great lake, great trip

Singing songs in the car, counting the big red barns along the way, we drove our little family to Lake Michigan last weekend. After several u-turns and explained directions from innocent locals, Grand Haven state park we did find. Is it an ocean? Is it a lake? Well, you can’t see the other side, there are waves and a nice sandy beach with a pier. But its not salty and the sand is not grainy. Hmm…

We unloaded our castle making buckets and shovels, and our snacks and spent a nice afternoon beachside lakeside. We took a walk on the pier, took a look at all the big boats, ate a hot dog in town, did some tag team shopping at the boutiques, licked our ice cream cones and then piled our little brood back in the car. We did not however get in the water…
it was a frosty 52 degrees.

Happy trip.

Gage Gage Gage

This new little babe is now a month old. Didn’t I just introduce him to his Noah brother? Didn’t I just look at his face covered in baby slime for the first time? I could tell he was his own person. His own chin, his own nose. Now its been a month and 6 days. I’m wondering when I need to get the next set of clothes out as I tug his onsie down just a little bit more to snap it. I’m stretching his swaddle blankets just a little bit more to tuck it in. I’m loosening the straps in his carseat and waking up more in the night wondering why he’s still asleep. I’m catching more smiles and listening to him make happy noises. What’s a momma to do? Anyone know how to keep them tiny?

Festival time

It's summer in Michigan, which means that it's festival time! One of our favorite pastimes has been attending the various festivals in the area. Last weekend we hit the Great Lakes Folk Festival a couple of times. Lots of tents, lots of music, and a little dancing did the trick. As always, we had a great time. Hope you enjoy the vids!

Blueberries for Sal

Have you ever read “Blueberries for Sal”? This was one of my favorite children’s books growing up. I remember sitting on my Grandma’s orange striped couch reading about Sal and her mom picking blueberries. I could hear the “plink plink” of the blueberries dropping into Sal’s metal bucket. And I’d imagine helping her gobble them up until her bucket was empty. I don’t think Sal took any blueberries home with her even after a full day on the blueberry hill.

Last summer I discovered blueberries. I had no idea there were actual blueberry bushes. The closest we got to a blueberry bush back home was the few packages of blueberries at Albertson’s selling for what seemed like a dollar per berry.

We have some friends who live right next to a blueberry farm and have a few rows of bushes right in their backyard. I must have visited our Michigan berry bushes a dozen times last summer. Dragging little Noah with me and picking until he was too hot to find another berry. We made blueberry jam, blueberry pie, blueberry waffles. We ate blueberries on our granola, our oatmeal, our ice cream. Anything.

Well, this summer I haven’t been able to stop thinking about our blueberries. Anticipating the last weeks in July when we could go pick. We didn’t go as crazy as we did last year, I think we’ve been lulled by the packages of blueberries at Meijer selling for only a dollar fifty. But pick we did! We dragged little Noah and baby Gage with us and picked until we were too hot to find another berry. And I don’t think Noah’s bucket had any blueberries left when we walked away.

Pah-Tay!

Celebrate Jessie, because Jessie rocks! Last night we had a little get together to celebrate my lovely wife. In case you don't know, Jessiepalooza entails summer, dessert, lights, and pleasant conversations with friends. Despite my best efforts, Jessiepalooza never equates to Davefest. I love the spotlight and big crowds (and an occasional DDR match), whereas Jessie likes a relaxed evening with a few friends. So, we had some friends over, we made our first attempt at those glowing lanterns (they didn't really glow that well), I made the traditional frozen strawberry thingy for dessert, and Jessie played her splendid self, complete with birthday tiara.


Not only did I celebrate my favorite person in the world, but I also
*discovered some cool new musicians (this one's pretty relaxed and these rock [and also have a pretty cool website layout]),
*learned some really interesting things (like thinking in ten dimensions),
*got excited about all the technology out there (again! thanks Cherice...) and how it can influence our lives and social interactions (for example, check out Cherice's list of blogs and of course, note her use of del.icio.us),
*and enjoyed some great conversation (see photo...).



Such gatherings always help me appreciate my wonderful life, and inspire me to be better. Thanks everyone, it's good to have friends.

And thanks Jessie, it's good to have you.

He's here!

After a longer-than-expected wait, our baby boy, Gage Christian Wagner, has arrived. Jessie and Dave headed to the hospital after Noah went to bed on Friday night, and before Noah was awake the next morning, baby Gage had arrived. Let me assure you, however, that despite the quick trip from pregnant to parent, Jessie worked plenty hard.

Gage arrived at a healthy 8 lbs and just over 20 inches long. As you can see, he has plenty of dark hair and he also has a wonderful temperament (i.e. he sleeps all the time).

After a short stay at the hospital we made it home so that Jessie can rest in her big comfy bed, and so that we can enjoy a few more days with Grandma Woodworth before she heads back to Washington.

We’re happy to share our good news with you and hope you’re all well.

Dave

Gage face

Snoozin' with Dad

Gage and the too-big beanie

G 'n' G

Trying to Get Lucky

Jessie and I spent this weekend trying to get Lucky. Wait! Don’t stop reading. Allow me to clarify…I’m talking about our little boy, who we hoped would make his arrival on July 7 (7/7/07). Due to the potential birthing day, during his uterine existence we have named him “Lucky.” However, the “lucky” day has passed and now we are merely trying to prepare for our little boy to land.
So, “how’s Jess?” you may ask. Well, she is beautifully pregnant, with a wonderful belly. She looks great, but feels…well…like she’s ready to have a baby.

41 weeks pregnant

Grandma Woodworth is at the midpoint of her two-week stay and it’s been great having her around. Noah has taken to her quite quickly, and we’re confident that Noah and Grandma will have a great time while Noah’s little brother makes his arrival.

Junice hanging out poolside and lakeside with her grandson

So, although we don’t plan on getting lucky, we expect to soon be happily holding our new little boy.

Cheers.

Dave

Noah making his daily trip to the pool

Happy family (July 6, 2007)