Massive Blog/Life Update

As many of you know there have been some changes in our life.  We moved to a larger apartment at Ashland and Irving Park mid-October after Kyle got the job as the facilities manager at our Church.  The apartment acts as Kyle's compensation.  Jenny left her job in Northbrook after trying to make it work and now watches two infants 3 to 4 days a week at home.  Shortly after moving we were thrilled to learn that another Mecher was on the way.  All these adjustments relegated blog-maintenance to the bottom of the list.  

Now that you are up to speed, enjoy three months of pictures!

Winter Wonderfest and Pots and Pans

Jenny and Charlotte went to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier last week with the cousins.

Charlotte climbed so fast up the slides but she would just sit at the top and cause a back-up.  Finally Jenny had to tell Adeline to just push her down the slide.  Charlotte still remembers it fondly.

 

Jenny was certain Charlotte would get her head stuck in these, but Charlotte managed to pull it out.

 Some of you may remember how a kid bit Charlie in these same tubes a year ago.  

No bitters this year.

Despite the silly scowl, Charlotte loves her new pots and pans that Granny and Grandpa Bill let her pick out at the Disney Store.  She has cooked us pasta, muffins, and eggs.  

Maybe she will be a camp cook someday...

Bits and Pieces

This is how Jenny told me we were having another baby!

She waited patiently until I noticed.  Looking forward to June 25th.  

.

 The play lot down the street from our new place has this old school slide like I used to play on as a kid.  

Charlotte decided to call it the "Africa Slide."  I have no clue as to why.

Horner Park had a Fall Fest also.  Though we did not go in the petting zoo, Charlotte stole a quick touch of this little pig, whom we called Wilbur (get it?).

 Halloween with the Sawyer, Breck, and Elsa.

Jenny and I watched Sawyer while his parents backed up their apartment below ours.  Charlotte and Sawyer had one last movie night with popcorn before the Johnsons left for New York state.

Fall Fest and Braveheart

At Fall Fest with Olivia Rill. 

The Hoskins were there as well.  There was a shortage of swings so Chris and I stacked Charlotte and Elsa.  Eventually Charlotte stressfully said, "I'm uncomfortable Daddy."

There was a woman playing children's songs.  Here was the finale: Laurie Berkner's "Shaky Egg" complete with shaky eggs for all the kids.    

At a recent retreat at Covenant Point Linnea watched Charlotte while Jenny and I worked in the kitchen.  Laurel and Charlotte were playing quietly in the other room until Linnea heard Laurel ask, "Mom, can we play Braveheart with our faces?"  (Braveheart is a camp game always introduced by staff in face paint and kilts).  Puzzled by such a request Linnea soon discovered these two covered in washable marker all ready to play.  Future Staffers for sure.

Random Treat

Here are some fun pictures of Charlotte. Here, she colored her Cabbage Patch Kid, Brooke Nina's face with "creamy crayons."

She still loves to help in the kitchen.

 

Making pizza.

Making the salad all by herself!

Wearing a new apron from my friend, Mrs. Rogers.

Charlotte got a little turned around in bed.

And a few pictures from my sister's wedding!

 

Their ceremony included readings from these lovely children's books.

Moberly/Nyberg Wedding

Late August we headed back up to Covenant Point for Megan and Paul Nyberg's Wedding.

Awaiting the blessed event with our dear friend Jane.

Post Wedding Chow-time.  Charlotte was HUNGRY!

On the bench with Andy at perfect sunset time.

This is my favorite time of day, camp looks magnificent.

Paddle Dance!

Jenny and I did this at our wedding.  Here Kyle got to dance with down the aisle with Charlie, Laurel, Hannah, and the new Bride.

 Waiting in line for the next dance.

 The next day we went with the Johnsons and the Stroms to the Ahlberg's farm for a tour.  Here Charlotte is getting back in touch with her Yooper roots on a big ol' John Deere tractor - The tractor that won the Tractor pull 2 years ago.  Pretty big deal.

Get this kid out of the concrete jungle! 

We love Laurel's arms around Caleb and Charlotte. 

Donna led us through her garden and let Charlotte pull some carrots.  She loved it.  Kyle the agrarian almost teared up seeing Charlotte learn where food comes from.  Not pictured: Donna also let us "dig potatoes," which was like mining for gold in the dirt. The potatoes just kept coming!  She gave us 7 HUGE potatoes and we ate them that night.  It does not get much fresher than that!

August Trip to Michigan, Part 2

The second week of our trip was spent at a cottage in Baldwin, Michigan with our friends, Megan and Scott. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Every single day was sunny and about 80 degrees. A perfect vacation!

Mmm. Soft serve ice cream. This vacation was kind of all about eating.

Every afternoon around 3 p.m. we would have happy hour with cocktails and delicious snacks.

Kyle broke his toe halfway through our vacation. Yuck.

The jet ski died, so Scott had to make a rescue with the kayak.

Kyle spent many days wearing socks in the water to protect his toe. Doesn't he look super cool?

Best friends drinking wine and eating snacks. A perfect afternoon.

OMG. Homemade lobster rolls.

An evening pontoon cruise.

Baked smores! Yum!

Charlotte was a little timid on the waterslide at first, but then she loved it!

Our beautiful vacation home.