Baking and Bonding

It has been a few years since I have been at the original Baking and Bonding. I have hosted my own in other countries and other states, but, boy, did it feel good to be back with my roots.

As I remember, the "Bonding" far outweighs the "Baking". It is loud, colorful, and competitive, and many things said at this party should never be repeated outside of the circle of people who attended.

By far, the best gingerbread house display (vote for it at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=846767369465&set=a.626867076415.2279915.22413564 )

The Buckeyes (and for all the UofM fans, "I-hate-Ohio-State-balls")

The men doing the manly sugar-cookie-decorating.

Yeah, I love this man.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Since we are about to go back. . .

Jay and I are leaving for Nebraska today, and I realized I never posted my pictures from the last trip, so here they are:

(Nora is not drunk, but I think the look on her face is priceless, combined with the fact that she was fascinated by her Uncle Jay's empty beer bottle)

After the final Nebraska and Colorado game.

The men being manly.

Nora was also fascinated by Chango. Chango on the other hand was tolerant of Nora. He even treated her to a few kisses.

To Narah:

Dear Narah,

Someday I think it would be fun to be in Michigan when you are here. Let's try and make that happen.
P.S. We thought of you and your family a lot on the day this picture was taken.

As Promised.

Here are some picture of Ramona Jean!

This is a well documented little girl:)

Sleeping contented in her Uncle Jay's arms.

Yes, Ramona, this is your family. . .

Two kids under 3 - Good luck Matt and Megs!

You are a beautiful baby girl Ramona - we will see you again in a few weeks!

Baby Cooke is on its way!

I found out this morning that my sister in law, Megan, is in labor! For real this time. She has had false labor for the past month or so.

Please pray for her and baby Cooke (gender and name still to be announced).

Jay and I are tentatively planning on heading to Grand Rapids tomorrow to see them all.

Pictures to come.

Three years - and still good!

Jay and I had our 3 year anniversary last week. Traditionally a newlywed couple would save, freeze and eat their wedding cake topper on their first anniversary. We have never been very traditional in our life choices, so things went more like this: After the wedding, the cake was wrapped, frozen and put in my parents' freezer. Our first year anniversary was spent in Mexico - no cake. Our second year anniversary was spent in Nebraska - still no cake (Not even a thought of cake). This year we are in Michigan and my mom forced a foil wrapped package into my hands a couple of days before the big day. We weren't sure 3 year old cake would be any good, but we decided to give it a try.

  And you know what - it tasted great. I mean, our citrus and raspberry cake was delicious to begin with (most wedding cakes aren't, but ours was), and I was able to enjoy it more because I wasn't having my stomach shrunk by a white taffeta bodice.

Yeah for yummy cake. Yeah for caterers using liberal amounts of foil to protect the cake. And most importantly - Yeah for 3 years married to my very favorite man!

Fall in Michigan

The colors have been spectacular this year in Southeast Michigan. Unfortunately, we had a windstorm today so they may be gone by tomorrow. So this post is in honor of the colors of fall. These pictures are from our yard and our block.

Mr. Miles turns 2 (and we get to play a little)

One of the joys of living in MI is getting to attend celebrations with my side of the family. A couple of weeks ago my nephew, Miles, turned 2. Here are some shots from that day.

(Miles with his truck cake)

And since we were already on the road that weekend, the Ronkettos invited up to their lake house for a day on the water. It was incredibly luxurious and relaxing. Thanks Rons for a great 24hrs!

We all got to ride on the boat, and by all I mean 6 adults and 3 dogs.

We got to wakeboard.

And Jay learned how to wake-surf.

Maybe. . . 

Sort Of. . . 

Ok - not really.

And to cap off this post, it will end the way all good posts should end, with a pic of Chango-Bongo.

Final Days of Summer

Okay, I am almost all caught up. The summer ended in a flurry.

We survived a few storms.

Witnessed some friends and staff members get married.

Continued working our crazy paced jobs and then all of a sudden . . . 

it was done.

We could rest, and so rest we did. 

We drove up North for a week of relaxation and sleep at my parents' house on Lake Michigan.

There we slept a lot, read, played games and ventured on a few occasions. 

We were able to see a spectacular Lake Michigan Sunset.

We went on a couple of day hikes. One to the Sand Dunes, and another to Light House Point.

(it was just a little bit windy that day)

(This one is from the Scenic Drive - Big Glen Lake is considered one of the top 10 most beautiful lakes in the world)

And then after that week it was back to work, but at a much healthier pace.

Only at Laura's wedding. . .

would the following event happen. . .

Laura Got MARRIED!

Not much to say about this.

It was a beautiful, fun, meaningful, and unique wedding.

I am so happy for you little sister.
(The Rehersal . . . It rained a little)

The Bachelorette Party

(the only boy allowed)

The BIG Day.

(one classy bride)

(a warning to all future brides - EAT!)

(In my personal opinion the coolest couple at the wedding)

(Ok, they may have been the coolest couple . . . )

(Jay did it)

(Wow, we looked a lot better before we danced for a couple hours)

(How we felt at midnight when the party wasn't over and we realized we had to be up at 5:30am for work:(

Enjoy!