Camping at Warren Dunes State Park

After a busy few days in Traverse City, we headed to Warren Dunes State Park in southwestern Michigan for a camping trip with the Alderinks. Despite rain on our first night, the weather was beautiful and we spent Saturday hiking over the dunes and hanging out at Lake Michigan. Sydney enjoyed running around in the dirt with Jannika and riding around in her new backpack carrier.

Climbing the dunes on Dan's back - Sydney had it easy!

Playing in the sand and shade with Daddy

Giving kisses to Daddy

Hanging out with Nana & Grandpa

Traverse City

While Dan was in Traverse City for work, Sydney and I tagged along and spent some time at the beach and in the hotel just hanging out. The weather was beautiful and it was fun teaching Sydney how to play in the sand (although I could use a few lessons myself!) and introducing her to cartoons!

Girls Trip to Calfornia

Some quality time with the cousins in Portola Valley,

A quick visit to JQ & Tante Karinne's Pilates studio in Berkeley, CA,

Then a couple days at Lake Tulloch and a couple days at Pake & Beppe's house in Oakdale...

...and how quickly it's over! We missed you, Dan/Daddy!

Sydney's 1st Birthday

June 24, 2009

Our baby is already one year old! Sydney enjoyed her pre-birthday cupcakes on the 23rd, a trip to Frederick Meijer Gardens in the morning, and even an Indigo Girls/Brandi Carlile concert at FMG in the evening. What a blessing this past year has been!

1st Camping Trip - Ludington State Park

We took our first family camping trip in mid-June in beautiful Ludington on Lake Michigan. The weather was beautiful -- which is surprising since we usually have rain when we camp -- and Sydney really enjoyed sleeping in the tent and hiking around nearby Lost Lake....oh, and she also enjoyed her very first juice box!

Saturday Afternoon at Lake Michigan

We spent Saturday afternoon hiking the dunes along Lake Michigan near Grand Haven with the Alderinks.  It felt great to be outside on such a beautiful day!

 

 

 

 

Spring 2009

Frederick Meijer Gardens

We spent a Sunday afternoon at FMG checking out the butterflies that they bring in every year.  Sydney was surprisingly interested in the flowers and in following the flights of the butterflies around the greenhouse!

 

 

 

 

January 2009

Mom's first day back at work - January 5, 2009.  I am working as an accounting intern at CDV Associates in Grand Rapids.  So far I am only committed to work through tax season, but we will see where that takes me afterward!  I am excited to be using my degrees and to be learning more about accounting....only sad to have to leave Sydney two days per week!

Hmmm, can't seem to get this one rotated, but we couldn't resist sharing that teeny little bum!  Our little monkey is a combination of super active and great metabolism, so she is staying pretty tiny still.  We are hoping solid foods help with the weight gain a bit.

Getting her first taste of rice cereal, and LOVING it!

Another one we couldn't resist - LOVE those cheeks!

Although it was short-lived, we had to get Sydney out in the snow at least once this winter.  She wasn't too impressed...  Dan thought the excursion was somewhat unnecessary, but we won't be living in this type of weather forever, and a Michigan winter is part of every year of life -- even the first!

Someone is NOT happy about being stuck in her crib.  After a couple weeks of disagreeing on taking naps and going to bed, Sydney and her parents have finally made a deal that seems to be working - Mom & Dad say "go to bed" and she does!  Kids learn so quickly... thank goodness!

We purchased a beautiful piano from Dan's Aunt Maria & Uncle John this month -- As you can see, Sydney is already on her way to being a prodigy:

Helping Daddy celebrate his 30th BIRTHDAY!