Black-Eyed Susans

My tender, flowerchild boy

The Fun Blue Playground

We're motivated to find every park within a mile of our current house - and continue to be surprised by finding yet another one. We recently ran into an old friend from high school who lives nearby with his wife and small child(ren), and he gave us a tip about one we hadn't found yet. Most of the equipment in the toddler section is blue, so Simon calls it the "fun blue playground." We have to agree.

Chimes that make music when you rattle them were a big hit

Yelling in tunnels is SO fun - because it's like yelling inside (which he's not allowed to do) but it's outside! (where he IS allowed to yell)

Anson & I had a grand ol' time watching the older boys play (Simon & Daddy)

Simon loved driving the zoomy car

Hasta Luego, Tia

Tia Melissa left for Spain for the next 11 months. I think I've mentioned before that she's a Spanish teacher and lover of all things Spain...but that's not all. She's also pursuing her Masters and is spending this year of it in Spain to study. She deserves some credit for stepping out - it takes some guts to move to a country around the globe where you don't have any friends (yet) or family! We had a farewell party at the folks' house and then a breakfast the day the plane departed. Mom & Dad, Adam & I with kids, and Andy & Melissa spent some final hours together the morning of departure.

Hanging Out at "Home"

Bocce in the yard is a favorite game...even though Simon tends to hoard the balls and be a little upset if we actually dare to roll any.

Peeker Anson

We've finally decided to allow Simon to watch TV sometimes. Actually, just movies b/c we don't have cable or anything, but it's all the same to him. Here we are watching "Cars."

Grandma Lizzy's Blue Cast

A week ago or so, Mom broke a hard-to-heal bone in her foot. The story we're sticking to is that she broke it playing beach volleyball as she got jazzed about the Olympics. The hard reality of it is a big blue cast that was put on just before her birthday. Crummy. If anyone can stay busy and make the most of a situation though, it's my mother. Far from sitting home & feeling sorry for herself, she's practically shooing away folks who want to bring them dinner and/or help her run errands or clean the house. And she keeps herself productive with projects for grandbabies, phone calls to friends & family, and the occasional surprise visit where I dump Anson on her lap and Simon on the floor to play.

I love how the community of friends & family & church have completely surrounded my parents with help & prayers & love & meals - it's like our experience in Silver City after having a baby. Thank God for community! We're looking forward to establishing a sense of community with our friends & church & civic groups soon enough.

Anyway - here are a few photos of my Super Mom:

She took me shopping for a post-partem wardrobe with as much energy as ever. It was a bit frustrating, but we kept our sense of humor about it.

We borrowed a wheelchair for the event - priceless!

Here she's got her foot propped up on what we affectionately have dubbed "the zoomy thing," which is exactly that. More user friendly (and less sore on the upper body) than crutches, more freedom of movement than a wheelchair. Simon gets a story from the Grandma with the zoomy thing.

Grandma Lizzy's Birthday

Happy Birthday, Grandma Lizzy! We went out to Bostwick Lake Inn for dinner. Congrats on another year of life, Mom!

Proud Grandparents on the restaurant patio

Tia Melissa & Andy showing Simon the water & boats before the storm rolled in

One of Grandma's favorite activities - baby snuggling

Simon had an accident...and we didn't have any extra pants for him, so this is how we left the restaurant & rode home. Oops!

Happy Moments

Anson gets a really big kick out of looking at himself in the mirror

King Tut in baby form

Snack time for Simon...yes, those are boxes in the background. Packed AND unpacked. We're still swimming in them.

Anson finds his thumb regularly. He's greatly comforted by it. That, and his burp cloths/spit rags, affectionately called his "spitty." Other than a parent or grandparent, I think Anson's favorite toy, by far, is his spitty. Quick - someone get this boy a tweezie or a silkie! :)

Finding Our Place

By this time it's almost August, we've been in Grand Rapids almost a full month, we've had our vacation (even though it feels like an extended vacation since Anson's been born, as Adam's not been working) and we're starting to settle into a little bit more normalcy. We've yet to establish routines of work & home since our NM house hasn't sold & Adam hasn't found a job, but we're hopeful and glad to be in Michigan. Some days our hope & enthusiasm wane, but mostly we're happy.

Having a bowl of ice cream on Grandpa & Grandma's back porch

Watching the zoomy airplanes overhead

Chillin' as only a chubber bear can...and Adam too

Wearing Daddy's shoes and showing off some toys. Like the T? Lange University!