Golden Hour

What started as a bone-chilling, damp, foggy morning turned into a pleasant afternoon, and then an absolutely gorgeous evening. It felt really good getting out of the house for a little walk and some playground time.

Matt brought his mini-drone to play with. It always draws a crowd of interested kids.

I recently exchanged my old Nikon D80 for a Sony RX100 Mark IV. It feels really weird holding such a tiny camera after lugging a big DSLR around for so many years. I feel very attached to my old Nikon - its original purpose was to distract me from the heart ache and bitterness of losing our first baby after a miscarriage, and has seen me through the births and milestones of three healthy babies, and so many other huge life moments. That being said, this little Sony is winning my heart. It's truly amazing to be able to take RAW images and 4K video on a camera that's tiny enough to fit in my pocket! It captures the light beautifully.

Tulip Time Is Here Again

What a busy week it's been. Art festivals, three parades, carnival fun, Dutch dancing, so much walking, too much junk food and not enough quiet time. We are exhausted. Olive and Silas have worn their Dutch costumes that Grandma Frey made them proudly all week long. It's an exciting time of year up here in Holland. And did I mention the tulips?

Tulips, tulips, tulips as far as you can see. They're everywhere. They're gorgeous. They smell good. And I swear, I almost hit a tourist every single morning while taking Olive to school, because they slam their brakes on Tulip Lane to take pictures from the middle of the road. But, you can hardly blame them, right? 

This is our third Tulip Time, and if the first time was magical, the second time was charming, and this third time is a bit of an affectionate eye-roll. Oh the kitsch! If there's a purgatory, I bet you everything I have that our Dutch dancers' soundtrack is playing on a never ending loop! And it really does get to seem funny how the tourists go absolutely crazy at Tulip Time. (We get around 500,000 people from all over the world come for Tulip Time, to give you an idea of the madness. Holland's population is only around 33,000.) 

It doesn't take long to start taking for granted what a special town this is. It's beautiful and quaint, and pristinely clean, and I've honestly never been anywhere with the overwhelming amount of community pride that little Holland has. That community pride is what really makes Holland the jewel that it is. Yes it's kitschy, and sometimes crazy, but we're really really lucky to call this place home.

Looooong Weekend

Matt drove to NY on Friday morning to pick up our dog, Django (Django's been staying with cousins in New England for over a year now, and now that we have our own place again we can get him back!) 

He won't get home until bedtime tonight. Tomorrow he has to rush out at the crack of dawn for music practice at church. I'm signed up to bring dinner to my sister's Bible study tomorrow night. Monday we're hosting a cook out for our small group at church. 

My teeth really, really hurt. 

Oona's ready-to-break-through-teeth hurt too, I think, because she cranked half the night away.

Alright, whining over. Olive, Silas and I took an evening stroll downtown earlier this week on a particularly beautiful day. We had a good time. Olive wanted to take pictures so I let her take charge of my phone. I love the pictures when her finger shows up in the corner.  

Back To Windmill Island

Sick of tulip pictures yet? Hope not...

We went to Windmill Island this morning, because they have such a beautiful field of tulips. We want to enjoy them as much as possible before they're gone - they probably only have a week or so left. It was the first time we've been to the island this year, and it was nice to be back. 

We thought Silas was smelling the tulips, but he was actually kissing them haha.

Last year at the island, HERE.

Let's Take A Walk

This winter came very close to ruining my little love affair with west Michigan. Then, spring finally showed up, fashionably late of course. And *snap* just like that, I'm in love again. This little part of the country does springtime right. I'll take you on a little walk around our neighborhood with us to show you what I mean... 

^^ Strolling through the historic district...^^

^This is the school down the street from our house. We like to play on the playground in the evening.^

^^ My walking buddies...who prefer to not walk. Lazy bums. ^^

^^ Pink skies. ^^

^^ Now we're in Centennial Park. ^^

^^ So many tulips. ^^

^^ My favorite tree in town, in front of the library. ^^