elise explores artprize

Elise and I didn't have anything to do this morning so we called Grandpa to see if he was in town and wanted to buy us lunch  I mean walk around Artprize with his favorite Granddaughter.   Artprize is kind of a big deal, I guess.  A bazillion people swarm to downtown Grand Rapids to see a ton of cool art on display outside and inside all the venues.  

Even Time Magazine says we're cool.

It was the most beautiful day. 

That's my dad's office with the rounded top windows. Super convenient and they even validated my parking.  Score.

A nice-looking stranger asked if she could take Elise's picture by this art/musical bell thingy.  She seemed nice enough.  You can't blame her really - She perfectly coordinated with the sculpture thing.  I hope her picture doesn't end up all over the internet.  Oh wait - it kind of already does. 

I hauled the stroller up from the basement to help navigate the crowds.

We did get lunch too.  She downed her chocolate milk and wouldn't eat any of her grilled cheese.  Thank you Grandpa!

a little artprize and the circus

This afternoon we headed downtown after church for lunch and the circus!

Sidenote:  Today at Sunday school Elise learned a memory verse:  "And Jesus said let the little children come to me."  It's adorable.

Anyways.  Grand Rapids is crazy because of ArtPrize.  There were SO.MANY people downtown.  It's super cool though - the city is totally decked out with awesome and weird art. 

Elise loved the circus.  She was completely mesmerized the entire time.  

And for a three year old to sit still for almost two hours is pretty amazing.

She was told there would be cotton candy. 

Grandpa went to get it - it came with a hat.

So the circus was totally awesome.   WAY (like a million times) better than Elmo Live. 

You can kind of catch a glimpse of the crazy crowds downtown. 

Also she thought this was hilarious - covering my dad's face with her dress. 

Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun afternoon at the circus!  

I think this will become an annual tradition.  :-)

aubrey is engaged!

Aubrey and Tyler got engaged last weekend!

Yay Aubrey & Tyler!

Lauren even came into town and surprised Aubrey. 
Also Elise was pretty stinking excited to see Auntie Lauren.

Tyler's parents met us all at SanChez afterwards.  His mom even brought Elise a present.  So sweet.

Grandma keeps a scissors in her purse.  When the scissors comes out, so does the toungue.  And Nick likes to put stickers on her face. 

Congratulations you guys!

hilarious video

She was having SO much fun outside yesterday.

phone dump

I haven't even gotten  my camera out in the last week. 

These are all from my phone. 

I think they're still pretty cute though.  

 

Elise had her first dance class this week. 

My friend's daughter Lyza is in her class too. 

They are SO cute.

She brought all her friends from her bed down one morning. 

Apparently they wanted to watch Mickey Mouse too.

My sweetheart girl. 

Grandma brought princess press-on nails to dinner one night. 

She got them all on, realized she couldn't do anything, and took them off. 

Thanks anyways, Grandma. 

One thing she will always eat completely gone is macaroni and cheese.

Sometimes you just need some macaroni.

labor day weekend

I've been a total picture slacker lately.  Sorry Lauren. 

I pulled these from my phone from this weekend at the lake. 
Sunday was perfect and we had some friends out. 

Probably the last lanterns of the summer...

Elise and her friends.  My dad and these kid's grandpa have been friends since high school. 
The Kloostra's are currently losing in the "how many grandkids do you have?" contest.  
Like 6 to 1.   Sorry.  Hopefully we can get on that soon.

We slept over at the lake one night.  
My dad made Elise a fort in the morning.  She thought it was pretty awesome.