Good bye Jansen

Hello Jenny Dee

We moved!  The blog delay all started with a new computer, and new photo software that I still haven't learned!  Then the computer was packed in a box, moved to a new house, and there it sat while we were busy packing and unpacking.  We are starting to feel settled but still have many projects and things to do to make our new home feel like home.  Our new house is the same generation as our previous house in a similar neighborhood about 2 miles west.  It has 4 bedrooms, 3 baths, and lots of room to run and play!  We are missing our big backyard this year.  The previous owners landscaped the backyard and eliminated all of the grass.  We will be working on a project this fall to see if we can turn some of it into a play space.  Fortunately, at the end of the street is the neighborhood pool and play ground. 

 Before we moved we went to visit grandma Smith.  The kids had fun playing with some 1970's little people toys and visiting with grandma, uncle Lawson and aunt Andrea.

 Happy Father's Day!

 They both have mastered pedaling bikes.  Liam isn't crazy about going downhill or fast but is doing a great job pedaling.  Emily has to do everything her brother can so she picked it up right away.  She also decided to potty train herself  days before we moved out of the old house.  

 One week after we moved into the new house we had a family vacation planned to visit Michigan.  However, Liam was sick and had to stay home with dad.  The main reason for the visit was for my grandmother's memorial.  My grandma Anne passed away in December.  Unfortunately I was unable to attend the funeral because Emily had the flu and needed her mommy.  My grandma's ashes rest near this peaceful lake in Holly, MI.  She was such a positive role model in my life and loved her grand kids so much.  Some of the things I remember most about my grandma were our shopping trips to Jacobsons so she could go to her hair appointments, playing at her house as a child, and spending holidays in her home with family.  She had a way of making me feel special and I miss her dearly.

 After the memorial my cousin Chris had everyone back to his house for a family party.  I enjoyed seeing my cousins, their wives and kids, and aunt and uncle.  It reminded me of family parties as a child.  Emily loved playing with her cousins Jasper and Kaleb too!  Here she is showing the boys what it looks like to jump in the bounce house.

 Emily enjoyed being an only child for the weekend and I enjoyed how agreeable she is!  We spent time visiting friends and family with almost every minute visiting or sleeping. 

 A special treat was seeing grandma Helen who drove up from Georgia and her family.  My cousin's son graduated from high school so there was a family party while we were in town.  It was again so nice to see family and have everyone meet Emily.  I was very proud of her and happy to see everyone in Michigan.

 We celebrated her birthday with friends and at grandma Connie and grandpa's.

Cousins

 Happy Birthday Emily!

 Then we celebrated Emily's birthday with a couple of her friends and cupcakes.  And again the following weekend with grandma Smith. She has been singing Happy Birthday all month!  Other favorites are ABC's and Twinkle, Twinkle.

 Front yard water fun.  Since the backyard is all flowers and now a lot of weeds we have been playing in the front yard. 

 Happy Birthday Liam!  Grandma Smith came to visit the weekend before Liam's birthday so we were able to celebrate both Liam and Emily's birthdays together. On Liam's birthday we went to see a local kids band Rocknocerous.  They played Liam's favorite song and sang him Happy Birthday.  Grandma Helen also came into town to celebrate and one of his preschool friends joined us to see the band. 

 

Dr. Liam

He has had so much fun playing with his new toys that everyone gave us.  Thank you to everyone that helped make Liam and Emily's birthday's special.