GRCM

We love the Children's Museum!

we finally got to take Daddy with us for a quick morning visit!

Columbus

In case you don't know, Matt has decided to pursue further training within the pediatric field, focusing on pediatric hematology/oncology (blood disorders and cancer).  He is in the process now of interviewing at different programs (to begin July 2014) to see where the best fit and training will be.  By April, he will submit his rank list of programs, and the programs will do the same.  By May, we will have another 'match day' (just like residency) and will find out where we'll be for fellowship training.

A few weeks ago, he interviewed at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus.  It was a lot of fun to be back in Columbus and to see how much things have changed.  The hospital has at least doubled in size and the city seems to be growing and changing as well.  Kate and I went along with Matt so that we could see family and friends for a few days.  We drove down on Wednesday afternoon during Kate's nap time, hoping she would sleep in the car.  She slept briefly, but not great.  We had a quick Panera dinner with Aunt Barb and then headed downtown to our hotel for the night.  Once we got there, it was long past bedtime, and Kate was super wired.  She thought everything was SUPER funny and could not get enough of running into the pillows on our bed.

Thursday morning Kate and I dropped Matt off at the hospital and then went to see our friend Kelly and her son Noah.  Matt and I used to babysit Noah and his big brother Brayden when we lived in Columbus and I can't believe how big they are now! Matt's interview went very well and I picked him up in a snowstorm in Columbus traffic that night (thanks, Aunt Barb, for keeping Kate!).

We spent Friday with our friends, the Kelleys.  Chris and Lani were our small group leaders when we went to Northwest Bible Church and remained friends long after that.  Their three little munchkins are not so little anymore either!

Kate had fun playing with 'new' toys

...and new friends! 

Matt playing wii boxing with Miles

snuggles

these two liked each other quite a bit:)

our best attempt at getting all 4 kids in one photo

On Saturday, we had a quick breakfast with the Martins before heading back home.  Their son is just a few months older than Kate, so it was fun to watch the two of them interact and play.

Some play time before lunch with Aunt Barb:)

Thanks to Nationwide for interviewing Matt and thanks to all of our friends and family who graciously let us crash their houses! We loved seeing you and loved that you finally got to meet Kate!

sled riding

One of my roommates from college is from Pennsylvania and they call sledding sled riding.  I always teased her for calling it that, but now I think it's kind of cute:) My parent's brought over a sled for Kate a few weeks ago, and we went sled riding...in the house and outside! Kate couldn't get enough of it:)

just too cute

These pictures are over a month old now, but every time I see them, I smile.  We were taking down our Christmas tree and Kate was playing with the fake pearl garland we had on it.  She's so funny.

so much excitement!

GRCM

Kate and I went to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum a few weeks ago with our friends Leigh and Caleb.  It was so fun! I had never been there before and wasn't sure if Kate would like it or not, but she certainly did.  She liked it so much we bought a membership so we can go back any time! There is so much to do and explore and it looks like the fun just keeps going as kids get older; she won't grow out of it anytime soon.

driving an old VW

we had lots of fun grocery shopping

Kate loved walking over this little bridge - I think she would have stayed there all day!

it's a HUGE lite-brite!

playing the drums