Long Time, No Post

It's been a while. We've had a bit going on over the past few weeks. Ike has been traveling quite a bit, and Natalie & I made a trip up to IL/IN/MI for my grandma's funeral and to visit family. After we got back from vacation, we got back into our normal routine. That following weekend we enjoyed a live band at a local pizza place. We went with our friends Jen, Brian, and Rescie, and the kids had a good time dancing. Natalie has some moves - we'll have to watch her when she gets older! Owen & Rescie are buddies and seem to really enjoy each other's company. Also that weekend we went to the Museum of Science. I took Natalie and Owen to their first IMAX movie - about the Grand Canyon. The movie was in 3D and Nat & Owen enjoyed their giant glasses. Ike & Henry strolled through other exhibits while we were at the movie. We also went to the butterfly pyramid and Nat wanted more than anything to have one land on her. No such luck, though several fluttered all around her. Henry started clapping and waving & saying "hi" that weekend. It's now his favorite thing to do. He waves & says hi to our reflections each morning when I brush his teeth. Ike was out of town most of the following week and we were glad to stay around the house the next weekend. We had a fountain installed in the front yard area and we are working on landscaping around that. We had news of my grandma that weekend and after Ike's quick NY trip last Monday, Natalie and I headed up to Whiting for the wake & funeral. We visited Whiting Park for Natalie to play at the playground and it was neat since my mom and Karen & I have all played there over the years. We had a luncheon at the church where Mom & Dad got married (38 years ago!) and I got their photo on the steps there. After the funeral, we headed to South Bend to see Judy, and Natalie & I visited with Lindsey & Abigail, and met Addison for the first time. Natalie had a great time with Abigail and did not want to leave. We also went to Michigan to visit my other grandma and my Aunt Judy and cousin Laura. The weather cleared up while we were at the lake and Natalie enjoyed the hummingbirds, flowers, and even played with the may flies. We headed back last weekend and made it into town just in time to go to Rescie's birthday party. This past week Ike was out of town a couple days again, and the kids have all been moving up to their new classes at school and we are adjusting to new pick up/drop off routines (everyone is in a different building than before - three different spots!). So it has been busy around here and now we are getting ready for the boys' birthdays. Hopefully Gustav & Hanna won't interfere!!