Peace Out 2011

Okay, okay, okay - I get it! I'm so far behind on updating that I think I'll load up all the pictures I'm missing (tomorrow) and start fresh in 2012 =) Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Yep....

I'm beyond late for an update =) Rest assured everyone is doing well, I'll do my best to give you a "real" post soon!

School Days 2011

Madison had her last day of first at Eastern yesterday....her first day of 5th grade!!

Labor Day Weekend!

We had another fabulous weekend at Black Lake! Thank you Aunt Lynn for again putting us up =) Garrett did great (anything is an improvement over our 24 hr stay last year) and Madison was in horse heaven while riding with Carleen and checking out Grandpa Russell's new donkey, Jack! We were even able to take Grandma Jeane some peanut M&M's (her favorite) and Madison scored a few jumps into Ocqueoc Falls!!

Pictures to follow.....

Haha, funny!

Matt is always giving me a hard time whenever I leave the house - sans the kids - to run errands. He calls it "gallivanting" and makes this funny gesture with his hands like we are just skipping around. This last time out Madison and I decided to take a picture and email it to him at each one of our stops.... gallivanting at its finest =)

Madison had left her bike at Sarah T.'s house....this is what she did while I loaded her bike!

Nothing fancier than returning pop cans on a Thursday night!

Bardons...need I say more?!?

Whew!

Busy bees is what we have been the last few days!!

Evening swims with beach BBQs, breakfast fun with friends and even a night at the fair!!

Pictures (well, what I have) to come soon =)

Slow!

We've had a problem with people speeding through the neighborhood - Garrett has decided to take matters into his own hands!

9&10 News - Ranch Rudolf: Northern Michigan with a Western Twist!

Click on the link below to see just how wonderful Ranch Rudolf is!!!

9&10 News - Ranch Rudolf: Northern Michigan with a Western Twist!

Horse Camp 2011

Madison is one lucky girl! She'll be attending Advance Horse Camp this week and has just the outfit to match =)

If you live here locally you MUST take the family out to Ranch Rudolf! The people are amazing and the setting is like nothing you'll see in town - bonus is that Ranch Rudolf is located just 20 minutes out of town!!

Championship Softball Game

Madison's team took 2nd place in this mornings TAGS C League Championship softball game! She played an amazing game!!! She had 2 RBIs before we even got there (yes, we were late) and then another 3 RBIs with a triple late in the game!!! We are so proud of her and the rest of her team - it was a great season!!

Of course I only have this one picture - of the spectators =)

Train Ride!!!

Garrett's first ride on the train - the Spirit of Traverse City!!

He wasn't sure at first....

 

The grass is pretty run down after the Cherry Festival and lack of rain.

We found this pirate flag on our walk around the marina after the train ride. Garrett spotted it first by shouting "ARG!" at it!

Softball Tournament - Game ONE!!

Last night Matt took Madison to the first game of tournament play! He is better luck anyways =) Madison had an awesome game - at least 2 RBIs from the email updates I was sent!! Game #2 on Thursday!!

End of the Madness!

Whew, what a Saturday!!

Today was the last day of the Cherry Festival here in town! Yeah!!

I joined my friend (and 2,500 other runners) in the Meijer Festival of Races 5k - finishing with an official time of 32:03 which is pretty darn good considering my friend was temporarily sidelined with a muscle cramp and we walked it out for a bit!

Then we spent some much needed time at our favorite beach complete with a stop at the ice cream shop!

Madison and Matt joined Papa at the beach to view the festival fireworks which never disappoint!!

Fun was had by all but we are ready to get back to our "normal" =)

Empire = LOVE

Summer Softball - DONE! (Almost)

Last night was Madison's last regular season softball game so I decided to surprise her and her team with a cupcake cake to celebrate! Below is a picture (Thank You Isabelle's Mom) of what it looked liked before 12 screaming (in a good way) girls and their siblings attacked me! I didn't even get a cupcake =(

Small Town Celebration!!

THANK YOU TO THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN, ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES, FOR PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM EACH AND EVERY DAY. TODAY, AND EVERYDAY, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE! GOD BLESS THE USA!!

We spend the 4th of July in Onaway, Michigan!! What a great day full of family, friends, boat rides and VFW chicken dinners!!

Waiting for the parade to start!

Moran Iron Works was "shooting" t-shirts out of their cannons!

Matt was luck to snag one!

Madison ditched her brother to go tubing with her cousins, which is why her photo is in the car =) Garrett hopped in a boat so Matt decided to take him up the river - I was just there to make sure he didn't try to dive in!

HUGE thanks to Aunt Lynn & Uncle Bob for letting my troop descend upon them for the day, Grammy & Papa for bringing Madison home (because Garrett checks out early), Kelsey & Dawn for taking Madison out on the lake and Grandma Jeane for coming over for chicken dinner!

Garrett + Softball Game = DISASTER!

It has been a looooooooong time since Garrett joined us at one of Madison's softball games (or any sporting event really) and after last nights performance it may be another long while before he gets to go again!

With Matt being out of town it was take Garrett or don't go to the game. What is the big deal about taking a 2-1/2 year old to a softball game? Well, Garrett. He is sort of a big deal =)

We arrived late (on purpose, thank you very much) thinking that the weather would be a little cooler then. It wasn't. Garrett was excited to arrive and while walking by spectators at another field he said "Hi Dad" to every. single. person.

We found the correct field and dropped our stuff and Garrett was in instant whiny mode because Aunt Val was there (poor Aunt Val). So we moved down a little, whipped out the juice cup, peanut butter crackers and iPod stocked full of Backyardigans. It looked like things may not be too bad after all.

Yeah, THAT was a nice thought! Not long after getting situated Garrett spots a soccer ball near another fan - and hurls it onto the softball field! I dash after it, everyone laughs because this cute little boy is making his Mom look like a crazed lunatic =) and because I thought a stern talking to would be good enough I gave the ball back to Garrett. What was I thinking?!?! He hurls it again, this time almost getting it to 3rd base!! So we ditch the soccer ball, our stuff and grab a softball to take over away from the game - but near Aunt Val!

Garrett warms up to her and pitches the softball to her a few times (PROGRESS!) and then his Grandma-Grandma arrived. Back to square one. This time Garrett takes a casual walk towards 3rd base - no way he is going to run for it, right?!? NOT! All he needed was a jersey and the kid could have been a designated runner!!

FINALLY Garrett decides that digging up the garden, throwing the dirt and chasing the birds were all better options than trying to storm the softball field. Thank Goodness!!

Oh, and I lost my keys after the game! Yeah, I was a total nut job! Thankfully I had some wonderful friends stay with me to help my look and another kind parent ended up finding them and putting them in my car - after setting off the car alarm =)

Good times friends, good times!

WOW!

What a busy few days we have had!!

Madison had several softball games last week - one was a partial make-up due to rain, we played at the indoor "germ tree" at the mall, the kids and I went bowling with some great friends, Madison went off on a girls-date with Auntie Sarah & Gracie (I wasn't allowed to go per MG) and THEN we tipped the top of crazy and Madison had a friend spend the night!

Oh wait, it gets better =) Sunday we decided to hit the beach after Garrett's nap. Everything seemed to look like it might be a successful trip until Garrett stuck his bare feet in the water...and then the sand. All bets were off. I'm not exactly sure what his deal with the water/sand is BUT we will work it out! Madison had a great time swimming - for all 35 minutes that we were there =) At least we were able to stop at the ice cream shop on the way home =)

Summertime 2011

Uncle Erick & Madison

To Be Madison =)

Madison was treated to lunch of her choice and specialty cupcakes yesterday by Aunt Mary & Uncle Erick and THEN Aunt Val treated her to a pedicure - I want to be Madison for a day =)

Congratulations Jake!! GO GREEN!

This past weekend Garrett, Grammy & I gathered with family and friends to celebrate Jake's high school graduation and fall enrollment to MSU in the fall! Grammy was a HUGE help with Garrett while I helped get the party together Saturday and then we all joined with family and friends to congratulate Jake and wish him well!  It was nice to see those out of town relatives (well most of them, you know how it goes) and I was so glad Aunt Mary & Uncle Erick were able to make the trip home!

Father's Day!

I hope that everyone had a great Father's Day!  Madison spent the day with her Dad (they went out to lunch and fishing!) and we were lucky enough to continue our Father's Day dinner tradition (created when Garrett was born) out at the Lost Moose Lodge =)  The boys (Matt & Lee) spent the weekend fishing so Maggie and I loaded up Garrett and Mandy dog, along with dinner, and joined them in the late afternoon!

2011 Softball Action!

Coming to get you!

THANK YOU!

I would like to THANK all of the our soldiers, and their families, for the sacrifices that are made each and everyday to protect the United States of America!!

Surgery #2

Today Garrett will have his second set of tubes put in his ears and his adenoids removed! Garrett was in a great mood going into the surgery center - even without having his routine cup and muffin in the morning and he even walked up to and HUGGED to older men sitting in the waiting area. Yes, we are still working on teaching him that other people enjoy person space too =)

Things went from good to not so good once we entered the scary little room where they (try) take vitals and change patients into scrubs. Garrett was NOT impressed with the surgical gown OR the fancy slippers...he went from a happy little man to a scared arm-swinging-leg-kicking little man =( and then he was off.

Then we wait. We have to wait in that creepy little room until Garrett is out of the hallway - so he doesn't see us leaving to go back out in the waiting area. After 45 minutes or so our pager (just like at the restaurants) goes off and the doctor is ready to talk to us.

We find out that his first set of tubes were completely out and siting in his ear canal, acting as a magnet to wax (gross). Garrett did great and we would be called back to recovering soon. Back out to the waiting area.

When we FINALLY get to see him he is giving the recovery room nurses one heck of a time. One nurse is at the food of the bed trying to get a pulse reading - while Garrett kicks his feet! After a few minutes Garrett realizes that Matt & I are standing right next to him and I'm able to pick him up! We get moved to another recovery area and wait for our discharge instructions.

The first 2-3 days of recovery was hard! The pain medication they gave him also caused some constipation =( which would make anyone grumpy AND he was getting up every 1-2 hours during the night. That makes for some really long days for both Garrett and Mommy!

Garrett is doing great and he is making all sorts of new noises and "talking" up for a storm.

Funny Man Garrett

So this morning my 28 month old son - who survives on peanut butter crackers, grapes and the occasional yogurt steps on the scale...38.2 lbs! Solid little monster =)

OMP LOVE!!

Our weekend was low key - which is exactly what we needed!!

We were blessed to be able to take Dan & Jenn out to dinner at Jolly Pumpkin to celebrate their engagement! It was a great dinner with amazing family!! Thank you Grammy (Maggie Russell) for taking care of Garrett while we enjoyed some adult dinner time!!

Sunday was the start of my helping out Aunt Val prepare for Jake's open house. It was SO much fun going through all the adorable pictures of Jake, is was (and still is) an adorable kid! Jake will be attending Michigan State University in the fall - GO GREEN!!

We rounded out the weekend with a visit to our favorite OMP beach! Garrett loved running to the water, kicking it (yes, my son tried to kick the water) and trowing rocks! He was really working hard to throw every single rock into the water - good thing it was just us at the beach! Grabbed some ice cream from the Peninsula Market (to eat AFTER dinner of course) and then headed home for burgers on the grill and local asparagus for dinner!!

WE ARE SO BLESSED!!!

Engagement =)

CONGRATULATIONS UNCLE DAN & AUNT JENN!!!

Dan proposed to Jenn and........she said YES!!!

 So excited for them both, we can't wait for the wedding =)

Mother's Day!

I had an AMAZING Mother's Day and I could not have done it without my family!! I had a great run in the morning, a nap later and then we drove out to Empire park with the kids - finished off the evening with burgers from Joe's Friendly Tavern ("from and not "at" because Garrett decided eating out was NOT on the agenda and we ended up asking for the orders to-go) LOVE THAT KID!! Madison and I had ice cream too!

Funny kids!

Madison had her second track meet of the year last night and it was FA-FREEZING! I took my winter ski coat and mittens and Matt asks me (only joking) if I was going to wear by snow boots...I only wish I had!! Being a member of the track team in high school was a blast - being the parent of a track team member is as sticking a fork in my eye. It is a very intense game of hurry up and wait. I pick Madison up from school, she freaks out on me because I am late (I've been late to things her whole life, why is she so surprised) and she needs to get to the track early to practice hurdles. Hurdles are the first event. I tell her she is silly for signing up for the first event of the meet =) Madison ran the 55M hurdles, 4th grade relay and the long jump! She did great and I am hoping for sunshine and warmer temperatures for the track meet tomorrow.

2011 JOGATHON

Garrett and Matt even made an appearance at the meet which is a "win" for Matt because he got Garrett to wear pants! Not sure what this new "phase" is but Garrett is ALL about wearing his PJ pants all day, everyday. When I told him it was time to get dressed this morning for school (daycare) he went and grabbed a dirty pair of PJs! He was less than impressed when I wrestled him into a real pair of pants!

Kids =)

Happy Birthday Matt!!!

Matt's birthday gift from the kids and me - GO STATE!!

Grammy hostessed a BBQ dinner for Matt (complete with HOMEMADE Carrot Cake!) - Uncle Dan grilled up some yummy burgers and Garrett, well, finally decided to wear pants =)  Madison was a little late to the party because she was still celebrating her friend's birthday!

So, why no pants? No idea! Garrett woke up from his nap less than pleased to be greeted by his Dad (who has been gone out at the cabin "fishing" all weekend) and apparently his lack of pants was his own non-violent protest. Don't want to wear pants? Fine. Get in the car, Grammy is waiting =) So Garrett greeted Grammy, Uncle Dan and Aunt Jenn with no pants on!

Teacher Madison

This is Madison's teacher outfit (name badge and all!) for the

teacher student "flip flop day" during Spirit Week!!

Track & Field

Madison did great at her very first Track & Field meet!! She participated in the Shot Put, 100M Dash and helped out a few girls by running in the 5th grade relay!! Eastern needed 4 parent volunteers in the Long Jump pit so that is where I was at for the duration of the meet - Matt & Garrett sat this one out =)

Easter...one day late!

We had a beautiful sunny day to celebrate Easter with our family...and a few friends!!

First we colored eggs...

And we were lucky enough to get a visit from the Easter Bunny =)

Garrett LOVED his basket...

Thank you Aunt Val and Grandma Sleder for the flowers!

Snow Day in April?!?

For real =) Madison had NO SCHOOL today and Garrett's school (daycare) was closed until 10:00am! Welcome to spring time in Northern Michigan!

Catching up........