Oh, here I am!

When I've taken an unplanned break from blogging I never know whether to just jump back in like nothing has happened or to offer a lengthy explanation (justification?) for my absence. And then I overthink my explanation (okay, definitely a justification), and that just delays my reentry even more.

So. Hi. I'm back. I didn't mean to take an almost-two-month hiatus. In fact, in that time I started at least four different posts and never made any significant progress with any of them.

I guess I don't really need to justify why I was living my life instead of blogging about it, do I? Everything just got kind of overwhelming--imagine that! So if I'm back does that mean things are settling down? Ha. Of course not. More like I have a new writing project and looming deadlines, so I'm finally motivated enough to procrastinate (and it's a huge relief to write something I don't have to think through as intensely as a Bible study).

As the weather has been getting nicer we've been spending as much time outside as we can. John Paul is walking all over the place as of the last two weeks--just in time to play outside with his brothers. I've been doing (marginally) better on keeping up with laundry. I finally finished going through the amazing abundance of hand-me-downs we've received over the years and actually got around to redistributing the wealth among various family members and friends. (My bedroom looks so much bigger without half a dozen garbage bags full of clothes sitting in the corners. Seriously.)

There, consider yourself updated, more or less! Pictures of John Paul's birthday coming soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures of our Holy Week and Easter spent in Lincoln (not pictured, the stomach bug making its rounds Good Friday through Easter Sunday. Ugh.).

Dear Grandma and Grandpa...

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

I think road trips are so much fun, and the best road trips lead to Lincoln :)

I can't wait to come see you soon!  

I hope my mom and dad let me take a turn driving--I've been practicing a lot.

See you soon!

 

Love, Michael

There and Back Again: A Christmas Tale by Michael Underfoot

Concerning Michael
I like to be in the center of the action - which often leads me to the kitchen where all the adults are gathered - so my Papa and Uncles started calling me "Michael Underfoot."  I can claim connections with two important families of the Shire/Breeland: the Proudfoots and the Underhills.

Chapter 1: Feast of St. Nicholas
To celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas on December 6th we shared our stocking gifts.  Daddy had to open mine - I wasn't quite sure what my crazy parents were trying to get me to do.  But once I discovered the rainbow goldfish I was very happy!

Chapter 2: Lincoln
I was SO excited to go see Grandma and Grandpa in Lincoln that I tried to ship myself there a little early.  It didn't work, so I had to wait until Mama and Daddy were done with work and we could all drive out together.

Grandma and Grandpa have some great toys.  One of my favorites was this shape-sorter - and they even let me take it home with me!  I love putting all the shapes in (with a little bit of help so I know where they go) over and over (and over and over and over...).  Sometimes after the fourth or fifth time in a row I Mama distracts me and then it disappears... I think she hides it so she can have a break.

Another favorite toy was the doorstop.  Nobody minded when I played with it, but they didn't seem to approve when I tried to eat it.  Grandpa caught me here...

The Christmas donkey tasted almost as good as the doorstop.

I spent a lot of time in baby-jail (as opposed to puppy-jail, which was on the other side of the gate).  I don't know why - the stairs were very fun.

The dishwasher had the best buttons!

Sometimes I crack myself up.

Chapter 3: Aunt Dene' & Uncle Tyler

I got in some quality time with Uncle Ty watching the many (many, many) bowl games.  He's such a great uncle - he even let me have the remote (after he disabled it... but I just wanted to press buttons, I didn't care if the buttons did anything!).

I also got some great cuddles and playtime with Aunt Dene'.  She is SO much fun!

I also had a lot of fun playing with Aunt Dene' & Uncle Ty's dog, Frannie.  She was great to play with, until she decided to lick my face - I'm not such a fan of having my face licked.

Chapter 4: Grandma and Grandpa
It was wonderful to spend so much time with Grandma and Grandpa.  They sure love me an awful lot!!!

Grandpa took me outside and helped me climb the big tree.

I taught Grandpa how to play cards.  This is one of my favorite games!

I love my Grandma!

Especially when she feeds me lunch!

Chapter 5: Christmas!
This was the best Christmas EVER!  Okay, so it was my only Christmas ever, but even so it was pretty awesome.

Grandma made me an amazing stocking (and it was easier to get stuff out of it this time around).  

Grandma and Grandpa also got me a super cool firetruck. 

 But in all honesty the best part about presents was the ribbon.  I just know someone was waiting to steal my ribbon - but I wasn't going to let that happen!

Can't you see how cool this stuff is?!

The End.