11 and Counting...

It's hard to believe it was 11 years ago that Adam and I were married. Amazing where we started out and what we've done in these years. I don't think I would've thought that we'd be in Minnesota (still), living in a small town with a child and one on the way! But I wouldn't change it for the world.

Adam surprised me by having these clam back chairs refinished as an anniversary gift. 3 years ago when we moved into the house, Adam's dad brought them from MI, they were Adam's grandparents. They needed some serious work and so I spent a good week stripping the paint and getting them ready to be sanded (what else is there for a teacher to do in the summer pre-kids?). Adam was to sand them and then paint them...remember this was 3 years ago. So there they sat, tipped against the garage for 3 years. Finally Adam called a company (down the street from our house) and they said they would sandblast them and paint them for a decent price. While Gerrit and I were in MI, Adam had them taken care of. Our color choices were limited seeing the company actually makes iron railings for homes etc so white was it. I am pretty excited to sit in them now (or someday when Gerrit will play in one spot) and they look great. To think they are over 60 years old!

As I sit here and write this post Adam is in WI for a bike 'race' with a friend from town. Not the most romantic way to spend an anniversary but it was something he really wanted to do and so I said he could go. We'll go out for dinner this week and celebrate his birthday as well and it will all work out. He did call me mid ride to wish me a happy anniversary which was very thoughtful. Gerrit and I spent the morning poolside in Lake City with Team Beat and then Dahlen's had us over for pizza so I didn't have to cook!

Goodhue County Fair

Amongst the chaos of Adam building a new bike before his big weekend, we found some time to go to the fair. Lucky for us, it is just on the edge of town so we don't have far to go. The night we went was the night of the tractor pull. Adam was interested in going seeing it had been years since he last saw one and Gerrit and I had never been. I must say, it was kind of interesting despite the little rain we sat through. Gerrit loved the tractors but did not last through the whole thing so we left and went to see the animals. I think of all the animals he saw, the cows were by far Gerrit's favorite. He had to go back a few times to see them. We spent a little time watching the goat judging while we waited for the rain to stop. Dessert was dip n' dots. Gerrit wasn't so sure about them and preferred to see the cows over the ice cream. So I sat at ate them (my first official bowl of dip n' dots too). Our county fair is small but the perfect size to get a 'taste' of what a fair is like. We did not look in all the buildings seeing it was getting late but made it to the important ones - the animals!

Less than a Week

Gerrit moved into his new room when we returned from MI. He made the adjustment quite well and now likes his 'big bed'. Here he is sleeping in his new bed - he looks so big!

This morning was the first time he got out of bed on his own. Usually he'll cry and expect someone to get him out of bed, but not today. I heard a strange pitter patter of little feet and when I opened my eyes, Gerrit was eye level next to my bed with his blanket in hand. I lifted him in bed with me and we snuggled for a bit. I like not hearing a cry when I need to get up in the morning, seeing his face is much better!

After a bit, Gerrit whispered to me: "Mom, waffles?"
I'll have to work on saying 'good morning' and then ask for the waffles!



A few shots of his new room. My mom is working on a few more throw pillows but the bicycle fabric I ordered had not come yet when we were in MI. The railing that I used growing up (these are the bunks I slept on) is only for the top bunk (and not real safe) so we are using the Dahlen boys' railings as they don't need them anymore. I made the cycling frames myself and I think I'm going to do more with Mod pod stuff - its quite slick! For the most part his room is done and I think he can sense the theme as this morning he was impressed with they Ride poster next to his dresser.

Sandy Pines 2

Gerrit and I headed back to MI for a week. With me not working it only seemed right to head back and visit with friends that we did not see the 1st time this summer. We flew to Chicago and rode with friends to Sandy Pines. Gerrit did quite well on the plane which made me happy! We were able to go swimming a few more times seeing the weather was nice. We made it to the beach, water park, pool at the country club with the cousins and a boat ride with friends. Gerrit helped Omah make coffee cake, Opah bring the garbage away (any reason for a golf cart ride and potential trip to the candy store!), and even golfed (surprise, surprise). I did not take his bike which would have made the trip perfect for him. When we returned Gerrit went to daycare and I let him ride his bike there seeing he hadn't ridden it in over a week (he is so much like is dad!)

Bed Time

Gerrit and I sleep in the loft at my parents. I decided to try Gerrit next to me on his own air mattress instead of the pack and play this time. (Our goal is to move Gerrit to his new room when we return Thurs.) I figured we could practice here and get the idea of a bed...well it has worked sort of ... I have to lay by him until he falls asleep or else he'll get up. It has not been real fun laying next to him when I would like my own 'down time' before I go to sleep. I've been tempted to put him back in the pack and play so I could leave but I have not caved yet and we don't have many nights left. Tonight he was playing and I was sick of laying there so I warned him that I was leaving if he continued...well he continued so I left. He cried but he didn't come down from the loft! I'm not sure where I will find him sleeping when I go to bed but I figured we are headed in the right direction. I do not want to have to lay by him every night once we are home and hope that this isn't a pattern...tonight confirmed that it isn't (I hope!). Here's hoping for a smooth transition in a few days (and Adam has finished getting the room ready)!

New Job?

Today Gerrit and I spent the day with my brother's family. We got a taste of the country club life (well, they have it for a year, and we got it for the afternoon). We went to the pool and enjoyed the zero depth pool and kiddie slides. Following the pool we headed inside for dinner 'at the club'.

Over dinner Max said he wished we lived closer and I said we do too - if Uncle Adam could find a job, we'd move closer to the family!

When it was time to say our good byes Max chimes in that Golf Galaxy is hiring...my sister in law and I laugh and she says to Max "you couldn't hold down a job, you barely stay focused on jobs at home" (he's in 6th grade and totally into golf).

Max responded by saying: "no, for Uncle Adam".
How sweet is that? Me, being prego and all, was almost in tears I thought it was sweet!

Sneaky Gerrit!

Yesterday afternoon Gerrit and I went to Grand Haven to visit friends. Gerrit loves playing at their house - they have 4 boys! We had a nice dinner and were relaxing a bit before dessert. Gerrit was outside with the 3 yr. old playing with toys in the garage. Cory brought them ice cream sandwiches for dessert and they ate them outside while we had ice cream inside. I went to check on Gerrit and see what kind of a mess he was making, and he seemed to be just fine. Cory went to check on them a bit later and noticed the boys still had their ice cream sandwiches, only this time they had MORE left then we when checked on them last! Yep, they went into the outside freezer and helped themselves to another ice cream sandwich! Cory said the look on their faces was priceless - then they dashed around the house as if they knew they did something wrong. Gerrit being too young, did not admit having 2 but Nathan (and his older brother confirmed) that yes, the 2 boys had 2 ice cream sandwiches! Good thing we don't live closer, those 2 boys could get themselves into a lot of trouble in the coming years!