Thursday, June 19, 2014

Lots of spring pictures

I got behind on pictures this year, so before we move into new baby mode, let's remember the last few months! We finally warmed up and spent time outside before hunkering down to get ready for Eddie's arrival. Here are lots of pictures of Annie's preschool graduation, Memorial Day at Gull Lake, Nellie's piano recital, outside play and hiking, Easter, soccer, the Michigan mile and some other miscellaneous events.

One warrants some explanation. Since she was three, Nellie has been, well, difficult to dress at times. You might have noticed, she likes to pick her own clothes. We keep her drawer stocked with things she'll wear, and that works well for us. But some days can be complicated. One day this spring, Nellie wanted to wear her tie-dye shirt from last summer's vacation. Alas, there were no clean and acceptable leggings. So she picked tights, and we had to tell her you can't just wear a t-shirt and tights. So she picked out the one skirt she had. The results are below...I actually took a picture because it was so colorful. Then Kevin took the girls to school and found out it was spring picture day. So Nellie brought home some colorful professional photos!

First soccer game! It was freezing. As in, 32 degrees.
(Most of) the cousins on the boat for the year's first ride. Nellie found an exciting spider!
Princess Annie helping Kevin in the garden
Hiking in the mud with Kevin
Annie's graduation
Annie's graduation; putting watermelon on the Very Hungry Caterpillar


Watching a bunny before school
Waiting for the egg hunt
Nellie and the Easter pinata
Annie and the Easter pinata
Giant backyard mud puddle
Nellie about to cross the finish line at the Michigan Mile
The family after the race...so pregnant
Matching tattoos at the Michigan Mile race
Postrace pancakes at Flap Jack
Nellie learned to tie her shoes!
We visited some baby lambs at Nellie's friends house over spring break.
Nellie's toad 
Girls at the piano recital, where Nellie played the song "P-I-N-K"
Nellie and Caron Dvorak 
The piano students
Practicing at home :)
The baby shower!
Nellie's outfit on spring picture day...before I knew it was spring picture day
The spring photo!
DJ trying to dip his feet, right before he fell in
After DJ fell in the lake

Sunday, June 15, 2014

For Kevin

Happy Father's Day to Kevin, who in the last week has: coached me through our fourth natural childbirth, welcomed a new baby to the world, helped three kids navigate the emotional and logistical waters of a newborn in the house, repaired and maintained everyone's bikes, taught a four-year-old to ride a two-wheeler, cooked meals, watched My Little Ponies, driven to softball practice, attended a piano recital, bunked with a lonely toddler, and performed countless other dad duties.

In the words of Annie, "Daddy does all the cool stuff!"

And I'm thankful for that!