Meeting Baby Grace

Here is the sweet baby and momma!
We are so happy for my little sister Jenny and her family.
We love living close enough to see them on special occasions like this one.



Grandma came to visit also and spoiled the Grandboys with lots of stories and games early in the morning and late at night.


Everything is so exciting with Grandma.
Here is a Christmas cookie baking extravaganza!

BREAKING NEWS

Jordan's latest mug shots:

Jordan took a spill in the night when he woke up and got out of bed.
Five stitches later he is running around as usual.



Michael had a turn to be "photographed" as well:

November...

...was eventful although nothing made it to our blog. Maybe because everything was somewhat ordinary: a few sick bugs, scrapbooking messes left out to work on in spare moments, a few yoga classes, lots of law books (for Jared), playgroups and preschool for the boys, and some fun family outings. I started a new calling in primary, teaching some really awesome 6-year-olds. The beginning of the month was somewhat mild and enjoyable outside. Now I only enjoy the race to the mailbox or icy car if I have hat, scarf, boots, coat and gloves.

We looked forward to Thanksgiving close to home with cousins Courtney and Scott.
Here is our finished gingerbread train, and then eating it up with Beckett.


The football game on TV is reflected in the window behind Michael. Thanks to Matt and Scott we took part in the all-American tradition.


Here are Courtney and the boys. She is loved!

Birthday and Halloween Week

The hayride at the apartments' Halloween Party
with Two Buzz Lightyears

Birthday fun!

Preschool

We had Michael's group at our house this week. Jordan enjoys the turn to join in.
The preschool meets Tuesday and Thursday mornings for an hour and a half.
Michael learns letters, etc. and I learn how to teach.

Some cute neighbors

These are some of the cute neighbors that I get to walk with in the mornings. Jared was taking a test last Saturday morning while we picked apples from some trees behind our apartments. Michael took a turn on the ladder, and all the kids enjoyed running around. You can see it has "turned cold out" but the sun is still shining!

We're in Detroit...

One of the must-dos in Detroit is the Henry Ford Museum. We made a quick trip there a few weekends ago. He truely is an icon of history in this area. There were many visitors/tourists at the museums and surrounding park. --but not many Ford cars in the parking lot....

Puddle Stomping

I had fun taking pictures when we went out to play a few weeks ago on a rainy day. I am grateful for these two fun boys!

Ann Arbor Outings

A river runs through it --ours is the Huron.
We rented a row boat with some friends for a fun outing.
It's not a desert anymore!



We went to a petting farm with Courtney and Matt Lockhart. I used to see Courtney every other year or less. Now we're 15 minutes apart! Michael thinks it's cool that I have a cousin too.


This is the botanical garden 5 minutes from home. They have a conservatory we plan to frequent in the gloomy winter months!

Nauvoo the Beautiful

We visited Nauvoo on our trip to Chicago way back on Labor Day. The months have flown....
It was a beautiful day and it is truly a beautiful city.
The statue is of Joseph and Hyrum as they leave Nauvoo for Carthage. It is positioned in front of the temple where you look down to the river. The old city is spread out below the hill of the temple and meets the riverbank.


We took a wagon ride tour of the city and then stopped at some of the interactive spots that were fun for kids.
I enjoyed going to the home where Lucy Mack lived until she died. Being there helped me to imagine Emma caring for her there.
I was also impressed to visit the cemetery where most of the Smith family were buried including Joseph, Emma, Lucy Mack, and Joseph Smith, Sr..

Jordan was a natural horseman at the pioneer children play area

We are still hoping to make it to Kirtland (a three hour drive) soon....

Cousin Isaac

Cousins are awesome! We are so lucky to be somewhat close to the Allen family in Chicago. Michael and Jordan knew it would be one of the pluses that came with our move. Isaac is so fun!! We miss our other cousins and we are so excited that we will get to see them at Christmas!

Good ol' fashioned USPS

Blogging is great. --but something needs to be said for our trusty and true postal service. Michael knows what it means when his name is on one spot and a Grandma so-and-so on the other. Someone is sending him love straight from their house to his.
Michael has me read every word on the envelope and then finds the #137 on our apartment door. "The mailman even knows our numbers."

Jared's second home

We picked Jared up from school one day and snapped a picture to show you!
Jared is enjoying his studies, and we are very happy to be at Ave Maria School of Law!

Home Sweet Home

We are starting to settle down and feel at home in Michigan!
We feel very spoiled to have a beautiful, big apartment.
Here are some photos of the view from the front and back.
Our address is 2750 Windwood Dr. #137 Ann Arbor, MI 48105.