Beginning of Autumn

We did have a few things going on in September...

First we went up north to spend a night in Traverse City while Jeff was attending a conference. Maya and I tested the pool several time at the Grand Traverse Lodge.

Then we headed to Mackinaw for the weekend.

We did the obligatory activities on Mackinac Island.

Carriage Ride.... check

Butterfly Gardens....check

fudge....check

pasties...check, gag

Last week the Carrolls visited. Maya had so much fun with Aunt "Corntee" and happily played the star of the show for Grandma & Grandpa.

Maya has been so hopped up on horses after Mackinac (a car-less island) & visiting Shipshewana (Amish Country) with the Carrolls.

Now she is constantly announcing to us that "I like Hoses!"

End of the Summer

No - we haven't posted in a while. Sorry fans, but not much has been going on. Its been a lazy last few months. Here are the highlights...

Taking Angela to the farm for Maya's favorite pastime.

Identifying flora & fauna. Hiking the floating boardwalk at Bishops Bog.

(As we said last year... a must-see for Kalamazoo locals)

Keeping track of our flock of Turkeys. They were boldly heading into front yards.

Spent our only day at Lake Michigan this year with the Boyans.

The water was practically HOT!

Ate our weight in blueberries.

Moved!

I hope all of you have received our new address by now. (If not, e-mail me). The week after our vacation we moved (3 miles away) to a larger home in a quiet cul-de-sac. Now we have plenty of space inside & out. Maya likes to scamper up and down the hill in her yard... like the bunnies we see out the window.

Thank you Babçia, Sarah, Beth, Ann, & Katie for entertaining Maya during the box shuffle. She had so much fun with you. It was a tremendous HELP to us!

Our new neighbors....

Maya's bedroom has the best view for spying wildlife! On our 2nd morning here she woke up to 2 bunnies outside her window. Today we watched 3 bluejays and some yet-unidentified yellowish birds taking a bath in a puddle. This evening we came home to find a family of 8 young turkeys with their mother. I was so surprised and thrilled, I think I scared Maya with my enthusiasm while desperately looking for the camera (and new batteries). Later when I asked her if she wanted to see if the turkeys were still there she clung to me and said, "no-no, no-no."

If you know what our old "backyard" was like - you can appreciate my excitement over these common-everyday woodland creatures.

Little Miss also got a trike to go with her new driveway. (The helmet was her idea) She can't actually reach the pedals - but she loves getting pushed around while she holds her feet up.