Playtime

Natalie watches everything that Nathan does, so naturally she has made it a priority to learn how to play with cars--I love that she even mimics the engine noises that Nathan makes.




I got myself a new toy to use on travel season this year--an iPad!  It's the cheapest one out there, but it's still pretty sweet.  There is a certain preschooler who has decided that it's a pretty fun tool for him as well.  Nathan of course was almost instantly comfortable with the technology and loves to play games and look for more in the app store, tapping and swiping away like a pro.  Crazy!

Backyard Fun

Last weekend we spent Sunday afternoon playing in the yard.  Todd mowed the lawn, which meant Natalie got her first tractor ride!  She loved it, of course.  Early fall in Michigan is almost magical--everything is still green but the temperature is perfect and there are no bugs!

Nathan's Tree, Year 4

 Both Nathan and his tree have had a growth spurt this summer!  Nathan has gotten tall and skinny; he's officially lost his toddler pot belly and looks like a KID now.  His tree has had the opposite growth spurt.  It's gone from skinny and scraggly to full and dense without much upward growth.  Perhaps next year it will produce the mulberries that Todd remembers eating from the neighbors' tree when he was growing up. 

Year One: Both just little babies

 

Year Two: So busy!

 

 Year Three: Talking nonstop

 Year Four: Apparently when Nathan wears this outfit, I am inspired to do tree pictures! Same shirt, different shorts.  Such a sweet, funny, stubborn, loving kid!

Labor Day Weekend 2012

As per usual, we spent labor day weekend in Northport. There are often years when we spend the first weekend in September in sweatshirts and jeans.  This year the weather was perfect for one last summer hurrah at the bay.   This summer I backed off from taking so many pictures (believe it or not) and so many posed pictures.  This has allowed me a little more freedom and a lighter purse, but I am missing out on some of the group shots that I love to have to mark every year, so I think I will try to be a little more involved with the picture taking, without getting too carried away.

Somehow, even by dialing back significantly I still took a TON of photos!!  Here are some snapshots of our holiday weekend.

I couldn't get one where both Natalie and Brynn were looking at the camera, but neither of them are crying (ahem, Natalie) so that's progress!

Beautiful Brynn

Handsome.

Natalie decided that the bay was a little too chilly for her liking.

Me and my sweet Nay

I love this photo of Todd and Beanie.  They look alike, and I love how relaxed and snuggly Talie is with her Da.

Dan and Brynn

Miles and Nathan spent an entire evening driving these cars in the dirt.  They were covered in dirt from head to toe, but they had a blast!

On Sunday, Ryan and Anne hosted us at their new home in Leland.  It is such a beautiful spot, and all three McMorrows seem to be adjusting beautifully and happily to their new home town.  They cooked up some delicious food, and we all relaxed and chatted while the kids ran around in the backyard.

Baby Zalina--she is such a social little thing, all over the party making friends.  Such a cutie!

Nathan, Miles and George were so funny, running around in a little pack and involved in a series of projects. Even though I took about a thousand photos, I was unable to get one where all three of them were looking at the camera!

Natalie napping at the beach.  Doesn't that look like a delightful way to spend the afternoon? She is so sweet.