lilacs and summer

I was out watering the flowers the other night, and I noticed the big fat bees climbing all over the lilac bush. Do you know which ones I'm talking about? The cute, fuzzy bee. I went inside and grabbed my camera and took a couple of pictures. Unfortunately they didn't turn out because it was breezy, and any time I tried to get close, the bees would take off. So for one specific person, this post is bee picture-free.

The lilac bush is almost done blooming. That means that summer is coming. The nice "spring"-like weather didn't seem to last and we went from nights of frost to 83 degrees. Such is life in Michigan.

Enjoy Memorial Day weekend! We'll be starting out the unofficial start of summer with a cook-out. And there will be ice cream! Homemade as well as a trip to Jersey Junction. Just in case you didn't know that I like ice cream, I scream for ice cream! I could eat it every day! Sometimes I do. Here's to summer, ice cream and cook-outs!

One more

I just thought I would point out that my visitor count is at 3,499. I am one away from 3,500 (in case you couldn't do the math). That's exciting. Considering I have been blog-absent. I guess it's like writing in my journal. I am excited to do it, but then to sit down and remember and take the time... especially when you don't know who's reading your blog, it gets put in the back of my mind. I've been focused on the Quota blog. Feel free to check it out! We're trying to get the word out about who we are and what we do! In the meantime, don't forget to check back here. And don't be afraid to harass me. Maybe that will keep me on top of my blog. I hope you have a great day!

quack, quack

I started thinking about building an ark when I walked into my kitchen and saw this couple hanging out in my very wet backyard.

They both chose to fertilize the lawn... we appreciate what nature has to offer!

I just thought it was cool and wanted to share. I posted them on our local news website too. Happy Spring! I hope it doesn't come down to the ark...

Easter Weekend in Indy

After the week with Skylar here, I took her back home. Bill met us there, he had to come by way of Cleveland (no, it's not on the way, that's my point). On Saturday Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Bill and I took Skylar to the Children's Museum. We wanted to see the Lego Castle exhibit.

Here are some of the Lego pieces that were on display.

Bill didn't want to be in the picture, but I told him he had to for scale. That was a life-size Lego statue of a suit of armor. Pretty impressive.


I love castles, and have had several castle calendars in the past. This is one of the more famous castle's in Germany built by Ludwig, the Neuschwanstein Castle. (click here to see the website.) The display had a wheel that let you spin the castle so you could view it from any side.

Bill found this dinosaur...

then he crawled into the submarine (different exhibits for those of you who have never been to the Children's Museum) and surprised Skylar!

This dinosaur (and two others that didn't make it into the photo) are crashing through the side of the building!

Easter Sunday

A cute little lamb cake.

Eggs that Skylar helped me color.

My artistic interpretation of the eggs after I peeled them to make egg salad.

Spring Break '09

Skylar came back to visit during her spring break again this year. Here are a few pictures from the week.

Uncle Bill and Skylar pose for a picture

Monday
We went to Meijer Gardens to see the butterflies. The beginning of the week started off cold and dreary (but we never did get the six inches of snow they were predicting).


Going in...


It was nice and warm in the Conservatory.


We saw a couple butterflies come out of the chrysalis! How amazing!


Lots of butterflies, we checked out the passport book and identified most of the ones we saw.


Stopping to smell the tulips and daffodils...

Tuesday

We tried going to the pool (East Kentwood H.S. Aquatic Center) but it was unexpectedly closed. So we settled for hot fudge sundaes from McDonald's instead. We did get to go swimming on Wednesday.

Thursday

Sami invited us to her aunt's house to play with Rhea, Eli and Emma. In the afternoon, Skylar and I headed back to Meijer Gardens to play outside in the Sculpture Garden and the Children's Garden.



You can tell it was a nicer and warmer day, a great day to be outside!