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.