Play Time With Friends

Sara and Rhiley came over on Friday and we took a little wagon ride walk around the block and down to the park.

The girls wanted to pull the wagon which was pretty cute. Norah sat in the wagon and didn't mind at all, as long as she was moving I suppose she was happy.

It's really great having Rhiley around for Amelia too, they are both learning because of it. They are learning how to share and play with another on a regular basis. It's pretty nice.

Miss Amelia holding Sara's hand.

Rhiley, Look at that sweet face, isn't she a doll?

The girls pulling Norah in the wagon.

Sara and Rhiley, I thought this was a neat picture.

Norah, she was having a pretty good time.

Happy Thursday

It's been a busy week for us. We have been enjoying the wonderful weather we are having...now that it has stopped raining, we can go back outside and play. The girls love that.

We have made it to the gym each day, (pat on my back) and each day Amelia has actually been happy about it. We also went to the Library on Wednesday for Story hour, and then to the park with Sara and Rhiley after that....see I said we have been quite busy.

We started a class at church last Wednesday and went again last night. We are really enjoying it. Our church is starting this new program on Wednesday nights called Journey bible classes. You pick a different class each month.....the first Wednesday of the month is all praise and worship, but then the next three are the class. Each month you pick a new class and they are all centered around learning and understanding the bible more. I'm learning and enjoying all in one. The girls go downstairs to the childcare area. They seem to be doing ok down there. Amelia does get a bit nervous, but once again, it's new for her. It will take her time to get adjusted, just like the gym. Eventually she will like it. Bryan and I are really enjoying the class and we get a great Jesus connection for the evening which we LOVE and absolutely need. It's an awesome place to be and we love it....we took a little time off from going to church for a while, we "got busy" with life, which is not an excuse that should ever be used. Sad. Yes, But we are going again and are very happy with it.
If anyone is interested, here is a link to my church...... http://www.gccwired.com/

here are a few photos of the girls from our time at the park yesterday.

I also took this sweet picture of Sara and Rhiley, I loved it!

Anniversary Weekend!

What a weekend we had! I must tell you all about it.

Friday we hung out at home, it was icky out so Amelia, Norah and I decided to made daddy cupcakes and a cake for Papa. Amelia LOVES to help cook....and licking the beaters, I think she thought she died and went to heaven....what fun it was to bake with her! She kept dipping the beaters back into the batter too. I was laughing so hard!

Norah helped too.

Saturday night we went to Kalamazoo for the night for our Anniversary. We stayed at the Radison, in the most beautiful room! We had met up with Jennifer and Jason for the night....

First of all the weather was Horrid.....RAIN, RAIN and More RAIN! We dropped the girls off at my moms house and Bryan set up a tent in the house. Since it was raining cats and dogs, they couldn't play in the tent dad had set up out side, so Bryan put one up in their living room for them. Mom had the works planned for them. They had hot dogs, and macaroni and cheese, and played with the flash light in the tent.

We headed up to Kalamazoo and met Jennifer in the Lobby, She looked fabulous, all swanky in her new shirt and heels and long blonde hair.....and just happy for us to be there. Which made us feel special. Her and Jason had already checked in and also had our keys for us. We went up to our room and wow, it was gourgous! We had a suite, full kitchen, huge jet tub and a great view! We changed our clothes and then met her in Jason in the bar downstairs. While we were getting changed we had the TV on in the room....the bottom of the TV said that a tornado had touched down in Paw Paw and it was heading toward Kalamazoo. We qucikly headed downstais and proceded to sit in front of the huge window...smart right?! Anway, as we were having a drink, the storm came throgh, We could see the rotation in the sky, but the tornado didn't bother us at all...thank goodness.

Our dinner reservations were for 7:00 at Zazio's, an absolutely fabulous resturant there in the hotel. We went over there early and had a Martini and then at 7:00 had dinner. The place was great, the service was nice and the food was amazing! I had a pasta with scallops and shrimp and Bryan has a steak and we both were very happy with our choices.

After dinner we RAN (because it was Coming down like you wouldn't believe! We got a little wet) over to this new wine bar that just opened a few weeks ago, it's called The Wine Loft. Quite the place, swanky and stylish. We had a drink there and met up with some of Jason's friends. Great guys, but that was the last we saw of them for the night....I think they were on the prowl for Ladies. After the wine loft we bar hopped a bit and ended up back at the hotel around 1am. We were drenched by the time we made it back....It seriously poured ALL day! I hear we had received 11inches of rain. Not sure on the real number yet. We had jumped in puddles all the way back to the hotel. Fun, Fun!

We had a wonderful night and am happy that I felt ok the next morning. It could of been bad (I had more to drink than I should have had) . We got up, I took a nice hot bath in the tub and then we met up with Jenn and Jason for breakfast at Cracker Barrel. After Breakfast we headed back to get the girls.

The four of us before dinner.

Bryan giving me kisses.

Jennifer just being silly.

Jennifer and Jason.

Our wine we had at dinner. It was quite good too.

Our desert we had, they made it fancy for us....it's it cute? Oh and YUM, It was YUMMY!!!

Bryan drinking his espresso. My funny guy!

I tried to get a picture of the wine glass at the wine loft. It was a neat place.

Upon arriving back to my moms house we found out the girls had quite the time while they were at grandma-ma and papas house too. They played hard and tons of fun. I had left my camera with my mom so she could take pictures while we were gone.

Bryan had set up the tent, mom said Amelia liked it, she would run through it and then run around it and jump on the sides. Goofy girl. Here she is in it.....

Saturday night My mom and pulled out some play dough for Amelia, she had never played with it before. I think she had a fun time with it.

Sunday like I said, it had rained and rained and rained all weekend. So mom took Amelia out and played in the rain. It was a warm day so it made it fun....mom said Amelia didn't even want to come in when it was time to. She had fun playing in the rain.

To give you an idea of how much it had rained, this was my parents back yard. No that isn't a pond, its where their grass should be. I heard we had gotten like 11 inches.....Yeah, Hurricane Ike came all the way to Michigan.

Spetember 11, 2008

It has been four years since I married the most wonderful man in my life. I went over to my parents house today and walked down to the spot that we exchanged our vows 4 years earlier.....it was a nice memory. What a wonderful day we had! I will never forget it! I feel so lucky to have found Bryan, he really does balance me out. He keeps me centered and helps me realize what I want and need. He is such a sweet person, and I'm so happy God placed him in my life....he has also given me two wonderful girls and really has made me quite happy in life.

here are a few photos from 4 years ago.....A walk down memory lane.





We went up to visit my parents today. I brought along my friend Sara and her daughter Rhiley. I took them down to the farm and showed them around. It's funny and so cute to bring people to the farm, because most people are surprised when I tell them I grew up on a celery farm. Sara was quite excited to go, Rhiley was a bit nervous with all the tractors, but warmed up quickly. We were even able to get her to sit on one...more than we can say for Amelia, she won't go near them.

Sara with her stalk of celery.

Rhiley in the fields.

Rhiley on the Fork Lift.

Kinda liking it....not sure though. A bit nervous.

Ok, good, now that mom is here.

Happy now....learning how to drive. Um, maybe not, maybe in 14 years.

I also have a few of my girls too, of course.

Amelia in Rhiley's car, she hoped right in it.....She loved it!

My parents are taking the girls this weekend, we are going on an Annivesary night out. My parents are all fired up, they are going to have a big camp out night....I'm sure they won't sleep outside though. But the tent will be something fun for Amelia to play in. Well, while we were in town, my dad had it set up. Amelia loved it! Mom bought all the camping stuff, a new flashlight, hotdogs, stuff for smores. Amelia is going to have a blast!

Anyway, here are a few pictures from when she saw her tent....She doesn't look like she likes it does she? Funny right?

Once we came home we were making dinner and feeding Norah, Amelia was crying, this is what we found. Yeah, she was stuck....of course, we grabed the camera instead of helping her.

Also one other item that needs to be put on here for today's post. I just want to say how sorry I am to all of those who may of lost friends and Loved ones on 9/11. We have made our 9/11 a happy day...my wedding, but I know it's a very sad day for others. We have all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

Picture used from Google, Images.

Pulling Up And "Peek".

Norah is really on the go now, she is pulling herself up. OH MY!!! This photo below is right after she stood up yesterday, (she stood up from that chair) and today she pulled herself up using the living room chair....from a sitting on her butt position on the ground. It was cute, she is so proud when she does it.


Also, she is into making this cheesy simile now, it cracks me up, she shows her teeth when she does it. She will smile with everything she has, squint her eyes and toss up her head....it's the funniest thing ever!

Plus here is one just because she is so darn cute.

Miss Amelia on the other hand is starting to really show her terrible two's! Welcome to the world of toddler-hood! She cries for no reason, gets mad when you give her the wrong sippy cup, or if she wants to wear a certain pair of shoes, that of course she doesn't want to wear. Yeah, let me tell you, it's so fun! (oh and yes, that was a joke)

However, she can still be that sweet little girl too....kisses and cuddle time in the morning is awesome! Happy when she gets to take a bath or brush her teeth. It's so fun sometimes. She can really crack me up...she has decided that hiding in the pots and pan cupboard is fun to do. She climbs in and peeks out at you and says "mama peek!".....that's her words for Peek-a-boo. I was able to get some pictures of her doing it last night. She thinks that she is super funny....and side note, so do we.

Oh and yes, we like to put our children in baskets.....No but really, they played with the laundry baskets forever this afternoon. The simple things in life right?

Swim, Swim......Swim Class Started!

Last night was our first swim class with the girls. It was so Fun! Both girls did great, and really do enjoy being in the water. Norah picked up on the kicking of the legs and swimming with the arms. It was so cute....at 8 months, it's Amazing what they can do. Amelia, Also did quite well, It was so cute to see her try to kick and jump off the sides of the pool. She isn't to excited about being on her back, but she is getting used to it. She can kick and move her arms very well too.

The swim class takes place in a warm therapy pool they have at the YMCA, and the water is 94 degrees so the girls probably think it's just a big bath tub...heck the teacher even pulled out bath toys for the kids to play with at the end of class.

We will be going once a week for 8 weeks. I think it's so great to teach them to swim at such a young age...just in case something happens to them, I want them to be able to protect themselves in the water.

No pictures to show because I couldn't bring my camera in the water....but let me tell you all, they are super cute in their suits!

Full Packed Weekend!

We had a pretty fun weekend, Busy, yes quite fun!

Friday afternoon my mom came and picked up the girls and that night we had a night out!! YES, a NO kids event night! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my girls....but a fun night was was needed!

We went to see one of our favorite bands, Umphrey's McGee. http://www.umphreysmcgee.com/
(if you would like to check them out)

It was a blast! I hadn't seen them play in two years! WAY to long! We used to go see them whenever they were in town, but now that we are getting older and have kids, we don't go as much anymore. We met up with my best friend Jennifer and her fiance' Jason.... we did a little tailgating and grilled out and had beers before the show. The show was great! It's so funny to think that we used to go and watch them in small local pubs around here. Now they had a HUGE 2000 people show! Amazing! We danced and had an awesome time! Yes, we probably had one or two beers to many, but that was ok. We were also able to see friends that we hadn't seen in quite some time. People Bryan graduated from high school with and other friends we just haven't seen in so long!

The girls had a night of their own....they spent time with my parents, brothers and sister in laws. They all went out to dinner that evening. This was Norah's first time out and about without us (mommy or daddy). She has gone to my parents house many times to spend the night, but mom and dad never take them anywhere....usually I don't even leave the car seats. However, they went out this time..... Norah ate Perch and munched on crackers and Amelia ate chicken nuggets and fries. Mom even claims both girls were good, yet they had to sit on her lap while at the resturant, but at least they didn't cry.

Jenn and I at the show

A few pictures from the show.

A video clip from the show. Not the greatest, but it's a clip. It's pretty jumpy and muffled. Sorry.

Saturday Bryan and I slept in nice and late (how nice that was) and then got up and went to breakfast. We relaxed a bit before we headed up to my parents house to get the girls. Yet, once we got there we ended up spending the whole rest of the day at my mom and dads house, Bryan fixed their shower, I hung out and took some pictures like usual (mom just has lots to take pictures of...flowers, trees and things). That evening mom ended up making us YUMMY burgers on the grill. Then after getting all wrapped up in home makeover shows on HGTV, we headed home.


The girls both slept in this morning, which was nice. I think we all needed it! I had another nice day of my own., I was able to meet my friend Stacy for lunch today. I drove up to Saugatuck to meet up with her. We had lunch and wandered around in all the quaint little shops. I love that little town..... It's just so cute. It was absolutely fabulous to see Stacy too. We don't get to spend time together like we used to now that she lives a few hours away (she promises that they will be moving back here in a few years!! I sure can't wait!). However, today was wonderful.....Stacy, if your reading this, we MUST do that more often!! It was nice to hang out with her and catch up with her and her life. Before I had Amelia it was a weekly thing for us to chat and get together.....so time spent together today was LONG over due.

The girls stayed home with Bryan, his first time spending the entire day alone with the girls. He says things went well and they had fun. They went to the park and had a little picnic. I'm so happy that they were good for him!

Boats at the marina.

I had to take a picture of this crazy thing hanging in the resturant.....weird!

This statue was actually for sale, but I thought I would take a picture....it actually turned out neat.

Loved these ladies hanging on the coffee shop wall. Too cute!

Tree man. Just thought he was neat.

Some pretty flowers....whats a blog post without flowers? :)