SOLD!

Need I say more? We're so excited!

Earl Family Visit

Starting July 23 through Aug. 1st, we had family around us. It was great! Dan's parents flew in on the 23rd and Amy, Jason, and Aidan came on the 26th. It was lots of fun hanging out and getting to see lots of fun things. Here are some of the pictures of our adventures.

Crystal, Elliott, Aidan, Amy, and Donovan

Aidan and Dono playing the park xylophone.

Nama and Papa Earl pushing Dono and Elliott.

Elliott trying out the unsteady bridge.

3 water babies. (Dono wasn't as scared today)

3 ducks in the lake (and loving it)

The car ride entertainment -- Uncle Jason!

cool dudes

Uncle Jason is now known as "Uncle Boo" for all the fun with peek-a-boo.

Dono and Elliott playing Jason's "bum-drum"

Monkey-see, Monkey-do was the name of this week's 2nd favorite game.

All that hard play deserves a drink

And what's more fun than chasing bubbles? (You can sort of see them.)

We had lots of fun this week and will miss all of the fun.

Michigan Historical Museum

We went to the Michigan Historical Museum on a Saturday in July because we thought we'd learn a little more and get out of the house. It was great. I'm not a history person, but the way everything was displayed was awesome. I never knew that Michigan had such a rich history. They have three floors dedicated to the beginnings of Michigan with the mining, lumber, and other land uses; the rich Civil War history, stories and relics; and different rooms spanning the decades of 1920-today. I knew of the great car manufacturing and musical beginnings of Michigan, but there is so much more. This is a great place to reflect on how we got to the here and now. We had fun, I'm sure we'll go again.


Indian natives wearing animal skins.



Dono riding the planks. (You can experience the wooded plank buggy ride "the toll road of the past") I think I would have rather walked.


This is the "Big Wheel". It was used to pull the lumber to its destination. As you can see, it is HUGE! Dan is almost 6'5", and he is only a little bit taller than half-way up the wheel. Yowza.


Miners eating the famous "pasty" pronounced past-ee. We love this meal. For those in AZ, I recommend that you try "Cornish Pasty Co" on University and Hardy --delicious and huge, with many different kinds to choose from.


A teacher always and forever.


My pupils -Elliott was in his stroller.


Dono the suffragette

Thirsty

I guess Moon must have been thirsty, because she stuck her whole head in my glass to drink my water. Silly cat, but I thought it looked funny.

Girls' Night Out

On July 14, The Holt Ward women invited me to a girls' night out. It was awesome. I'm so new that it was so nice to be included. We just got together and ate at Cheddar's. It was great food and great fun.

Hawk Island

We have the best park I've ever seen! It's called Hawk Island. There are 3 totally different play areas. A splashpad area with colorful water creations, a dry "castle" play area that is HUGE, (There are bridges, swings, lighthouses, firetrucks, slides, and gigantic runways that are all dressed up to look light a medieval castle.) and it is all next to a lake (possibly a river) where there are areas for swimming and paddleboating with a lifeguard on duty. It is so awesome!

The lake

Splashpad (a water wonderland)

Dono (in the hat) actually playing in the water. Surprises never end.

The Playground (cousin Aidan sliding)

Ownership

WE'RE GETTING A HOUSE!!!!!

We found our Michigan home! We put in an offer and it was accepted! We close on July 31st, but we can't move in until Aug.21st. We are soooooo excited!

from the street

from the back

front living room

kitchen

This is an almost 2000 square foot, 2 story, 4 bedroom, 2 bath, plus a spacious basement home on half an acre. It's amazing. We only have to repaint one room, everything else is updated and in perfect condition. We even have mature fruit trees in the backyard (2 apples and 1 pear).

We definitely have all the room we could ever need. So, if any of you want to vacation in Michigan, you can always have a place to stay. We'd love to have you.

Welcome Caleb

Caleb Rogers Cook was born on July 8, 2007. He was 9 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 in. long.
I've been friends with his mommy Brooke and her twin sister Jenna since they moved to AZ in Jr. High. So it was fun to let our kids get to be friends too when we lived close to eachother.

Justin, Brooke, Caleb, and Tyler

Ohio Trip

June 29- July 1, 2007

We added yet another state to my list of places I've been when we went to Ohio to visit the Walker family. Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Rick invited us out for the weekend to spend some time with them and cousins Jack and Kayla.

We got there a little late Friday night (we left when Dan got off work) so we only had time to chat and then go to bed. But Saturday was filled with fun things.

First we went to Kayla's band concert. Kayla is 16 and a brilliant trumpet player and was able to go to the state's summer band camp which had top players from many different states. They were able to perform at OSU with the university's band director himself. They sounded great! I only felt bad because we had rowdy kids that day and had to take them out of the auditorium. But the positive side would be that we could still hear the performance. Great job Kayla!

Later on, we went to an elementary school playground to have a little fun.

"Hi" Uncle Rick and Donovan

Uncle Rick

Aunt Cheryl

Donovan??? Yup, that's right, he wasn't scared of the slide today (with a little encouragement)!

what a monkey

Uncle Rick with Elliott

Aunt Cheryl and Donovan

Jack, Donovan, and Kayla chillin

We had a great time! Thanks for letting us come over!

Walk like a Man

June 23, 2007

Elliott is walking!

Of course the first steps were to Daddy (Dono's were too). But that's ok, I was glad to watch it.

Happy 8th Anniversary Alisa & Jake!

June 19, 2007

Happy 8th Anniversary to my sister Alisa and Jake! We love you!

Aunt Cheryl Visits

On Father's Day, Dan's Aunt Cheryl came for a visit. She lives in Ohio (only a 4 hour drive away). We were so happy to see her. The last time we saw eachother was when Dan and I got married, so it was fun to let her meet the boys. They got along great. Cheryl could only stay a day, but it was great and will definitely happen again.

Happy 1st Birthday Elliott! -June 15, 2007

Happy 1st Birthday Elliott!

Look how you've grown!

Elliott's birthday was a little tricky because of our move. So, we had several birthdays for him this year. We celebrated at each of the grandparents' homes before we left, and then gave him a special birthday with just the 4 of us in Michigan. I know he won't remember it, but I hope he had a good day.

cake at Nama & Papa Elliott's house

cake at Nama & Papa Earl's house

the chocolate goati

mommy's Elmo cake at home in MI

yummy cake