluten Free 
Blueberry Pancakes
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? 
Pizza
20. What do you want to be when you grow up? Construction Worker





My Dear Eli,

You are 5!! You are excited about being five. It is cute. You make sure we know you are big now and not little You can't wait to be big. I think that is a normal kid thing when you realize big means you can do more. I am sure like every parent I wish you would realize how fun just being little is. It is so much more care free and easier. Regardless, now you are "bigger."

As I took the time to look through your birth photos again to pull a couple for this post it was hard. I forgot how much emotion was still in those for me. The biggest part is I can't remember half of what happened or how you looked when first born due to all the medicine I was on.  I just remember daddy telling me all sorts of things. I had such a difficult time even looking at you because I could barely move. I am so thankful I have the few pictures that I do so I can see.  I do remember one thing. You had LONG eyelashes. That has never changed. You were born with them too. Your brother and sister have long eyelashes, but not when they were born. They took a while to grow in. You were blessed with them from birth. You were also so tiny. I remember that. You nursed a lot too. That is about all I remember. Looking at these pictures though, you were cute as could be with your squishy lips and button nose.


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Now you have grown it a handsome young boy. I am so proud of you. You are the best big brother. You take care of your siblings so well and love them so much even when they frustrate you. Even when you love to antagonize everybody you are still cute. That is your favorite thing to do even to your poor mom. Daddy and I have just realized it is you. Thankfully you are getting better about knowing when to stop. We couldn't be proud of you and are so grateful we have had 5 years with you. Happy Birthday Sweet Boy! 

Love, 
Mom 


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