One-Year Anniversary

  We celebrated our one-year anniversary on Sunday, May 14. One year of wedded bliss, and we've only just begun! :) This photo was taken before the ceremony and (most of) the hustle and bustle of the day, when Mike and I chose to take a few moments alone for ourselves. 

Himeji-jo

It's our anniversary weekend! Wowsers, one year already! More on that later. For now, here's a teaser. Last week was Golden Week, and we spent a few days in the Kobe area. One of our stops was at Himeji-jo, or Himeji Castle. Here, Mike and I are making all of the Nihonjin (Japanese) stare. Crazy foreigners! :)  

Best Buds

Christy and Kristen hanging out. 

I wishhhhhhhh...

Trudy's making a wish - maybe that I won't post her Popeye picture on my blog? :)

Party Time!

Kristen had the gang over to her awesome awesome awesome new house for a barbecue and birthday party. Good fun! Kristen even made a yummy cake for the birthday girl. 

Downtown Holland

It was a beautiful time of year in Holland! 

The Good Helper

We did a bit of yard work while we were in Holland - fun! I planted three lilacs in the back of our yard, and Mike trimmed up the bushes all around our house. Bryan and Anita had just laid a whole bunch of mulch earlier that week, so the house looked great! Elijah was very excited about helping Mike trim the bushes. Mike would trim, and Eli would pick up the fallen branches and put them in the wheelbarrow. The fun part was that it genuinely was helpful! Good work, Eli! 

Maple Leaf in Spring

Is that what this is? Anyway, what a difference from the ubiquitous shades of brown when we arrived. I think these are so cool - whatever they are! 

Close-Up

The same violets, at closer range. Can you see the dew on the grass? (Click on the photo for a larger view.) Beautiful!

Violets

And pretty violets! 

Trail

There are pretty trails... 

Van Raalte Farm

One day, I decided to explore Van Raalte Farm, the homestead of Holland's founder, Albertus Van Raalte. It's a pretty place! There are old barns...

Frye-daddy and Frye-baby

We also met Stacy and Renee for dinner at the Curragh in downtown Holland. They, too, have a new little baby - Seth Gabriel. There must be something in the Holland water! 

Faith

Is this a cute baby or what?! I can't believe how big she is. She's wearing the little Japanese bunny barrette that we brought back for her in this picture, too - cool! 

Anita and Elijah

Then to the Geurink residence! Elijah is newly potty-trained, and loves talking about the potty and wee-wees. Too funny. 

Heidi and I

Then it was off to Holland, where Mike worked and I played. Heidi and I went to the new diner in Zeeland, where the old Lighthouse Diner used to be, called, appropriately enough, "At the Diner." The next time I see Heidi, she'll have a baby! Wowsers. 

The Cake

Yes, this is how it actually looked upon being served. Did I mention about our planning-ahead skills? :) 

Last-Minute Birthday Celebration

Mom's birthday was the weekend after Easter, so we decided that we'd better celebrate while we were all home! Unfortunately, our corporate planning-ahead skills leave something to be desired. When Mom walked outside to get some desserts out of the freezer, we locked her out, scrambling to find the candles - and a cake to put them in! Boy, was she ever surprised!

Surprise!

You're on candid camera! 

Hungry Hungry Hippo!

Okay, that's not nice, Mark is no kind of hippo... but he sure is hungry! 

Easter!

After a few days with the Weisses, we headed up to Bay City for Easter with the Wildeboers. Mark arrived from New Mexico the same time that Mike and I arrived from Japan via Homer, and Ben and Sam were able to make it, too! Pretty cool to have everyone all together. Dad and Mike are putting together the yummy shish-kebabs that we had for lunch. 

Working Hard

Mike, deep in thought. You can see Chuck's reflection in the glass door, as well. 

Chillin'

Abby and Kacey chillin' on the deck. Literally. :) We all wanted it to be warmer than it was, and when the sun dipped down - yikes! 

Worms!

Keegan and Abby are digging for worms. Yummy! 

Keegan

Taking a break ... 

Kids and Noodles

And Mike finally had some kids to play with! Shaun, Mike, and Keegan are having a great noodle fight here - Keegan's playing it safe with the helmet. :)