Spring Break

MSU Science and Culture Museum 

Spring Break . . . ya right! It might have been "spring break," but it was freezing cold outside. I don't think it got above freezing the entire week Devin had off school. We had so many fun plans, but most of them were outside. We did manage to find a few fun indoor activities one of which was the MSU Science and Culture Museum. Lincoln loved that he had a new place to run around. Unfortunately he was so excited that he ended up being quite noisy. It was pretty empty so it wouldn't have been a big deal, but someone was recording an interview about some of the artifacts so we ended up leaving early. I'm sure they cringed while watching it back and didn't find the happy baby noises so adorable.

Help! I am trapped; good thing I always carry this granola bar around with me. 
 

The best part of the Museum was probably the dinosaurs; the funny thing is that they are actually from Utah. 

This is what most of Spring Break looked like: cold, with a touch of snow! 

Potter Park Zoo!

So technically, we didn't go to the Zoo during Spring Break (remember freezing cold weather), but a few days later it warmed up enough to get out and spend a few hours at the zoo. Don't let Dev's short sleeves fool you, however, because it was still only 40 degrees. 

 I'm pretty sure this Lion wanted to eat Lincoln!

Lincoln is Walking

 Lincoln took his first few steps in Utah, but it wasn't until we were back in Michigan for about a week or so that he started to walk around everywhere. I was so excited and now . . . well now I sit down at night and wonder what was I thinking. Yes, Lincoln's little toddle is completely adorable, but I underestimated the amount of mischief a little boy can get into once he can walk. 

     Alone. . . . Have you ever realized how nice it is so be alone. It only took a few days before I  officially lost my last sanctuary. Lincoln learned how to open the doors in our apartment. No place is safe anymore. He used to sit outside the bathroom door pounding but now he's learned how to get in.  Who knew what a blessing it was to be able to use the restroom or shower in peace. 

Of course, all the running has resulted in quite a few falls. If you look close you'll see a goose egg on the left side of Lincoln's forehead. The poor guy tripped over Devin's shoes and hit the leg of the chair. (For clarification Devin was in his shoes at the time.)

I can't get over how big he looks! My little baby is growing up.                                  Oh and funny side note: have you noticed the Granola bar in most of these pictures? Lincoln will not let it go. He's carried it around for days. Even when he naps. It's mushed beyond the point of no return, but hey it makes him happy.

Yes, this is pretty much what I see nowadays: Lincoln's cute little backside as he toddles off to his next adventure. 

Great Grandparents

I love this picture of Lincoln wearing Great Grandpa's hat.

Trip to Utah

Our trip to Utah was so much fun. I was really nervous to fly alone with a baby, but Lincoln did amazing. He was a little showoff and loved all the attention he got from the other passengers and random people in the airport. He was all waves and smiles and he even took a few naps along the way too. He also adjusted really well to the new environment and all the new people. His first real night he was already in the middle of everything playing with his cousins and Grandpa Merrill.

Aunt Julie even got in on the fun.

You might not be able to tell but all four of the Grandchildren are in these pictures. Joel, Isabella and Samantha sat inside trying to  push all the balls out as Grandpa and Lincoln tried to put them back in just as fast. Needless to say it was a lot of fun with some very cute giggles. My favorite part of the whole trip was watching Lincoln interact with his cousins. 

Samantha could not get enough of Lincoln. She always wanted to be by him. Helping him play and giving him hugs. It took Lincoln some getting used to all of the "loves" but it was seriously so darn cute. 

 Tuesday we were able to go visit Grandpa and Grandma Kenney and spend time with cousin Kohen. Lincoln loved the room full of toys created just for him and the other Grandchildren. 

Lincoln and I were so lucky to meet up with Drew, Quazette and Kohen for a day of fun at the Tree House Museum. It was Quazette's and Kohen's birthday so we were extra excited to be able to spend some time with them.

 (hope you don't mind I stole these pictures from your facebook they were so fun I couldn't resist.)

The weeks seriously flew by. We had so much fun with family. It was really great to see the difference in Lincoln. To begin with he didn't quite know what to think and tried to stick close by me but by the end he was loving all fun and attention. Talk about being a piece of chopped liver. It was all about Grandpa's, Grandma's, aunts and uncles, and if a cousin was around forget about Mom being in the room. 

Bathtime with cousins!

Lincoln loved Grandpa Merrill's attention. He would not let my Dad take a nap or get too involved with a computer game. He always wanted to be playing with Grandpa, crawling over Grandpa or having Grandpa watch him as he danced to the music.

I loved watching Grandpa Kenney interact with his Grandson. Those little boys were absolutely spoiled with attention and love every time Grandpa was around.

Lincoln couldn't get enough of his Aunt Julie. He always wanted to be in her room, in her arms or in helping with whatever project she had going on. In this particular case he's "helping" put together a new laundry basket. 

 I can't believe I didn't end up with any pictures of Lincoln with his Grandma's. It's really too bad because he was always giving them the cutest snuggles and loves. There is something so sweet about watching Lincoln with his Grandma's. We really are blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Lincoln got his first haircut while in Utah. His Aunt Quazette did a wonderful job.  I can't believe how much older it makes him look.