Connor, Part IV.

Just a couple quick shots of Connor. That fur coat on him is just awesome--thanks, Shannon!

Grandma Nilsen!

My Mom is in town for about 10 days, first for Connor's baptism and then through Memorial Day weekend. Since she's not had many chances to be on the blog, here are some photos! Grandma Jester, you're next!

Mother's Day.

Yesterday was our first Mother's Day, and we made the most of it. I cleaned the kitchen, cooked dinner, cleaned up after that, and of course had cards and gifts for Jodi. Dinner was New York strip steak on the grill, twice baked potatoes, corn, and garlic bread. Then Connor had a card for Mommy, and I had one too. I also got Jodi some roses, and I got two monogrammed beach towels--one for Connor, and one for Jodi. All in all, I'd say she had a pretty good day (if I do say so myself)!

The Beach!

We spent a nice Sunday afternoon down on the beach, as it was just gorgeous. Connor didn't like the water yet, but I don't blame him as it was still in the 50s. Can't wait for summer!!

The Cottage.

This is the house my Mom owns on Lake Michigan. Well, you don't see the house so much as you see the view from the house, and the beach. The house is being torn down anyway, and a new one will be built this fall. Hopefully. Of course, the whole place could easily end up as a donation to Hope College, so we try to use it as much as we can in the "right now".

Bath Time.

Connor had his first bath at the cottage, but I sure hope that sink was clean! After that bath, Mommy and baby took a little nap. Daddy was probably up to no good somewhere.

The Carnival.

Well it turns out it was Tulip Time in Holland, which you'd think I would know, but I totally forgot. I mean, it's not like I lived in Holland for eight years or anything. Anyway, the carnival is really near one of the last houses I lived in back then. (Some day I'll get photos of the places I lived in Holland... the "CB Tour of Homes" would be fascinating for everyone, I think--I lived in like 11 places over eight years.) Anyway, I went on one of the rides, and you can clearly see that I am tall enough to make the cut. This one went upside down even!

Holland!

This was Connor's first trip to Holland! We met up with some friends at New Holland Brewery, but Connor did not have his first beer there. As any good parent knows, infants need to wait until they are at least eight or nine months old for their first cold one!!

Heading to Holland!

Time was when I could throw a couple things in a bag and head out the door for Holland. Well, those days are long gone. Last Saturday we went to Holland for Connor's first trip to the lake, and this was what we packed--all for just a *one* night trip. Who knows how we're going to pack for Long Island in July!

P.S. No, we didn't make Ollie ride in the back like that... just trying to give my brother a scare.

The Retractable Screen.

Basically a 'standard' size door (say 36") does not fit our front door entrance, and I blame the builder for this really. That said, we found this retractable screen door, and after lots of measurements, cuts, and general hassle I finally got it installed. It's still not perfect, as the opening is not flush, but it's not bad. Part of the saga involved me taking a nice door from my brother's house and my attempts to install it, which is how I discovered that our front entry is not quite the right size. Getting that door to our place was a real headache, and now I have a door in my garage that I have zero use for. Anyone in the market for a left opening 36" storm door that's in great shape, just let me know! I've got a snow blower for sale too, but that's another story...

Photos

Another not-so-great update, but it's at least a chance to post some photos. MB & Kristi are in Florida again, so we've got Ollie until Sunday. The weather has been great, and I've been driving the convertible all week, but that's actually more because the Audi has been in the shop for some cosmetic work. So here are some pics of Connor (sometimes known as "the boy") and Ollie (usually known as "the boy"). You could say these photos are of "the boy" with "the boy", but I've had some complaints about that whole nickname thing.

Quick Update.

It's been a while since I posted anything, so here is a photo of Connor going for his first ride in the convertible, then a couple shots of my brother and Connor. They were over this weekend and we threw washers, grilled, and the usual stuff. Then Sunday Jodi and I installed a retractable screen "door" on the front entrance to the house (it's not really a door, it's a retractable screen), but I'll get to that later.

Spring

Our Michigan weather finally changed for the better this weekend. Some photos of the boy enjoying the sunshine. He wears sunglasses just because he's cool, and that's what cool kids do.

P.S. I mowed for the first time Friday, and the lawn is really looking good. I'm pleasantly surprised at the results, and the landscaper guy is coming out to fix some of the stuff that's still wrong. He must want the rest of his money.

The real story.

As for my husband and his story about how he built his latest project (the bookshelves), and how it took him an hour and a half from when he "felled" some mahogany tree (who talks like that??), I found this box later on in the garage. Hmmm??

The big project!!

Saturday I finally got around to building my most recent set of bookshelves. And as I told my buddy Seffy (don't worry, he doesn't even read this thing), it only took me about an hour and a half from the time I felled the first Mahogany tree to when the final product was assembled!! Some photos, of course.

Because that's what we do here.

Random thoughts.

Jodi took these over the weekend... note that almost a month ago (OK, it was the weekend of March 24) I got the convertible out and drove it for a couple days. Good thing I didn't put the insurance on it that day, ahem.

Easter Weekend.

This past week I was basically playing "Mr. Mom", as I had Connor Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. His daycare was closed for spring break, and the rest of it was because Mommy was busy. We did great though, of course, and I don't need much of a reason to take time off work! Anyway, Saturday evening Sara & Jeff Dekker came over for dinner, and they brought their little girl Anne (that's with an 'e', and don't you forget it!!), and their infant son Max, who of course is Connor's new BFF. I think Connor is about six weeks older than Max, but that's nothing really in the grand scheme of things. Then Sunday was church, followed by dinner at Jodi's Dad's house with the rest of the family. Great dinner, as always, then it was nap time.

Wedding Party

Tom and Dave discuss politics. Or religion. Or possibly philosophy. Either way, you had to be there.

Random Photos of the boy

Just some shots of the boy, and the boy and his Grandpa Bast, and whatever else fits.

Weekend Update

Let's see... Friday night we went out to dinner with a bunch of friends to celebrate my birthday, which was Tuesday. I'm 35 now, and headed gracefully to 40. Oh well. Dinner at Carrabba's was great food and great company. Saturday my Dad and Tina were in town for the celebration of my Aunt Jan's marriage to Paul Elzinga, and that was a great party! All of my five cousins were in town, and brought their kids even, and Connor was a huge hit as well. Sunday was low key, and Monday I was home all day with Connor, as day care is closed for spring break. (I'm off Friday too, which is fine with me. Oh, and Tuesday afternoon, which is another story.)

Below is a shot of my cousin Cathy and me, and Connor is in the background, held by Cathy's daughter Hillary, who's a sophomore at Hope. By the way, Hillary's dad is for sure not a Bast. Just for the record.