Here and Now: Week 17

Here’s what we did in our everyday lives this week: 

City vibes; downtown Detroit

A walk along the Detroit river 

Brent was excited to see there’s been revival along Woodward Avenue.

Samuel made it to the top!

Wallbridge: Brent’s office building 

Common space 

Family selfie 

Swinging together 

This sweet girl turned TEN months old! (It was technically last week, but I remembered to take a picture this week.)

More signs of spring; slowly-slowly.

My babies like to play in the shower. ??? These scenes are recreated at least once a day. 

Green!

Samuel’s favorite activity to do during the day is “walk to the grocery store”. He likes to recite lists of food we should buy. He likes to go up and down the aisles. He also likes to get out of the stroller and “walk” from time to time. 

 

Exploring the back garden

My and mine top the list of Samuel’s often used words. (I think this is part of being two?) The only time it’s cute, is when we return from a walk and he spots the rental where we’re staying this month. I love how he excitedly yells, “My house!!!” and knows it’s a place he belongs. 

❤️, Molly 

Here and Now: Week 16

Here’s what we did in our everyday lives this week:

Elsie couldn’t eat enough berries. Mmm!

Samuel on the slide 

Michigan is cold in April. I’m searching hard for signs of spring. 

Bathroom organization A-Team 

I’d like to know who taught him to yell, “Cheseburger!!!”, everytime I try to take a photo. 

The library branch closest to our apartment was once an old home that belonged to a doctor from Germany. This doctor used it as his office and as a stop for travelers on the Underground Railroad. 

An old flour mill in the neighborhood 

Mama: Samuel! You have chips everywhere! Samuel: Yeah! (In the most cheerful tone ever)

This was the week Samuel discovered how to open the fridge door. He likes to rearrange ALL the condiments ALL the time. He also learned how to take off his clothes and his diaper too.

Elsie hit a major milestone as well: she’s taken her first steps!

❤️, Molly

Here and Now: Week 15

Here’s what we did in our everyday lives this week: 

Michigan cousin time! Chantal, Justin, Samuel, Elsie

The last day of hotel life! The evening ritual of splashing in the pool (or hot tub, depending on which parent is holding you, hah!) has come to an end. 

Wild turkeys in Grandma Laura’s front yard

Normally I would never take a picture of a water tower, but I did. Because Flint.

Playing baseball

Our final score on our license plate game: 22/50. 

Samuel calls these “monster truck” rides; Uncle Jesse and Jacob were happy to oblige. 

More monster truck action at Jesse and Megan’s house

Elsie, discussing life 

Icy Lake Michigan 

The last of the road trip pictures! 

We are going to be staying in an AirBnB apartment in Monroe, Michigan for a month while Brent goes back to work at the main office in Detroit. We are looking forward to settling in, going grocery shopping, unpacking our bags, washing laundry, and doing all of that “normal” stuff. Yay!

❤️, Molly

Here and Now: Week 14

Here’s what we did in our everyday lives this week: Roadtrip!!!! 

On our previous cross-country drive from Oregon to Michigan, Brent and I took one of the most northern routes (I-90 to I-94 to US Hwy 2). It was the fastest and it gave us a chance to see more family. This trip we stayed on I-90 almost the whole way until Wisconsin. Then we headed north to visit Brent’s brother and wife just south of Green Bay before we drove across the Upper Peninsula and then south to stay with Brent’s parents. It was a long trip, but not as miserable as I had expected it to be with a 9 month old and a 24 month old. The babies are pretty great little travelers. 

The Badlands National Park in South Dakota was a highlight. This view is from the parking lot outside the visitors center.

The Badlands are an easy detour off of I-90. It’s easy to hop off the freeway at Wall, SD, loop through the park, and then reconnect with I-90 before Rapid City, SD.

This sweet little lady turned 9 months right before we left Oregon. Unfortunately, it took me a few extra weeks to post her monthly update. One morning we were able to snap a few quick shots in our hotel room in Wyoming before we hit the road.  Happy 9+ months, Baby Girl!

Montana mountains

Samuel enjoyed taking care of his baby bear along the route 

More scenes from Badlands National Park

Mount Rushmore!

Looking stoic in Keystone, SD; We actually drove right past Mt. Rushmore and had to turn around and go back to make a visit! We were distracted by the giant parking garage that appears around the bend in the middle of nowhere...and we’re so fascinated that we totally missed the entrance to the park. Hah!

View point in Badlands National Park

We saw lots of deer and antelope along the way 

Rocky peaks in Badlands National Park 

Elsie trying to pass the hours by using a steering wheel for a hat.

Sammy-Joe making filter faces 

[A small part] of the aforementioned parking garage... and the only mountain goat we saw on the whole trip

Leftover snow and chilly winds  

Daddy and Elsie among the columns

Back-seat window shot from the Black Hills 

Elsie and Uncle Shaun; We stayed a night with Brent’s brother, sister-in-law, and two pups. Manitowoc, Wisconsin had the coldest April 7th in history: 11 degrees just for us!

Samuel, Uncle Shaun, Aunt Emily, Elsie 

❤️, Molly

PS We also stopped at DeSmet, SD, childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We took a short tour to visit locations and scenes from some of the Little House books. I wish I would have taken photos!