Fruit Street Free Press

Phew...

2012-01-07T17:15:00.000-08:00

We made it through the move and the holidays! Been feeling really grateful lately. Here are lots of pictures from all that has been going on. Excuse the poor quality, not in the mood to edit and color correct tonight. We've all been sick with colds and I'm glad I even found the motivation to do this instead of sitting on our new couch, curled up under a blanket reading Harry Potter.

Here we go...

At Leland's 15 mo. check up she needed four separate shots. It was the first time I got a little teary watching her have to get those needles poked in her little legs. Too bad she can't appreciate the neon colored bandages.

Leland really enjoyed eating all the various Thanksgiving foods. This is at my parent's house.

This is at my aunt and uncles in Saginaw the day after Thanksgiving.

Various cousins, their children and pets the day after Thanksgiving. Very warm weather for that time of year.

Leland did NOT enjoy her first meeting with Santa as you can see.

This is our livingn room/dining room in our new house before we had the floors redone.

Down the hallway to the bedrooms and bathroom.

Moving day! Those first few days are always so overwhelming. Luckily we had lots of help.

Leland rocking for the first time in her new room.

Christmas morning in our new house. It was nice.

I just put up a tiny little tree. Can't have Christmas morning without a tree.

Leland on our front porch all dolled up.

Posing for a Christmas pic and my parents house later that day.

She got this wagon from my parents, and it's been so warm I've already been able to take her on a few short walks with it.

Stephen got this really cool travel mug which he totally loves.

Shelby and I.

My grandma turned 90 on the 30th! Here she is blowing out her candles at her party.

Christmas in Farwell! Leland with her cousins.

Opening presents.

Leland enjoyed mimi's lasagna so much she had three helping and licked her plate clean.

The girls coloring this really fun club house Cassie got for Christmas.

Now the decorating of our house can begin!!! I've been waiting to decorate a house for a looong time! I'll be blogging about that for sure.

Wanted: Christmas Cheer

2011-12-07T09:02:00.000-08:00

I just can't seem to get in the Christmas spirit this year. It's probably because we aren't putting up a tree, and our belongings are slowly being packed away.

We made an offer on a house Sunday, September 25. Our offer was accepted that same day, and we're still not living in our new home! We closed on our hosue Nov. 18, which seemed to take forever to arrive because the seller was giving us a hard time about repairs he said he would fix, but then wanted us to take responsibility for at the last minute, which is another story entirely, and he asked for 30 days after closing to move out. He is paying us rent in the mean time, which is nice, I'll admit. But, when we talked to the seller at closing he admitted he had no idea WHERE he was moving or WHEN he'd be moving out. I mean, I knew he had thirty days, but I didn't think he'd take all thirty! It seems if you are selling your house you'd have some idea of where you were going to go. It's been very frustrating, because with his deadline to be out looming, he still has no idea when he'll be out. I'm so frustrated with this guy! Just get out of our house already!

Anyway, we're really excited to get in there and start working on it. We plan on tearing up carpet and having the floors finished before we even move in. And for the first time ever we are hiring movers! Hot dog! But I'm not getting my hopes of being in before Christmas, and I'm just trying to get over that fact that I probably won't have time to bake, or decorate. It stinks! Next year I'm going all out! Don't be offended if you don't get a Christmas card from us this year either. It's not that we don't love you, I just don't see us getting around to it. So, if you have any extra Christmas cheer, or a really organized elf that is good at packing, send it my way.

And now for a couple of Leland pictures.

Leland's preferred method of eating chicken noodle-o's.

Cuddle time with dad while she recovered from croup.

Halloween Fun

2011-11-01T08:44:00.001-07:00

Lots of pictures today! We had a really fun Halloween weekend. Spent Friday night, Saturday and Sunday morning and afternoon in Farwell. Then we took Leland to her Wyandotte grandparents for a little trick-or-treating action. She LOVED walking around and looking at everyone in their costumes. It was really fun to watch her.

On the porch and her grandma and grandpa's with her pumpkin.

This one cracks me up.

Carving pumpkins at mimi and papas house.

Leland and Aunt Christina on CMU's campus.

Supermodel Cassie.

Alden and Leland running around.

Uncle Dan took this one!

Looooove this one!

Near the spot where we got engaged!

I even have my very own brick.

Goofing around before Halloween. I glued some more feathers and a beak on these glasses and went as a bird. I got a lot of weird looks.

Labor Day

2011-10-26T04:45:00.001-07:00

Woo. Two posts in one week? It's true!

Over Labor Day we went to Mackinaw City with the Nelsons. It was a great weekend! Cold... but great! Campfires, beautiful views of the bridge and lake, good people, ahhh. Here are a few of the pictures from the weekend.

Finally, a new post!

2011-10-23T17:12:00.000-07:00

Hi all. We've been busy. I've been feeling guilty about not taking any pictures of Leland or taking pictures and then never doing anything with them. But not tonight! Tonight we went to the park, I brought my camera, took pictures and am now putting them on the blog! Woah. It really doesn't take that long so I don't know why I always slack about it. Anyway. I've been pretty sick since Tuesday with a nasty cold that I can't seem to get rid of. Leland started to get a little sick on Friday, but luckily it didn't last long. We decided to take a walk tonight after dinner since the weather was lovely and we needed to get out of the apartment, which seems to be getting smaller and smaller. Leland just runs in circles all day long from the living, through the kitchen, down the hallway and back again. Poor kid. But I digress.

Lots has been going on. We bought a house! Woot woot! Although, I feel like we will never close on it. I'm pretending like we didn't buy a house... just in case something happens. But hopefully we'll be in it before Christmas. And I guess that's what I mean by lots has been going on because I can't really think of anything else that has been going on.

I know I say this after every post, but I swear I will try to be better. But don't hold your breath!

One of Leland's favorite things to do at the park is play with the mulch.

Pics

2011-09-14T18:19:00.000-07:00

I took some pictures of my cousins kids recently. Then I made some fun collages with the pics. Just thought I'd share.

The Big One

2011-08-22T17:56:00.000-07:00

It happened. Leland turned one. We had a fun party for her at my parent's house since Stephen and I have no room to have people over. It was a great day! Leland was a total ham as usual. The adorable outfit she is wearing was made by her Aunt Kara. I loved it! Thanks Kara! We opened presents, had lunch, ate cake, and Alden and Cassie ran through the sprinkler for a while. Then it started raining. But it was a really great day. Here are some pictures in no particular order.

Alden and Cassie had fun running through the sprinkler.

She loved her cake, as all kids do.

We opened presents. Leland really loves all her new toys. She especially loves playing with her toy kitchen and feeding her new babies.

The Wuepp's

The T's.

Four generations.

She's one! (I made that sign, by the way. I was really proud of my self cause I thought it was really darned cute, and I had a massive hand cramp the next day from excessive x-acto knife usage.)

Leland @ 11 months

2011-08-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

These are just some fun snap shots of Leland over the last month. Her first birthday is right around the corner!

We are so so so bad at this

2011-08-04T19:23:00.000-07:00

We are terrible bloggers. It's true. In our defense our summer has been crazy! As you can see a few posts ago, Leland was sick, then I (Linsey) was sick, so sick that I actually went to the doctor, then we just got busy. The month of July was totally crazy. I do have a few cute pictures of Leland which I will hopefully post tomorrow during nap time. But right now I just don't feel like downloading my camera. I'm totally overwhelmed with family pictures from the last year. After this weekend I'm going to tackle it! I really really need to because I hate that all my pictures just sit on my computer. I kind of miss the days when you just took a roll of film to CVS and were done with it. Now I feel like I have to tone and edit every photo I put up on this blog, but I should probably just get over that. No one cares, right?

Ok, so let me give you a run down of the month of July. Or we'll start with the end of June (that feels like ages ago.)

Stephen and I went to see U2 with John and Danielle. It was totally awesome and we stayed out till like 3 am!!! I can't remember the last time I did that. It was a great show, but let me tell you one of the most amazing parts was thinking about the logistics of the entire stage set up. Totally amazing. I've been to LOTS of concerts, more than I can even count, and this was the most amazing set up I have ever seen. Search google images for "U2 360" and you'll see what I mean.

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Then the next weekend was my sister's bachelorette party! Woo woo. We had an awesome time. We stayed at the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit which was really great. I would love to stay there again. We started the night with gifts and a few Summer Shandys in the room. Then we went to dinner at Slows, which if you haven't been there, you should probably go. It's really, really good. Then we headed over to Comerica Park for a Tiger's game. It was so ridiculously hot that we didn't last long. After the 2nd inning we headed into this little air conditioned bar area inside the ball park, then in started pouring rain... for a long time... like a big time storm. We were very happy we made the decision to hang out in the air conditioning for a bit. Then the rain didn't stop, so we went back to the hotel, cleaned ourselves up and had a fun night out on the town.

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100775274740023&set=t.21719640&type=1

Then, the next morning, I headed up to Farwell for the 4th. It was a really fun weekend from what I remember. It just seems like so long ago that I don't really remember much except going on the boat, shooting off some fireworks, then having breakfast at Big Boy in Mt. P with a lot of really fun friends the next morning.

On the boat!

Ok, so the next weekend we just relaxed and I got a facial!

Then Stephen turned 30 on the 17th of July! We had a very fun gathering at another Tiger's game, again on what seemed like the hottest day of the summer. I've been to 4 Tiger's games this year and three of four have been in 90+ degree weather. Ugh. But we had a great, great time celebrating Stephen's milestone. I have a picture of us somewhere. It will probably never see the light of day on this blog. A really fun thing about Comerica Park is they let you bring in your own food. We made sandwiches and had a ton of snacks. It was really fun.

So, the next weekend we apparently rested, oh wait, not really. I actually had to look back at my calender to remember what we did. Stephen took my now brother-in-law, Caleb, to Farwell for the weekend for a little R&R before the big day, while Shelby, Leland and I just lounged around for the weekend. It was fun.

Then it was time for the big show. Shelby and Caleb's Wedding. Let me tell you, it was TOTALLY AMAZING!!! Perfect Perfect Perfect! My sister was probably the most beautiful bride ever. I can't wait to post some better pictures. We stayed at the most amazing hotel, the Royal Park. The wedding was at Meadowbrook Hall. It was so beautiful. I can't even describe it. You just have to see pictures. I loooove weddings. It's so fun just to dance with all my family. Leland was such a good girl. I totally couldn't believe it. And Stephen was an AWESOME dad the whole weekend. He was pretty much on Leland duty the entire time while I tended to my MOH duties. He was so awesome that the pastor who married my sister and Caleb said he was going to use him as an example in a sermon about how dads should be! I'm so grateful that he is so wonderful to me and Leland. Anyway. Then Mary and Hank whisked Leland away when the night started to get late. It was a perfect night!

At the wedding.

So that is what we have been up to.

Oh, and I totally forgot to mention that during all of this madness Stephen and I have been house hunting!

It's been crazy. Really crazy. But sooooo fun. We have so so so much to be thankful for! Even writing this right now I'm getting a little teary thinking about how grateful I am for all the wonderful people in my life.

I realize this is really long, but I just needed to write it all out for some reason.

So, I would like to blog more. I just need to start adding it to my to do list. Cause we all know that gets done... not.

Stephen and Zach

2011-08-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

So when Stephen carries Leland around in the baby bjorn, he gets some strange looks. We think it's because people think he's trying to be like Zach Galifianakis. It does't help that he's been wearing my sun glasses because he can't find a pair that he likes.

Throw Up

2011-07-10T11:35:00.000-07:00

Leland threw up for the first time last night -- sick throw up; not after-she-drinks-a-bottle throw up. On Friday, the doctors determined she has strep throat.

Her puke smelled like the grape medicine prescribed to her by said doctors. It looked almost like a slightly purple milk shake. The throw up landed mostly on my T-shirt.

This is just after the puking. I changed my shirt.

Linsey called Kim for medical advice and motherly reassurance. It seemed to work. We do it often ... we usually get the best advice after KNT has had a few Jacks and Coke, whatever that means.

This is Leland pre-strep throat -- her 10-month-old photographs.

I think she is kind of cute.

Happy Sunday

2011-05-22T06:29:00.000-07:00

Leland told me this morning, "You know Steve..."

"Don't call me Steve, Leland."

"OK, whatever, dad... Anyway, you like never post anything on your blog anymore and the people who look at it are like why doesn't Steve post anything anymore. You should totally take a pic of me and post it on the blog so you like don't lose readers."

"OK. How about a photograph of both of us?"

"Whatever ... if it is like really important to you or something I guess you can be in the pic with me. Just don't like make stupid Steve faces like you always do."

"Leland, don't call me Steve. And since when do I make 'stupid faces?'"

"Whatever father, just take the pic already."

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T05:25:00.000-07:00

Linsey's been at this for less than 9 months so far -- but you'd never guess it. She's a spectacular and absolutely natural mother. We love you very much.

While Linsey is great and all, there are some other mothers I'd like to say hello to today as well:

Mary Tait: thank you for your constant love, selflessness and devotion. You're one-of-a-kind and I'm glad your mine...

The Wueppers-in-Law: You did a fine job raising Jeffrey and Linsey (not to mention the rest of the brood) and have now (although hesitantly) taken in a son-in-law and will welcome a new member of the family in July. Thank you for your love and kindness.

Cassandra: when Maisy finally enters school, you should apply for jobs in emergency management. Four kids is a lot of work, especially when living in a foreign country. (Although, having a live-in servant is probably making it a little bit easy.) But anyway: I've always admired the way you raise your children -- for the most part, you do it with a smile while maintaining a vibrant personality. Love you.

There are others, too: Kara and Kim Tait, for instance. We love you as well.

It is hard to imagine how we'd handle these kids if you weren't there to help raise them.

It would probably be something like this...

Random Video from Farwell

2011-05-04T19:31:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Park.

2011-05-04T18:59:00.000-07:00

The entrance to Elizabeth Park is just less than a mile from our apartment. On nice evenings -- which are rarity this spring -- we like walk there and look at the scenery, which includes various water fowl, Down Riverians and the occasional teenage couple sneaking away to enjoy some secret kisses.

We've never shown you guys what this park looks like. So we will now:

An American flag near the northern entrance of the park.

Leland enjoying the fresh air. Notice the hood: it is still necessary even though it is early May and the sun was shining.

Linsey and Leland.

Some kayakers.

Leland having trouble with her hat.

Leland in the kitchen

2011-05-01T12:15:00.000-07:00

It's been a while.

We'll try to be better.

A Sick Weekend

2011-03-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

It's finally arrived. The dreaded ear infection. The Girl made it seven months without getting sick. The streak has ended. Poor little peanut can't breath, can't sleep and has a hard time getting comfy. Hopefully she starts to feel better soon. At least we're getting lots of cuddles out of the deal. :-)

Before she started feeling terribly crappy.

Getting to crappy. Notice the snot coming from her nose.

You know she doesn't feel good when she falls asleep on you. She's not one to cuddle.

Today after some tylenol. She can only sleep upright.

A shot of our fridge as it looks today.

Gettin' Healthy... or trying to to at least.

2011-02-28T15:38:00.000-08:00

So Stephen and I are making an attempt to turn up the health factor in our lifestyles. We both recently saw the doctor and before we get our lab work back we decided to just start doing what we already know we should be doing... simply eating healthy and exercising more. Grant it, we already did eat fairly healthy and worked out a bit, Stephen more so than me, but it was still more sporadic than we would like.

We both joined Planet Fitness, which easily fits into anyone's budget because memberships are only $10 a month. We are going to try to take turns going in the mornings, switching off work outs and baby duty. I also signed up for a pilates class at the local recreation center which I am really looking forward to.

I try to plan out our dinners weekly. That way I know exactly what I need to do to get dinner ready for that night, and I can prep things when I have a few spare minutes through out the day and it doesn't seem like such a daunting task at 5 pm. I also go to the grocery store with a very specific list which cuts down and lots of little trips to the grocery store during the week to pick up ingredients. I've been doing this menu thing for a few months now and it really has helped keep me organized and I'm more encouraged to cook because I know exactly what I need to do.

I write everything down on this chalkboard/picture frame I got for Christmas.

Tonight we had a really, really delicious asian chicken salad from Everyday Food. I make a lot of stuff out of that magazine. I would definitely make this again. I grilled the chicken with a little kosher salt, pepper and cumin. I also added thinly sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds and omitted the mint, cause it's not my favorite. One serving is only 199 calories.

Seriously make this!!!

Here is my sous chef happy to assist!

Here is the recipe since I can't find it online: (from Everyday Food)

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce

1 jalapeno, minced

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon sugar

4 cups shredded red cabbage, about half a medium head

1 cup shredded carrots, about 2 large

1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions

1 cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves

1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

In a large bowl, whisk together lime juice, soy sauce, jalapeno, oil and sugar until combined. Add cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro, mint and chicken and toss well to combine. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately.

Hopefully we can stick with it! Does anyone have any tips on staying motivated to go to the gym, especially when you have to clean all the snow off of your car at 5 am?

Six Months!

2011-02-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

The first six months is over! Hard to believe. Leland had her six month well child visit this week and she is doing great. She is 25. 5 inches long and weighs 17 lbs. 10 oz. Her noggin is in the 90th percentile. She is sitting up on her own and rolling over like crazy. She loves mangos and sweet potatoes so far. She goes to sleep at 6:20 and wakes up between 5:30 and 6. I looove that. She is one spunky, happy little baby.

Some regular scenes from The Girl's everyday life

2011-02-01T02:52:00.001-08:00

Leland in the sun.

Leland helping Linsey in the kitchen.

A bedtime bottle.

A new outfit for sleeping.

Recent Pics

2011-01-13T07:47:00.001-08:00

Here are lots of pictures from our holiday in no particular order.

New Years Eve

Happy New Year!

Also from New Years Eve, the happy couple.

A family photo

I love my family photo in contrast with Stephen's family photo.

The Tait men with their little girls.

Hehehe, I like this one.

So pretty!

Leland opening some presents on Christmas.

Mary with a swarm of grandchildren around her eagerly waiting to open presents.

Leland's first time eating rice cereal.

This cracks me up!

Love this one too!

The happy couple again.

Leland: Why would you assume we'd post pictures of anything else?

2010-12-21T15:59:00.001-08:00

Linsey took some photos of Leland today. I liked this one a lot.

By the way, the doctor said Leland's head is 17 inches in diameter. "Big," the doctor said, "but not off-the-charts big."

One day, Linsey let me watch Leland. This is what happened.

Rarity: Leland Video

2010-12-16T17:19:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Plus

2010-12-07T08:01:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures from Thanksgiving.

A random night before thanksgiving. Stephen got home from work just before Leland's bedtime so he could kiss her good night.

Leland and I at my parents house on Thanksgiving.

Stephen learned how to carve the turkey and he was very impressed with the electric knife.

Leland watches football with grandpa and dad.

Leland with her G.G. and second cousins.

Four generation picture

December 4th Leland Stephen and I went to the light parade downtown Trenton, which went right by our apartment.

It was fun because everyone watching the parade had these candles.

We did go to the Tait's over Thanksgiving but I neglected to take a single photo. Sorry Taits. I'll make it up tomorrow when we travel there just for the heck of it.

Leland is Three Months

2010-11-23T14:20:00.000-08:00

Leland turned three months old on Friday. Time is flying. She is sleeping through the night which is wonderful! I put her to bed at 7 (we have a pretty particular bed time ritual that works like a charm) and she wakes up between 5:30 and 6:30. She takes pretty good naps and is a really good eater. She giggles a lot and looooves her daddy! For the most part she is one happy baby!

We are all settled in to our new place and really looking forward to the holidays!

November

2010-11-14T14:01:00.000-08:00

Here are some recent pics.

This is from earlier today, just playing around with Stephen and I.

We live near a great park. We took a nice long walk in the fog yesterday morning. Here are some pics from that.

Be careful when eating fish out of the Detroit river.

Veterans Day

2010-11-11T03:34:00.000-08:00

Many of the people I love most in the world have served in the U.S. Military: my dad, my brothers, my grandpas, my uncles and others.

The picture above happened because of the military.

Thank you for serving.

An Update

2010-11-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

Hello strangers. Things are finally starting to settle down a little bit... just in time for things to get crazy again before the holidays. Anyway, we are all getting settled into our new place. Stephen has been working a lot. Right after he started the plant began a refueling outage, so he has been very busy. Leland and I are adjusting to life in our new neighborhood. The weather has been beautiful and we've been taking lots of walks. I'll be sure to bring my camera with me on one soon. Here are some recent pictures of what has been happening.

Leland at 2 months.

Leland at 2 months

Stephen and Leland at my moms

Halloween with her cousins

Yesterday at home... I love those little toothless grins!

Packing up

2010-10-16T15:09:00.000-07:00

We are in the process of moving. Leland is lending help when she can.

Leland and Stephen

2010-10-07T11:52:00.001-07:00

Scholar

2010-10-06T19:14:00.000-07:00

Leland doesn't even have to not try in high school: she's already been accepted as a student to Central Michigan University. She got a letter in the mail today saying she's been accepted for the freshman class of 2028. It included a sticker.

She is way ahead of me.

Stephen and Leland

2010-10-06T16:45:00.000-07:00

Go Big or Go Home

2010-10-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

That's the way we like to do things here in our household, because having a new baby just isn't enough change for us. Stephen got a brand new job and we are going to move, and all by the end of the month. Some of the details of all this change are still a little fuzzy. Like where we are going to live for instance. We are trying to decide where exactly we want to move. I think we have it narrowed down to my old stomping grounds. Cities around Wyandotte. And I think we have decided we are going to rent for no more than a year so we can take our time looking for a house. But I'm so excited that buying a house is on the near horizon for us.

Stephen got a fantastic new job as a communications planner for Detroit energy company, DTE. He will be working at the Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in Newport, MI. This is such a great opportunity for him! We are both very excited. One of my most favorite things about his new job is that he'll no longer have to work on holidays! For the last four years one or both of us has had to work on Christmas. I know lots of people work on Christmas, but with our Boston family, Shanghai family, and Virginia family coming home it makes things so much easier.

In baby news, Leland is doing great! I love being a mom. It's so amazing to see how she changes everyday. She started smiling! That's fun for me. She's also had lots of quality grandparent time recently. We've been spending a lot of time at my parents while we try to decide where to live. And Hank and Mary and Christina came to visit twice last week. On Saturday Hank, Mary, Stephen, Leland and I went to the local winery to bottle some delicious wine. We had a blast.

Anyway, that is the latest and why the blog posts have been lacking. Also, does anyone know how the heck to get a movie from a Flip video camera onto blogger? It's been driving me crazy.

Here are some recent pictures of Leland with her Grandma Mary.

Leland is One Month Old!

2010-09-21T14:49:00.000-07:00

Time sure does fly! Leland turned one month old on Sunday. The occasion was marked by mine and Stephens first time away from her. My parents babysat while I stood up in the wedding of one of my best friends and Stephen had to work. It's amazing to see how she has changed over the first 31 one days. It looks to me like somebody's eyes are getting blue and hair is getting red!

Leland and Linsey and Marian and Mary

2010-09-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

We went for a walk Sunday morning. It was nice out. Linsey ripped her jeans when she fell on a curb. But she saved Leland from injury by twisting and falling onto her side. We had to take a couple minute break on this bench for Linsey to calm her nerves.

(Editors note: Stephen has a very strange sense of humor. I did not actually fall. Those jeans have a giant hole in them because they are really old and one of only two pairs of pants that I own that fit me. So no need to worry! I'm actually quite steady on my feet.)

When I came home from work, this is how I found the ladies. Leland woke up with a stuffy nose. I used a nasal aspirator to suck snot and slime from her ample nostrils. With the weather changing, I fear the stuff nose may only be the start of something worse.

It was the first medical procedure I've performed for her since cutting her cord.

This is Grandma Tait holding her 10th grandchild during a recent trip to Farwell. They both really seemed to like each other.

This is Great Grandma Wuepper holding her 5th great grandchild. They also got along swimmingly.

Two weeks

2010-09-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

It's been two weeks. Kind of a blur! Today is my first day alone with the little bean. Right now she is sleeping. We spent most of this past week at my parents. It was awesome. We sat outside, ate good food, relaxed. Stephen got to golf, twice. (I'm a wee bit jealous) Plus, my parents have air, which was awesome. Yesterday my mom came over and we made a ton of soup to freeze and also froze a ton of tomatoes and other various veggies to use this winter. It was so ridiculously hot in our apartment! I can't wait for tomorrow when things are supposed to cool off a little bit.

This weekend we are going to Hank and Mary's. I can't wait. We haven't been there in forever and the weather is supposed to be perfect! I'm really really looking forward to it.

Leland with great grandma Furby

Taking a nap at grandma's.

Another nap :-)

I love her little grins :-)

One Week Update

2010-08-26T08:43:00.001-07:00

So this time last week I was in the hospital waiting for my doc to come break my water. A quick 5 1/2 hours later Leland was here! It's weird seeing pictures of myself pregnant now that she's here.

This past week has been a good one. Our first night home from the hospital was a little scary. We were wondering why we didn't stay at the hospital a second night, but we were just two scared parents not really knowing what to do with this new little person. Anyway, we had the help of family all weekend, which was wonderful. Since Sunday night, Stephen and I have been on our own with the little bean and things are going great. We are trying to not just sit around the house. We take a walk everyday, and yesterday we even went to Meijer and Leland did great. She slept the entire time.

Tonight I think we might take a walk to "Rockin' the River" A free concert down along the river by city hall. The weather has been beautiful so that has been a blessing. It would have been a difficult week if it was 90 degrees and humid.

Anyway, here are some more pictures.

Some more Leland-related pics (if you can believe it)

2010-08-23T18:02:00.000-07:00

Some of The Girl's family gathers 'round.

Leland with Grandpa Tait.

Linsey and Leland on the way to the Y, where Linsey turned in her time card. Under doctor's orders, Leland got some quality time with sun on her face; tomorrow we will walk to the farmers' market, which is actually in those white tents on the horizon, and buy some vegetables or fruit. Perhaps both.

Leland with cousins Alden and Cassie and Aunt Kim.

Leland asleep.

Leland asleep with Aunt Christina.

Leland asleep with Aunt Shelby

Leland Nora Tait

2010-08-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

This is Leland Nora Tait, fairly fresh out of the womb. She weighed 8 pounds, 1 ounce and is 21 inches long. So far as we can tell, she has brown hair and indistinguishable colored eyes.

This is right after being delivered, laid underneath some sort of amazing heat source and welcomed to the world with a piece of cold metal stuck to her chest. Welcome!

This is Linsey and Leland feeding during her first morning at home. As expected, it was a somewhat rough night (why can't kids just speak English right away?) but eventually Linsey and I and Leland got the hang of it. (Right now, as of 6:55 a.m. Saturday, Mom and The Girl are in bed -- one with a stomach full of colostrum and fast asleep; the other eating up some of the relief.)

We got a little smirk from her, too. Which made us happy.

Cake and things

2010-08-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Linsey spent a part of the afternoon making a Texas Sheet Cake -- a chocolate treat she's been dying to make for days.

It may look quite plain, but I can assure you that this is a delicious, rich, artery-clogging dessert from which there are few equals. Pair it up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a cup of coffee, and I can think of almost nothing more enjoyable -- from Linsey's point of view anyway. For me, I can think of several things more pleasing: an ice cold beer, scotch on the rocks with a splash of soda water, a homemade taco or a handful of peanuts with the shells still on (unshelled?).

As requested: The Room

2010-08-06T11:15:00.000-07:00

This is The Girl's dresser, surrounded by various clutter: a dirty clothes hamper, a basket with quilts, a changing table pad with a basket on top that holds burp clothes and G-Diapers, a box with a car seat base -- yet to be installed -- and a forest green diaper bag for me (Stephen) that aims to offset some of the pink and maintain some semblance of manliness.

This is The Girl's bookshelf. Many of the people at the baby shower gave us books, which is quite appreciated. Also, Linsey's mom saved about 18 or so baby books from Linsey's childhood, which, I guess, are now The Girl's books.

These are some of The Girl's outfits. Above these dresses and sweaters are bins with clothes she'll wear when she's older -- each bin marked neatly with an age-appropriate sticker for when The Girl is likely to wear the clothes.

This is The Girl's crib.

The End is Seriously Near

2010-08-05T06:24:00.003-07:00

I love waking up and crossing the previous day off the calendar I hung on the fridge with everyones baby predictions written on it. It's satisfying to have made it through another day and night knowing that it's one day closer to The Girl being here!

I went to the doctor this morning, and it looks like Dan, Caleb, Chad and Cassandra have the best chance of winning. She said there is almost not a chance I'll make it to my due date! I'm 2cm dilated and 80% effaced. The baby has dropped pretty much as far as she can without actually being born. Stephen told me not to get my hopes up that it will happen soon, but I can't help it! I'm ready, she's ready, the room is ready, I'm pretty sure Stephen is ready... everyone and everything is as ready as it's going to be. Let's just get on with things. Waiting for this kid to be born has been like waiting for Christmas to get here when you're a kid, times a million. But the thing about Christmas is you actually know when it will be here! If I make it to my due date or not, it's still a good feeling to know that things are moving along so well. Hopefully the next post will be about her arrival... but don't worry, I'm not getting my hopes up :-)

The End is Near

2010-07-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I'll be 36 weeks pregnant! 29 days till my due date! About 4 weeks to go! However you look at it the arrival of The Girl is near. Holy cow. It doesn't really seem like it's going to happen. I still don't even really feel like I'm actually going to have a kid soon, even though she is constantly moving around in my belly. Even with a crib set up, baby clothes washed and organized and a hospital bag packed, it doesn't really seem real.

I went to the doctor today and I'm 1 cm dilated and 30% effaced. While the baby hasn't dropped yet, she's in a head down position. She's probably not going to be a very big baby (unless I pack on 20 pounds or so in the next few weeks, which my doctor said she has seen happen!) so Christina's guess of an 11 lb. baby is probably not going to happen :-)

I'm actually feeling pretty darn good. The weather has cooled off a bit which means I've been cooking and I can blow dry my hair. I've got some energy, I can still sleep pretty comfortably... not a whole lot to complain about. So that is the latest. Can't wait to meet this little girl.

Baby Shower

2010-07-22T06:35:00.001-07:00

My mom and sister threw me a wonderful baby shower a few weekends ago! It was in my parents backyard, which was a perfect setting. My cousin Carrie blogged about it and I stole all these pictures from her post :-) Thanks Carrie!

My dads sisters, my cousin Carrie, Shelby and my Grandma.

Shelby, me and Carrie

I received lots and lots of great books! I can't wait to read them to The Girl.

Mary made me this amazing quilt!!!

My mom cooked all the food, made all the cupcakes, had fresh squeezed lemonade and even a non-alcoholic beverage she called a Tait-tini! It was wonderful!

First Family Photo

2010-07-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Well, it's July 7 already. Stephen and I took a "family photo" on our third anniversary, June 16. Can't believe that was three weeks ago already! Anyway, I was 30 weeks pregnant and I had a doctors appointment that morning. Everything was great. I have another one tomorrow and I'll take another belly picture and try to post it tomorrow.

This heat really stinks. We don't have air except in the bed room so I've been spending a lot of time in there. Last night we got slurpees, sat in our room, read and listened to the Tigers on the radio. We've also been swimming at the lake a lot in the last few days.

Saturday was an awesome day of just hanging out at the beach. We made a picnic lunch, and just swam and relaxed, swam and relaxed, ate and swam and relaxed some more. It was a totally "Pure Michigan" kind of day... I could hear Tim Allen's voice in the background all day saying "Where there isn't a cloud in the sky and the water is crystal clear. The boardwalk and the dune grass go on for miles." I'm sure we'll be at the beach a lot this summer, so I'll remember a camera one of these times.

Weight, Weight -- please tell me

2010-06-05T05:11:00.001-07:00

A little contest: guess the weight and delivery day.

We are due to have a baby girl on Aug. 20.

How much do you think she'll weigh and what day do you think she'll be delivered?

Some background: Linsey weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces when born in 1982. Stephen weighed 8 pounds 13 ounces when born in 1981. Furthermore, Linsey was born on her due date; Stephen was born 10 days after his due date, and after a 36-hour labor (sorry about that mom).

Here it goes:

Linsey's official guess: she'll push out an 8-pound, 1-ounce baby Aug. 26.

Stephen's official guess: the baby girl will weigh 8 pounds, 6 ounces and her birthday date will forever be Aug. 22.

Alright.... good luck. The winner gets a chunk of The Girl's umbilical cord.

Tired Feet

2010-06-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of my achin' dogs after hustling around shooting Ryan and Ginger's wedding in Florida this past weekend. What an awesome time it was. It was so good to see everyone and be able to relax, sans kids, for the weekend. I feel like get togethers like this need to be at least a yearly event!

There are pics up on my blog. Check them out.

25

2010-05-23T05:04:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Sis! You're 25 today. A quarter century. You don't get a funny little poem because Stephen is not here to write one for you, and I'm not very good and poems. But you get something wayyyyyy better... these embarrassing pictures I took of you in 2003 when I was honing my studio skills at Central, and a "senior picture" type picture at the Empire Bluffs. Enjoy! Lucky for you I was cleaning out closets and found all my archived slide film from college. You are so lucky to have a photographer as a sister who made you endure all sorts of really fun things like this. (I promise your engagement photos will be way better, no trucker hats!) You're my favorite little sister ever and I hope 25 is an awesome year! Loooooove you!

The Scene

2010-05-20T16:17:00.001-07:00

This is the usual scene in the dumpster across the street from where we live.

70s photographs

2010-05-19T07:24:00.001-07:00

It seems photographs from the 70s have more character than our modern digital photographs. The images always seem a bit more interesting, a bit more intriguing.

Perhaps it's because more care was taken shooting photographs when photographs were film -- rather than throw-away digitized images. Perhaps it's because only the good prints survived this long.

But most likely it is just nostalgia, even if it is not our own.

Either way, I hope the photographs that survive my 20s and 30s are enjoyed as thoroughly by my kid(s) as I enjoy the photographs of my parents.

(By the way, the one of my mom and dad is when they were dating: my dad a member of the U.S. Navy and my mom a recent graduate of Taft HS. The bottom one is of my dad on their honeymoon, which was in Lake Tahoe.)

Maple Creek Farm

2010-05-18T16:48:00.000-07:00

So Stephen and I are really excited...we joined a community supported agriculture (CSA) program at a local, organic farm today, Maple Creek Farm. I was out there taking pictures for an assignment for the paper and found out about their CSA. For $2o a week from mid-June to the end of October we'll get a big box full of fresh produce delivered to a pick up site only a few blocks from our apartment.

I've always wanted to try something like this. It's really fun to know that this stuff literally was grown only 45 minutes from my house. I never buy stuff that's organic from the grocery store cause it's always way too expensive, but this is about what we spend on produce at the grocery store anyway.

I'm super excited to get our first shipment. We'll be getting everything that's fresh on the farm, and it's all picked the day before it's delivered. When I was out there today the owner was showing me these awesome looking brandywine tomatoes that they are growing in a hoop house to make sure they actually get a tomato crop this year. Anyway, I'm talking everything from strawberries, to squashes, broccoli, garlic, radishes, different lettuces, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers, the list goes on and on. I'm excited because we'll get to try lots of new vegetables and I'll get to create lots of new dinners in the kitchen, plus we won't have to buy hardly any produce for the entire summer and most of fall.

I'll be keeping everyone posted on how it goes and I'll be sure to post lots of pics of what we get and make.

Pregnancy Update: 24 weeks

2010-04-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Week 24! Nothing new to report. I was feeling really good today so I was able to get a lot of stuff done around the house. Stephen was home this morning so he dusted and cleaned the kitchen while I washed all our windows and put the screens in. I love having clean windows! It's going to be a beautiful weekend, so I'm glad we'll be able to enjoy the fresh air inside too!

I'm still working on my baby registry. And I'm feeling the need to buy lots of maternity clothes, but I'm refraining. I did buy this really cute dress from target to wear to Ryan and Ginger's wedding, and my baby shower and probably lots of other places. I bought some cute earrings from Anthropology to go with it and now I just need a really fun necklace and I'll be all set...and maybe some new shoes.

So what is everyones "can't live without" baby item and "I could've passed on this" baby item. I'm just curious. Like I said in my last post, a lot of stuff seems totally unnecessary, and I'm just curious as to what's helped other people out.

Stephen's Column

2010-04-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the column Stephen wrote in todays Times Herald about becoming a first time dad.

http://www.thetimesherald.com/article/20100425/NEWS01/4250314/-1/NEWSFRONT2/Baby-love-What-s-in-a-name-Turns-out-there-s-a-lot

And Hank, nice try, but we know "vineyardguy" is you! :-)

Pregnancy Update: 23 weeks

2010-04-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Alright, so I missed taking pictures of the bump at week 21 and week 22. I told you that I'm a slacker. Here is the 23 week bump. Everything is still great. I went to the doctor today. Had a really good appointment. My doctor is so awesome! I feel very lucky to have found her. I gained 10 pounds this month! I couldn't believe it. I guess it's time to lay off the Dairy Queen...or at least downsize :-)

Stephen and I started to register for baby stuff, which has been fun and overwhelming. I'm amazed a what a bunch a useless crap there is out there.

Also, Stephen got to write a really fun column about becoming a first time dad for the paper. It will be in the paper this Sunday. I'll be sure to post a link to it. It will be a fun little memento to put in a baby book. I like that some of the big moments in our life get to be documented. Like the column he wrote for CM-Life when we got engaged. It's fun to have that stuff.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2010-04-19T11:01:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Dad! You're not getting a poem, but that doesn't mean I don't love you! I hope you have a great day.

Tea Party

2010-04-15T18:20:00.001-07:00

Due to a shortage of photographers, I had to write about and take pictures of a Tea Party.

Here is my favorite sign:

By the way, this is John Galt.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

2010-04-14T06:20:00.001-07:00

What a day, back in 1953

Allen Park was introduced to a new Tait, little Henry

All those years pulling pranks and playing on Oceana

But it wasn’t too long before you were on a ship in California

“Hey Tait, want to come to my house to celebrate the holiday?”

“Sure, thanks for the invitation Donnelly.”

Seeing the German shepherds and Rocky may have been scary

But then, of course, in walked Mary.

Back on the ship, and off to Vietnam

And back on the mainland came little Jason.

A couple more children and a move to Michigan

“Schoolcrest looks nice; lets start buildin’.”

Sooner or later you wanted woods and a water well

The obvious option: Move to Farwell

Al Gore screamed as the trees started fallin’

Once you burned a few and the police came callin’

“Hey Dad, where you off to this time?”

“Oh, just up the hill; tryin’ to make some wine.”

These days, grand children run around at your feet

For you and them, the visits are always a treat

“Hey papa, can you help me find a stick for a s’more.”

“What? No, grandma’s lying, I don’t snore.”

It’s difficult to sum up 57 years in a blog post

But here is what I’d like to say most:

You’re a dad with wisdom, integrity and love

You taught by example, always a cut above

You were quick with a buck from your billfold

“Always keep your eye on the ball,” you told

You taught us boys about respect and honor,

to love our wives like you loved Her.

I think it really comes down to one thing:

For us, dad, you are the king.

I know I’m just one lad

But from all of us: We love you and Happy Birthday Dad!

Pregnancy Update

2010-04-09T04:54:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to give everyone a little pregnancy update! Shaina S. has asked me numerous times for pictures of my baby bump, so I finally got around to taking one and posting it. I kept telling her it was nothing remarkable...now she can see for herself :-)

So today I am 21 weeks. More than halfway there! I started feeling the baby move on the 28th of March (19 weeks). I had kinda thought that I felt if before that, but this was the first time I was absolutely postive. Stephen got to feel her moving for the first time on Wednesday night (the 7th of April).

I had another ultrasound this week because the last time I went there was some stuff they couldn't see, but everything is great! I also started another job for the next 12 weeks filling in for a photographer at the Times Herald who is ironically on maternity leave. So far it's been going really well. There was only one day where I was just totally exhausted and had to come home and take a 2 1/2 hour nap before I went to my job at the Y. Since I started working at the paper I figured that I'd probably be lacking motivation to get to the gym. Something at the Y happens to coincide with my time working at the paper. It's pretty simple, it's called the Dot Challenge, and you basically just log all your workouts (the minimum goal is 3 times a week for 30 minutes) on a big chart for the next twelve weeks. Not anything earth shattering, but it's been a good way to keep myself accountable for getting my exercise while pregnant and taking on another job. And that's about it. I'm going to try to take a baby bump pic every week for the rest of the pregnancy since I was a horrible slacker at it for the first 20 weeks.

This was right before the gym. So excuse the hair and no makeup. I had my hair like this at Dan and Kim's this weekend one night before I was going to bed and Alden said I looked crazy! It made me laugh.

4D ultrasound. Kinda creepy looking.

Love her little nose. This is at 20 weeks.

Gettin' Hitched!

2010-04-05T10:52:00.000-07:00

My little sis is getting MARRIED! Holy cow! I'm so excited for her. Her boyfriend, now fiance, Caleb proposed at the Cherry Blossom Festival in D.C. this past weekend. A nice man offered to take their pic in front of the reflecting pool and then Caleb said, "We might as well make this an action shot," and got down on one knee and proposed. So great to have pictures of it. My sister has lots more on her blog, but you have to be invited to look at her blog because she thinks she's really cool (actually, she just doesn't want her students to find it.) Anyway, I stole this pic from her page to post here. She is coming home tomorrow for her spring break and I can't wait to see her! Welcome to the family, Caleb. A baby and an engagement in one year, my parent suuuuure must be excited :-)

Details

2010-03-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

Last night was Mexican night. Yay! I love making fajitas, and tacos and salsa and rice and all that good stuff. It's so satisfying. Although, I really would have enjoyed a margarita. Oh well. Anyway, I found a new salsa verde recipe in Details magazine of all places. It was really good, and really spicy. But it was just what the smokey shredded beef tacos I make need. It was so good. I even went all out and made these delicious fudgy brownies in a skillet for dessert, which I ate right out of the oven with vanilla ice cream of course.

Making the salsa.

The finished product. Sooo yummy!

Broken Glass

2010-03-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

So a few weekends ago Stephen and I were visiting the Herman clan in Kentucky. We reluctantly drove home on Sunday night arriving home at 11 p.m. to find that our kitchen cabinet with all of our bar stuff and wine glasses had fallen off the wall. Glass was everywhere. Every single beer mug, wine glass, pilsner glass, martini glass, decanter, etc. that was own was broken. While I would rather come home to this than a giant flood in our apartment, it was still very frustrating. The good news is all of this stuff can be replaced. The better news is we have awesome landlords who wrote us a check for everything that was broken and then some without even batting an eye. The best news is last weekend we went to Crate and Barrel for a little shopping spree.

After we had that big flood last winter and everything got fixed up we came home from a hockey game to find water on our kitchen floor. It was raining really hard and there was a weird thing happening on the roof and water was coming down the brick wall behind that cabinet. They fixed it, but after time the back of this cabinet got moldy and rotted away.

A big mess.

All cleaned up.

A Baby Girl

2010-03-24T10:53:00.001-07:00

So Stephen and I had an ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a baby girl! We are very excited, to say the least. The doc said everything looks perfect. She weighs 9 oz. so far. I get to go back in two weeks for another one because she would not cooperate for some parts of the exam, so hopefully she'll be in a better position and be a little bigger so they can get what they need. Here are some of the pics from the ultrasound.

Sky Blue Sky

2010-03-08T10:51:00.000-08:00

A high of 48˚ today in Port Huron. Stephen and I went over to the Lake Huron to check out all the ice. I love our lakes. Totally worth living in Michigan to be able to enjoy them. There is also a huge ice bridge out there that you can't see in any of these pictures. The Coast Guard is concerned that with the warmer weather it's going to cause some big problems in the river. You can read about that here if you're interested.

Anyway, the ice out there is pretty cool. And the sky was so blue today! Love days like today.

You can see more pictures of the ice here.

What's in a Name?

2010-02-24T08:37:00.001-08:00

Over New Year's weekend while Stephen and I were visiting my parents we decided to take a little trip downtown Detroit one afternoon. There is a used bookstore there that Stephen has always wanted to visit called John K. King Used & Rare Books. The place is truly amazing. Six floors of books stacked floor to ceiling. If you ever get a chance to visit I highly suggest you do. Then you should eat lunch at Mudgie's in Corktown. Delicious.

Anyway, while at the bookstore I came across this little gem published in 1967. It was $1.25 so I decided to buy it and then Stephen and I challenged ourselves to choose our unborn baby's name from it. It's only 32 pages long and 8 of those pages include making sure the name you choose has a cool nickname, a family tree and ads for Enfamil like the one shown below.

I've looked through this book a ton of times and nothing really jumps out at me. Stephen actually likes the name Cadwallader. While it does have a cool meaning there is not a chance in hell that I am naming my kid that. No matter what Stephen or John N. say.

The cool thing about used books is seeing what the previous owner was leaning towards. Apparently Lenore was one of their options, which happens to be my grandma's name.

Also, I think it's totally fun and appropriate that, according to this book, Tait means cheerful. Who has ever met a Tait that isn't? (On a side note, I really like this picture of the name Tait and am considering fine tuning it a bit and then blowing it up and framing it. What do you guys think?)

The point is that Stephen and I can't really agree on anything. We are open to suggestions! As long as it's cooler that Cadwallader...I don't want to see a single comment in the comment section arguing that Cadwallader is a cool name. If you do you'll be banished from this blog forever!

Happy Birthday Linsey!!

2010-02-22T06:07:00.000-08:00

To my sweet, loving and graceful wife: Happy Birthday.

Linsey turns 28 years old today. It is her last birthday before she holds her new title for life: mom. (Can't wait for that, by the way: watching Linsey be a mom. She'll be pretty darn good, don't you think?)

Anyway... Happy birthday Linsey!

(And Patrick B., if you read this blog: Happy Birthday to you, also)

The Whole Famn Damily

2010-02-13T06:20:00.001-08:00

This picture isn't the best quality but at least we're all together, probably the last time for a long time.

Been a long time...

2010-02-10T06:16:00.000-08:00

Once again I'm realizing what a long time it's been since Stephen and I have last blogged. Stephen used to be the one who did all the blogging, then I sort of took over, then neither of us did it for a while, now I guess I'm back at it again. I asked Stephen the other day why he never blogs on our blog anymore and he said, "Because our life in Port Huron is boring and the only thing I like here is you and I'm not going to blog about you all the time." But I just spent the last 20 minutes looking at all our recent blog posts and it would appear that our life isn't really that boring. I mean at least this winter Stephen and I and all our belongings aren't crammed into our bedroom because our apartment is under construction. So already we are one step ahead of last winter.

Anyway, I'm vowing to start blogging again. The real big news is that Stephen and I are going to be parents! Holy Cow. Most of you probably already know that, but hey, it's a good topic to blog about :-)

Here is a picture from our first ultrasound a couple of weeks ago. I'm due August 20th. Just a few weeks after Kara. This will be the 10th grandchild on the Tait side and the first on mine.

Eli

2009-12-30T17:52:00.001-08:00

Eli was my cute little model while I set up some lighting to shoot Ryan and Ginger's engagement photos. He's usually pretty shy around me, but enjoyed hamming it up for the camera.

Oh, Christmas Tree

2009-12-03T06:47:00.000-08:00

Stephen and I had a lovely time decorating our Christmas tree on Tuesday night. Even though the Christmas tree stand broke, we were able to rig something up to make it sturdy.

Or so we thought! Wednesday night it came crashing down! Luckily only a few of the ornaments broke...only my favorite ones of course. This was taken after everything was mostly cleaned up.

Here is the before and after of an ornament Stephen made for me on our first Christmas together. We'll still hang it on the tree of course; now there is another story to go along with it.

This one's for you

2009-11-12T13:41:00.001-08:00

We get lots of really great light in our apartment at all different times of day. This was at about 4:35 pm today. The afternoon sun perfectly illuminates solitary objects in the apartment depending on the window it shines in. Today, an empty case of Coors. Isn't it lovely. Stephen has been drinking just regular Coors lately. This picture reminds of one my good friend, Keith, would take for some reason. Maybe it's the light, or the composition...I'm not sure. But Keith, this one's for you.

Stephen...

2009-11-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

...at the Black River.

...on a log.

...deep in thought.

Halloween!

2009-11-02T06:17:00.001-08:00

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween! Stephen and I had a really fun night with all of our Port Huron friends. We participated in something called a Witch Hunt where our friend and upstairs neighbor, Matt, had to dress up like a witch and run around town to different bars while the rest of us, in teams of three and four, had to try and find him. There were a lot of other rules involved which basically involved drinking beers and drinking more beers. It was great!

Everyone dressed up, which was one of the rules, but it also made it really fun! Here are mine and Stephen's costumes. Stephen was blood spatter specialist/serial killer extraordinar Dexter Morgan, from the Shotime series Dexter. I was a beehive, an idea I got from Martha Stewart, duh. I set up a photo booth in my apartment and took pics of everyone who participated. You can see them here!

Fun Fall Weekend

2009-10-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

Stephen and I had a pretty fun filled weekend. Here are some pictures.

Friday we went to see one of our all time favorite bands ever of all time...Wilco. They were awesome! Actually, they were better than awesome. I'm really glad that we went because Stephen has been wanting to see them in concert since as long as I've known him. The show was at the Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor which is where my sisters graduation from the U of M school of ed was.

Here we are waiting for the show to start.

That's Wilco. A horrible pic, but you can kind of make out Jeff Tweedy in the middle in the black pants. Did I mention they were awesome?

Stephen enjoying some Sangria at a delicious cuban restaurant in Ann Arbor. We had these delicious pork tacos as an appetizer that had carmelized onions and pineapple on them. Yum! I also had a really delicious margarita...one only to be rivaled by the ones served at Agave in Newburyport.

•••••••••••••••••••••

On Saturday we went to the Michigan v. Delaware St. game. I really did feel bad for Delaware St. I mean, they essentially got paid $500,000 to show up and lose. At least they were on time though. When U of M paid Bill Clinton $500,000 to speak and my sister commencement he was 45 minutes late. Classy.

The Big House. This game set the record for lowest attendance ever. Sad.

My dad and I tailgating before the game. It was actually really cold that morning. Not the best tailgating weather, but we made the most of it.

••••••••••••••••••••••

Sunday was a beautiful day. Stephen and I took a bike ride around my old neighborhood.

A park that I used to play at a lot as a kid.

My parents house.

We play a lot of games at our house. Rack-o is a family favorite, even if my dad almost always wins, and then brags about it. Here is the champ shuffling the Rack-o deck.

We also checked out the Detroit Marathon. It was really fun.

Here is one of my best friends, Liz. She was in our wedding. Sorry this is so out of focus...I was running along next to her so we could chat for a second. She ran the half marathon and her husband, Josh, ran the marathon. They are awesome!

On a weird side note, I know the person who won the Marathon, I went to high school with him. And I know the guy who won the Half Marathon, his twin brother used to date my friend Heather. What are the odds that out of 19,000 people I would know both of the winners. Crazy.

Anyway, it was a fuuuun weekend.

Wine Making

2009-10-20T09:53:00.001-07:00

Last Christmas Stephen and I gave our parents gift certificates to have wine made at a local wine making place here in PH. A few weekends ago our parents finally came down for the wine tasting and purchasing. We got to taste about 15 different wines. It was so much fun having someone explain to you the differences in the wine and why you might like some more than others.

I still usually prefer dry whites, but there were two or three reds that I loooved too.

All the parents involved purchased some delicious wines which I can not wait to taste in the near future.

Garbage Dweller

2009-10-20T09:22:00.000-07:00

The other morning Stephen went to go throw away some trash and this guy started hissing at him. He must have fallen off the porch into the empty trash can full of stinky rain water and garbage juice (GROSS.) Stephen rescued the little guy by tipping the garbage can over.

Clare

2009-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went to Clare and Farwell for some good times. We watched a lot of football and just generally relaxed. Saturday we took a nice, long walk on campus which was really fun. Then on Sunday we went to the pumpkin patch. A fun time was had by all!

Here is Alden and Cassie on the wagon ride at the pumpkin patch. More pics at my other blog. I'll post more pics here later. There were a bunch of animals there too...and yummy donuts.

Hooray!

2009-09-28T16:04:00.001-07:00

My new website is finally live! Cass, Shaina, Julie and a few others will see their adorable kids featured!

I'm really excited about this! I've always wanted to have my own photography business, and I really can't believe that it's actually happening. I think having that break between when we moved from Massachusetts back to Michigan is what I needed to reignite my love of photography. And since I lost one of my part time jobs this has been the perfect opportunity to get something going.

Stephen has been awesome! Since I'm only working at the Y right now while things get going things have been tight, but he hasn't complained once, at least not to me :-) Plus he is really supportive and tells me the truth about stuff, which I appreciate. Also, my mom and dad, my sister and my cousins Julie and John have been a HUGE blessing, so thank you guys. I owe you!

Anyway, check it out. Let me know what you think. My new business cards will be here in a few days, if you want some to pass out let me know! I've got lots.

www.linseytaitphotography.com

Hey Spencer!

2009-09-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

It's your birthday! And you're nine! Holy Cow!

We hope all your tech deck and motor scooter dreams come true! We love you!!!

New Photos!

2009-09-14T10:07:00.001-07:00

Check 'em out!

Do we like one of these more?

2009-09-11T11:01:00.001-07:00

Help a sista out

2009-09-10T10:09:00.001-07:00

So, I'm looking for some input on a business card design. I want something simple, playful and sophisticated. I'm no graphic designer so I'm totally open to suggestions on colors, fonts...anything! This is just sort of a starting point, but I'm trying to get them done ASAP so I can order them this weekend. What does everyone think? Please Help! I'll give you free pictures ;-)

I should be folding laundry...

2009-09-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

...but I'm blogging instead.

So, Stephen and I had a fun weekend and my parents house. Saturday, my mom and I drove out to Ionia so I could take some pictures of my adorable little second cousin, James (photos to come soon.) While my mom and I were gone Stephen and my dad went golfing, as usual. Then on Sunday I spent the afternoon reading magazines on my parents awesome patio! Isn't it so cute?

I also just launched my new photo blog today! It's exciting, for me anyway. Be sure to check it out and become a follower! www.linseytaitphotography.blogspot.com

Ok, now I'm going to go fold laundry...ugh.

Even More Summer Fun

2009-08-20T07:07:00.001-07:00

Summer is so great. This one has been especially fun! We've had so much fun time with family and friends. I can't believe an entire year has passed since we left Newburyport. Here are a few more pics.

Another beautiful summer day on the lake!

I've been cruising around on my bike a lot. Especially since Stephen got me an awesome basket for it for my birthday.

In July there is a huge sail boat race from the Blue Water Bridge to the Mackinac Bridge. The night before the race there is a giant party downtown. Shelby and her friend Angela were there visiting Shelby's college roommate.

Here are some of the sailboats getting ready for the race.

Wedding Time

2009-08-20T06:56:00.000-07:00

On Saturday we went to a wedding for two of the people on our softball team. It was a great night! It's fun to see everyone out of their softball uniforms and all dressed up.

Sarah and Kate.

Stephen with two of his friends and co-workers, Matt and Paul.

The boys with the lovely bride, Katie.

New House!

2009-08-18T09:38:00.003-07:00

We helped Dan and Kim move a few weeks ago. Here are some pics.

Packing up the old house.

The kids playing around the mulberry tree in their new yard.

Uncle Stephen keeping the kids occupied, or is it the other way around?

This is a trip to the E.R. waiting to happen!

Congrats guys! Can't wait to come and visit!

Shelby and Caleb

2009-07-23T06:58:00.001-07:00

Shelby and Caleb came to visit a few weeks ago. They are teachers so they don't have to do anything alllllll summer. Must be nice :-)

More Fun Stuff

2009-07-23T06:38:00.001-07:00

Here are some more pictures from our "summer". Right now it's overcast and 64 degrees. Awesome.

Since the Pier 1 I worked at went out of business last week my quality of life has improved greatly! I've been able to pic up three freelance photo jobs in the last two days, I have free time, and I'm actually going to start my own photography business. There will be a new website and blog coming soon!

Fresh herbs on our roof! Yum.

The dynamic softball duo: Taitor Tot

Here is our entire softball team. We are having a great time playing with all our new friends in PH. The playoffs start next week and we actually have a pretty good shot of winning the losers bracket, so we've got that going for us.

Me and some of my Pier 1 coworkers celebrating the end!

I love this picture of Alden with all the beans in his shirt from Grammy's garden. I'm actually going to cook them up tonight. We got to go to farwell for the weekend for Stephen's Birthday. It was great to hang out with everyone in Farwell/Mt. P for a change. I can't wait to camp out at Camp Tait in a few weeks.

Happy Birthday!!

2009-07-17T05:35:00.000-07:00

I love you! Even when you do weird stuff like this!

Summer Fun

2009-06-30T06:57:00.001-07:00

This summer really has not felt much like summer at all so far. Stephen and I have been working like crazy, and the weather has been not very summer like. We've managed to squeeze in some fun though.

Sunday actually felt like summer. Our friend Mike has a pontoon that he took us out on in the morning and afternoon before our softball game. This is in the canal that connects the Black River and Lake Huron.

This is on the St. Clair River heading toward the Blue Water Bridge.

Stephen loves being in the sun.

Our friends Mike, Brooke and Kate.

Here is one from the weekend before when Hank and Mary came to visit with Spencer and Lucas. Even though it was kind of chilly we went to the beach for a few hours. The boys were even brave enough to get in the water.

Some More Summer Fun

2009-06-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more pics.

Stephen and Molly. Molly is the greatest! Stephen is ok, too.

These are two of my friends from the Y, Rebeca and Miki.

Stephen and I went out for a really nice dinner for our two year anniversary in Lexington, MI to restaurant called The Vintage Grill. It was delicious. After dinner we took a walk along the lake.

Stephen and I also joined a softball team with a bunch of our friends. Our team started out great, beating teams by like 10 or 13 runs. The last three games have been horrible, we are in a slump for sure. Maybe we need to start doing two Jager Bombs before the game instead of just the usual one.

Forever ago...

2009-06-26T12:08:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial day I went to Virginia with my mom, dad and my sister's best friend Colleen to visit Shelby for her 24th birthday. It was a fun time. Here are some pics.

Colleen and Shelby at Monticello.

The fam (minus SRT, he was absent this trip because of work) at Monticello. It was really beautiful.

Walking through Thomas Jefferson's vegetable garden.

Colleen and I at the Capital Ale House.

Shelby and Caleb at her birthday dinner.

Happy Birthday Janelle

2009-06-11T04:53:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Janelle.

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.

Goethe said that. Whoever the heck he is.

Hope you have a fabulous birthday.

Happy Birthday!!

2009-06-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

She grew up a valley girl, hardly a worry on her mind

Met a Michigan man, handsome and kind

Her birthdays have come every June 9 since 1953

Had just 19 before she added her first kid to the family tree

"Why not four more?" she said to Hank.

“Sure, Mary, we'll have the Lord to thank.”

She left California and headed to Clare

Tears flowed but she persevered there

After nights in Yosemite, the beach and Mexico

She must have wondered "what’s this white stuff, snow?"

Trips to Spring Hill, the West Coast, the Beaverton tavern

Hours on road trips in a gray station wagon

The pets included Chi-Chi, Autumn and Sunshine

She witnessed her kids succeed in the Jack Pine

First the farm and on to Schoolcrest

Then to the woods where her husband shoots pests

She’s a dedicated member at First Baptist

At the gates of heaven, she'll surely past the test

She learned to love from a woman named Jereann

It's the unconditional kind, the only she understands

To see her is to witness four-feet-eleven

But to see her heart, she stands over seven

She’s matriarch of a growing group of children

There are many Taits, and more than one Herman

Ask anyone of them and they’ll say she’s a great mum

She’s the Queen of this particular kingdom

So Happy Birthday Mary Tait

For our next moment together, we just can’t wait.

Help the Taits...

2009-06-04T07:04:00.000-07:00

After the death of Sophie Tait, a tan-colored pug, Hank, Mary and Christina are getting a new dog, a cockapoo.

Here's the problem: They don't have a name.

That's where you come in: What should the dog's name be?

It is a female, by the way and it arrives June 20.

Some ideas:

-- Sasha. It's a horrible name for this particular blogger to say, but it is timely given the occupants of the White House.

-- Ayn or Rand. Nice and simple. Meaningful.

-- Peter. Just to throw people off a bit.

-- Lucy. It is fun, human and short.

-- Sophie Two. But that may confuse the young ones.

Please share your ideas. I hear it is with Mary where the ultimate decision lies.

(By the way, I'm not sure I can explain that picture, but my guess is that the dog is Jewish. So perhaps Mara is a good choice.)

Happy Birthday ...

2009-05-23T06:00:00.000-07:00

... Shelby!

Today is Shelby's birthday. She is 24 years old.

Shelby is so beloved in this country, our federal leaders declared a three-day weekend. So you have her to thank.

Among other things, Shelby is: a teacher; a voracious reader of young adult novels; a Michigan Wolverine fan; a Michigan native but now a resident of Virginia; a worthy adversary at the beer-pong table; and a hellavu good person to spend time with.

Among her quirks is this: Anytime she passes underneath an orange light at a traffic signal, she kisses her hand and touches the ceiling of her vehicle. She is very dedicated to this superstition.

We love you here at the Fruit Street Free Press
Happy Birthday Shelby!

And since on your birthday, people should feel happy, I'll post this as well.

Yo, Happy Birthday.

2009-05-09T05:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Brother!

Perhaps we can discuss this further over a beer sometime soon.

Happy 30th Anniversary!!!

2009-05-05T05:09:00.001-07:00

Thirty years of marriage

Two daughters and a baby carriage

Vacations to Florida, NYC and Hilton

A few rums and cokes, martinis with gin

They’ve had golf on Saturdays, nights on the town

A daughter in a new wedding gown

Racko, euchre over laughter in Wyandotte

Bay City fireworks, which they enjoy a lot

“Mom, dad I’m poor can I have some”

“Sure, because we love you ton”

Marty, Jim, wanna come out a play

It’s too nice out, no garden chores today

Up to Port Huron or down to Virginia

Hey there Shelby, we really miss, ya.

Classic movies, lines like “sisters, sisters.”

Central Park, can you play “Stairway to Heaven,” mister?

Traverse City, days of relaxation

Sure beats the hell out of executive compensation

Sunny days spent on a pontoon

Grab me a beer, it’s going to be noon soon

Delicious meals, don’t forget the swiss steak

Hey, look at that, left overs to take

Hey girls, want to go to Sommerset

There are some things we need to get, yet

Started in hippie clothes, young and hip

A little older now, hair shortened with a clip

And who can forget the Maize and Blue

Football, of course, but an education, too

Here is to three decades of marriage to one

Love, family, friends and a whole lot of fun

Lucky!

2009-05-03T17:37:00.000-07:00

I came home from work tonight to find Stephen enjoying dinner at our little bistro table next to our french doors. It was a beautiful day which I got to enjoying being at work.

We're Back!

2009-04-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

I realize that most of you probably stopped checking our blog because we have been such gigantic slackers over the last month or so. We apologize! I assure you that we're back and ready to blog.

Not much has been going on over that last few months except that our apartment is finally back to normal and spring has finally arrived after what seemed like the longest winter ever!

I'm just going to get right into it. I made this for lunch today. It was from Everyday Food. I looove that magazine! I'm also going to make a granola from this issue. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Anyway, the soup was delicious. I added two cloves of garlic with the ginger and lemon grass when you simmer the broth, and fresh basil and scallions sprinkled on the top. The sriracha is a must.

My Very Own Studio!

2009-03-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited!

I've always wanted to have a studio in my own house, and this apartment is perfect for it. Now that the construction is done I thought I should get serious about doing some photo stuff. I'll get to test it out tomorrow when my cousin, Julie, comes to PH so I can take some pics of her two boys, John-John and James.