Packzi Day!

Did you get yours?!

Cheers!

Summer Photo Shoot

When we got our dSLR for Christmas a couple of years ago we had high hopes for learning how to actually use it. We didn't want a glorified point-and-shoot. But it never really happened. During my summer as a stay-at-home dad I had some time to read up about apertures and shutter speeds. I used to know these things when I was a yearbook photographer in high school, but I've long since forgotten everything. So after reading up a bit I thought I'd try it out with a little photo shoot down at the playground. It was actually a pretty sunny day, so there wasn't much I could really do with the settings. That isn't to say I didn't get some great pics. At some point I want to learn how to get blurry backgrounds with the subject in focus.

Holland, MI

Over Labor Day weekend, Kevin and I took a trip to Holland.  We had a few things to celebrate and I hadn't been to Holland since I was in high school.  We spent two nights there.  Two nights away from Gunnar.  That's the longest I had been away from him.  Not gonna lie, I almost had us driving back a day early because I missed him so much.  It didn't help that there were freaking babies everywhere that weekend.  

But, we didn't go home early.  It was really nice weather and I picked a great hotel for us.  I planned a trip using michigan.org.  I printed it and had the list of things to do with me so we could pick.  We ended up doing quite a few things on the list and still managed to relax.  We made the mistake of trying to go to Lake Michigan on Sunday.  You don't head to the lake on the last day of summer.  We ended up turning around out of the line of traffic and exploring around Lake Macatawa instead.  We saw some amazing houses that I didn't think would ever be in MI.  I even found a house listed for $10 million!

I definitely want to go back in the spring for the tulips.  There are a lot of things I want Gunnar to see.

Cheers!


Here's some things we did while in Holland:

Lunch at Boatwerks on the water.  It's located next to Kollen Park which has great views of Lake Macatawa and a boardwalk.  Get the mac and cheese.

Antique shopping at The New Wooden Shoe Antique Mall.  We went back three times because we found so many good deals.  Really nice antiques, reasonably priced.

We walked Downtown Holland too.  We ate at The 8th Street Grille.  Try their soup bar!  And found the cutest gifts at The Apothecary Gift Shop (they have Pandora!) and Karlas Place (they sell stamps for their postcards!).  We also looked around The Holland Clock Company and saw the most amazing cuckoo clocks and Christmas windmills.

We learned all about Dutch culture at the Windmill Island Gardens.  And Kevin kicked my butt at miniature golf at Sundae Sundae Miniature Golf & Ice Cream.

It was a great trip with our home base being the Hampton Inn.  We were flanked by Holiday Inn and Best Western which also looked decent.  There was kind of an outside mall on the other side of the intersection and you could walk to Aldi, some restaurants and a Salvation Army.  Come to think of it, you could walk to that mall too...

The Bear Den #3

A lot has been going on over here.  The biggest being I got a job in MI!  We moved at the end of April.  My dad came down with the RV so Gunnar wouldn't have to make that long drive up 75 in his car seat.  We were able to pack our clothes and Gunnar's things in the RV so we would have them right when we got home.  All our other stuff wouldn't be arriving until a few days later.  Gunnar said goodbye to all his daycare friends.  I actually cried when we said goodbye to his teachers.  Then we said goodbye to all my new lab friends with a trip to the bowling ally.  Gunnar was a big hit with everyone and he loved watching his daddy throwing strikes.

Now that we're a little more settled into MI, Gunnar is going to be starting swim class!  I'm so very excited about that.  He's going to do one lesson with Kevin and one with me.  I really wanted to participate and we were able to find a school that offers classes on the weekends.  Yay!

I'm also hoping to get him into a music class.  Trying to find things that will be as exciting as daycare and break up his day at home with daddy.  I feel kinda guilty for taking him away from all the excitement of daycare, but I'm not sorry he won't be sick any more.  We all got really sick the week before we moved.  Gunnar stayed sick and Kevin had a relapse while the movers were loading up the truck.  When it rains, it pours!  (Which it also did while we were trying to load the trailer...)  Now that Gunnar is out of daycare, I've noticed a HUGE difference in his health.  The pesky cough that he got two weeks after starting is finally gone.  And Kevin and I are feeling much better too.  I'm not sure if it was daycare or Florida that was making us sick.  But I'm sure glad to be back in my state.  I'm still an advocate of daycare, don't get me wrong, but with all the health issues we had while he was in it, and this stupid anti-vaccine movement, I just got more and more uncomfortable with him being around other kids.  I'll feel much better after he turns one.  

Speaking of turning one, I've started planning Gunnar's first birthday!  I'm so excited.  I have the cake booked and the theme picked out.  I found invites, favors and decorations.  I figured out the food and overall layout I want, plus came up with activities for the kids.  Now, I'm looking for a location to make my vision come true.  I can't wait to August...

Cheers!

Ironic that this is my last view of Florida

We're outta here!

First road trip and this is how he travels

Best seat in the "house"

Papa really isn't that bad of a driver!

First meal in MI.  Hitting up old favorites, Los Tres!

#tbt Post: MI Christmas 2012

I always spend Christmas in MI.  Always.  To me, Christmas means cold, snow, fires, getting bundled up and the Griswolds.  All of our family is in MI and almost all of our friends are too.  So, I have to go home ("home" for me will always be MI).  We managed to do a lot on our visit in 2012.  And we got snow.  Really pretty, fluffy white snow.  Just like it should be.  :)  Here are the highlights.

Cheers

Snowing before Christmas.  Its gonna stick!

 Putting on new Christmas presents

Miss Maddy loves her new marching band themed ride!

My Aunt Karen made us a polish lunch complete with kielbasa and pirogis

My Dad and I love coney

Kim getting her 8th? tattoo

My turn

Besties for life!

Then we went shopping :)

Hit the after Christmas sales hard

Good thing we don't have to get Maddy...

But my FAVORITE part of Christmas break was learning to shoot.  Lately, knowing how to shoot a gun has become very important to me.  I want to be able to protect my family.  My dad took us and I'm happy to say that Kevin and I are pretty good.  Sniper Schwemmin hit dead center his first shot.  Ever.  With a gun.  Insert eye roll here...  Take away message, don't mess with the Kendi Haus.

 

Edmund Fitzgerald

 It's a Michigan thing...

Happy Sweetest Day!

It may be a holiday that only MI celebrates, but I love the tradition.  It started in a very special way and I like that it's such a MI thing.  We were able celebrate with candy from MI too!  I found some Sanders candies at TJ Maxx and we have a Kilwins not far from home.  I love that we are able to get MI things while we are on the other side of the country...

Cheers!

Mini Reunion

While in MI for Kiki's and Jen's wedding, we were able to have a small Hoochie reunion for a couple hours.  We were down one Hooch (we missed you Marcy!), but it was still a good time.  My Dad BBQ'd and we played craps and had fun with Maddy.  Makes me wish I lived closer to my home state, but I would love to host everyone down here by the beach!

Cheers!

Watching Auntie Tee Tee shoot craps

See, Uncle Kevin isn't that bad!

Playing with Aunt "Manni"

Thanks for letting the rest of us know to pose, Tiona.  :-P

Kiki and Jen's TC Wedding

Our wedding season is officially over!  Kiki and Jen got married in Traverse City, MI on July 27th.  It was a very beautiful wedding in a very beautiful place.  Everyone had a great time and I really enjoyed visiting one of Michigan's vacation spots (cuz MI is gorgeous in the summer).  

Congratulations Kiki and Jen!  We love you and wish you many years of happiness!

Cheers!

Getting ready to set up

Alysa and Ashley worked really hard to hang this

This takes me back :)

Getting hitched! 

First Dance

Kiki's dance with her mom

Pretty barn

They look so happy

I also got to bounce with Liam at breakfast.  That was a workout!

I was so busy at the wedding that the only pic I got of me and Kevin wasn't very good.  :(  But I did get cute pics of Kevin.