Introducing Michigan to the Evans side of the family

Well, both of my parents have been to Michigan (and to Rochester) before, but this was the first time they came here to visit us in our new home.  They came to check out the new digs and help us knock a few things off our to do list.

While we were frantically painting and repairing the Tennessee house in preparation for putting it on the market, I fantasized that someone in Michigan was doing the same to the house we would buy.  NOT SO MUCH.  This house is fantastic -- don't get me wrong -- but has a buttload of wallpaper and finishes that need to be updated.  Most of all, we wanted to make the kids' rooms feel like home for the little squinkers.  Grandma JoJo and Grandpa Spike to the rescue!

I didn't take very many pictures (we were too busy!), but I did get some shots of Grandma JoJo attempting to teach the goofballs how to shuck corn (bought from the nearby farm market).

Do Charlotte's legs look long or what?  Alas, Grandma JoJo had to do most of the actual shucking, but at least she tried.

I know I need to post more photos of the inside of the house, but here is one shot Mom took of me in my awesome new kitchen.

We took my parents to nearby Bear Creek Park.  It has the coolest and springiest four-seater seesaw I have ever seen.

Charlotte likes the bouncy dinosaur.

Super slider!

Grandpa Spike and I used our long legs to help out the kiddos on the see-saw.

And here is a shot Mom took of me on top of the shelf above the front door.  Yes, that is faux marble wallpaper.  I can't wait to take it down once I figure out how.  It was filthy  dirty up there, so I was vacuuming it before adding a few decorations.

I'll post more photos of the painting work Mom and I did later.  I'm planning a whole "before and after" post but need to take all the "after" photos first.  Thank you for all your help, Mom and Dad!  We can't wait for you to come back to just hang out and check out the rest of the town.

Get well soon, Anuradha!!!

We were really sad to hear that a dear friend of Corey's cousin, Erin, is in need of some good vibes to be sent her way.  We're thinking of you, Anuradha, and hope you feel better very soon!  Charlotte drew a picture of her beloved new Halloween bouncy ball that she scored from the treasure chest at the doctor's office this morning.  She added a rainbow on top, because she thought it would cheer you up.

I'm confident Peter would have happily scribbled his artistic vision of Batman for you on a piece of paper, but unfortunately he conked out on the couch.  Transitioning out of a regular afternoon nap is rough-going, even for a tough guy like Peter.

Please get better soon and we can't wait to meet you!

Love,
Charlotte, Peter, and their assorted animals and parental units

Charlotte's latest conquest

Charlotte's latest conquest: 4-year-old preschool!  Last year before kindergarten.  Here she is, ready for her first day and wearing her new "twirl skirt" that I sewed for her.

Oops -- looks like it is time for a 5T shirt!

Gotta test out the twirling properties of the skirt!

That poor teacher.  Does she know what she is in for?

Watch out, Junior Preschool . . .

. . . 'cause here comes Peter!

With Batman along for the ride, of course.

Grand fun in Grand Rapids and Grand Haven

The week after Camp NanaB, we took off for the western side of the state for a quick visit with Stephanie, Don, Quinn, and Maisie at their new house in Grand Rapids.  The house is gorgeous and perfect for entertaining a wild group of toddlers/preschoolers.

We started with a ride in the gator.  Quinn is really good at maneuvering that thing all over the terrain.  His backing up skills are especially impressive.

Peter couldn't quite get the hang of driving and Charlotte preferred being chauffeured, so Quinn did most of the driving.  On one of the trips around the yard, he and Charlotte packed up some shovels and headed to the vacant lot next door to help dig the basement for a new house.

Story time with Aunt Stephanie!

Water tables are always a hit with this age group.

The next morning, we headed out to a beach in Grand Haven on Lake Michigan.  The sand was sugary soft and the water was nice and warm.

COWABUNGA!

WAIT FOR MEEEEEEEE!

The whale spout hairdo slays me.

Poor Maisie -- never a fan of group shots!

The kids spent an inordinate amount of time dumping bucketfuls of water on a huge sand pile that a previous beach visitor had built.

We headed back to GR for lunch on the deck and then hightailed it back to Rochester to get ready for the big move into our new house.  Thanks for a fun time in Grand Rapids, Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Don!

Scenes from Camp NanaB 2012, part 2

The camp fun continued at a bridge construction site.

The campers hoped to be hired as day laborers, but no such luck.

Unfortunately, Maisie was never interested in sitting still for a group shot.

I love this shot of my sweet little guys running at full tilt together.

We made slime out of glue, liquid starch, and food coloring.

And the corn pool made another appearance!

We may need a bigger pool at some point if their legs all get as long as Charlotte's.

Diving in to the pool is always a big hit.

We packed up the corn into a smaller bucket, and the boys had a miniature corn pool experience.

We danced with scarves . . .

. . .and we played with masks.

Everyone got a little soggy when outdoor playtime was interrupted with a sudden rain shower.

The camp bus was bursting at the seams.

Cheesy cousins!

Group shots are never easy with teeny kids.

We finished with a camp trip for ice cream at the Paint Creek Cider Mill.  Quinn, of course, had his beloved chocolate.

Charlotte is also a chocolate fan.

CHOMP!

Where did my ice cream go?

Goofballs, goofballs, goofballs.

Sweet shot of GrandDad and his little Maisie.

Thank you for another wonderful year of Camp NanaB!  See you next year!!