Dear Agnes

Dear Agnes -
I saw your picture pop up on my mommy's phone and I gotta ask...Girl, how'd you get SO much hair? I can't get anything to grow up there. Share your secrets.
Love,
No-Hair-Nolan

Alpha Phi Reunion in Indy

Last weekend we met up with my Alpha Phi friends - Lauren (Boh), Georgianne, Kelly, and Kassey - for a "Mom's Weekend" (plus families). It was crazy - but SO fun to see everyone and catch up.

We have managed to produce A LOT of babies! Actually we had 5 in ONE year! From January 2014 to January 2015...we EACH had one! (3 boys and 2 girls)...add in my older two and Kassey's older two - for a grand total of 9 baby Phi's! We were rolling DEEP.

 Our first stop was the Indianapolis Zoo - Jack and Josie loved it!

After the zoo - we checked in to our hotel and headed straight to the pool. All three of my kids LOVED swimming. Nolan was obsessed with the water. It was a little cold - but he didn't care. I think he's going to be a HUGE fan of summer!

 And Josie was loving the water, too! The tu-tu swimsuit was an added bonus.

Nolan met a few potential DePauw girlfriends...including Miss Vivienne. She's just 10 days younger than him. She spent a couple hours crying Saturday night/early Sunday morning - so she was all "you people are cray" on Sunday before we left. She had a point.

And of course, it's not a true sorority function unless you have a t-shirt...so all the kiddos got a Mom's Weekend shirt. Here are Josie, Zach (Kelly's son), and Deco (Boh's son) - sporting their shirts. Such models!

We all had SO much fun. Jack cried when he had to leave. But we promise to have more reunions with the moms (and families).

These Two

I love how much they love each other. I hope Jack always goes out of his way to be the role-model and friend Nolan (and Josie, too) needs throughout his life. As the oldest - I know how much I love my "little" brothers. Jack has BIG responsibility ahead...but he'll be great.

Dear Agnes

Dear Agnes -
I feel like I need to let you know that your parents are plotting against you. I overheard Grandma Nancy tell my mommy that your parents are going to be moving you to your crib soon. Fight it. Don't let them do that to you. It's a trap. Literally. I'm doing my best to revolt here in Michigan. Stay strong in Idaho.
Love,
Nolan

Shame Shame

In case you haven't heard the AWESOME news - Uncle Devin is an AUTHOR! His book - Shame Shame was published and is available on Amazon. We got our copy!

Jack and Josie were excited to see a familiar face on the back of the book. Jack wanted me to read some of the poems to him. I told him we'd hold onto the book and he could read it when he's a little older.

Agnes posed with her Daddy's book, too.
NOTE: Reading the book did NOT put her to sleep. She was already tired...

An Apple A Day

It's feeling like spring in Michigan. We celebrate by playing outside...and snacking on apples.

Baseball Season has begun

Jack's baseball season is underway. He had his first game on Tuesday night and despite the fact it started AFTER our normal bedtime (7:15!!) - we all went. Safe to say everyone was a HOT MESS once it was over...but I wasn't missing his first game ever.

He's probably the youngest on his team and looks like a shrimp out there. But it's SO cute. His first position on the field was catcher. Hilarious.

Here is his first hit EVER...because, you know, ESPN might need this someday. ;)

Family Dinner in Milford

Nancy and Denny came for a visit last weekend. Saturday night we took them to the little town of Milford, MI for dinner and some ice cream.

Josie went for the "superman" ice cream...and I cringed because she was wearing cream pants. Mom fail.

Nolan may have had a few licks of vanilla ice cream. He *MAY* also eat other things that I NEVER would have handed Jack at 8 months old. Pretty sure he's fine.

 It was a gorgeous night and we had a fun time sitting outside.

"Do I have something on my face?"

It was a great time! We had dinner and drinks at Palate. One of our new favorites - because its great for date night and is also family friendly. Hey, Milford - two thumbs up for you!

 Sunday morning - Tyson and Nancy hashed out some lake house details.

And Denny busied himself with coloring...Josie was eager to get her "papa" involved in her art.

Nolan is 8 months

Well - like the MOM OF THE YEAR - that I am...I have missed Nolan's 8 month birthday. So - here it is...a few days {or a week} late.

Nolan is Mr. Personality. He loves people - especially his brother & sister. He is always very happy...unless he's hungry, tired, or if he feels like he's being rejected. He wants to establish his place in our family and would prefer if he could have a permanent place on my hip.

Here is a little clip of our Noley. He's well loved...and well fed.

A Visit to the RenCen

Last Tuesday the kids and I visited Tyson at work. We always have a fun time when we go for a visit. Josie and Jack were most impressed with the Palm Trees that live in the Winter Garden there. Josie was hugging them - in true Tree Hugger fashion.

We tested out some cars. All of them got HIGH ratings from the kids. They were both BIG fans of the Lime Green Chevy Spark...and - when I pointed at a beautiful blue Corvette and asked Jack which one he would want...he chose the Spark. Fine. But I have a feeling he'll be changing his tune over the next few years. {Also, for the record, NO BECKER CHILD - in this family - will ever drive a Corvette on their parents' dime}

 After the car testing - we enjoyed lunch in the food court. Big stuff for the kids!

 Then we jumped on the elevator and went to meet Tyson's "work friends" (as Jack calls them). Josie worked on some Excel Spreadsheets...

 And Jack caught up on some light reading...as some barges passed on the Detroit River.

 Nolan was just happy to be along for the ride {literally}.

Little tidbit - I have never been to Canada. And every time I'm downtown Detroit I think "I'm just going to grab my passport and drive over there." But I still haven't done it.