The Big Surprise!!

The long awaited post (for some people!) is finally here! Two weeks ago, it was Brian's 25th birthday and I have been planning a surprise for him since May. Here's the story.

On Friday night, instead of my voice when I walked in the door after work, Brian heard Bryan's voice (he wasn't expecting a man) saying hello to him. Bryan and Steph had been to IKEA earlier in the day and were at our apartment when I got home, waiting to surprise Brian. We had dinner together and spent the rest of the evening playing games and Mario Kart. We didn't tell Brian anything else that was coming for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday morning, we slept in and had sticky buns. We planned to go to the Metropark for lunch, but HAD to wait until noon to go. The reason for waiting was because Nick and Kelly showed up at noon in time to go to the park with us for lunch. Lunch was good except that we forgot the lighter and had to go back to get it. We spent some time trying to fish in the Huron River, but we mostly just lost worms and lures to the trees. Here's a few pictures from the park.

Bryan's first catch - a branch full of other sinkers and lures.

Brian's a hard-core fisherman. :)

Toning it down a little.

We had to be home at 4:30 for unknown reasons to Brian. At 4:30, Will and Cherie, a couple from Dearborn CRC, showed up to have dinner with us. It was a lot to have 8 people in our apartment, but wonderful to have so many people we know here with us. We put all the leaves in our table and had tacos for dinner. I then showed Brian the tickets to the Tiger's game that we were all going to. We piled into two vehicles and drove downtown to the game. We had seats in the highest deck behind a railing, but we could still see the game pretty well. And the Tiger's won!! Here's a few pictures from the game.

The infield.

The outfield.

The scoreboard.

Steph, Bryan, Kelly, and Nick.Brian, Cherie, and Will.Beth and Brian.The whole gang minus Nick. He made me actually get in this picture.

Saturday night, Bryan and Steph returned back to GR and Nick and Kelly spent the night. Sunday morning we went to Dearborn CRC. After church we went to Brian's work, MTU Detroit Diesel, because they were having a family day. We took a tour of the plant (Brian told us what he knew) and had lunch. There were blow up games for kids, a band, and lots of freebies from different companies. We also got to see Brian's office (cubicle, actually) and where he spends most of his days now. That was the best part. After we got back home, Nick and Kelly went back to Holland and I went back to my homework since none of it got done over the weekend. It was a wonderful weekend and great to spend time with friends again. I've already told Brian not to expect anything like this again until he's maybe 50! :)

Guess Who's 25!!

Happy Birthday Brian! Today's is Brian's 25th birthday.
In honor of turning another year older, his first ever pair of glasses arrived at the eye doctor today. I thought you might enjoy seeing his new look. They were complete with magnetic sunglasses, so I had to get that look too.
Doesn't he look smart?

Stilts

For your viewing pleasure. We went to Greenfield Village the beginning of August and attempted to use the stilts. As you can see, Brian was better than me and I'm the one who needs the height more!

MTU Onsite Energy Brand Launch

Last week Brian was in Mankato, MN for the MTU Onsite Energy brand launch. This is a picture that they took of him. It's only his head - not body or hand. :) Enjoy!

Air Show

Here's a movie from a few weeks ago. There was an air show at the nearby Willow Run Airport and the planes flew over our apartment complex. They were really loud! Enjoy!

Stepping Outside the Bubble

You know you've left the Calvin bubble when...

• you have to park in a parking ramp.
• it takes you twenty minutes to find a spot in said parking ramp.
• there are real cops on every corner around your school.
• people actually walk in the crosswalk because it is a major road.
• your skin color is in the minority of people on campus.
• those in the majority are not all international students.
• you pay more than $20 for a parking pass.
• sororities are actively advertised on campus.
• hip hop music is heard louder than anything else on campus.
• you're in a parking lot on the highway when you try to leave school.
• you're gone for 5 hours for a 2.75 hour class.

Needless to say, I started school yesterday at Wayne State University. The first day didn't go the greatest and has caused me to rethink taking classes at the downtown campus. Today I went to the Oakland campus off of 696 and that was much more relaxed and easier to get to.

I've been to two of three classes and will be busy with just those two. My young adult literature class involves reading 22 books in 16 weeks on top of a few short papers and textbook reading. My online class won't be too bad as long as I keep up with it. I'll keep you updated on how things progress with my last class on Monday night.

Labor Day on the West Side

This weekend we were back on the west side of Michigan to enjoy a weekend with our family and friends. Saturday we spent the day at the Meade's cottage by the Croton/Hardy Dam. We spent the day skiing, tubing, getting ice cream, and enjoying each other's company.Kelly skiing.

Brian skiing.

Nick skiing.
I don't do well at skiing, so I passed on that activity. We spent the afternoon tubing. When Brian gets back from Minnesota at the end of the week, I hope to put up some movies of us tubing.

Monday we had a picnic at Whistlestop Park in Byron Center with Brian's parents, brother, sister-in-law, and niece, Ashleigh. It was a hot afternoon, but Ashleigh never got sick of playing outside.

Grandpa's turn to throw the frisbee for Ashleigh.

Bringing the frisbee back.

Dad's trying to teach Ashleigh how to throw the frisbee. She's not so interested.

Ball's are best for bouncing...on!

Taking a trip down the slide.

A funny picture of us. Check out my new haircut!

Sunday was my mom's birthday so we spent lunch and the afternoon with my parents. In the evening we got to hear Bryan Dick preach for the first time. We also got free food after the outdoor service and spent a little time at the Dick's catching up after the summer.
Monday we got to see Oma and Uncle Henry. It was nice to see both of them again since we don't get out there every time we get back home.

Brian's already gone for the week to Katolight in Mankato, MN. He'll be gone til Friday afternoon, so I'm spending my first week of school by myself. I'd love to hear from people this week!