Our little climber...

Ethan is continuing to learn how to climb up on furniture. He figured out a couple of weeks ago, that with his block bin in front of the couch, he could step up on that and then get on the couch.

(Don't worry this is Ethan's play laptop, not our good one.)
Sitting in my own little chair, which I can now get in and out of by myself. (Check out those chunky legs.)
Sitting on the ottoman reading books with Daddy.
This is one of my new favorite books, it has flaps to lift and open.Last but not least, the toes are finally getting up on top of the railing. This is the "I don't want to take a nap" protest. Hopefully it will be awhile before he's climbing out of the crib!

Mommy's Day Out!

Ethan riding on his new Tonka truck

Yesterday, I had a "Mommy's Day Out!" My friend, Brenda, took me to Traverse City, while Bart stayed home to have a "Daddy Day" with Ethan. We went consignment shopping looking for nice used baby/toddler clothing, etc. Our best find was probably Ethan's Tonka riding truck. It is in mint condition and he just loves it! (That was Grandma Brenda's present for Ethan.) I also found a few baby clothes for our "little foot" (baby #2, as we're calling him right now), and some tops for Ethan for the fall/winter. It was very fun!

We went out for lunch and enjoyed a fun day of shopping around T.C. Bart did great with Ethan, and was a tremendous help to me as well. I came home around 5:00 PM, to find my loving husband and son at the door waiting for me. There was also a nice, sweet aroma coming from the kitchen. Bart had made dinner. Not only that, but it was a NEW RECIPE, that he found on-line, a chicken and peach dish with rice. WOW, was I impressed! I know he can cook, but the fact that he took the initiatve to do something like that was SO .... WOW... appreciated, that's for sure! He had also vaccuumed, now I'm bragging. (I know what you're thinking, "Boy is she spoiled!" Yes I am! :-) )

Then I had a baby shower last night, so Ethan had a nice long "Daddy Day". That's probably good, since Bart will begin to be busier with his class he is taking this fall. He also has some other long, days that he will be gone in the next week (including a trip to MI Adventure with the teens tomorrow, and an Awana Conference in T.C. on Sat.). I came home right after the shower to see Ethan before he went down for bed.

Thank you, Brenda, for a nice, relaxing day out. Thank you, Bart, for being such a wonderful, helpful, loving, caring, thoughtful husband! I appreciate him SO much! Thank you, Lord, for both of them.

Just a couple of cute pictures of Ethan playing on "his" computer (Bart's old laptop).

Mackinac Island Trip....

Earlier this week, Bart and I took a short vacation (without Ethan) up to Mackinaw City and the Island. We decided this was the best time to go ... before school starts, things got busy this fall, and especially before baby #2 comes along. Nana came up to stay with Ethan while we were away. Here are a few pictures of our trip to Mackinac. (The post below shows the Bed & Breakfast where we stayed.) The weather was PERFECT, sunny and mid-70's both days we were there.

The beautiful Mackinaw Bridge all lit up at sunset.
We took the 10:00 AM Ferry to the Island, which was the only one during the day to take a trip under the bridge before going over to the Island. What a sight to see from directly below.
The Grand Hotel (from the Ferry). We have taken a picture of it every time we've gone to the island, but I told Bart, "It just doesn't seem right going by it and NOT taking a picture."
We took a private carriage tour around the island for the first time. We were able to see several sights we've seen before and a few we have never seen before. We drove right up by the Grand Hotel, which is beautiful, no matter how many times you've seen it!
The "grand" porch of the Grand Hotel. It is magnificent looking!

While on our private carriage tour, we went by the homes on the island, which we have never been by to see this close before. Some big like this, and others that the "common" people who live on the island year-round live in also, which were quite a bit smaller.

The view of the harbor and downtown from up on the hill.
A private home called "The Baby Grand," which we've also never seen before.

We took our bikes to the Island with us. We rode by Arch Rock. We did not ride ALL the way around the island this time. I have not ridden my bike much, if at all yet this summer, so I didn't think I should break myself in with a 7 mile trip, being 5 months pregnant. We probably ended up riding at least 5 miles though. We just didn't go around the back side of the island, which is a little bit more hilly (there's not much to see back there anyway, as we remember it.).

Our last night in Mackinaw City, there was a Concert Band performing. It was the "Straits Area" band, which consisted of members from probably 20 years (or high school maybe) up to several gray heads. An "old" guy was even playing the piccolo! After giving him a hard time (to Bart, not to him), I finally realized he's probably better than I am right now, not being very practiced up. He was very good! We enjoyed the concert, though it was cool outside. We rounded up our evening by picking up some fudge of course. (They don't call us "fudgies" for no reason, right?)

Deer Head Inn, Mackinaw City...

These are pictures of the Bed & Breakfast we stayed at in Mackinaw City. It was beautiful, breakfast was delicious, and the hosts were very personable and helpful. We found the rates to be very reasonable, including discounts for extra nights stayed (depending on when you go). I would recommend it to anyone looking for a nice place to get-away. It is called "Deer Head Inn".

The front of Deer Head Inn.
An inviting porch to relax on.
A nice living room to visit in.
The beautiful dining room we ate in.
More of the dining room.
This was our room, very clean, comfortable, and nice!
Our bathroom included a double shower (around the corner to the left) and clawfoot tub.
All of the bedrooms have a fireplace. This room had one that faced both the bed and the bath.
Beautiful stone fire place... in another room.

If anyone is interested in staying there, you can check them out online at http://www.deerhead.com/. The owners names are Barry & Nancy Dean. The phone number is: 231-436-3337.

Baby Brother...

Here is a picture of Ethan's baby brother. (From the top going down is his head down to his body.)He is growing strong and healthy and is right on track to be born around Christmas Eve! Thank you for your continued prayers for us. (I posted it on Facebook, but forgot to post it on my blog -- too many different websites to take care of, I guess. Sorry!)

Cute Ethan pics...

It has been quite awhile since I updated our blog with some new Ethan pics. So here are several snapshots of Ethan from the past couple of weeks. The first several were taken at Gull Lake Bible Conference.

Who can resist such a cute face?
Getting ready to go down the slide on the blow up toy. He loved the slide!
Driving already.
Ethan "walking like an Egyptian?" with Daddy's sunglasses on.
"I'm ready, Dad, let's go for a ride."

Ethan clapping during songtime at VBS this past week.

Eating at the table, like a big boy.

Both of my boys are vacuuming for me. Life is good!
And finally... Ethan hamming it up right before bedtime last night. I was laughing so hard, I was almost crying. (That's why he kept doing it of course, for the reaction.) But it was just TOO cute!

If this picture doesn't make you smile, then I can't think of anything else that will!

A week of birthdays....

I've been meaning to update this in awhile, but I just haven't had time. Tonight, I do want to acknowledge a few nephews and a niece on their birthdays this week. Sunday began the week with our oldest nephew, Solomon, turning 10 years old! I can hardly believe it's been 10 years since we became an Aunt & Uncle. Tuesday our niece, Emily, turned 7 years old. and Thursday our nephew, Hayden, turned 2 years old. Today, Ethan is 16 months old! We are grateful for all of our nieces, nephews and especially Ethan :-). We love them all and have enjoyed watching them all grow physically, mentally and spiritually! My how time flies! Speaking of time flying... time for bed... as soon as Bart gets home from cleaning up after VBS. More pictures soon...hopefully.