Figuring things out...

Ethan figured out how to bite food this morning. He would pick up a Cherrio, bite it in half, chew the one half, and then...
...throw the other half on the ground. (He must have thought he should share with Spencer, who was right by his side - waiting for food falling from "heaven" or should I say Ethan.)
He was very proud of himself. (We were not so proud of the throwing the food on the floor-part.)
Ethan, doing his quiet time this morning - reading his Bible.
Then of course, the empty box is always an attraction. He would scoot it all over the linoleum. When he would hit the carpet, he would pick it up and turn around so he could continue sliding it on the floor. It seems that he is always figuring out new things, or new ways to do things. Such a cute baby!

Memorial Day Weekend trips...

We took a few trips to see our families this weekend. Friday we headed to the east side of the state where my Grandparents have a cabin on Saginaw Bay. The cabin is quite small, so they rent the cabin next door for all of us older kids and families to stay in. It is very nice and even has a hot tub! We stayed there until Saturday and left right after dinner. (Ethan travels so well - sleeping or even just riding! We are very thankful for that.)

Ethan talking to Ellie, "I woke up at 6:00 this morning, I think it's time for you to get up too."
Daddy and Ethan sitting on the steps.
Here Ellie, the phone is for you.
"Ha, ha, you think I'm gonna share this ball with you, Caleb?"
My Dad, brother-in-law, Lee, & Solomon went out fishing early Sat. morning. Solomon caught a 19" bass (on the way back in for the morning - good timing!) The other fish was too squirmy for Caleb to hold on to.

Ethan admiring his baby cousin.

We had to return home for the normal Sunday activities at our church. (Bart also went to a local nursing home to do a service Sunday afternoon.) So after a busy Sunday, we headed out Monday morning to Holland, to Bart's Gramma's house.

Ethan sharing a laugh with Gramma Glupker.

All 6 Glupker grandkids all together again with Nana & Papa. (Chadd, Sarah & Hayden came for a surprise visit from Minnesota. Well, we were the only ones who knew they were coming. That way we were sure to come down, even if only for the day. We have not seen them since Christmas, and probably won't see them again until Thanksgiving.) It is fun to watch the 3 youngest boys all playing together, since they are all so close in age - all born within 3 months.

We brought Ethan's basketball hoop. The kids enjoyed playing with it in Gramma's yard. Emily says, "Who wants the ball next." They all say, "ME!"

Ethan by the Dutch children in Gramma's yard.

Slowing down some for book reading time with Bart's Aunt Judy.

I went for a walk, after I laid Ethan down for a little nap. I came home to find this... not a sleeping baby, but a baby mooching a frozen fruit bar from Papa, who was more than willing to share. (He wasn't sure about sleeping in a different place. So instead he crashed within 3 minutes of being on the road on the way home.)

Hayley reading Ethan's book to him. (It was about 80 degrees and Ethan was warm, so we kept his shorts off him. That's why he's not wearing any pants.)

We had some very nice visits with our families. We were glad we could see everyone.

Misc. Ethan picts...

I have not been keeping up with my blog very well lately. Here are some miscellaneous pictures of Ethan in recent days. He is getting such a personality and becoming so independent in his "old" 13 month age. Ethan would sometimes rather push the stroller, than ride in it.
This is just my height.
I love to roll on Mommy's comforter when it's on the floor. It is so soft and comfy.
What is this, a snake? (It's to keep drafts out from the doorway -time to put that away.)
Drinking juice from my big boy cup, with my Rugby ball right next to me (from Emily Lardie).

More Mother's Day picts...

Here are a few more pictures from our visit with our families for Mother's Day.

Ethan & Hudson playing with the cars. Nana's new bedspread.
My family went to the park for Family Pictures. These are some candid shots.

Bart, Caleb, Jeremy & Ethan.

Ethan peeking through the trees.

Mommy & Ethan peeking through the tree.

Dad, Mark & Jeremy

Crashing on the way home from another busy weekend.

Playing Basketball already

Here is a short video of Ethan playing basketball. Yes, our 13 month old is playing basketball already. I picked this small hoop up at a garage sale for Ethan. He loves playing outside, especially with his ball and hoop. (I know this ball is a little big, but it works. He does have a couple of smaller ones inside.) Everytime we walk into our church's gym, he always walks over to the basketball hoops, looks up and raises his arms. He is already becoming our little athlete. A man from our church, who was Manton's basketball coach for 20-some years, said with his lungs he could be a basketball coach someday. (That was one year ago on Mother's Day when he showed the whole congregation his lungs during the Child Dedication Service. He was screaming because he was hungry and tired, and he was only 5 weeks old.) We'll see what God has for him in his future. Check this shot out, Uncle Lance! (How's that for a 1 year old?) Oh, and yes, the tongue has to be sticking out too. He's playing Michael Jordan already (not by Daddy's encouragement though). (Sorry about the end clip of the deer. I went a fraction of a second too long, but I didn't feel like recreating the video.)

Happy Birthday, Grandma!

Today is my Mom's Birthday. (It is a month of birthdays in our family.)

"Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear Grandma. Happy Birthday to you."

Mom, thank you for all you have done for us over the years. Your love and prayer support has been such an encouragement to us. We appreciate your helpful spirit. You are always so thoughtful of others and look for ways to encourage us. Thank you for your example of prayer and importance of spending time in God's Word. We are so grateful for the godly heritage that we have been passed down on both sides of our families. We love you very much!

Happy Mother's Day...

Bart's Mom blowing out her Birthday candles.
My Mom & Ethan deep in conversation.

I am truly thankful to be celebrating my 2nd Mother's Day this year too!

We are both very blessed to have terrific mothers. They have both been godly examples to us of being a godly wife and mother. We are thankful for the love and support they have both given to both of us. We are both blessed to have caring "Mother-in-laws" as well. We both feel like we have two families now instead of one. Thank you, MOMS, for your prayers for us over the many years. We love and appreciate you both! These are a couple of pictures from our trip down this weekend celebrating Mother's Day & Birthdays for both Moms. (More pictures from the weekend later to come.)

Happy Birthday, Nana!

Happy Birthday, Nana! Thank you for being willing to help us out in any way possible. The time (however sparce that may be) you give playing, reading books, etc. with Ethan is treasured. Thank you for your example to us of being a godly Mother & Grandmother. We love you so much!

Nana & Ethan 13 months ago.

Today is Aunt Kristy's birthday also! Happy Birthday to you too! We love you!

Today, Ethan is 13 months old. He loves playing outside.
Our "star shooter" is beginning early! (Uncle Lance would be proud.)
Climbing the front deck stairs.
Climbing the basement steps like a big boy.

Cooking Ahead Workshop...

This past weekend, we had a Cooking Ahead Workshop at our church for any ladies that wanted to cook some meals ahead and put in the freezer. (John, who is a bachelor, joined us also.) We made 4 different meals: Shepherd's Pie, Chicken Fingers, Stuffed Cheese Shells, and Twice Baked Potatoes to put in our freezers. We met the previous Saturday to plan how many of each course everyone wanted to make. Then Candi (who headed this up) purchased the ingredients and we all cooked together. It was so much fun and very cheap! I put everything in the computer and made spreadsheets for each meal figuring how much everyone owed per serving based on the cost per meal. The Shepherd's Pie came out to $2 for a 4 person serving! By cooking all together we were able to plan ahead, have fun, and save money in the process, by buying in bulk! We used the idea from 30 Day Gourmet. We're looking forward to doing this again. Cadillac News even came and took pictures and interviewed us on what we were doing. It's supposed to be in the paper this week. How fun!

Playing at Grandma's...

Last Wednesday, Ethan and I headed down to my Mom's house for her neighborhood Garage Sales. Ethan enjoyed being outside and playing. (Grandma has nice grass, not picky weeds like we have.) He's still getting used to the grass, but he LOVES being outside.

He played with Aunt Kristy's toys that she had for sale. We brought home several toys and clothes for Ethan that Aunt Kristy gave him. I found a toddler size basketball hoop for Ethan too. I just need to get it cleaned up for him to play with. He loves basketball hoops. The minute he sees one, he says, "Mmm, Mmmm, MMMM." We went to vote today (School Board Election) and from inside in his car seat, he saw one at the Township Hall, and he started talking to it! He's going to be our litte basketball player.

A Visitor...

Last week, Tuesday we had a visitor find his way to our home. This dog showed up in our yard around 3 PM (that I noticed). He hung out by the road at the end of our driveway. Early that evening Spencer, Bart, Ethan and I went outside, and we noticed that he was still out there. So we quickly went back inside, not knowing what kind of a dog he was. We yelled for Spencer to come back in, which of course scared Ethan. Then the dog realized that a family lived at this house, so he found his way to our porch. Needless to say, it drove Spencer crazy that he could not go outside and play with this dog. They would look at each other through the window, and sometimes even paw at the window. He seemed friendly and even kind-of puppy-ish. However, I don't know if he's had his shots, etc. or where he came from. So we assumed he'd leave that night and go back home. Not so. We woke up the next morning to him on our porch sleeping on the mat. (He also found some gardening gloves somewhere. See pict. below.) So I called Animal Control that morning and had them come pick him up. He was gone by the time Bart got home for lunch. Spencer almost thought he had a long term play mate. (Sorry about the dog and baby smudges on the windows, which make it kind of hard to see.)