More Lake Pictures

A Year Ago

We went to Lake Michigan last Oct 5. The weather was beautiful and the water unseasonably warm. Anna had a blast, but was a little timid in the water. We've been having great weather this week, so decided to head out to the lake for one last swimming adventure of the season. Anna had been looking forward to today all week. She talked about wearing her bathing suit, bringing her blue bucket and other toys and going swimming. She was so excited to be on the beach and was very bold in the water! We had such a wonderful day. (She's grown a little in the last year, hasn't she?)

The Latest

We picked up some new winter boots for Anna at the thrift store yesterday. So far, she's needed to wear them whenever we take a walk outside. (Never mind that it's been in the high 70's/low 80's this week.) I guess she thinks it's a nice change of pace from wearing her crocs nearly every day this summer! The other thing that she's insisting on doing lately is taking her doll, Lily, for a walk anytime we go out for a walk. It's ok until she gets sick of the noise the doll stroller makes on the road or wants to carry Lily instead of pushing her. I was pretty impressed this morning when Anna figured out that if she sat in her stroller, she could get a ride and push Lily in front of her. I'm sure we were quite a sight walking around the neighborhood--me pushing Anna in her stroller while she was pushing Lily in her stroller. We have such fun!

How'd She Get Up There?

A Day at the Zoo

We took advantage of a beautiful afternoon and the fact that Matt got a ton of homework done before Anna and I got out of bed this morning to go to the zoo. Matt's mom and sister joined us for this afternoon of fun.


Anna liked looking at the animals, but one of her favorite things to do at the zoo is play on this wooden train. She is getting to be quite a climber and loves to go, go, go! She was very busy in the play area.
Anna and the big guy--John Ball
While we were eating supper after our visit to the zoo, I asked Anna what her favorite animal at the zoo was. She answered, "The pink one." (That's her answer to anything that starts with, "What's your favorite...color, ice cream, shirt, etc.) We had a lot of talk about the flamingos after that.

Another Visit to Meijer Garden

It was a beautiful evening, so we headed to Meijer Garden for a little while tonight. We checked out one of the new sculptures--Giant Alphabet Man (or something like that). Anna thought it was pretty cool.


Then we headed to the the outdoor children's section. It was a little cool tonight, but that doesn't matter to Anna. She was excited to play with the boats and splash in the water. I took off her socks and rolled up her pants so she wouldn't get too wet.

Oh well...

Singing in the Rain

Well, maybe not singing, but having tons of fun!
Who's that cutie behind that duck umbrella?
It's Anna, of course!

Anna and Matt had so much fun playing in the rain and splashing in the huge puddle at the end of our driveway. We've been experiencing the remnants of Hurricane Ike pretty much non-stop since Friday.

Speed Dial

Matt's been joking since Anna was born that he was going to get her a cell phone by the time she was 5. I guess she's already ready for one. She picked up my phone this morning and opened it up. She pushed "3" and called Aunt Sue. (She did that accidentally--I think--yesterday and I guess she remembered how to do it.) Anna started talking and then I heard my sister's voice. I didn't realize she had made a call! It was very cute to hear Anna's end of the conversation. At one point, she pointed and said, "See my purse under the table?" Later, Sue asked if Mommy was around and Anna pointed to me and said, "She's right there." I guess I'm going to have to start sharing my minutes with Anna now! (Hope Aunt Sue doesn't mind getting so many calls. I don't think Anna realizes that if she presses other numbers, she can talk to other people.)

Riponites in Fremont

Sunday, we drove to Fremont for Pastor Case's installation service in his new church. It was great to see Pastor Case and Karen again and be able to be part of that service. The service was a bittersweet one. We have a sense of what it must have been like for them to leave Ripon, but also a sense of what they're feeling in following God's call to a new place and job. It's hard to leave, but there is a peace in not doubting that the move was a right one.
It was also great because we were able to see several other Riponites there as well. It was so fun to catch up on Ripon news and just to be with old friends! We had a great visit!
Sorry I don't have any pictures for this one. I forgot my camera! (I'll post some if I can get them.)
Now you're caught up on our news, Rex!! :)

Celebration on the Grand

We went to the Celebration on the Grand (River) last weekend. I really don't know what it was for, but we headed downtown anyway! There was a band playing some music which Anna loved. She had a good time running around and dancing. There were also fireworks at night that we wanted to see. I haven't been to a good fireworks show for a couple of years, so I was due. It was a lot of fun! Matt bought Anna one of those glow stick things and she had a blast with it. We tried to prepare Anna for the fireworks and thought she was ready, but when they started, this is how our conversation went--
Anna: I don't want to watch the fireworks. I don't want to watch the fireworks, Mommy."
Mommy: "Do you want to sit on my lap?"
As she was settling into my lap, more fireworks went off.
Anna: "Turn it off, Mommy."
We put her sweatshirt hood on to dampen the sound a little and then she settled down enough to enjoyed them. The pink ones were her favorite.

Back to School

Matt started his second year of seminary last week. (Sorry I haven't been on the ball with new posts lately!) He is feeling much more confident at school and was very excited to be back for new classes and seeing everyone again. He quickly was immersed in reading and writing and chapel planning again, so these last several days have been hectic and a bit stressful. We're a little more involved in church now, too, so we'll see how the year goes. For those interested, Matt's taking Greek, a second pastoral care class, and polity. He's also continuing with Hebrew and auditing a Heidleberg Catechism class.