Snow snow go away.

I realized just now that my first winter post never published. Months have now passed since my initial excitement about snow. Now, frankly, I'm over it. Here are some snow highlights. 

Sledding down grandma and grandpa's lane. 

Walking on frozen Reeds Lake. 

Snowshoeing - finally doing something worthwhile in the snow. 

The snowman that won't die. 43 days old.  

Winter Wonderland

We have had such a snowy winter already! Lucas loves the snow, and I love hearing him try to say it. "Niooooe"

Here is the view from work, 7th floor of the heart center downtown. 

I ♥ Robinette's

Emily's choice for a birthday celebration was highly enjoyable for one little guy.  

Apples, trucks, slides, donuts, kids.......

At the children's museum

From Lucas' perspective, nothing beats having an aunt to visit at the Children's Museum. This week we stopped in to see Auntie Em hard at work and had loads of fun tromping around the construction zone. 

5 cents a bushel

Today Lucas is pushing his truck around the yard picking up apples

Missing Lucas

It is 4 am and I'm at work doing my motherly duty and really missing this little boy. Sam left a message that Lucas was throwing up in his crib tonight and I of course feel guilt that I'm not there to hold him. Good thing I have a smart phone now and can look at my pictures of him. It makes me miss him less...and more. 

Here is a sleep montage

peace. love. cousins.

Carol made these great shirts and successfully orchestrated a photo shoot with the 5 Miller cousins. 

Arlo and Kona on the sides - 5 weeks 

Hugo, their big brother - 2 1/2 years

Lucas - 13 months 

Jacob - 8 years

                         

The outtakes

And here is Lucas on a tractor - just because it's fun:)

boating in iowa

We tried out kayaking with Lucas on a small lake in Iowa.  Success! 

 This little guy loves the water

This guy loves the water, too

Iowa

Grandpa Carl introduces barn animals to lucas

Lucas, meet Lake Michigan

We've been so busy this summer, with our mis-matched schedules and Sam working at the new house every day, and we haven't been very good at stopping to smell the roses.  

This weekend we tried to step back and enjoy the sunshine.  

We brought Lucas to play in the sand at Douglas Beach on Lake Michigan.  He was ecstatic.  Squealing and squawking at everything and everyone.  He loved the water, the waves, the sand, the kids playing in the sand, the kites, the big birds, the surfers, the paddle boarders.  

Grandma & Grandpa Darby are here!

Grandma and Grandpa Darby are here to visit this weekend! Here is Lucas enjoying his new John Deere Buck.  He loves it and he doesn't even know how to use it yet!

The most exciting part of their visit (so far) is that Grandpa Carl has a new zoo companion!  The GR zoo has lots of interactive parts where kids can get up close to animals.  Not sure if you can tell on the picture with the goat, but Lucas is beside himself with excitement!  

Above: this is what Sam spent the day doing with his uncle Paul.  Thanks for your hard work Sam:)  

Below: Eliza teaches Lucas the art of parade candy acquisition at the Hollyhock Lane 4th of July Parade. 

morning coffee

Happy 1st Birthday!

Yesterday was Lucas' first birthday! We celebrated with a potluck bbq with some of Lucas' Grand Rapids family.  He loves watching older kids play and he loved being in the middle of all the action.

Lucas sporting his birthday shirt (from Pat and Chuck's travels to Indonesia) and birthday hat (from Auntie Em).  He is working on his retiree, shuffle-board look. 

Lucas enjoys his strawberry shortcake!  Finger-licking good.

What a year this has been.  Starting in Portland in a tiny attic apartment, up all night figuring out how to take care of a little newborn.  First we learned about diapers, feedings, and maintaining basic sanity.  In time we progressed to the better joys of parenting, like smiles, playing, eating food, crawling, and kisses. Now we are (or rather Sam is) hard at work on our first house in Grand Rapids and we have a one-year-old!  Thanks everyone for supporting us on the way.  

The morning after...Lucas is taking his new chicken balloon for a stroll.  

1415 Milton

Our new home!

Last month was all about finding and signing for our new home in Eastown.  We both feel so lucky to have found this little (or rather large) gem in our favorite neighborhood, and possibly our favorite street in Grand Rapids.  Wilcox park is a block away.  Tessa & family is a block away.  The Fulton Street Farmers Market is 5 blocks away.

We're doing some repairs and updating before we move in, starting with the kitchen.  Sam and Todd tore out the kitchen cabinets and uncovered the chimney.

 

Portland

Our little family took a vacation to Portland last week.  Lucas was a little traveling champion, and Sam and I learned how hard parents have to work to keep a baby happy on an airplane. 

Being back in Portland felt so natural; it felt like home.  Walking into our friends' houses and being together again felt so natural, like we had never left.  Departing that last morning was sad, saying goodbye to our friends and to the city.   

We had lots of highlights on our trip, and sadly we didn't capture very many photographs.  Here are a few: