Fall Cleanup

Kyper really go into raking leaves this fall. We think he likes hiding better than the actual raking.

Washington DC Vacation

I love Radiology!  Joel is on radiology this month.  It is an elective for him, which means he can take a week vacation.  (He has two more elective months this year, which means he will have a total of three weeks off this year.)  He also is home a lot more during the week, isn't on-call and is off on Saturdays and Sundays on radiology.  Told you--I love radiology.

I had been to Washington D.C. twice, but always for a short weekend.  Therefore, I had never done any of the touristy stuff.  Joel has been there numerous times and told me we needed to go.  So, we made plans to go.  We invited Joel's younger brother (Aren) and sister-in-law (Leah) to come with, which was perfect because Leah had never been there before either.  Joel's older brother (JP) and sister-in-law (Katie) live out there, so we had a place to stay.

Joel and I had a wedding in West Michigan on Nov. 5.  Kyper, Joel, and I got into the Crown Vic and headed that way on the 4th.  We handed the keys to the car to his mom and transferred the title. We sold them the car since we got a new (to us) minivan.  It was perfect timing!  After the wedding on the 5th, Aren, Leah, Joel, Julie and Kyper and crammed into Aren and Leah's little car for the three hour trip to Detroit.  We spent the night at our house and headed out for the long stretch on Sunday morning in our minivan.  The ride went smoothly and Kyper did great!

It was so good to arrive at Katie and JP's house, Sunday night.  They had made us dinner.  We made plans for the week, caught up and headed to bed.

Monday:

Aren had to stay home to study that morning.  Katie and JP had to work.  Joel wanted to take us the Air and Space Annex center.  Kyper loved seeing all the airplanes and the space shuttle.  We also hit the observation deck and watched the airplanes take off and land.

Tuesday:

Tuesday was our big monument day.  We saw the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, World War II memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Korean War memorial, FDR memorial.  When we ask Kyper what monuments he saw, he says, "The big one" (with his arm pointed straight in the sky) and the "Lincoln Stairs".  After eating a big snack, we did hit up the rock exhibit at the Natural History museum and saw a few of the exhibits at the American History (Julia Child's kitchen and the Ruby Slippers.)

Kyper's favorite part of the day had to be using the public transportation.  Katie dropped us off at the metro station that morning, so we took the "choo choo train" to the Mall.  To get back to Katie and JP's house we took the metro and the bus.  Kyper was super excited about it.

That night Joel prepared beer battered walleye for dinner.  Thanks for helping us empty our freezer guys!

Wednesday:

Katie and JP had the day off work.  They had their ultrasound for the baby.  It was fun for us to be there.  We waited at home for them.  They came home with certain colored balloons.  (I can't say which color, because they haven't posted it on Facebook.)  It was fun being there in person to hear the news, because Joel and I won't be able to come out when their baby is born--I'll be eight months pregnant and waiting for our little one to come.  While we were waiting for them, Kyper learned how to shave and throw a football. :)

After they got home, we had lunch.  Kyper helped Uncle JP rake the leaves. We then headed out to Shenadoah National Park.  It was a beautiful day.  We found a shorter trail, which ended up being part of the Appalachian Trail.

Thursday:

Aren went to Katie to her work to get some studying done.  So, Leah, Joel, Kyper and I hit the bus stop and took the metro downtown again.  This time we went up to the Capitol Building and the Botanical gardens.  We also did more of the American History museum.  This time we did the kid's area for Kyper and the America on the Move.  We saw boats, choo choo trains, cars, trucks, and buses.  Kyper loved the exhibit--especially the choo choo trains.

Friday:

We headed to Annapolis, MD that day.  Joel and I have medical school friends who live in Chevy Chase. Melanie and I met in the spouse and significant other club.  We used to go knitting club every Thursday when we both lived in Des Moines.  They met us in Annapolis and hung out with us for the day.  So, it was really good to see her, her husband, and their little girl.  Joel and his brothers have gone to a restaurant a few times in Annapolis called Cantlers.  They are known for their crab.  We headed there for lunch.  It was a fun environment, although I do not eat seafood.  I  enjoyed a chicken sandwich. Kyper ate some crab, but after he saw what the meat had come from, he stuck to the hot dog we ordered for him.  After Cantlers, we headed downtown Annapolis and saw the ships in the harbor and did a little shopping in the cute stores.

We headed back to Detroit on Saturday.  It was a wonderful vacation!

Halloween 2011--The year of the cow

(I know I am a little behind.  I had this typed up, but needed to actually get on Joel's computer for the pictures.  I will also have some posts about our fun trip to Washington D.C in the near future.)

We borrowed a costume for Kyper this year.  I know I am a bit bias but I think he is the cutest little cow ever.

Best picture we have of him--he tends to be a blur in pictures these days.

We went trick or treating with some friends--Steve and Corey.  Steve and Corey have a little boy about six months older than Kyper and a nine month old daughter.  Kyper and Frank are best friends and Kyper loves baby Sadie.  (He told his aunt and uncle the other day, "Baby Sadie cute.")  It was fun watching Kyper and Frank go trick or treating.  Kyper had to stop at one point to give Sadie a little kiss--Baby Sadie is well loved by Kyper.  (I'm hoping this is a good sign with how he will interact with his little sibling.)

In Detroit some people go all out for Halloween.  Personally, I don't like it and think it is a bit tacky having gravestones, skeletons and other ghoulish items in your yard, especially knowing you will have little kids coming to trick or treat.  Rather I like fall decorations--pumpkins, hay bales, etc.  Apparently, Kyper agrees.  He was a little skittish to go to some of the home that had scarier decorations.  He wanted to go, but made his momma carry him to the door.  On the houses that didn't have scary decorations, he went right up there and got his treat.  He wasn't great about saying "Trick or Treat," but he did often say thank you to the person. 

He did about a block and a half and got more than enough candy.  We did a block by Frank's house and then headed home.  I took him to a couple neighbors and then all three of us helped hand out candy to the later trick or treaters.  He did really well giving to other kids.