Anniversary Celebration

Saturday was our sixth wedding anniversary, and we went out for a really nice evening in downtown Kalamazoo to celebrate. We started out with a drink and appetizer on the patio of The Wine Loft, took a walk around the pedestrian mall, and then had a great dinner at Aries London Grill Singapore. I am so incredibly lucky to be married to Todd; he's my soulmate!

Backyard fun

Yesterday was a perfectly beautiful Michigan spring day, and we spent almost all of it playing outside. We took our first trip of the year to the farmers' market. It's still early in the growing season, so there wasn't a ton of produce available, but it was great to be out and about with so many people in the community. Then we stopped and played at the Kazoo School playground, which is at the top of Cherry Street, and where both Todd and Nancy spent many childhood hours playing. Nathan wandered all over the place, checking out the "sides" and playing in the sandbox.

We headed home for lunch and a nap, and then N and I played in the backyard while Todd mowed the lawn. Watching Dada go by on the tractor was a source of endless entertainment. Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Dan came over in the late afternoon to babysit while Todd and I went out to celebrate our anniversary, and arrived with an awesome toy for Nathan--a sand and water table! He quickly went to work combining the sand and water into a big sloppy mess--little boy heaven! I think this is going to provide hours of fun this summer!

Garden update

I finally had the chance to do some planting and mulching this week. I really love working in the garden--it's almost meditative, and the results are lovely, if I do say so myself.

I'm trying out some new stuff in my deck boxes this year--dahlia and lobelia. I can't wait until they bloom, and hopefully they'll do well in the containers.

Newly mulched, and includes some new plants from Mom and Dad's garden--thank you!!

The clematis vine is in full bloom right now.

School Pictures

Nathan had his first school pictures taken a few weeks ago! I think it is both hilarious and brave of the photo company to try and get an army of toddlers to pose for school photos. My only regret is that they didn't do a class photo--that would have been priceless! :) What do you think, quite the looker, eh?

Bubbles and Weeds!

Nathan gets more and more interactive every day, trying to do the things he watches us do all the time. Here are two videos from last week of our busy boy:

Meeting Cooper

Our good friends Hillary and Jeff adopted a Basset Hound named Cooper 3 weeks ago. He is 4.5 years old, and a real sweetheart. This afternoon Todd, Nathan and I headed up to Byron Center to meet Cooper and have a cookout with Hill and Jeff. Cooper was immediately enamored with Nathan, as they are the same height and Nathan is often trailing Teddy Grahams behind him wherever he goes. N was simultaneously delighted and a little nervous with all the attention from Cooper. He is used to Deuce, who pretty much avoids him at all costs. :)

We took a walk through the neighborhood and then had some beer, chips and guacamole on the driveway. It was a perfect, sunny day. After we ate dinner we headed in to downtown Byron Center to get some ice cream from the local joint--Houseman's. So yummy, and definitely capped off the day with a summery feel.

Cooper!

The Teagues

Nathan coming to ask Cooper why he's taking some of the camera's attention away from him!

Nathan and Daddy doing a little driveway tailgating.

Long day!

Outback Project

Todd finished up his latest car project today--a 1997 Subaru Outback. He installed an engine, transmission and clutch (all of which required a myriad of detailed projects) along with some other regular maintenance and a good bath and buffing. The car already has an owner, so it will be going to its new home soon! It looks pretty darn good if you ask me, and it runs like a dream!

Bag boy

Nathan has a bad case of diaper rash at the moment, so I let him wander around the house sans diaper for quite awhile this morning. Among his many activities he decided to dig his bag out of the closet and carry it around the house. Something about my little half-naked boy dragging around a bag that's just as big as he is just cracked me up!

Mothers Day 2010

On Mothers Day we continued our annual tradition of hosting both sets of parents for brunch. I made mimosas and Todd made fresh fruit salad and french toast. Mmmm! Nathan was completely wound up and ecstatic about the fact that all of his grandmas and grandpas were there!

Grandma Nancy and Nathan

Dad and Mom

Todd working his magic in the kitchen.

The Mothers Day present that Nathan made for me at daycare. He's so talented! :)

Reading a book with Grandpa John.

Showing Grandma Gail how his truck works.

My second Mothers Day!

Hug attack!!!!

Happy Birthday Todd!

My sweet husband turned 32 on May 6th. On the evening of May 5th, his parents and grandparents came over to celebrate with a steak dinner and yummy cake. Entertaining at home is a great way for us to maintain the parenting and socializing balance, as Nathan can join in the party until bedtime, and then we are able to hang out with the grown-ups after he goes to bed. Plus, having people over is great incentive to clean up the clutter around the house! :)

Grandma Great showing Nathan the game that she brought for him--it plays a song and shoots little plastic balls all over the living room. He loves it!




Dinner time!


The very yummy birthday cake from local bakery Confection.



Nathan was a big fan of both the strawberries and the cake.


Firing up his new buffer.


Nancy and Dan


Basil and Florence