Grand Rapids Artprize

On Wednesday we decided to go downtown GR and check out Artprize while the weather was good.  We couldn't have asked for more cooperative weather, in fact it was perfect for walking and wandering downtown w/ the kids in tow.  This was the first time we have taken the opportunity to check out what Artprize is all about, and we were so glad we did!!!  The artwork was absolutely amazing, and there were so many exhibits on display that I'm sure we probably only saw about 1/3 of them, if that.  What we did have the opportunity to see was incredible, and we will definitely go again when we get the chance...if not again this year, then definitely next.  I would recommend it to everyone, even the boys enjoyed what they saw!!!  Here are just a FEW pics of some of the art, along w/ a few pics of the boys!!!

This eagle was made from knives, forks, and spoons...it was really cool!!

Nolan loves cowboys...this was ONE of his favorites;)!

Steampig Experiment...was huge!!!

I thought this was really cool...it was called Lights, Camera, Action...and the guy was real...he kept doing different poses, but it looked just like a statue.

This was on the side of the B.O.B...it was really cool how everything was spread out all over the city and looked like it had always been there...everything seemed to fit just so!

This was some sort of river made w/ blown glass...

Dancing with Lions...I think this was probably one of all of our favorites...Nolan and Mason both really loved it and of course had to have to their picture taken w/ one of the lions:)!!

This was really pretty...I think it was called Mystical River...

Nolan really loved these planes...he thanked me for taking pictures of them;)

This mosaic frog was another of Nolan and my favorite's!

Loved this boquet...

Freedom!!!  While we were walking a lot of the streets amongst the traffic and people, we kept the boys in the stroller for quite a while...so once we let them get out away from all the cars, they were running all over the place!!

Firefighter memorial...another favorite!!

Giant penny made of pennies...Helping Mom One Penny at a Time

Mason just taking it all in...he was also obsessed w/ the fountain!

This guy was something else...he had music contraptions attached all over himself and was also singing as well as playing all of these instruments...it was really entertaining!

Nolan started preschool:)!!!

On September 14th, Nolan started his first day of three year old preschool!!!  It's hard to believe he has grown up so fast, and that I actually walked him into school to his very own first day...it seems like it was just yesterday that I was pregnant with him!!!  It's certainly true, when people say, "enjoy every minute, because it goes by so fast."  I know it's only preschool, but reality set in on how grown up our little boy has become!!!!

Matt was working on Tuesday, Nolan's first day, so Mason and I dropped Nolan off together:)!!  Parents could stay for the first 15 minutes and then were to say goodbye.  Nolan was very excited for his first day and although I could tell he was a little nervous, he did great!!!  He goes twice a week, two half days.  Matt was able to go on Thursday and had signed up at the parent orientation to be a "folder stuffer" for the Thursday's that he is able to bring him...so he was in Nolan's classroom for about the first 10 mins of class while Mason and I toured the building.  Matt said that while he stood quietly in the back of the room stuffing folders, he could hear Nolan's little voice asking A LOT of questions;)!!  I guess he's already coming out of his shell!!

His teachers, Mrs. Hetfield and Mrs. Horling, had also told us that the kids would be learning to pour their own milk/water at snack time.  On Nolan's first day he said he was thirsty and wanted milk.  However, when they told them they were going to learn to pour themselves, he told his teachers that he wasn't thirsty.  They passed this on to us, so we chatted w/ him and it turns out he was really nervous that he might spill and make a mess, and that his teachers might get upset:(...poor little guy!!  So Daddy did some practicing w/ him at home and he couldn't wait to pour his own milk on Thursday at school!  He did...and did a great job;)!!!  His teachers also made a point of telling us he is such a polite little boy always saying please and thank-you!  We are so proud!!

Mason has enjoyed visiting the school as well...he walks through the halls like he owns the place!!!  There is a little bird in the front entrance that he loves to visit, as well as a fish tank.  He loves picking Nolan up more than dropping him off...he misses him while he's gone, and Nolan talks about how much he misses Mason while he is in school...they are so sweet!  On Nolan's first day home after school he was whooped...he had a cold, and was just plain tired.  He passed out on the couch and was out for a while...meanwhile, Mason was trying to harass him and poke him, and pick on him...everything he could to wake him up...that's the picture w/ Mason and the big huge grin on his face, knowing he's being naughty, lol!!!

7 Years of Marriage!!!

Today was our 7 year anniversary...hard to believe it's already been 7 years, it has gone so fast!!!  We celebrated by going to Traverse City for a night last week on Wed...my in-law's, LuAnne and Larry watched the kids for us for a night while we got to get away!!!  It was an amazing time, and we had a a blast!!!  We did a lot of wine tasting, had dinner at Mackinaw Brewing Company, and stayed at the Grand Traverse Resort.  On the way back to get the kids we stopped at Little River casino in Manistee and actually happened to get lucky and win;)!!!  Overall we really had such a great time and it was long overdue for us to have some quality time together w/out the kiddos!!!  Thank you so much to Papa Nunu and Gramma Nunu for always being willing to watch the boys, we appreciate it more than you know!!! 

Today, our actual anniversary, we spent the day together as a family and went to Hager Park.  The boys spent a lot of time playing and giggling and running around, while Matt and I chased behind!!!  We had a romantic dinner at Pizza Hut,just the 4 of us...and it was perfect:)!!!

We have been so blessed to have spent the last 7 years together and are looking forward to sharing at least 50 more!!!  Happy Anniversary Matt...my love, my life!!!