Grams Arrives

The day couldn't get here fast enough, and when the day got here, the minutes dripped by. But FINALLY, we had our long awaited, beloved Grams.

Mackenzie, though shy at first, didn't take long to warm up to Grams. Here she is clutching onto " Mimi" the doll Grams made for her. Mimi traveled to Michigan in a purse that matched Grams' and was made by Aunt Janis.
We ate dinner at our favorite mexican food restaurant in downtown Detroit. Mack showed Grams the proper way to eat salsa:
We headed back to South Lyon where Mackenzie showed Gram's her treasures ( her bed, her dolls and books). Mackenzie never let Grams get too far away. Even a quick trip to the bathroom required Mackenzie's supervision:

Mom and Mack smelling the sunflowers:
The fun carried on. Each morning Mack woke up looking for Grams and they played together all day long:

Stay tuned!

This is a photo of Mack saying " We're still here!"

We have been so busy the last few weeks. Last week and the week before we had play dates every week. It's been a lot of fun to spend time cultivating new friendships and relishing in old, comfortable ones.

The anticipation is building here as we wait for Gram's visit! Our wait is almost over- she'll be here tomorrow! Stay tuned for pictures of our trip to Ludington for G.G.'s 80th birthday party and many other adventures!

Creative bubble popping

No, it's not the newest Olympic competition,it's Mack's new favorite past time. She was banging together metal pan lids the other day so I got out the bubbles and we created a new game!
Wait for it, wait for it!
This picture just makes me smile- it captures the freedom of being a child.
Unfortunately, sometimes our freedom needs reining in:

S'mores, please!

We had a "cook out" at Grammy's tonight. Mike got a fire going in the fire pit where we roasted hot dogs and later made s'mores.

Mike doing what it takes to have a good cookout. He's using those Eagle scout skills!
Grammy and Macky eating a s'more. Mackenzie is wondering why you'd ruin a perfectly good chocolate bar with marshmallow and graham crackers:
Mack and grammy making " grass angels"
My little streaker. There is only one time in your life that this is legal. Better enjoy it ( in the back yard)
Stopping to scope out some bugs:
The perfect way to end the evening:

Princess Playdate

We invited Olivia over for a Princess Play date. The girls dressed up in their finest princess outfits and best jewels. They made crowns and then snuggled in with popcorn to watch Cinderella.

Mack in her fancy clothes:
Pretty princesses
Hard at work making their crowns:
Mack's completed crown. She did it all on her own!

Northville Parade

Aunt Meg was heading out of town to her basket weaving conference but she very graciously left her house open for us. She prepared breakfast and reserved our seats on the lawn. All we had to do was show up!

Aunt Meg's neighbor, Jess, brought over her new puppy, Jake. Mack really loved him but wasn't sure why he can bite and not go to time-out:
Here's our crew waiting for the parade to start.Wilson's came and Aunt Janet was a little too far right to get in on this picture, but she was there, too!
Griffin had the right idea:
Mack and me during the parade:
If you ask Mackenzie if she had fun at the parade, she'll tell you " Yeah. The fire truck sirens were sooo noisy" :

Will and Erin commented how watching Mack and Olivia is like looking at a Norman Rockwell painting. I agree!
This is why they are smiling- they made out like bandits!

Later, Mack and Mike played DS together:

Mom's night out!

The long awaited "Mom's night out" was so much fun! Erin and I had dinner at Red Robin, cruised Target for any " must haves" and movie snacks then headed over to catch opening night of " Eclipse". Erin and I both read the books so it's fun to see them come alive on the big screen. It's so great to have such a good friend so close by!