We sure did enjoy having mom and dad Leppard out in May! (Yeah, yeah, it's been forever since I posted -- what of it??)






They took us up to Mackinaw City, where we got to go to a water park. This, of course, was the high light for the girls... Audrey was just brave enough to put her toes in the water at the edge.



But as for Megan, it was her magical water world, and she cried when we left -- of COURSE! For what proper 4-year-old would NOT cry about everything?

Audrey cashed out at the hotel with her beloved Boz the Bear, who no longer has a normal neck, and you can see why, right?




Mom and dad then took us to Mackinaw Island. If you don't know anything about this place, it's an old resort area, but prime real estate before that. Much fought over by the Brits and the Americans. Brits lost, sorry Moira! ;)

This is the gynormous and gorgeous Grand Hotel.
Look at that porch!!



Complete with croquet field and sculpted bushes...





And naturally we couldn't help but brag about the longest suspension bridge in America... Gotta show off MI when we get a chance. I threw that "little" freighter under there to help with perspective. Not bad photography from a lighthouse window, eh Becky and Moira? :)




Oh -- and a couple of very dirty girls. Nothing so fun as digging up daddy's lawn. At least that's what daddy thinks.




Audrey's fave pastime is to body slam her sister.





Ahh... the good old days when summer was all about digging up dirt and rubbing it all over yourself, playing in puddles left behind by the rain, and wrestling siblings to the ground.

You all have a wonderful Independence Day! Love to you!

Spring in Holland, MI

Well, we had an eventful weekend with the world-renowned Tulip Time in Holland, and the not-so-well-known Dandelion Festival in Borculo, right in front of our house (more of a mock on Tulip Time than anything else).

Dandelion Festival has free popcorn, juice, dogs, and ice cream, and inflatables and pony rides and a parade - the whole nine! Tulip Time will take your arm for a drink. But they're both fun. :) For me it was nice to get out of the house, but tiring, as I ended up working Friday and Saturday nights, until 5 AM. But, as always, still alive.

You won't see A at Tulip Time b/c she was super crabby, and went down for a nap with dad instead. Amy H. was visiting, and it worked out as a special afternoon for M with mom and her godmom, and she really enjoyed herself. She especially loved her first elephant ear! And mom learned that having a cute little kid order and pay means that you get bonus extras, too. ;)

As you see in the pics, M rode the ponies. She also put on my heels, shoved a broom up her shirt, and called herself "the Scary Broom Monster". :)

As for A, these days if you say, "Do you want to watch toons?" She yells, "TOONS!" runs to the DVD cabinet, throws herself on the floor, and peaks at all the options while her belly wiggles on the floor from excitement. It's cute.

M set up all her farm animals on the floor and, using her little teacups as water barrels and her inflatable bed hose as a water hose, she "watered and fed hay" to all her animals.

We remain busy as ever. We are looking forward to a visit from Grandma and Grandpa L soon, and a trip with them to Mackinaw City and Makinac Island. A will turn 2 in a few more weeks, as well, and we're actually going to throw a bday party. I know, like, crazy, huh? ;)

So! More pics to come, but I sure hope you enjoyed these.

Loves! the Mitchells

Unbearable Cuteness

Shamefully, M's bday was in February. But here are the pics, and some more, too. You'll say "Aww..." but I can't help it if I have the cutest kids ever (crazy-looking butched-up bangs aside). ;)
M is growing like a weed, but her skinny little butt and chicken legs can still fit into her sister's 2t pants though they're a bit on the short side. She is learning how to be kind to a very aggressive younger sibling, and doing pretty well for 4.
A is still a chunky 2, and about as cuddly as a squirrel, claws and frizzy hair included. Posted is a pic of the kitchen fire she started for us. Wiley she is; she even outfoxed her sister at the egg hunt on Easter.
Well, enjoy. Love you all, and stay well for the next 2 months until my next post! :}
-b-

Big Steps for B

Welcome to my foray into the depths of the technological world! (WHOA! A just fell down the stairs headfirst! Ouch.) Anyhow...I decided that now that I'm a fat old 30, I should finally create a blog or something.

It was ridiculously easy, much to my shame. :}

Well, enough of that. We're chugging along over here. I decided to post some pictures that will make me smile and one that will make you all laugh. As some of you know, M got ahold of scissors again and cut off her sister's bangs, as well as her own. That monster...

Amy and her father painted the picture of Africa for me for my birthday. In cahoots with mom, they got pictures of our childhood play at the beach. She drew from stories that I unconsciously repeated throughout the years. I recognized San Pedro immediately, and Becky's short hair and exchange of shorts for a bathing suit. :) Such a boy! The detail is fantastic, and I was so touched by such a personal gift, so well-though-out, that I cried. Getting so emotional in my old age!

We had free Grand Slam breakfast at Denny's for my birthday, then got some treats for mom's lazy bday. I'll be quietly alone in about 5 minutes...yesssssss...happy birthday to me!

Enjoy, with NO promises of regular postings or pics. ;)