Our New Car!

When we found out we were pregnant with our second child, we knew that we would have to upgrade our vehicle before he/she is born. Our car would be way too cramped with two car seats in it.

We knew we wanted something bigger, but we weren't sure exactly what. Everybody was pressuring us to bite the bullet and get a van, and we thought about it, but in the end we decided that we weren't quite ready for the van just yet. We wanted something in between a car and a van.

Yesterday and today we test drove two different Ford Taurus X's and really liked them. We bought the one we drove today.

Our 2008 Ford Taurus X. This model used to be called the Ford Freestyle.

So shiny and pretty! We've never had a vehicle this new before, only 2 years old.

It's a four door with a hatchback.

It has a rear back-up sensor that beeps when an object is within 6 feet of the back bumper. That's really nice.

The upholstery is a camel color and the dash, console, and carpet is a very pretty chocolate brown.

A view of the second and third rows of seats from the front. There is not much leg room in the third row of seats, but it's still nice to have them.

A view of the back with the third row seats folded down. The second row folds down too, so we finally have a vehicle to haul stuff in! I think all of our friends and family are getting tired of us asking to borrow their trucks and vans to pick up furniture!

Third row seats up. Even with them up, there is a little bit of cargo room behind them, enough for several bags of groceries.

We are so excited about our new purchase. For now we are keeping the Intrepid, but we may sell it in the future. It wasn't worth enough to make it worth doing a trade-in on it.

We are hosting Thanksgiving again this year, so those of you coming up will find that the entertainment of the day (while the meal is being prepared) will be taking short trips around town in our sweet new ride!

Fall Fun

Even though I haven't been feeling too great lately, Jim talked me into getting out of the house this weekend and doing something fun. We took Lena to a local greenhouse that was offering a bunch of free fall activities for families. Here are a few pics.

When we walked by this scarecrow, Lena pointed to it and said, "Jesus!" Everytime we walk by the crucifix in our house, we point to it and say "Jesus". I guess this guy does kind of look like a crucifix!

Fun with cut-out faces.

They had a barn full of animals to look at. Lena is checking out the chickens. She is holding a donut because they were giving away free homemade donuts. Mmmm!

Getting up close and personal with the goats. She sure isn't shy!

More fun with cut-out faces.

Posing with some pretty fall foliage.

They were doing horse-drawn wagon rides around the property.

Daddy and Lena on the wagon.

I'm glad we got to sit up front because Lena loved watching the horseys.

Back at home. While we were there we picked out some fall decorations for our front porch. These pumpkins represent our family. Daddy Pumpkin, Mommy Pumpkin, Lena Pumpkin, and June Bug Pumpkin. Jim has been calling our little baby-to-be "June Bug" since he or she is due to be born in June.

Lena kept calling the pumpkins "apples" and tried to eat June Bug's.

Indian corn for our door.

Nothing says fall like dried-out corn stalks!

Lena trying to climb the tulip tree.

I am really glad Jim talked me into getting out of the house. It was a nice day to be out and I am glad we were able to enjoy it.

Next weekend we are planning on taking a day trip up north a little bit to see some of the fall colors.

Announcement

For those of you who were not able to attend Jim's birthday party last weekend, you missed an announcement from us:

I'm pregnant!

Yep, Lena's going to be a big sister! I am due June 8, 2010. Seems like such a long time away!

We are very excited and can't wait to meet this little one. Having Lena for a daughter has made it impossible not to want another child.

Everything is going pretty well so far. My hormone levels were slightly below normal last week, so the doctor has put me on progesterone for a while. I'm a little nervous because I had to be on it when I was pregnant with Lena and I think that's what made me so sick. But I've been on it for almost a day already have been feeling perfectly normal, so I'm praying that won't happen this time.

We appreciate your prayers for a healthy non-eventful next 7 1/2 months and for a healthy baby come next June.

Jim's 30th Birthday Party

Boy, it's been a while since I last blogged! I was really busy last week planning Jim's 30th birthday party and this week I was distracted by other things.

Before I get to the party pics, here's a bit about Jim's actual birthday (Tuesday the 29th). Our friends, the Krenzes, had their second baby girl, Mackenzie Elizabeth, the day before. So on Jim's birthday we went to the hospital to meet her. She looks exactly like her big sister, Madelyn, did when she was first born.

Jim with Mackenzie. I'm not sure if she is yawning or crying in this picture.

Now for the party pics. The party was Friday night at the Grand Rapids Brewing Company, one of Jim's favorite restaurants. It was kind of a surprise party. He knew he was having a party (I couldn't really plan one without him knowing), but he didn't know where it was going to be or any of the details.

I created a slideshow of his first 30 years and played it on a big screen tv at the party. People really enjoyed seeing pics of him when he was young and the silly pics I have taken of him.

Mom came up on Thursday to help me with the last minute party plans. We decorated the room with lots of balloons and "30" decals. Hilary and Scott came up a little early on Friday to provide technical assistance with the slideshow.

Jim insisted we buy this hat at IKEA in April, so I made him wear it.

We had a great crowd. Altogether there were about 35 people there. The party guests enjoyed onion rings, soft pretzels, three different kinds of pizza, and soft drinks. It was so nice being served and not having to clean up dishes afterwards!

Our friends, Tom and Brenda, drove all the way from Racine, Wisconsin to come to the party. I managed to keep it a secret and the look on Jim's face when he saw them was just priceless!

Lena had so much fun at the party. She spent a lot of time playing with Aunt Hil and the rest of the time getting passed around from person to person. She had a blast.

I don't know if you can see it in this picture, but the flames on these candles are all different colors. Pretty!

Blowing out all 30 candles. Look at all that smoke!

Aunt Hil feeding Lena birthday cake.

Hanging out with Uncle Scott.

The evening ended with Jim trying to give Tom a goodbye hug (and kiss!). It was hilarious!

So the party was a great success. I'm glad I did it, but it was a lot of work! Planning two major birthday parties in one year was quite enough for me! No more parties for us for a while.

Thanks so much to Mom, Hilary, and Scott for all of your help. And thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us. Jim was so glad to have you all there!

Lunch in Battle Creek

Yesterday was a fun day. Grandpa Brian, Aunt Amy, and Amy's friend, Heather, came up to visit us after church. We were going to have lunch at the Waldorff in Hastings, but when we got there, we found out it was closed due to an employee picnic. We were disappointed, because we love the Waldorff, but we ended up having more fun at the place we ended up going anyway. We decided to drive to Battle Creek and look for a restaurant there. We ate at a place called Clara's on the River. The outdoor seating is right next to the Battle Creek river. After we ate, we walked around the park area next to the river. It was a beautiful day.

Here are a few pics.

Outside church. Lena suddenly discovered that the basement window wells make the perfect seat for her. It worked out just fine until she decided to stand up. She hit her head on the siding and had the most surprised look on her face! Then she turned around and looked at it as if to say, "What did I ever do to you?"

With Aunt Amy and Heather looking at the pretty river.

Jim and his dad shooting the breeze.

The Battle Creek River in downtown Battle Creek. We had never actually been to Battle Creek before. We just pass through the outskirts on our way to I-94.

The restaurant. We ate inside because we had the buffet.

A nice family pic.

Heather, Brian, and Amy with Lena.

Lena trying to go for a swim. The railings on the fence are much too far apart. Lena got her head through them easily. Scary!

Taking a stroll with Daddy.

Chatting with Grandpa.

Happy girl.

Thanks so much to Brian, Amy, and Heather for coming to visit us. We had a really great time! And thanks to Brian for a delicious lunch. We enjoyed it very much.

Heritage Day

Saturday was Middleville's Heritage Day celebration. It was bigger than usual this year because Middleville is celebrating 175 years. They had more events downtown and at the local parks than in previous years and the parade was considerably longer too.

Lena's buddy Rebecca spent the night with us the night before and spent the day with us on Saturday. Lena loved having Rebecca around to play with and Rebecca loved playing with Lena. And I loved having the help! It was a win-win-win!

Lena and Rebecca playing at home Friday evening. Lena loved it when Rebecca hung her upside-down.

Peek-a-boo!

Our parade float.

Our church hosted the tractor show again this year.

They were mostly John Deeres, but I saw this one and took a pic for Grandpa Lee.

Hanging out. It was a beautiful day.

Have you ever seen a pastor in full pastor garb sitting on a tractor?

This picture didn't turn out well, but it's of Jim playing "air organ".

Rare evidence of me on the other side of the camera.

Lena's second ride on a parade float. Last year she fell asleep while we were lining up, and slept through the actual parade. She sat on Renee's lap and had fun waving to people and watching the bigger kids throw candy.

I was amazed to see all the people congregated downtown. Wow! I didn't know that many people lived in Middleville! :)

Riding on the tractor with Mr. Mitteer.

Mrs. Mitteer let her "steer" this parked tractor.

Our tent downtown. We sold cold drinks, homemade cupcakes, and church cookbooks. We also had a free craft table where kids could make magnets and necklaces.

We had fun talking with all of the people and eating yummy festival food. The new restaurant in town, The Big Easy, had pulled turkey sandwiches. And of course, we got our once a year elephant ear.

Lena got a bath when we got home and Rebecca offered to comb her hair. It's getting really long!

We really enjoyed Heritage Day this year. It was nice to see so many people out enjoying the festivities. For a small town, Middleville is a fun place to live.