Our Little Artist

Our picnic table/art table has been a huge hit! Not only is Will feeling like a big boy when he eats his meals on it, he also loves spending time drawing beautiful pictures on it. His current media of choice (by the choice of his Momma) is chalk. It's so versatile! Not only does it draw on paper concrete and garage doors, it also serves as a light snack, as it is apparently very very tasty.

Will's skills with using chalk has improved greatly since he was introduced to it earlier in the summer. He understands how to hold it and how to make some great lines and squiggles on whatever he is given to draw on. When I come home from work, there are typically three or four amazing works of art ready for me to view and enjoy. Both Krissy and I like to join him in drawing whether we're inside or out on the driveway.

We're so proud of our little artist!

"What would you like me to draw? Squiggles and lines. You got it!"


The way Will chews on chalk, you'd think they make it with sugar.


A masterpiece in the making.

Will the Toolman Taylor

After what feels like weeks and weeks of boxes, we are finally starting to make progress on some of our rooms. One of the rooms that had a high priority to us was Will's room. We were both excited for him to finally have his own space, and of course we wanted to finally create a nursery that we never had the chance to have.

We had arranged the furniture just the way we liked it and had gotten some items on the walls, when we realized that something was missing... a play table for Will. So, we went to the store and got him a picnic/art table. With Will around, "to do" lists seem to take a little bit longer to complete, but because we wanted him to have his table set up, I decided to put it together while he was in the room with me. To no surprise, our little helper came running over screaming to assist me with screwing the pieces together. What did surprise me though, was Will's ability to use a screwdriver. He wasn't strong enough to actually rotate the screw, but his hand-eye coordination was spot on, and he kept putting the end of the screwdriver right onto the screw. It was amazing! We worked for a good 30 minutes (on a project that could have taken 5), but had a great time, and now have a nice new table to stand on... I mean sit on.


Will with his trusty screwdriver, ready to get to work.


Will getting really involved in the build.


This kid knows what he's doing!


Checking the stability of the table


Trial run at dinner. A job well done!

Drive-way Finger Painting

Everyday when I come home from work I am amazed at the things Krissy and Will have done. She always seems to have some great new game or art project for him to work on. We all know what an amazing artist (I mean doodler) Krissy is, but that doesn't stop her from letting Will explore with paints, markers, chalk, and glue. He loves what ever messy thing she'll let him have.

Since it is so hot during the day, most of the outdoor art activities tend to take place during the evening. That, and because Will usually gets so messy that letting him spread his artistic wings would destroy the house. We recently introduced Will to finger painting and he can't get enough of it. He's gotten good at mixing the colors, smeering them on paper and cardboard, and really cooling himself off by rubbing the paint all over his belly. The awesome thing about Will's love of finger painting is that he can get as messy as he wants and all we have to do is hose him off!


As much fun as Will had with the paint, you'd never know it by his face.


Finger painting usually turns into body painting :)

Our New House!

What seemed like an eternity to I'm sure all parties involved, has finally come to an end, as we finally found ourselves our own place to live. It seemed at many times like it wasn't meant to be. Who's counting how many offers we made (5) and how long it took (6 months). What's important is that all of our junk is now out of our three storage units (Grammy and Grandpa's garage/house, Nonna and Poppa's house, and Poppa's storage unit). Thanks for the low monthly rates!

Our new house is in south Lafayette, technically Milton/Youngsville, and isn't very far from the grandparents. It's a little longer of a drive into work for Ben then he's been used to having, but he still finds time to come home for lunch when he doesn't have a meeting. The house is much smaller than we were originally looking for, but seems to suit our purposes just fine. It's a typical newish construction with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. It's also in a quaint neighborhood, which is a big plus for our daily walks with Lulu, and has a good sized backyard based on other lots in the area.

Bar none, the best thing about the house is the fact that Will has his own room! We've already got it setup and it looks great. Having a place to throw all his toys is nice too.

Well, we're off to go unpack some more boxes (Read: sit on the couch and watch TV).


Lulu helping with the move.


Will has loved playing more than working... go figure.


Our first uninvited visitor, Uncle Corey!


Looking around seeing items that don't belong in a kitchen.


More work ahead.


Will showing his excitement about the new place. Lulu, not so much.


The new pad.

Great Grandparents Tour 2010

On June 16, 2010 the Pierce Family of 3 bravely embarked on a 10 day journey we like to call "The Great Grandparents Tour 2010." On Wednesday, we boarded a plane along with Corey and Stacy to head to Sioux City, IA. Seeing that it was Will's first time flying, and of course our first time flying with a child, we started off a little nervous as we did not know what to expect. However, our fears were quickly eased as soon as we took off and realized that Will was completely fine and quite content as long as he had an endless supply of goldfish and water. We flew on 3 planes that day to get into Sioux City, and after each flight we had people telling us how awesome Will was and what an amazing traveler he was. We were so proud.

After a long day, we got into Sioux City and got to our hotel around midnight, and yes Will was still up and happy as a clam. While there, we celebrated my Grandma Holles' 90th birthday. It was quite a monumental event as all of her children, grandchildren, and great grand children were there (with the understandable exception of a new baby and his daddy) which totaled 58 people. Our few days in Iowa were action packed with a birthday party, park day, and a special mass in rememberance of Grandpa which we all attended, which thrilled Grandma and made her feel extremely special. And of course the best part of the whole trip was watching Will meet his Great Grandma for the first time. Even though she has trouble with her sight, Grandma was still able to pinpoint Will's very active nature. It was a special moment. And, as always it was great taking over the hotel lobby, pool, outdoor area as all 58 of us woke up early and stayed up late to talk, goof off, and of course EAT! (We all know the Holles events are not complete without a plethora of good food available at all times :)

As the first leg of our trip to Sioux City came to a close, a new one began on Sunday as we boarded 2 more planes to get to Muskegon, MI to meet Great Grandma Dee (Ben's Grandma.) Will flew well once again choosing to sleep on the longer of the two flights. PERFECT! When we arrived in Muskegon, Great Grandma Dee was so excited and couldn't believe how much Will was able to do. She too noted his active nature. Will also got to meet both of his Great Uncles on this trip which was an added bonus. He especially enjoyed rolling the police car back and forth with Great Uncle Dave. He felt right at home in Grandma Dee's house because she had all kinds of cool knick knacks lying around for him to play with. From little cars that rumbled and beeped to wooden cats that sat upon the window sill, to old family rocking horses, there was plenty for Will to play with (both kid friendly and breakable).

While in Muskegon, we took Will to his first beach. He absolutely fell in love with the sand and even got into that cold Lake Michigan water up to his armpits. Another thing he fell in love with was getting chocolate ice cream every night :) We all had a great time in Muskegon with Grandma Dee!

After 3 days in Muskegon, we began yet the third leg of our trip, and drove North to the quaint little town of Pentwater, MI to meet Great Grandpa Ed (Ben's Grandpa on his dad's side). Now Grandpa Ed has been lucky enough to have seen Will three times before this trip, and when we got there we were greeted with the words "I'm glad you're here. I've been chasing a chipmunk around the cottage." For a while there, I had visions of this so called chipmunk sneaking in our room at night, flying into Will's crib, and eating his face. (Now I know that is a tad dramatic, but that's honestly what was going through my mind) Luckily, there was no chipmunk in sight and Will's face was not nibbled on...hehe. The days consisted of good food, conversation, beach time, and of course playing the bones. Will's favorite part of the beach in Pentwater was Plank Henge. As an added bonus, Will got to meet his Great Aunt Peg and Great Uncle Dave and we enjoyed Thursday night band with each other. Will also enjoyed eating ice cream in Pentwater as well :)

While in Pentwater, Grandpa Ed took us on a special trip to see Grandma Jo's gravesite, which was the first time we had seen it, as we had not been back to Pentwater since her Memorial service in 2008. Of course, it was a tearful occasion, but also very endearing as Will placed his hands upon and kissed her gravestone. It was a beautiful Pentwater day, and I know Grandma Jo was watching over Will as he experienced his first time in Pentwater, a special place to Ben's family.

Before we knew it, it was time to pack up and head back home. After 10 days, 7 planes, 2 rental cars, 58 Holles' in Sioux City, IA, 7 Bernath's in Muskegon, MI, and 3 Pierce's in Pentwater, MI, the "Great Grandparents Tour of 2010" came to a close and we arrived safely back at home. All I can say is WOW...what a great trip, and what a blessing it is to have all of these amazing people in our lives...


First flight...sleeping like an angel.


Taking a break after chasing him around the airport.


Floyd Monument in Sioux City, IA


Picture time at Grandma's 90th Birthday Party


And, again...


The Goofy Great Grandchildren


Some of the grandchildren. I don't know where the rest of them were at this point.


The ones who started it all.


Having fun playing with Uncle Dave.


Picture time with Grandma Dee!


Lookin fabulous!


Sweet snuggles with Great Grandma Dee


Play time in Muskegon


We walked the pier.


Loving the rocking horse. I think Ben's mom had this when she was a child.


What is the first thing you do once you arrive in Pentwater? Play the bones of course :)


Fine looking men :)


Special moment at Grandma Jo's gravesite.


"Give me your hat too Aunt Peg!"


Just chillin with my Great Grandpa (or as we like to call him, Santa...)