Some Babies, Some Flowers, and a Very Busy Toddler

The other day we discovered a nest under out deck and realized there were some babies in it. Tonight I pulled out the ladder and it wasn't until I got up there that I realized they were about to leave the nest. They were so still, it took me a minute to figure out that they were really alive. It was very hard maneuvering with my camera and flash under there, but they were easy subjects and I got a few shots.

Rainah and I went for a walk and found lots of pretty flowers, so I pulled out my 100mm to play a bit. And of course, I had to take a few of Rainah, too! :)

This trike has turned into yet another thing that I end up pushing while carrying Rainah... much like the stroller!

But once in awhile she likes to push, too.

And if I'm really lucky, she'll ride for a bit (hasn't mastered peddling yet)

First Trike

Thanks to Craigslist, Rainah is now the proud new owner of a Kettler Trike! She took a little spin on it tonight (and though we tried to help her figure out the pedals, she never quite got it). I LOVE it because it has the push handle! Hopefully she'll get the hang of it and have lots of fun on it this summer.

Rainah's new tricycle

Swinging on the big kid swing!

:(

Caterpillars!

Heading out to the woods

Soccer and Sagatauk

This weekend, Rainah's cousin Stephen had a big soccer match in Holland. Lynne flew in from Arizona and we were all able to celebrate Stephen and Isabelle's birthdays and go watch Stephen's games. After his game today, Lynne, Isabelle, Rainah, Don and I drove out to Sagatauk for the afternoon. We had a yummy lunch, walked around some shops, and went on the Duck Boat ride, getting a nice little tour of the town by road AND water. Afterwards we grabbed some ice cream and headed back to our place. It was a busy, but very fun and beautiful day.

Stephen the soccer star!

Isabelle and Rainah on the Duck Boat

A Beautiful Morning at Meijer Gardens

This morning Rainah and I got together with some friends from MOPS and met up at Meijer Gardens to let the kids play. It was a gorgeous day and the gardens were gorgeous. They had a blast playing in the Great Lakes, the treehouse, the quarry, and the farm. But I think their favorite was the huge hill over by the horse sculpture. They just about wore themselves out running up and down- it was so cute. Hopefully we'll get to meet up and do this lots more this summer!

Rainah, Leah, Chloe, and Genevieve - that is one group of troublemakers! They have a great time together.

The hill

Can't you just hear the theme from "Little House on the Prairie" playing in the background?