I’m going to blame my lack of adding to our blog to all the snow we had this winter.  130+ inches was quite a shocker for us!  The piles were so high that our mailbox,  which sits about 4′ off the ground at the end of our driveway was literary buried. So much so that sometimes we didn’t receive mail for days.  John would clear our the mailbox and then the plow would come right back through and pile it back on.  We are happy to say the snow is all gone and has been replaced by beautiful green grass.  I am not going to complain about the winter though because it will always be a great story to share about our first year in Michigan.  I remember before moving out here how John mentioned that, “it’s just like Iowa.”  Ha- he is eating his words now because it was nothing like IA!!!  Cooper enjoyed it very much though.  He got to go on a snowmobile for the first time, build snow forts with John and sled down the hill behind our house more times than we can count.

I can’t believe we have let this much time pass since our last post. I was almost just going to call it quits but I might as well give it a shot…  Instead of writing a novel that Leo Tolstoy would be proud of (War and Peace author) to try and catch everyone up on our lives, I thought it would be better to just bullet point a couple of the highlights.  Maybe John’s business acumen is starting to rub off on me.

Cooper:

• Loves kindergarten
• Can read (he is at a mid year 1^st grade level- I am so proud)
• Favorite thing about school is PE
• Likes math
• Is very good at gymnastics- he goes once a week still
• Played 2 sessions of basketball- he made his 1^st basket and has lost his fear of the ball
• Started TBall and looks adorable in his uniform
• Loves playing with all the kids in the neighborhood (brings a smile to my face everytime)

Bella

• Turned 3!!!
• Loves to sing (Twinkle, twinkle little star and every song from the FROZEN soundtrack are favorites)
  • Try going to the bathroom and she will knock on the door singing the song; “do you wanna build a snowman?” J
  • She is becoming a diva-she has told me many times to stop singing (for those that know me well you know I don’t take this easily)
• Enjoys Kindermusik every Wednesday
• Goes to story time at the library every week
• Likes to shake it at Tap and Ballet and looks adorable in a tutu
• Loves playing with our neighbor girls and friends in KidZone at the Y
• Is signed up for 3 year old preschool that will start in the fall twice a week for 2 hours (tear)

John

• Working his butt off
• Did WatchDOG Dad at Cooper’s School- such a great way for Dad’s to get involved at school (I would be happy to share the details if anyone is interested)
• Enjoys playing pickup basketball at the Y when he gets time (not as often as he would like) He misses his Tuesday night softball buddies
• Is so excited to golf again
• Is assistant coach of Cooper’s TBall (check one of his bucket list)
• Met Jim Jones (rapper who sang “we fly high no lie”) in FL when there for work

Audra

• Is cherishing every moment being home with the kids
• Still got the exciting rush when every snow day was called!
• Enjoys kickboxing, Step, WERQ, Total Body Sculpt, Interval Training at the YMCA
• Is on the MAPS Board for next year (basically the PTA at Coopers school) because I just couldn’t stay away from school
• Loves/Hates Facebook because it can make me feel happy and sad all at the same time (I love our life currently but still deeply miss our friends and family in DSM)
• Trying to find the creative/arsty side everyone else in my family has inherited (check out pictures of the china cabinet I redid)

Like I mentioned before, the snow is gone so our house is ready for vistors!!!!  My family will be visiting Memorial Day weekend.  We will be going to Traverse City and Mackinaw with them and then have a day or two at home.  When looking for homes here in MI one of my musts was that we have space for family and friends to visit so please come so I don’t feel so silly in this big house!

We hope that these past few months have been good to you and your family.