I'm addicted

In my spare time you will find me on http://www.pinterest.com/. My latest craft involved my hubby. He was thrilled....not.
I did have enough material to make a couple extra, painted or not, if anyone would be interested. And no, I will not be joining the craft show circuit.

Cake Overload

IT'S ABBY'S BIRTHDAY!!!

4 years old today, in school learning so many new things. Where has the time gone??

Abby brought in cupcakes for her school treat today (thanks Dick's Market), then after school we picked her up as a family and headed out for lunch. Eric had to leave later that afternoon for work and I had picked up a small red velvet cake (thanks Dick's Market) so we enjoyed that, along with gifts, to celebrate.

Saturday night we were invited for a wonderful dinner at my SIL and more cake with Eric's side of the family.

On Sunday after church we had a friends party, we combined Abby's birthday and my niece Audra's birthday, at Pizza Hut in Caledonia...more cake.

My parents have been in FL enjoying the sunshine and now they're home so we can plan another party....more cake ;)

The GangThe birthday girls!

Halloween

Between school parties, church parties, and walking the neighborhood on Halloween....we will all have rotten teeth. I can't believe how much candy we have this year.

The Saturday before, our church hosted a huge festival. It included indoor inflatables, snacks, games and prizes. After the indoor party, we headed outside for trunk -n- treat. It was so much fun. That night we attended an open house/grand opening for our friends new business. It involved more snacks/candy and animals!! We had so much fun. Anything that involves animals my kids will enjoy.

Monday morning I was able to help in Abby's class at school for her Halloween party, it was so much fun seeing all the little kids play games and make crafts.

Monday night we had a few friends over to walk around Moline for some candy. We just went down a couple streets, and the kids came home with more that enough treats. I couldn't wait for their bedtime so I could pick out the good stuff!

Abigail and Addison at the church trunk-n-treat
Abigail and friend Brian (and Jixer) at the Bella Kane opening
All the kids (and Jenn) getting ready to head out Monday night

Super Grady!

Pumpkins

I'm not sure why we didn't pick out pumpkins those two weeks of 'Indian Summer'?!?!?! Instead it was windy, cold and W.E.T. We go to the same place every year, nothing special but the kids love it.

'

FMG

With these last few weeks of AWESOME weather, we had to make sure and take full advantage. We spent these last nice days at parks, in the yard, on our bikes and walking the neighborhood!

Last Thursday I took a trip to FMG (Frederick Meijer Gardens) with my sisters and the kids to checkout the Art Prize exhibits located at FMG. The only thing was, we never even seen any of them. We were too busy walking the trails looking at the sculptures, waterfalls, treehouse and making sure to hit all the things the kids wanted to see. It was a perfect day to be outside.

Payne Lake

We are blessed to live so close to an endless supply of great lakes.

Nashville

Our road trip to the south started VERY early Friday morning...up and out the door by 6AM!! We had a long car ride ahead of us with our destination being Nashville, TN. 6 of us in one vehicle. Myself and Eric, Mike and Jackie. My cousin, Jeremy (who works with Eric) and his wife Laura. We had a GREAT time...I cant wait for next years trip back.

Friday we made very few stops on the way down, a quick snack/potty break at a McD's in Ft. Wayne, then a last stop in Louisville, KY for lunch at the Chick-fil-A for lunch. Once in our hotel on Music Row, we cleaned up and hit the town!! There was a bus stop (free rides) a block from our hotel, so that took us to dinner at BB Kings. After dinner, well....we had some fun!

Getting on the bus, the first time for some of us! Thanks to a local for helping us get to where we needed to go.

Jeremy and Laura...cute couple!


Enjoying all the crazy people in Nashville

Saturday we ate breakfast at the hotel, then loaded in the car and headed 25 minutes south of Nashville to the beautiful hill of Arrington. Destination Arrington Vineyards owned by the county star Kix Brooks.

Awwww

After our morning at the winery, back in the car, we headed to the town of Franklin. Destination...Puckett's. Time for lunch and then shopping in the historical district.
Jackie waiting patiently for her lunch. Every trip I make to Nashville, a stop at Puckett's is a MUST.

After lunch we headed back to downtown Nashville for some shopping before we headed out to dinner and more night life.

Laura, the only brave sole to ride the bull at Cadillac Ranch.

Sunday morning, we ate breakfast at the hotel and then hit the road for the long ride home. Only one pit/gas station stop and then stopping in Indianapolis for lunch at the wonderful P.F. Changs

I l.o.v.e. Nashville. The vibe, the people, food, weather....Its a great place to visit.

Message Received

Are my children trying to tell me something about my housekeeping??

9/11

To remember the attacks of 9-11, John Ball Zoo offers free admission for both adults and children for one day only. What better place for 9 adults and 12 kids to enjoy a beautiful day for a b-day party for Addison than a free day at the zoo!!

This was our first visit to the zoo in 2 years, and my girls had a BLAST!!

All 12 kids standing nice for the pictures

Megan and the goat. She still LOVES all the animals.

Abby and Megan trying to take home the turkey

Fishing

It's sad to say and hard to believe it's the end of summer. Time to do all those end of the year activities before the snow flies!! My cousin and her hubby have a boat in Grand Haven so a few of us headed there again this past Saturday for dinner and some fishing.

Eric and Jenn playing it safe driving the boat as we head to dinner. We docked the boat and ate at Snug Harbor.

Brent always having a good time as Jake and Eric fish in the channel
Eric vs Fish

18 lbs of Salmon!!

Her First Day!

One of our favorite book starts out...

Congratulation!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

Abby started Pre-School at Dorr Elementary this week!! She could not have been more excited to go, and even more excited when I picked her up that afternoon. There we NO tears for Abby or myself, but by Megan when she realized she was not staying at school with her big sister.

The girls and I attended the meet and great with the teacher at the local park a week prior, went to the school open house to see her classroom this past Monday, so when we dropped Abby off on Wednesday, she had already met both teachers twice before.

One for Abby's teachers, Mr. Wierckz

I look forward to all the new things Abby with learn, and all the new friends she will make! This is the start to her school career!

Leaving school on her first day, all SMILES!!

So.....

be you name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray

or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,

you're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So.... get on your way!

By

Dr. Seuss

First of many

Both of the girls had their FIRST professional haircut this weekend. I wanted to have it done before Abby starts school next week. So who better to call than my good friend, Jenn!

Megan went first and was all smiles!

Abby loved getting her hair cut. She can't wait for school to start so she can show her new teachers!

Lake Mitchell August 2011

The second week of my camping adventures took us north to Lake Mitchell State campground. This trip included my parents, Mike and Jackie, Eric, myself and the 4 kids!! Another great week to camp with AWESOME weather!!

Abby was so happy to catch the smallest fish!

Audra was so excited in her casting she tossed her pole overboard. Lucky for her my dad has his boat along to rescue it from the deep waters, that and nice uncle Eric that jumped in after it! The "babies" and their bath timeAt Lake Cadillac, Grandma and the girls searching for shells and smelly snailsWe all took a road trip to visit my G & G Bos one evening. They live in McBain about 30 minutes from Cadillac. It was funny to watch the kids play ball with them...surprisingly they did great! (sorry for the duplicate picture)

Tri Ponds 2011

4 Families + HOT weather = a great time camping!!

We camped close to the petting zoo....the kids LOVED all the animals!! they got to pet and feed them everyday.



Jenn and Holli on craft duty with the girls.


Paul playing playdough with Caleb and the girls on a rainy afternoonthe cheering section for the dads playing a friendly game of horseshoes.

Tri Ponds is a great campground!! They have clean, grassy lots. Clean bathrooms. A pool and swimming pond to keep cool, and tons of activities to keep the kids entertained!