Fireworks Over the Grand

We had a great time at the B*rn residence for the Fourth of July. As usual we had great food including Smoked Brisket, Grilled Chicken, and many other great tasting foods. Here Janna, Lydia, and Evie enjoy a spot of tea inbetween the events at the B*rn house and going to the Grand River to watch fireworks. We crammed onto the bridge at about 9pm. There was still an hour and a half to go, but this place was packed. The traffic was heavy, many people were quite rude and pushy, and there was a girl about 4 years old that screamed until the fireworks began.
Here is Lydia and Owen with the Varnum building in the background. When it was dark the fireworked reflected off of this building because of the mirrored-glass windows. Very beautiful.
I have attemtpted to add this video feature. Check out some of the display for yourself:

If I were on Xanga

I have decided that if I used Xanga instead of Blogger this would be my image. For the greatest Xanga post ever click here.

Eggciting Event

We made perogies today in honor of Polish Fest, in downtown Grand Rapids, being cancelled. Anna did not want to participate in the antifestivities and refused to eat them. She said that she wanted to make an egg instead.

We used this as a learning experience. Anna cracked the egg, helped flip it, Julia Childs style, sprinkled cheese on it, and posed out of pride of her first cooking experience.

Next stop: Mr. Birn's house for some gourmet lessons!

Beach bumming it.

Went to the beach today. Michigan has tons of nice places to swim- but we stayed in Grand Rapids! Millennium Park is a personal favorite for us, even with the new $3 per adult fee.

Owen's Birthday Weekend

As many of you know, last weekend was Owen's first birthday. We are amazed at how this time has flown by. He enjoyed his cake and party, but what he enjoyed mostly was the pack of family from Pennsylvania that came to spend the time with him.
His cousin Hannah, my brother, Preston's daughter, came to visit as well as my parents and my grandmother. Here Hannah and Anna climb the amphitheatre at Meijer Gardens.
These are the four ladies looking pretty. Anna, my mother, Hannah, and Grandma Ruth.
Owen's girlfriend, Maggie, came to see him from the east side of the state. Paige was happy to see her as well. Mags gives free hugs to Paige.
We forgot to get a birthday cake for Owen, so one hour before the party we send the family to get one from Baskin Robins. I gave my dad my credit card and he came home with a $35 cake. (It was good...but not that good!)
Lydia and Owen played dress-up at Meijer Gardens. Owen liked all of the strange clothing that there was to dress in.
Here the two girls were getting along splendidly. Let's just leave it at that.
Owen as:
a) Harry Potter
b) Seminary Student
c) Nerdy ballerina
d) all of the above

Meijer Gardens has play houses for the kids. Anna calls this one 'Anna's house'.
Here is another one of Anna and Hannah getting along perfectly....let's just leave it at that.

MySpace, YourSpace, OurSpace, OuterSpace

Does anyone have a MySpace account?

If yes, why?

If no, why not?

Here is mine. Here is Lydia's.

I guess we have them because we are rebellious, computer-nerd, teeni-boppers who are trying to meet middle-aged weirdos online. Is there any other use?

Seriously though, do you have one?

Happy Birthday Owen!

Happy Birthday Owen. We love you and are so happy to have you in our family and in our lives.


Psalm 1
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Eulogy for a Friend

Sometimes one must learn to let go.

One must let those things that we love pass on to their next calling in life. One must make decisions concerning these times. When one lets go of a friend that has loved and comforted his feet for all of a decade- there are hard decisions to make.

Should one allow such a close companion go without giving him another chance at a new life?

Should another want to enjoy what life and love is left within his natural cork bedding?

Should another find satisfaction with his embossed buckles or his nubuck leather straps?

Should there be another to fit within the foot mold that has lovingly and dutifully formed over all of these years?

These my friends are tough and deeply-rooted philosophical questions.

May another one come to love and care for you the way that I have loved and cared for you. Goodbye my trusty companion. May another love you the way that I have... to eBay dear friend.

Homeschool book sale

Today we went to the Homeschool Building's annual booksale. There were over 200 vendors who were selling resources for homeschooling at great prices. Most of the things were gently used. Here are some of the things that we got:

Muzzy French. We paid $2.50 for the whole package. It retails at $169.00! We already have the German ones (of course!).

Before Five in A Row for $5.00. It retails around $25.

Five in a Row for $5.00 which also retails at $25. These two books are literature based activities that you can do with your children. They are always hot on ebay.

We also got a couple of Ravensburger puzzles. Lydia loves them because they remind her of her childhood days in Germany playing with them.

We had a great time. We also got to see about 500 women with denim jumpers and tennis shoes. Don't worry folks- we will not look like the average homeschool family!

This just in: As of 4:30pm Owen Justice can walk. He decided that he could stand on his own and begin tooling around the house all in one day.

Life has just gotten harder for us.

Garden Gnome

Every gardener appreciates a helper and an encourager in the dirt. Anna is just that for me. She loves to water and to pull weeds (although weeds is a relative term for her).

I hope that Owen loves to play in the dirt as much as Anna and I do. It is great to be able to pass a love down to your children.

This picture was Anna attempting at a pose; but it appears to be a bad attempt at posture and smiling! Cute nonetheless..of course I am biased. Here she appreciates the Hosta entitled, Guacamole. IT gets giant leaves that are giant heart shapes and when full grown, the plant will be about 3 feet in width!
Anna also enjoys checking on all of the garden candles and making sure that the wicks are properly trimmed for use.
Here she admires the purple in this nice flower.
And the roses are always a favorite to her. She calls them 'Anna's bowers'.
It is always important that the water in the bird bath is fresh. Fresh water prevents mosquito growth as well as gives the birds a cool treat.
Enjoying the garden is great. It is fun to read or just to listen to the sounds around you.

I have included a few links that are helpful for those that would like to begin gardening.

what works for beginners

hosta library

plant identifier

Croup DeVille

Our little Owen gave us quite the scare this weekend. (Well, me at least!) He had to be taken to the doctor because he was having difficulty breathing. He was diagnosed with Croup and given meds to help open his airway. This was the first time our little O-O refused to smile in his whole life. The little look of horror on his face was so sad. I hope that he is back to 100% by his birthday on the 25th. Both sets of grand-parents will be here to celebrate with us!

Heritage Hill Visual Tour

Many of you know that I LOVE Heritage Hill in Grand Rapids. My dream home would be something from the Edwardian age- preferably Mission style or Prairie style. Heritage Hill has its down side as well, but overall it is quite inspiring and lovely. Here is a nice photo essay to help you appreciate the area of town which I love.

Twenty-seven? That CANNOT be right? Is it?

Happy birthday to a wonderful woman. Lydia turns 27 years old today and we wish her many more. Lydia is the one that keeps this family grounded and sane. She is a loving wife and mother who has sacrificed SO MUCH so that she can be the best wife and mother to me and to Anna and Owen. We love and thank her today for her sacrificial love towards us.

Microsoft Works Suite 2006

A collage of cuties!

Owen, looking a little "bright." He is my little sunshine.

Anna's pretty new shirt. Yeah for Rainbow Brite!

Don't be critical. I do not claim to be a "fertographer" (that's for you Nate and others in Corry, PA...wink,wink). I just wanted to try out my new program and see what I could do. I bet Nathan will be able to come up with some pretty cool stuff! This is unlike me, but I'd have to say, these kids are pretty cute. Let's quote Opa Jim, "Two wrongs can make a right." :)

Fiesta Tea Party

Here are some more pictures of Anna and her Fiesta tea party. She invites her three Cabbage Patch dolls to join her. She says that she loves 'Anna's tea parties'.