Susannah's Baptism

We invited our pastor from Iowa, Kyle Otterbein, and his wife LeAnn to come to Michigan to officiate Susannah's baptism.  It was a great ceremony, held on Murray Lake near Grand Rapids. We had lots of family and even some friends there; unfortunately, I was not a good photographer, and did not capture eveyone's presence. Of course, Susannah wore the baptismal gown that has been in Chiara's family for almost 40 years! 

Pastor Kyle showing Susannah the water

The Family Band, post baptism

Nonna, Jeri, and Susannah

Grandpa, Oma, and Susannah

Grandma, Grandpa, and Susannah

The moment of truth!

What a blessing to have such a beautiful setting for her special day!

Adam, Cassie, baby Hemsley (in Cassie's belly!) and kids

Susannah's flowers

At the splash pool

Aunt Alessia and Susannah enjoying the splash pool

Meijer Gardens again

Cousins on the boardwalk...looking for turtles and frogs

taking a rest

Pronti, partenza, via!

Family Reunion

We had a family reunion at Chiara's sister's boyfriend's parents' house!  Or, more simply, the house where Jarrod grew up. They have a great piece of property, and a golf cart to explore it with!

Mark and Oma chatting by the fire.

Brothers

Daddy and Suzy Cute, as Lucia started to call her

Nicholas trying out some new wheels

Jacob and the kids

Norah's harvest from the massive garden

Nothing like riding a skateboard on your belly!

Here she comes!

Aunt Sunny and Suzy having a laugh

The kids found some frogs and started to catch them!

Suzy blue eyes

Mark stole my camera!

Playing catch

Cousins by the woodpile. Great to be with everyone!

Nonna and some grandkids

What are they all watching so intently?  All the strong men of the family digging out a fence, of course!  They almost broke her van trying to pull the fence posts out! Luckily, the neighbor across the street offered up his massive truck, and the job was done!

A day at the beach

Cameras and sand don't mix, but I did manage to take a few photos at Lake Michigan. Susannah was content to sit near the umbrella the whole time and play with the sand in her fingers.

Her cousin Freida was content to roam around without stopping the whole time. From time to time, she would come up to Susannah as if to say, "Why not come with me?" It was fun to see them interacting!

All Five of Us

Since all five of the siblings in Chiara's family were in Michigan at the same time, Chiara's mom arranged for them to have a lunch together at Founder's Brewing Company. We had a great lunch, full of laughter and good eats, followed by a tour of the brewery!

 

Sleeping Bear Dunes

We took Peter, Liz, Jacob, and Jessalyn to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Northern Michigan.  It was a beautiful day and while the kids did NOT enjoy climbing the dunes, they really did enjoy playing on them and jumping off of them in to the soft Michigan sand!

 

 

 

 

The Family Band

Peter, Liz, Jacob, and Jessalyn (hiding under the blanket!)

Frederick Meijer Gardens

James' brother Peter and his family came to Michigan while we were there!  Norah and Luke and Susannah's cousin Jacob was able to play with all the Michigan kids, and we got to meet a new cousin: Jessalyn!  Here they are "posing" at Meijer Gardens--impossible to get all kids looking one way at once. Where's James to make weird sounds and faces when you need him?

Susannah meets Benji

The Family Band went to Michigan for the month of August!  While there, we had the opportunity to meet up with our friends Joel and Ellen, and Susannah got to meet their son, Benji.  It was great to catch up with old friends, and meet a new one.