Kiefer is 1!

Kiefer turned one yesterday! It’s amazing that a year has passed since he was born. Roel and I enjoy watching him grow and learn.Oma & Opa, Roel’s parents, arrived on May 19th to spend a few weeks with their favorite (and only) grandchild. Unfortunately, a day after they arrived, Kiefer came down with a virus which gave him a fever, sore throat and spots all over. He was not a happy guy, but the doctor assured us that after a couple of days, he would start feeling better. He was starting to pep up a bit on Friday, but then threw up all over Oma. Poor Oma.

Oma & Opa rented a house in Narragansett, Rhode Island for a week and left on Friday afternoon. We were supposed to leave on Friday as well, but I took Kiefer to the doctor one more time to make sure he was OK before leaving on Saturday morning. The house was very nice and it was exciting trip for Kiefer. He celebrated his first birthday there. It was full of many firsts: eating cake and soft serve ice cream, going to the beach and experiencing the sand and ocean… Although he wasn’t too sure about the sand at first, he quickly warmed up to it and had lots of fun playing in it.

I haven’t written an update in over two months… yikes! It has been extremely busy for me. I had a lot of school work to do. I also was quite busy with my graduate assistantship at the international programs office and did some project work for the honors college on top of that. Needless to say, I had very little time. Luckily, I survived the semester, but I have a busy summer ahead. I am going to be doing an independent study over the summer. This will enable me to only take two classes in the fall, which is what I have taken the past two semesters. I just need three more before I can start my comprehensive exams next spring.

In April, we went to my high school friend, Carisa’s wedding in the Berkshires (Western Massachusetts). She married a guy she has known for over 10 years. Ed’s great and we’re happy for them. I was thrilled to see her, her family and my good friend Rebekah. I was also pleased to have an excuse to get dressed up. Kiefer had lots of fun at the wedding, too. There was a bluegrass band that played at the reception and he squealed with delight dancing.

In just a couple of weeks, we’ll be heading out to Arizona for my sister’s wedding. Kiefer and I have never seen the Grand Canyon, so we’re excited. Roel has seen much more of the country that I have. I don’t think I’ll ever catch up!

Love,
April