I think My Blog is Dead

Yikes. A new development that happened in 2010?
Here's some more recent news: we are moving to CA in 2013! Aaron accepted a fellowship at UC Davis-it's our final stop on this stinking long journey. I'm looking forward to the sunshine!

New Development

So, I could scan in my little ultrasound pictures and you could tell me how cute you think my baby is-while you are really thinking "is that the head or the butt?" or "it's an alien!" Instead, I will just tell you the awesome news: IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!
Let the Pinkfest begin!

The Butterfly Whisperer

Tyler's spring break began Friday so I took the boys to the zoo. We stopped at the butterfly house before going home and Tyler was fascinated by a woman who had the luck of having a butterfly land on her arm. Tyler was determined to replicate her experience and froze like a statue, not even moving his eyeballs, and held his arm straight out in front of him with his hand in the perfect butterfly landing-pad position. He looked quite odd and I was almost embarrassed because he looked like something was wrong with him. I decided to just humor him and let him learn this disappointing lesson on his own-even if you hold really still like a statue, the butterfly still knows you are a scary kid capable of squashing him without a thought and it's not going to come anywhere near you. Well much to my surprise Tyler's patience and paralyzed stance paid off. An obviously misinformed butterfly landed on his hand and appeared to be quite comfortable there! Then it left and came back a number times. Other children began to take notice of Tyler with his butterfly pal and immediately tried to copy him. Strangely, no other child could attract a butterfly and soon Tyler had two butterflies on his hand! Still, no butterfly would land on any other child's hand! I found it absolutely remarkable until I remembered that Tyler ate bubblegum ice cream earlier that afternoon and he probably had the filthiest and stickiest hands in the whole butterfly house. They must have been nibbling on the sweet, gooey remnants of bubblegum Dippin' Dots.

Snowy Adventures

There hasn't been as much snow this year but we have been making good use of the snow we do have. Here are some pictures from all our snowy adventures:

Frankenmuth, MI

We took our first trip to Frankenmuth, MI on Saturday and visited Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, the world's largest Christmas store. I believe it really is the largest Christmas store (and maybe one of the only Christmas stores?)-they have Christmas everything. We each picked out an ornament: Aaron chose a trout, Tyler chose a pokemon something, Bret got a frog, and Tyler picked out a piano ornament for me. If you are still working on your Christmas shopping you can check out Bronner's on their website www.bronner's.com.

Picture with Santa

We went to our neighborhood tree lighting ceremony and Santa was there too! Bret fell asleep while we were waiting in line to see him but Tyler was wide awake and was able to tell Santa that he wants a Losi Mini Desert Truck for Christmas.

Trick or Treat!

We went trick-or-treating with the Evensen family and had a great time. Ben was Indiana Jones and Abby was Snow White.

Bret was a monkey.

Tyler was Bumblebee. He was a little disappointed that his costume did not really transform, but he got over it (candy will do that).

It was fun to watch the kids sort and count their candy. We only went down a couple of streets but it was plenty!

July, August, September

It's been a few months since I've posted anything so here are a few highlights from the Summer and Fall.In July Tyler turned 6! He had a dinosaur themed party with his friends. On July 4th I finally captured Punxsutawney Phil and had him relocated to a nearby state park.
He won't be eating my flowers anymore!

A picture from one of our many trips to the Detroit Zoo with friends.Another zoo picture. I couldn't get Bret away from the frogs.

Bret turned two!

And it looks like he bit off more than he can chew.

A picture from one of our many summer fishing trips. Bret actually caught a fish completely on his own.

We went to the Wiard's Country Fair with the Evensen family and some other resident families.

This was the "duck race".Bret's duckie was a doctor.

The kids feeding the goats whatever they found on the ground.Ben and Tyler being brave and going down the huge slide together!

Tyler got glasses and Bret nearly scraped his face off when he jumped off the patio (about 5 brick steps). He watched Tyler do it and well, monkey see, monkey do! Tyler holding his pet leopard gecko, Liz, and another nice shot of Bret's face.Tyler's first day of 1st grade. He was so proud to be the first one there and get to hold his class sign. I don't know how we got there early that day-it hasn't happened since.

Bret was disappointed when he couldn't go to school too. I don't think he cares about school, he just misses Tyler. A few times during the day Bret will say "Mom. I go school get Tyler." He loves his big brother.Bret braving the cold for another soccer season.

Action shot at the last game. It was freezing.

Tyler was super excited to get another medal. I think he would play soccer even if he didn't enjoy it, just so he could get the medal.

Lakes, Sand, Soccer, and Model T's

These first pictures are from our road trip to Lake Michigan. Since the lake was too cold for swimming we resorted to throwing, I mean skipping, rocks. First you find a nice smooth, flattish rock. And then . . .

You toss it!

Synchronized rock skipping.
Bret staring in awe as Aaron demonstrates his textbook form.

Bret enjoying the freedom to throw sand (and rocks) without getting in trouble.

The Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.This is about halfway up the dunes.Almost there! At the top you get a glimpse of Lake Michigan.

Lake Michigan

Fishing trip to a smaller lake.

Tyler's catch of the day. Possibly a bass?

Tyler, our little soccer star, with his hard-earned medal.

Taking a ride in a genuine Model T at Greenfield Village.

Tyler quizzing our patient driver.