Strong women

Here are some photos from this past weekend:

Hubby, Baby Chuck, and I were fortunate enough to hang out with some old friends that we met while in grad school.  Like Katie, these three are also lovely, amazingly talented, and hard working.  I look up to them so much and I'm glad they got to meet Baby Chuck.

Goodbye Katie!

Our apartment is quiet again.

I miss her already.

Why do I always take photos of our feet?

“In friendship…we think we have chosen our peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of another…the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first meeting–any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian, there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The friendship is not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of others.”  ~ C.S. Lewis

My friend Katie

Hubby is away in Texas.  I'm so thankful that one of my best friends from elementary school is currently visiting us and keeping us company.

It's her first time meeting the new man in my life.

Goodbye ice-cream

A couple of nights ago we shared some goodbye ice-creams with my friend Lisa and her family.  Lisa and I met at church and became good friends.  She's a fellow mommy, lover of Anne of Green Gables, and blogger.

She also has two adorable kids who are always so sweet to Baby Chuck.    

We're going to miss them lots and lots and lots.

Goodbye dinner

This weekend a friend threw a wonderful goodbye dinner for a couple of us that were leaving.  It was a lovely evening, full of good food and good conversation.  I enjoyed the company and felt sad when the night was over. 

Baby Chuck meets Baby Isaac

The hostesses topped cupcakes with marshmallow flowers.  Aren't they amazing?  Don't tell them... but I'm going to copy their idea... muah ha ha.

Wait a moment...you're not Charlie!

It's finally hitting me.
We're leaving soon.

I keep repeating this Dr. Seuss quote to myself:  "Don't cry because it's over.  Smile because it happened."

Mr. Right and future babies

I just found out that a friend from New York recently got engaged.  

It was the best freaking news I've heard all week.  

M- Do you remember the dinners and sleepovers we had?  You know, the ones where we laughed a lot, ate a lot, and dreamed about Mr. Right and future musically talented babies?

I'm so glad that it's finally happening. 

Thanks for sharing your joy with us. 

Gingerbread community

This weekend a bunch of gals and I created a gingerbread neighborhood:  

We built a hotel,

a church,

a door-less cottage, (*Note how the naughty neighborhood kids pushed over the snowman)

and a ski lodge.

Would you want to live here? 
Perhaps they would.

Surprise ties

This weekend hubby received a surprise gift from a friend:

Don't you just want to run your hands through these beauties?

Pumpkin play (Part 1)

This past weekend hubby, Baby Chuck, and I were invited to a pumpkin carving party.  We had a lot of fun and I learned a few new carving tips and tricks. 

Here's my finished pumpkin:

My homage to pumpkin pi.  (Get it?  Get it?  Oy vey, I'm too corny. )

Five finished pumpkins sitting in a row.

Let the countdown to Halloween begin!

3223 Wedding bells

Today a college friend is getting married in Chicago.  I wish I could be there, but I can't attend because it's too far away from our doctor.  So I'm sending them all my good thoughts and wishes.

Isn't this quote lovely?

This beautiful photo and card were seen here. 

Strawberry cupcakes

I'm off to attend a baby girl's birthday party.  Luckily I don't have to travel too far because her mom lives in my building.  

6 strawberry cupcakes for 6 months of life.  Happy birthday!

Goodbye, friend!

Our friend left yesterday morning and I miss her.  Here are some photos from our adventures together:

Hubby riding an old bike at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

Light fixture from the haunted Felt Mansion

Grand Haven's musical fountains

Doll display from Grand Rapids Public Museum

Three cheers...

for beaches, sunsets, and good friends!

Note:  Thanks friend for making this .gif for me!

Hand painted onesies

Yesterday, friend and I went to a onesie painting party.  Below are the lovely hand painted goodies that the ladies made for Baby Chuck Norris.

Click to see captions

Crane's Pie Pantry

Luckily today was cooler and we got a chance to take our guest around town.  We stopped by this cute restaurant and had a bite to eat.

Windmill Island

Yesterday hubby, friend, and I ventured out into the 90 degree heat to visit Windmill Island.

We wanted to trek to the windmill, but a wall of heat held us back.

So we took a couple photos and cooled off at nearby Barnes and Nobles.

Today we're going to just stay inside and enjoy the ac.  Stay cool everyone!

Guess who?

Today we picked up a friend from the airport.  She'll be staying with us for a week.  I'm very excited!  Can you guess who she is?

Hint:  These toes have known each other since  the 1st grade!

Independence day images

Hubby and I celebrated 4th of July with some friends. 

We ate a delicious grilled meal. 

Then we sat outside and watched the fireworks. 

Some fireworks were patriotic red, white, and blue.

Others were shot so high, it felt like we were contacting aliens.

These reminded me of funny deep sea creatures.

These look like dandelions set aflame.

I also tried out sparklers for the first time.  I loved them.

Hope you had a wonderful July 4th too!

Cheering up

I found this video on a friend's blog and couldn't stop laughing.  There's something about exaggerated dance movements and hammer pants that brightens my day.  Enjoy!

Her new home

One of our friends recently purchased a new home.  Wanting to give her a small housewarming gift, I made her some fridge magnets.  Oh the joys of Mod Podge and magazine images.

Don't let their cute exteriors fool you-- these magnets are super strong!

Doesn't everything look better with a bow around it?

Hmm, I just realized that I've made more crafts and baked more sweets in these past two weeks than I did all last year.  Is this due to some strange nesting instinct?  Let me ponder this as I clean and rearrange some furniture...