Thursday, August 23, 2012

Eleven Months Old!

On Monday Natalie turned 11 months old.  She has really started to become more communicative in the last few weeks.  She points at things a lot, and her babbles have started mimicking the cadence of conversation.  She will also point to nose and eyes, either on us or on one of her dolls.  She is pulling up on everything, regardless of how sturdy it is, and has started getting into every nook and cranny that catches her eye.  Just in the last few days Natalie has started experimenting with standing without holding on to anything, as she has  decided that she wants to do things with both hands while standing up.  So far she only lasts for a second or two before falling down, but it won't be long before she's off and running!

Natalie started swim class and loves it!  Her favorite part is splashing the water when we sing "The horn on the bus goes BEEP, BEEP, BEEP."  She loves the bath too, although she is increasingly resistant to the concept that she can't pull up to a stand on the edge of the tub.  She says lots of Da da da, Ma ma ma and we're pretty sure that she knows who is who!  And she definitely knows who Nathan/Brother is!  She will point to things she finds interesting and show us the toy/cracker/cup she's holding if she thinks it's impressive. Such a little personality!

Natalie's becoming pretty darn spunky and mischievous.  She has a scrunchy face that she makes when she's annoyed or frustrated that you've taken something (like dirty laundry or the remote control) away from her, or when she can't reach something she wants.  If you tell her "no, no, Natalie" she'll give you the scrunchy face and produce a fake cry!  I'll often catch her reaching for something she knows she's not supposed to have while watching to see if I notice.  Stinker!!

She loves music, loves snuggling, and still loves nursing.  I love her.




"Mamamamamamama!"

This is her mischief making face!





Scrunchy face!


Showing off her four teeth!





Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Ribfest

The first weekend in August is one of my favorite weekends in Kalamazoo--Ribfest!  It has become something of an annual tradition to meet Hillary and Jeff there for an early dinner on Saturday afternoon.  This way we avoid the cover charge that starts at 4:00 and the kiddos are in good moods.  Lara and Ted have also been joining in on the fun for the last two years.

This year's weather was hot and muggy, but we didn't let that stop us!  We decided to eat some Texas brisket from Cowboy's BBQ, and it didn't disappoint!  Graham was very intrigued by what Nathan was doing, and Natalie was very intrigued by what Graham was doing, which was pretty darn cute!

Graham 

Apparently the stroller makes an excellent race track for matchbox cars.

Lara and Ted.  Lara has completely charmed both Nathan and Graham--good thing Ted married her before N or G could make their move! :)



Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Happy Birthday, Dan!

On Sunday we headed over to Dan and Nancy's house to celebrate Dan's 60th birthday.  It was another beautiful Michigan summer day, so we relaxed out on the deck.  Nancy grilled some delicious steak and shrimp kabobs, and Stuart and Erin came into town from Detroit.  It is so awesome to be able to celebrate family milestones together.  
Aunt Erin and her favorite niece. :)

Father and son



Nathan and Stu had fun playing T-ball in the yard.  Somehow it resulted in Nathan doing a lot more running than Stu. :)




I love this photo and the people in it.




Summer Gathering

On Saturday Lindsey, Mike and their kids Austin and Addison were coming into Kalamazoo for the night.  I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to gather my local friends together.  I also sweet talked Annalee and Dan into driving over from Ann Arbor.  The weather was absolutely perfect, and we all hung out in the back yard and let the kids run around like maniacs!  It is really kind of crazy what a population explosion this group has experienced in the last few years!  There were ten adults and ten kids--wild!  It was so much fun to see everyone playing together, and enjoying the swingset, sandbox, and of course the new dune racer.  

As is my hosting habit, we had a potluck.  We provided grilled goodies and booze, and everyone else pitched in with a side dish or dessert.  It takes so much stress out of having a party when I just have to operate the grill!  Of course, it also helps that I only invite people over who are super good friends and who are not expecting a perfectly hosted Better Homes and Gardens event! :)

This month has provided so many opportunities for me to spend time with my dear friends.  I am so blessed to know so many amazing people, and to get to share my life with them, and to see our kids play together.  It's overwhelming to think that if I hadn't chosen to attend Kalamazoo College, I never would have made such enduring connections with these incredible people.  I still keep in touch with a few close friends from high school, but my closest group of friends were my classmates and are my current colleagues at K. Ok, enough mushy emotional stuff... let's get to the photos! :)

Miles and Nathan were completely obsessed with the dune racer!  They drove it until the battery died!

Brynn is getting so big! She is such a sweet, chatty little baby.

Mommy's so funny!

Best buddies

Off-roading has its hazards.

Nathan let Miles into the drivers seat, but he maintained control of the gas pedal. haha

Miles was a little crazy behind the wheel--not so much into the concept of watching where he was going, so Dan had to supervise. :)

Sweet baby girls!


Apparently we are destined to get lots of photos where Brynn is smiling sweetly and Natalie is crying!



As soon as the boys abandoned the new car, Natalie made a beeline for it to check it out for herself.

Battery dying? No worries, when you're Hannah, you have a willing helper to provide some power!


Fun in the sandbox

Patti with Teah and Carter.

Becky and Hannah

Leah! I love this girl! :)

I love this photo!

Mike, Dan and Robert getting caught up.

I love that Andy and Natalie are deep in conversation!

Should I be concerned that Natalie loves to teethe on an empty beer bottle???

It's so awesome to see so many kids enjoying our backyard!