Alaina's first 4th

My parents, sister, and her boyfriend came to visit for the fourth of July.  We had a BBQ at my aunt's house and went to the Taste of Chicago.  Everyone had a great time spending time with Alaina- she looked adorable as usual.  

Happy Birthday Linda!

Happy Birthday to you - Happy Birthday to you - Happy Birthday dear Linda - Happy Birthday to you! I hope you have a wonderful day. I am so glad that God made you exactly the way He did! May your year be filled with unexpected joy - and experiences beyond your imagination!

Mom & Me Time

As you can see here, Emily Ann and Alaina have tons of fun together. Alaina loves to do her exercises everyday. Emily is a such a natural at taking care of Alaina. You can hear the joy in her voice!

So Young . . . Yet So Many Faces . . .

What are you lookin' at?
No, I simply will not!
Here, Here Matey!
and my favorite Bliss - Pure Bliss!

Welcome

Welcome to the World Alaina Marie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Pete and Emily what a beautiful and precious little girl you have. We are so glad to welcome her to the family. Congratulations from the U.P. We enjoy looking at the pictures of Alaina.

Love from Aunt Debbie and Uncle Pete

These are a few of my favorite things . . . by Alaina

5.  Smiling or Opening one eye at a time

4.  Giving Kisses (yes she really does give kisses)

3.  Sleeping

2.  Mom 'n Me Time

1.  Daddy's Snuggles

whisper sweet nothings to me. . .

Mother's Love

Beautiful Blossom

Welcome to this World Sweet Girl

Emily Ann and Alaina snuggle together. She feels so good right next to mom.

Alaina already recognizes her Daddy's voice.

Alaina is the first grandchild on both sides of the family.

Here she is meeting Nana Emily for the first time.

Here she is meeting Aunt Tracy (CC) for the first time too. She (tracy that is) is overjoyed.

Tomorrow she gets to meet Grandma and Grandpa Donnelson! She can't wait.

Emily did an amazing job - the nurse said that she was an incredible pusher. Pete encouraged Emily along the way. They are already great parents! Everyone is healthy and happy. (ps. Alaina was 8lbs14oz)

Just A Snipet of Alaina in Action!

Still Waiting . . .

But it should be soon. Emily Ann is feeling a lot better today since they have given her an epidural. She is resting right now - but the contractions are getting much stronger. It shouldn't be too much longer.

TN

She's Coming - She's Coming

Alaina has decided to make her debut early!

Emily is in the early stages of labor.

I'll try to keep you all updated.

Love, Tracy

School's Out

We are finally out of school! I finished up last Saturday with my end-of-year requirements and had a quick meeting yesterday morning. Tim checked out on Monday. (He has to go in all week, though, to finish up odds and ends.) It is so nice to be able to sleep in a little bit.

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Alaina. I wonder when she is going to make her debut on this earth. I am guessing June 25th. When do you think?

A Very Busy Day.

May was one of the busiest months for me - so the 31st was no exception. In the morning I ran/walked in my first 10k - the Oak Apple Run. My friends Sarah and Dave ran too! Dave is my coach and he generously offered to run beside me the entire race. He kept my mind from drifting and helped me reach toward the finish line. I was very thankful. The race started at 7:30 amidst a sea of "crazy runners" - it was a bit like letting the flood gates open. We ran for the first few minutes - followed by a fast paced walk - then at every mile marker we ran for 5 more minutes. I was slow as molasses - but I finished in 1 hour 26 minutes and 24 seconds according to my watch. The official results are 1:27:14. I wasn't last! (There were 5 more people behind me)

Even though I was at the back of the pack I still made some personal achievements: (1) I finished (2) I finished under 2 hours (3) I made 14 minute miles which was faster than my 16 minute mile training pace.

After the race I drank about a gallon of water and we all grabbed an omelet at Leo's Coney Island. That was followed by a quick stop at the Royal Oak Farmers Market and then I rushed home to get ready for my friends' wedding that I was the soloist for.

I made it to Rochester Hills in the just the nick of time and I even managed to squeeze my feet into a pair of black heels. (ouch) The wedding was beautiful - the flowers were orchids - which I just love. The wedding was at Crown of Life Lutheran and the reception was at The Heathers Club in Bloomfield Hills. By the time the evening was over - my feet were swollen to the max!

I made my way home and watched (slept through) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade so that I can make plans to see the 4th one called Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Have any of you seen it yet!

So I am welcoming June - the completion of school and the beginning of rest and rejuvenation. Bring it on!

Tracy

God is Light

Just a little picture from my recent yurting trip. I just love the simplicity of the barn and the simplicity of the statement. God really is light!

1st John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and decalre to you: God
is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

Newsweek Top High School

Hi Everyone - I was excited to see that Berkley High Made it in the list of the top 1300 schools in the nation according to Newsweek. Here's the article!

I told you it fits!

A quick trip to Lowe's today got a little out of control. I started buying the soil amendments that will be mixed in with the compost I have been making all winter. Poor Carrie had to squeeze into the front seat with the new pots. It was a tight squeeze in my little car. But like I said - I knew it would fit!!

Motherly Love

Brand new baby robins being fed by mom. She watched carefully over her 3 wee ones.

They've Made It!

Hi Everyone,
Just thought you might want to know that mom and dad made it to Japan safely. I heard from them early this morning.

Mom will be updating her blog regularly to tell about their adventures. Click here to see her first entry.

Eastern Market

I had a wonderful trip to the Eastern Market with my friends Susie and Carrie.











We saw so many beautiful flowers.









We visited my favorite spice & tea shop: Rafal Spices. It has been around for almost 50 years in Detroit.







A few steps away we indulged in some delicious candy from Rocky Mountain Peanut Company. They have a candy, nuts, dried fruits, and specialty foods. I saw a nice variety of South African Teas which I really enjoy (Rooibos and Honeybush are my favorites). I tried Goji berries which are full of antioxidants. They taste just like tea. The fresh dates looked amazing. The next time I make dates and goat cheese I would like to get the giant dates from Rocky's.








Then a quick trip into R, Hirt Jr. Company just to smell the cheese. Mmmm. They also have a beautiful assortment of garden pots and planters.








Then what a blast to see my "vegetarian" friend order a 1/2 slab of ribs!










All in all - A wonderful Day!

Graduation

Hi All,

We had a great day today with Lindsey graduating from Northern! Yeah!!!!!!!!!! We had a nice lunch at our house afterward to celebrate. I wish all of you could have been there too. Now she has to start looking for a job. She has had an interview with a charter school in the Phoenix area. Lindsey has some friends that are teaching there. She isn't sure if she wants to go that far away but it might be a good experience for her. For right now she will be subbing and working at Menards.

We are looking forward to seeing those of you who will be visiting Memorial Day weekend.

Pete and I got Tiger tickets for July 10th game. It is a little trip to celebrate our 30the anniversary. We are looking forward seeing the stadium.

I've tried to figure out the picture thing but I get stumped. Unless you do it often you just forget. I will keep trying though.

Love to all from the Cains

Believe it or not!

I signed up for the Oak Apple Run in Royal Oak Michigan. It is a 10K (6 mile race) that I plan to 1/2 walk and 1/2 run. I am really excited since it is the first race that I have ever entered. It's just to motivate me to keep walking throughout the week and to kick off my summer running plan.

Purple Rain??

I am in a dilemma - My beautiful yard has just never been the same since I had to dig up the sewer system. Ever since, it has been a battle with the weeds, bare spots, and browning in various areas of the yard. I fertilize in the summer, water when I can, and hope for the best. This year I have even managed to complete "Step 1" of the 4 step fertilizing system. Hooray. I am hoping that it will thwart the crab grass and even take a bit out of the dastardly creeping charlie. But what I am not sure about is the violets. It's a love hate relationship with those violets. Look at 'em - perfectly perky purple flowers. They are so happy and brilliant and yet they are in my yard. They do not belong in the yard - they are weeds. Did I mention how they smile at you in the morning? Well - 'tis another season to try to "fix" my yard. Maybe next year I should leave it up to the professionals. - Tracy

Earthquakes and Baby Showers...

Pete and I just returned home from Indiana.  It was wonderful getting to spend the weekend with Emily Marie and my parents.  The shower was amazing, and I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family during this special time.

To answer Tracy's question about the earthquake, Pete and I felt the bed shake and heard the windows creak and pop.  It was an interesting experience, but I'm hoping we don't feel that again for quite a while.

I return to Indiana next weekend for another shower, but Pete will stay in Chicago.  We are going to be setting up the nursery in the next couple of weekends, so I'll be sure to post pictures as things get completed.

Hope all is well with everyone!

Emily Ann

Emily's Baby Shower

Hi Everyone

This weekend I am in Carmel Indiana for Emily's family baby shower. I have been having a really nice time visiting with everyone and I have really enjoyed staying with Paul and Lynn. Peter and Emily have been staying with them too so I get to see them for a little while too. I thought I'd show a few pictures of Emily and the gifts. The shower was at her consin's home near by and her aunts, great aunts, grandmother, and younger consins were there. We had a very nice lunch and enjoy a few games.

Emily's grandmother asked about each of you and wanted me to send you her love.

I look forward to seeing Paul tomorrow as he flies out to Japan again on Monday.

The other pictures are at this site. http://picasaweb.google.com/enadeau5/EmilySBabyShower

Did the Earth Shake?

Hey Emily Ann & Pete - Tell us about the earthquake! We'd love to hear about it!

90 Days

I was just noticing that Alaina's due date is 90 days away. What a joy we will all have in our lives in 90 days. Be sure to keep Emily Ann & Pete in your prayers as they move in to the final phases of preparation!