baby beluga

This past Monday (my parents' day off, traditionally speaking), we all jammed ourselves into their Mercury and headed down to the Southern Connecticut shore. Memere and Papa treated us to a trip to Mystic Aquarium! We all had so much fun exploring the many exhibits.

This was taken at the END of the long, fun day. We were all ready to take a load off and have a little rest.

The weather held up long enough for us to get a peek at the seals and sea lions.

We zoomed around outside while the weather was pleasant and even got to see some penguins!

This sculpture is entitled "King and Heir". Papa couldn't help himself. :)

The beluga whales were, by far, our favorite thing to see. They were playful and so fun to watch.

Nadia spotted this guy hiding in the marshland outside the penguin exhibit. She's got sharp eyesight!

Aquarium or no aquarium, Nadia is fully and completely relishing her time with Memere and Papa.

mulch

Aside from meeting up with supporters, friends and family, reconnecting with and speaking at our church(es), getting ready for our little baby (BOY!!!!) to arrive, and enjoying our time in the States, we've been busy with several miscellaneous projects.

Nadia and I have enjoyed preparing and planting a vegetable garden with Memere (my mom).

Not pictured: Phil is doing major repair work to the stairway leading up to our "suite" in the attic at my parents' home. He's working hard, tearing down plaster, hanging drywall, mudding, taping and painting - as well as installing a handrail. Thank you, Philly boy!

Question: How many adults (and hammers??) does it take to assemble 1 Big Wheel? (immediately after breakfast, while still wearing their pajamas...)

Answer: At least 3.

But it still only takes one happy 2 year old to enjoy it.

Rain boots, sidewalk chalk, her big wheel - just a few of her favorite things.

Went to a classic American diner for lunch the other day. i love this photo for the waitresses in the background. They look exactly as pleasant and welcoming (not to mention happy) as any diner waitresses i've ever met.

Happy reunion with my dad's sister - my Auntie Laura! She flew out east from her home in MN for a quick trip. So very glad we got to meet up!

Ok, Southbridge, Massachusetts. i've been wondering for years now who let this happen. Seriously? Dunk'n Foam-It!?!?!?

What does that even MEAN!?!?!?!?

New England

Since arriving on Monday, we've been busy catching up with my family. Needless to say, Memere and Papa have been in their element, soaking up as much time with Nadia as humanly possible.

Playing at the park in the evening after supper (more importantly, after Memere gets home from work :0).

Mostly we've been enjoying the simple pleasures of a lovely New English spring. Sunshine, flowers, green grass...

We're so thankful that through all the travel of the past 2 months, all the transitions, the new places, new bedrooms, new people and faces, as well as one giant ear infection, our little two-almost-three-year-old has rolled with the punches and is actually quite good at all of this. Now we're here in MA and awaiting the arrival of her little sibling. We're also excited to see and catch up with many of you, dear readers!

32 weeks pregnant, and really beginning to "feel it". I'm so thankful to be here with family and friends and a familiar doctor - as well as just to be... well... here!

New Fam Photos

Here are a few new family photos that our good friends, the Grimes, took for us yesterday evening. We always have such a great time with them, and this weekend was no exception. Also, they're the best photographers that we know. Looking for great photographers? Check them out: www.grimestonephoto.com

Oh, Brother

On Tuesday we got the chance to meet up with my brother and his family. It was the first time we met their daughter - and the first time they saw Nadia since she was just a month or two old. We met up at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago, and had one very full, very fun day together. Here are a few shots from our fun reunion.

I can't seem to get enough of Children's Museums. Nadia is just at the perfect age for all that they have to offer. And I know she'll not have a chance to enjoy them again for a long time, so we're taking advantage while we're here in the States.

Apparently, Uncle PJ needs a sign explaining that the tiny canoe is meant for... er... tiny people.

I, on the other hand, need no explanation or instructions for the cave woman vest i found to try on over my ever expanding waistline.

Nadia and Evelyn had a lot of fun together, meeting for the first time and playing until they dropped.

I'm pretty sure that rolling pin exhibit is not meant for... um... whatever it is he's doing here.

Honestly, the story was interesting. Honestly.

What a pretty little baby.

"It's like playing with you, Shelley. She doesn't fight fair..."

It was a whirlwind day, wherein we exhausted ourselves and had a blast. So happy to have had the chance to see them again!

Tomorrow we head out East to make our way to PA, then to my hometown in MA.

Family Farm

This past weekend we got the chance to go visit Phil's Granddad out at the old family farm. Nadia was thrilled at the prospect of meeting Great Granddad - and riding on tractors - and running around in the fields. She got to do all three. :)

Trying out an old Case.

Having a good laugh in the machine shed.

Trying out another old Case (we could still be there trying out all the old Cases)

Enjoying the playhouse the cousins built last summer.

Yes, somehow even I managed to haul myself up there...

Granddad pausing for a brief (rare) moment for a photo shoot on one of his beloved Case tractors. This will be his 2nd year not farming... ever. He's 83 years old.

Pausing on the green, green grass.

Playing with Grandpa until he was ready to drop. :)

Then dragging him and Grandma on a walk down "The Lane"

Aaaand, someone found a sled in one of the sheds - or was it the garage?

Yes, she went sledding on the grass, in May.