Belated Birthday 4.11.10

My mom thought it would be fun to have a birthday "party" for Al with a cake when all of the family was there...a month after his actual birthday. He was surprised!

Matthew, who was probably making his camera bark at my camera. (They don't get along too well)

Al with a picture of the card I got him.

Outside 4.12.10

While we were waiting my grandmother to arrive, my mom and I spent some time outside. We walked around and she showed me what flowers were coming up. It was a beautiful spring day!

Pepper, who I call 'my puppy'. She's getting up there in age, but she still runs around like a silly animal. She's the only animal I know who blinks when she gets her picture taken.

This was one picture in a sequence of silly pictures my mom and I took together, but I'll save those for scrapbooking purposes.

Sticks & Flowers 4.12.10

Here are some photos I took while I was outside...resting my voice. Ha!

Friends & Family 4.12.10

This was the second day of my visit at my mom and Al's house. My voice still wasn't doing so great. I thought I sounded like Rachel Ray, but with less of a voice. It was frustrating because I wanted to visit, but I could hardly talk. So every once in awhile I would whisper and then someone would talk for me. I sipped a lot of tea and tried to rest my voice as much as possible. I also slept with a humidifier nearby. I think my body was having a hard time being in drier climate.

My grandmother (almost 81 at this time) drove to North Branch from Dorr, Michigan (near Grand Rapids). She pulled in the same time Matthew, Jessica and the boys did, as well as my friend Rebekah and her children, Titus and Leah. There were lots of hugs!


Jessica, Rebekah, and me

Mom, Matthew (holding Samuel), Grandma Miklusicak, Jessica, Isaac, and me.

Titus playing with an action figure.

Family Fun 4.13.10

This was the last day full day my grandmother was going to be at my mom's house.  So all of us got together there and enjoyed a few hours together.  It was a beautiful day outside so we spent time outside playing with Isaac and Samuel, and of course taking pictures.

(Top photos courtesy of Jessica)

(Photo courtesy Mary Z)

I was being dramatic here; Isaac wasn't *that* hard to pull.  At one point while I was pulling him around in the wagon I asked him to sing a song about riding in a wagon.  He paused, looked up at the sky, tapped his chin (he was thinking) and then was like, "I'm riding in a wagon, I'm riding in a wagon..."  And he repeated that over and over again in song.  It was so sweet!  Every once in awhile I'd ask him to sing songs about different things.  He just melts my heart!

(Photo courtesy Mary Z)

(Photo courtesy of Matthew or Jessica)

(Photo courtesy Mary Z)

I love this picture!  I love the delightful looks on everyone's faces!

Jenny the horse 4.15.10

My mom has a horse named Jenny. I think it's really neat that my mom has a barn and property to keep Jenny at home instead of boarding her. While I was at their house I had the privilege of helping "scoop" manure. When I was 17 I had a job cleaning stalls. I have to admit I kind of like the job. I think I'm a farm girl at heart.

Photo courtesy of Mary Z.

Photo courtesy of Mary Z.

Hopefully my mom won't be too upset for me sharing this photo. I just think she looks so pretty!

Friend 4.16.10

My friend Rebekah lives 3 miles down the road from my mom. She came to pick us up to drive to Isaac's birthday party. It was our chance to get some photos together. These photos are courtesy of my mom. (Thanks, Mom!)

Isaac's birthday party 4.16.10

My nephew Isaac turned 4 on April 18th.  There was a birthday party for him a couple of days before at his Aunt Jackie's house.  It was fun to be part of the celebration.  Isaac is so much fun!  Here are some pictures from the event:

The birthday boy!

Dirt cake!  Yum!

Our friend Barry and his son Isaiah.

Me, Rebekah, Jessica, Jackie, and Carrie

Matthew (my brother), Jessica, Isaac, and Samuel (who is about tired of getting his picture taken at this moment--ha!)

Katie's Birthday 4.17.10

This was my first time in 7 years that I was able to celebrate with Katie on her birthday. She's a sweet little girl!

April 2010 miscellaneous

Here are some random photos from the month of April:

Quent took this picture of me on a hike on Lunch Creek Trail. A great shot of what it looks like to hike in the temperate rainforest.

For about a month and a half I watched our friend's Will and Jamie's little girl. Taryn is an adorable, blue-eyed baby who gave me a run for my money. That girl has some lungs! Whew! It's amazing how fast they grow!