Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Old... older... even older...

Family is so important, and memories -- especially ones from days long ago -- are so cherished. But along with the memories, and the pictures, it's so cool when you can hand down items that have been in your family for generations. That have history too them. A piece of your past, and eventually a piece of your future.

In the old category, today Kyle got to break into a tub of Legos that belonged to Andrew, Beth and I growing up. I was a little sad to break apart the creations that were still stuck together; they were my creations from so many years ago. But, apart they are. And now they are becoming the creations of Kyle. He had so much fun playing with them today and hated to put them away. He has a Lego car in bed with him right now. He already talked about what he is going to build tomorrow. In the older category is this bassinet. It was bought for my dad to sleep in as a newborn. My dad was born in 1934, so the bassinet has been around quite awhile. My dad slept in it, my aunts, my siblings and I, my cousins, and my cousins' children. When I was expecting Kyle I gave it a new paint job and bought new bedding. It was set up for both Kyle and Erin. My nephew Jack used it, and now 10-day-old Brett is sleeping in it. Two of my cousin Kathy's sons got married this summer, so in the coming years I would expect that a whole new generation will begin using the bassinet.And in the even older category is an apron that my Aunt Joan brought this summer. It belonged to my great-grandmother, Margaret Smyth. She was my dad's grandmother. I would need to check, but I think she was born in the 1880s. She was born in Ireland, and moved here with my grandmother in the early 1900s.

Wordless Wednesday

Welcome to the world Brett Casey Ayotte!!

A huge welcome to my new nephew, Brett, born at 2:47 in the wee hours of this morning. He is absolutely adorable and we love him to pieces already! He was 8 lb., 7 oz. and was 20 inches long. His journey was exciting from the start since we were with Beth and Jack when her water broke in the McDonald's PlayPlace. Of course the irony of it happening just as she was scolding Jack for wetting his pants makes for a great birth story. I will let you read more about it from Beth, but here are a few pictures of the new bundle of joy!!

Flashback: A beach we LOVE

In August we went to a new beach that we hadn't been to before. The amazing thing is it's a five minute drive from our house right here in South Haven. I'm so glad that my friends chose that beach to meet at! The thing I loved so much about it is that Deerlick Creek empties into Lake Michigan there. By the time it reaches the lake it is a shallow little stream that meanders across the beach. It makes the beach perfect for shallow play in the stream area, or swimming in the lake. It's the only beach in the area that allows dogs, so that is fun as well. And it must be a bit of a secret because it isn't crowded at all. It's also a beautiful setting... Lake Michigan is always beautiful, but this just had added charm! Here are some pictures from our great day.

Wordless Wednesday

First day of school!

Kyle began school with the rest of Michigan's kids today. He was so excited last night he wanted to go right then and there. (It was a little much that he was naked wearing a backpack full of cars. We did make him sleep all night, get dressed, and leave the cars at home.) His biggest school decision has been about shoes. He got two new pairs... one is Cars and one is Spiderman. Which to wear all the time, which to leave at school for gym shoes? The decision changed several times. Spiderman is at school. This was surprising to me, because they are the ones that light up. But, the boy does love Cars.

Kyle is at St. Paul Lutheran this year. They have a school for kids preschool through eighth grade. The program seems as if it will be really good, and he loved his first day. He will attend Monday through Thursday, from 8:45am to 11:45am. He will sing in church there once a month.

I told Kyle since it was a special day for him he could choose dinner tonight. He said, "Chicken nuggets, hot dogs and pizza." We're going to try to narrow that down. ;-)

Here are the gotta-have-'em first day pictures.

No need for a bath...

Flashback: A Fair-ly good day!

As we do every year, we went to the Berrien County Youth Fair. It's been fun to take Kyle each year since he was born, and every year he gets to do a little bit more. (Although he is itching to ride some rides he is not tall enough for yet!) The animals are always a hit, and Erin was really digging them this year -- especially since she was not big enough for any of the rides. Again, the pictures are in random order. Since I'm in catch-up mode I'm not going through the hassle of moving them in Blogger.

Wordless Wednesday