Learning to Love Michigan

It seems that we will be in Michigan for longer than we had anticipated. So we are finding new places that make us feel good about being here.

In August we went to South Haven. I had been there before but I was a teenager then and not really interested in my surroundings unless they involved boys. 

Anyways, we got there and instantly fell in love with the town, the beach and the lighthouse. It is our new favorite spot.

We then went back in September when Brian had a delivery there. it was too cold for the water but not for the sand and a stroll along the lighthouse.

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Daddy's Little Helper

Mikey loves getting into things. He is the most curious little boy. The other day Brian was cleaning his side of the room and Mikey came in to help.

 He is so stinkin' cute! Here is another picture just to prove it.

Ellie is fun and TWO!!!

Ellie is a fun girl but she is also two which can be difficult at times. The other day she found my mini post-its and showed her how magic they were. I had to label her. She thought that was fun...until Mikey started to pull them off. She screamed and then pulled them off herself and threw them on the ground.

I labeled chicken because she said that it was in her tummy.

It's Autumn Time

I love Autumn!!! I love the crisp air, the mostly clear skies, pumpkins, pumpkin goodies, apples, the beautiful colors of the trees. I am sad that this season is so short. 

I was feeling in the autumn mood and decided it was time to take down my summer decorations on the porch and put up more fall inspired decor. Alexis loves pumpkins. So I took her to Horrocks to get her pumpkin. She picked out a really pretty one. It is orange with white patterns on it. I had never seen one like it before.

I made the numbers with my Mom's Cricut machine. I love that thing!

I found the table at Goodwill and painted it cream. I love it!!! I have enjoyed it all summer. I found the chairs at Salvation Army and have enjoyed those all summer. The flowers I cut from my hydrangea bush in the front. In the beginning of summer they are bright blue, pink and purple. Then the closer it gets to winter they turn burgandy. I love them and have plans to transplant some the rest of the front. They are so easy to take care of and I need that in my life.

Mikey is ONE!!!

We had a lot of fun celebrating Mikey's first birthday! He is such a big boy. Every one thinks that he and Ellie are twins.

We kept his birthday low key. On the big computer we had Hawaii and on the net book we had Iowa. I am so grateful that technology allows us to stay connected as families so that my children can know their relatives and continue building relationships.

He are some photos...enjoy!

He's not so sure about the cupcake.

I just love this face he is making. He cracks me up all of the time!

Ellie got into her cupcake...

and had to show us.

That is Hawaii on top and Iowa below. You can't really see Iowa. Sorry.

You're What!!!?

Okay world we will let you know about our not so secret...we are having another baby!!!

This is our little baby. When this picture was taken it was a blob with the beginnings of stumps which will turn into appendages eventually and hopefully.

We are due on tax day of 2011. The year Brian will graduate with his PhD. We are very excited! We were not planning for this one but we were not not planning either.

We love the adventures that we have been having with Alexis, Ellie and Michael. How could we not be excited to bring in another Brian-Leah combo?

Memorial Weekend

This last Memorial weekend Grandpa Doty asked us to go and plant flowers at our families headstones. We had a tough time finding them so we called Uncle Alan and he got us to where we needed to be. We had a great time working and visiting.

Brian's Adventures in Hong Kong

Sunny Days

We continue to have fun on our Hawaiian adventure. Yesterday we spent the day shopping with Grandma and Suzie. We had a lot of fun and got to see sights that we have never seen before.

 Ellie and Mikey like to stand at the back door.

Today we colored on the drive way.

 Ellie got Grandpa to help too. He had just got back from working on the ward farm.

Mikey got really into the chalk. I am not sure how it tasted but he looks happy.

Ellie tried on Grandma's shoes and walked around a little bit.

It seems at any moment Daddy is going to walk in the door just getting done at the beach. We really miss him. Glad we get to see him soon.

Having Fun!

We are having fun with family and enjoying the tropical scene. While we were here Grandpa and David put together a tire swing. Ellie got to try it out.

 

While we have been here Mikey has discovered that his body can be pretty flexible. He often goes into this pose and sometimes makes noises while doing so. Bodies can do amazing things.

We love you Daddy and are thinking of you often.

Tropical Island Hideaway

The babies and I are have been blessed with the opportunity to spend a part of our summer with our family in Hawaii. We had a blast going through the airport.

Grandpa and Grandma met us at the airport in Honolulu. There were smiles all around.

 

 

We are always a little messed up when we switch time zones. We were up really early our first morning. So I took the kids to Temple Beach to watch the sunrise. The sun was hidden behind the clouds but the view was still breath taking.

We miss Daddy, but I think we will manage with all of the Aloha that surrounds us here. 

 Aloha!