My dad got to visit us at the end of March. My parents took turns, since they both work for a church in Iowa they couldn't be away at the same time. Of course, now that they've been, they're determined to come together next year for a winter vacation for, like, two weeks.

Michael had a lot of fun with his Papa, but I'm still hearing about how he and Papa went to the baseball game and the park. Before Clark came home, my dad, Michael, and I went to a Cubs vs. White Sox spring training game. Michael had SO much fun. Playtime with Papa was pretty much the center of his world.




As for the park, my dad watched Michael while Clark and I got a movie-date in and they went to the park for a very long time.

Other than that, we all had a lot of fun. We got to go hiking, just hang out, and try some of the local foods that we hadn't just yet... and some that we had. I mean, who can come out West and not go to In-N-Out?

" A portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014. "
My wonderful friend from NC was out here for a Juice Plus conference weekend so we got to spend some quality time together... with Michael, of course. Saturday we made our way to the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. It was fantastic. I'm definitely thinking we need to get a year-pass for this one for Michael. He had way too much fun.

Also, this photo credit goes to Linden. I didn't actually take it, but it was too wonderful not to share for the 52 Project.

Part of Practising Simplicity's 52 Project.

A couple weeks ago now my mom came for a visit. Since she's been stuck in the midst of blizzards and feet of snow, I know for a fact she had more than a few reasons for visiting us in the desert!


Michael had such a wonderful time. He loved waking up and going downstairs to find Marmee waiting to tell him good-morning.


We were able to do so many wonderful things; Clark and I even got a date in while he was home for a couple of days.


Next up, my sister and her family are coming to visit this week! After that, my dad is coming at the end of March, and a friend is coming at the beginning of April.

So, if you're thinking of visiting, you may want to stake your claim of time now... just saying. We're a popular spot... until the summer comes around, that is.

When Clark and I were first married, my parents were stationed in Germany. It was like a fairy tale getting to spend our first two Christmases overseas in a place where Christmas is taken very seriously.


Now whenever Christmas time comes around, we can't help but miss it. We always think of the Christmas markets, the hot apfelwein, and all the glorious food. Some day we hope to take Michael to experience it, because it's house most of our Christmas traditions began.

Do you have somewhere you visit every year for Christmas, or have visited and it always makes you think of the holidays?

More pictures from our visit to Pella, Iowa. I just took so many... I couldn't help myself. Being around my family truly is a rarity, so when it happens... the camera is never far from my side.















There may be a few more than in the first post. Gotta love it!

HAPPY SEPTEMBER! BRING ON THE FALL!
I know this has been over a week coming. We had SO MUCH FUN visiting family in Pella, Iowa. It brought back memories of growing up in Holland (MI).

Here are just some of the pictures. Second half are to come soon.










It was so wonderful to spend some time with my family. I'm really blessed if I get to see them more than once a year, and even luckier when I actually get to see my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. I hadn't seen them in over a year. That is WAY too long to go without seeing my sister and her sweet family. (You can see them all the time by checking out See You There!)

I love getting away, but coming home is always hard. While I really missed our space, the house definitely seems empty after being around so many wonderful people (and helping hands).

I have started this post at least a dozen times. I can't seem to get my ducks in a row these past few days. I'd like to say I'm hung over from a time change and lots of family time... but, come on. Eastern to Central to Eastern Time? It's just like falling back and springing forward in a shorter period of time. Right?

Michael and I made it safely home on Saturday. Our plane rides were not uneventful, however. On our first plane, after munching down some pizza while waiting and guzzling down some apple juice that the stewardess offered... Michael threw up.

There was no warning. No moan, groan, or sign that something was about to happen. He was sitting there as happy as you please... and then there was stuff all over the two of us. Luckily it completely missed the sweet lady sitting next to us, who promptly offered to move so we could go to the restroom. But I was not about to go lugging Michael down the aisle of this plane with throw up running down our legs (like that visual?).

Thank goodness I'm an over-packer. I pulled out who knows how many wipes to clean us off the best I could and commenced to change Michael's clothes in our seat. I didn't want to risk trying to move and having more gunk appear or fall out all over the place while on the move.

Michael after our first flight, waiting for our second plane with his airplanes from Disney Pixar's Planes-- which is going to be his first movie-theatre-movie as soon as Dada comes home!
All this taught me? Never feel bad packing extra clothes for the little guy and yourself. I was so thankful I had packed an extra shirt for myself and two extra outfits for Michael in my carry-on. Call it crazy, but you'll thank me if you listen and this happens to you.

Our second flight Michael talked nonstop to the elderly woman sitting next to us. NON. STOP. He kept telling her we were going up in the sky in the airplane. We were sitting on Papa's (my dad's) airplane. Where was Marmee (my mom)? We painted with Maile (his cousin).

All of a sudden my child is perfectly capable of putting concrete thoughts and sentences together. WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN?! OK... they may not be THAT concrete. I have to interpret them to people who don't understand Michael-lingo. But a lot of it is understandable to just about everyone.

We made it home safe and sound, bottom line. And that's what counts.

The other positive? Michael was gifted one of my old beanie babies while visiting Marmee and Papa, and it's become his LOVEY! Well, we're four-days running. Any time he wants to lie down or cuddle or do anything-- Wrinkles the Bulldog has to be there. I'm surprised I didn't think of him needing a smaller something to hold on to sooner. I kept thinking bigger, as in something to substitute for him holding on to me... like a body pillow or something. But, no. Wrinkles the small Bulldog takes the prize (for now, that is).


Promise more pictures from our trip soon! Happy Middle-of-the-Week!

Hello from Iowa! Michael and I are having way too much time with some of my side of the family, though we are missing Dada (aka Clark) terribly. I thought I would let you in on a few photos from one of our favorite outings before my post-vacation post (ha).

A couple days ago we got the kiddos ready and went downtown in Pella, Iowa. Our number one reason was not only to enjoy all the sites (and all the windmills), but to visit Jaarsma's Bakery.

Sadly, I was so enamoured with the inside of this delicious establishment that I didn't get any shots. If I happen to come across any from Katie (over at See You There) I will make sure to share them with you.

Until then, please enjoy these pictures of Michael and Maile enjoying their sugar cookies. These weren't just any sugar cookies. The toddlers were beyond excited that the frosting made the cookies look like little pigs. Michael could not stop snorting... which seemed appropriate since he was scarfing the cookie down.









The blur you see is Michael's cookie falling to the ground.
As for the "grown-ups"... we were happy to enjoy a Dutch letter. Let's just say they are beyond delicious. Follow the link to see some details!

My family is full of history nuts. Probably because we were instilled with a love for it when we were very little. Anywhere we lived, we'd be taking road trips to any historical site possible. Lighthouses to battlefields to national parks, we've definitely seen it all. Don't even get me started with when my parents were living in Germany.

This picture comes to you from, I think, 1998 or 1999. Couldn't you tell? We were on a family trip to Gettysburg with some amazing family friends (the ones behind the camera, Tony and Bev).

The one standing on the pillar with the rockin' glasses, blue shirt, Tevas, and camera... that'd be me. I love this picture of my family because it's pretty much classic of everyone. The other rarity is that my older sister looks as though she was still taller than me at this point. (Love ya, KK!) My little sister looks like she's about to get in trouble. And my parents are just adorable. Even though my mom is a little overshadowed, she also has the classic camera hanging around her neck. If anyone wonders where we ladies get our love for taking pictures... blame her.

Please share links for your #TBTs!

Two weeks ago Michael and I made a five-hour trek with our puppy to visit the in-laws in good 'ole Fayetteville. Overall we had a wonderful time, but I think I learned I never want to drive that far by myself with a demanding toddler and a car-crazy dog. We got to enjoy the Fourth of July, Pop's Birthday, and some time at the beach. Just in case this picture and the others from Monday weren't enough for you, here are some more!