It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We went and got our tree.  Next year, I think we will either get that nifty stand  that makes the tree stand up straight. I think it would be worth the investment. I could also go the fake route, but I know how much the boys love picking out a tree each year.

This was the first year they really helped with the lights and didn't put the ornaments all on one side.

Tyler picked out a gingerbread kit at the store, so Wednesday night we put it together. They called Rudolph, "Rudy" and the yeti a "gorilla". It turned out really cute and they have eaten some of it already.

All talk

Tyler was all excited to go hunting this year. Dad got him some earmuffs to protect his ears from the loud gun.

Here he is all decked out in his blaze orange. They got to the blind and didn't have to wait too long to see deer. Ryan texted me and said "Tyler doesn't want me to shoot".  I think they saw 11 deer, but didn't bring any home:(

Better Luck next year.

Tyler Turns Four

Tyler was all about his BIG Day today. I had to unlock the guest bedroom door at 8am, so he could open his presents.  He was so excited and loved everything he recievedI wasn't able to pick his cake up until after 2pm, but he didn't seem to mind. He did have a big piece of cake, after Michigan won in the 3rd overtime. One of these days, I need to record him singing the U of M fight song, "Hail to the Victors".

Trick Or Treat

Plans constantly change when you live with three boys. First, the boys wanted to be characters from Happy Days, then I pulled out costumes on got on clearence last year. Tyler found a Optimus Prime costume that he loved. Jack was going to be the Bumble bee transformer, then a hammer head shark. I took him shopping and he decided on Ironman.

.

After the Lions won the football game yesterday, I got out the Lions football player costume. I totally forgot we had it. Tyler loved wearing it and many people commented on the teams win

I wanted to go to the dorms and trick or treat inside, but all the boys vetoed that idea. They lasted 30min and Tyler was tired of walking. Jack said," I like trick or treating, but I don't want the candy". Tyler was into it this year, telling Jack, "Let's go".

Pumpkin Carving or not

It happens every year, I buy pumpkins and we wait to the last minute to carve them.

We only carved one and I tried to get Jack to help clean out the pumpkin. He said, "Ewww, it smells, it's gross and why don't you just do it." .

Tyler didn't want anything to do with the carving, so he just did the plastic push in pieces

Tyler's first field trip

Last week, Tyler's preschool class went to Papa's Pumpkin patch for a hayride, picking pumpkins, donuts and cider. Here are just a few photos.

He found a pumpkin just his size. Plus he found one for Dad, who was hunting in southern Illinois.

8 Years Old

Jack celebrated his 8th Birthday on the 17th. Of course, he wanted a "Cars" cake and Wal-mart had discontinued it. So I had them decorate a cake from a old picture and supplied a new Dragon Lightning McQueen. I've tried to do birthday cakes in the past and it is better to leave it to the professionals.

 

Since he has turned 8, he has encountered "mean" girls at school. His response to them last week was"we are all the Children of God". Oh to be a small animal on the playground to hear it. So proud of him!

I also had to purchase him deodorant. Who knew boys had such a odor!! It is all natural for sensitive skin, so far so good. Now, I just need him to stop using his hair as a napkin.

First Day of School

I'm finally getting on the blog again. I can't believe how fast summer went. Jack started 2nd grade on the 7th and Tyler started preschool on the 10th.  They have both adjusted well to getting up early. Jack likes his new school and teacher. He alreasy missed two days of school, since he was sick the beginning of this week.

Tyler always asks me to stay in the the morning, when I take him. When I go to pick him up he doesn't want to leave. Nice change from when Jack was in preschool. I love have 3 mornings to myself to run errands and attend Moms group on Wednesdays.

Disney

On July 15th Tyler took his first trip on a airplane. He was so excited! Ryan sat with the boys and they had to change seats so they could both sit by the window to lookout. He did great, but of course he had to checkout the bathroom on the plane a few times.

Jack and Dad went fishing early Saturday morning with the Getsky boys. He was not afriad to touch the fish and caught a nice one. Now we just need to find him a place to fish in Michigan.

We went to all the parks. Jack and Dad rode Expedition Everst(The Yeti ride) twice at Animal Kingdom. Tyler got to see Mater and Lightning McQueen, but Jack would not let Tyler touch McQueen at Hollywood Studios.

On Sunday Night, State Farm rented out Typhoon Lagoon after hours. Jack was thrilled to see that they had a Shark reef, where you could swim with the sharks. The first time a lifeguard helped across. The second time, he had to do it all by himself. He was proud to show me the stringray, when he got out of the water. That boy is fearless!

We all had a Magical time in the pools at the Resort and at Blizzard Beach on the last day. It was HOT! Next time we go in July, I think we will just hang out at the water parks and the resort.

Camping July 6-9

We finally made it to S. Higgins this year for camping. Tyler was sick the week after VBS, I injured my neck and then Ryan was sick. I was pretty much useless, since I couldn't lift anything or bend my neck. Thankfully Ryan did all the shopping, packing, setting up and take down.

Jack has been VERY passionate about Catapillers!! He even brought along his article about How to grow a butterfly!

This time Grandpa, Grandma Pat, Uncle Don & Aunt JoAnn joined us. We went boating and Jack was all about going in the tube.

Jack was happy to roast a marshmellow for anyone that was hungry. (If you didn't mind it burnt).

They even had sparkelers left over from the 4th of July.

Road Trip

Time is flying by and I need to catch up on the happenings.

Last week the boys and I made our journey to Madison.The 7 hour drive seems much longer without cruise control. I was able to take the car in as soon as I got to Madison. I took the boys to Mom's and emptied out our belongings. The dealership wa sable to repiar it, while I waited.  The boys were surprised to see Papy, since I never metioned he was going to be visiting. Friday night we enjoyed Chinese and then bowling.

Saturday morning was the Sue Komen Race for the Cure. This was our third race. It will be the last time I take the stroller. Instead of doing the 5K we opted for the 1 mile "fun walk", since Tyler walked super slow and refused to get into the stroller. Uncle Ben only put Tyler on his shoulders for a short period of time. Tyler is pretty solid.

Saturday evening was Tom and Alisha's reception. Tina had gotten a sitter for the boys and Jack wanted to sleep over, which was fine for me. I picked Tyler up after the reception and he was not happy in the morning, when Jack was not at grandma's. When we picked Jack up, he said  "why did you leave me all alone?" Funny kid, he was never alone. Tina, Josh, Aidan and Papy were all there.

We then went out to see Grandma. I tried to get Tyler to sit by his Great Grandma and the only picture I could get is him sittig in her walker. When we were saying our good-bye's Tyler didn't give her a hug. When we got in the car Jack said to Tyler, "Great Grandma loves you and she is a nice lady, so you should give her a hug." Oh Jack's wisdom. He is still talking about it and it has been a week now.

Jack took such a nice picture, but I can'd upload anymore pictures right now.

Baseball Time again

Jack practicing his swing before his game in the back yard.

We all get excited when he gets a hit, just wished he would swing harder more often.

He loves getting on base. I hope I can get a picture of his face at one of the games. It is priceless!

Only 5 games left of the 16 game season. We are thinking this will be his last season, since his true passion is swimming!

Heat Wave

Ahh Yes... The sun has been out in full force and so has the heat. This week we opened the pool and the boys wanted to go in, before I even vacuumed it. It is now all clean, but we will need a new pump and filter. I really hope the new system last longer than 3 years.

Yesterday, we enjoyed Higgins Lake by taking the boat out. Jack LOVED riding in the tube. I tried it too, but that is not for me. I am paying for it now with a sore back. Tyler went with Jack for a little bit, but once was enough for him too. Jack was trying to get a girls attention and his pick up line went like this:"I'm celery...tall, green and crunchy." All Ryan and I heard was the tall, green and crunchy...we laughed so hard.  Ryan will have to help Jack on being suttle to woo a girl. He is only 7 and is all about girls.

Al and Pat joined us for the afternoon and then we all went to Big Boy for ice cream. Jack had to get pancakes though.

Spring Break

Who needs to go south for Spring break, when it gets above 80 in Central Michigan. Jack kept asking me to open the pool, but I reminded him it was only Spring.

We enjoyed Doozie's Ice Cream a few days. Tyler even told the girl working that "Doozie's is Open", she said "I know it is very exciting".

We colored Easter eggs, but they were done in minutes. They had to draw a happy face on each egg.

We packed a picnic lunch and spent the day at the Park.

Jack was happy to go back to school today.

Tyler Talk

This morning after getting ready for church, I went down stairs and Tyler asked "Mom, are you going to the hospital?" I said, no, why? He answered "Then why do you have a gown on?" I guess my dress did kind of look like a hospital gown.

Since he is now potty trained, he has some strange habits and comments. He was sitting on the potty, reclining and said "I have balls, but I can't throw them." I almost choked on my toothpaste.

No April Fools

This morning at 2:30 am, Jack was coughing and couldn't catch his breath. I told Ryan to call 911, while I tried to Jack to calm down. In less then 10 minutes the ambulance with 2 paramedics and 2 volunteer EMT were here. They gave him a breathing treatment. He said he didn't want to take a ride in the ambulance, since we were suppose to go to Great Wolf Lodge today. I rode with him in the ambulance and Ryan met us at the hospital, after Al got to our house to stay with Tyler. The ambulance driver, loved our drive way and said he wished everyone had such a big driveway, so they culd turn around. Nice to know our driveway is now "paramedic approved".
Once at the hospital he got another breathing treatment and when he was done, he told the nurse he was good to go home. We still had to get his x-rays, he was wiggly, while he was getting x-rays. No inflamtion in his throat and no bronchitis.

Spring Gator

The boys really love getting outside. We took advantage of the sunshine today and so happy, that I had charged up the boys "Gator". Tyler loves to drive and it was even warm enough for popsicles. Jack gave his popsicle to Maizy.

Cruise 2010

We needed a little break from our Michigan, so we booked a cruise with our friends Mark, Andrea, Merritt and Dan, on the Navigator of the Seas. A four day cruise was a great way to relax. We spent 2 days at sea and one full day in Cozumel, Mexico. We could have used warmer temps, but I'm not complaining. We even booked another cruise on Royal Caribbean. They sure do pamper you, especially at dinner.

Andrea, Mark and Ryan getting ready to set sail.

Our waiter, Oliver was awesome and after dinner, he always gave us the evening events.

The view from Deck 10 looking down on the Royal Promenade during the Captains Welcome Aboard Party

.

Can you tell we were on the way back to the ship after going to Carlos & Charlie's in Cozumel, Mexico?

The view of Cozumel from the ship.

Yes, I climbed the rock wall in the middle of the ocean. (Next time, I'll ring the bell)

The Captain navigating the ship from the Bridge.

Christmas '09

Ryan was the first one awake, of course. I know some day the kids will be waking us up, but I can wait. Jack woke up and had to get his stocking down. He was excited to get a harmonica. He played us a little tune. The tractor tipping board game was the second present Jack opened. I will learn to put "THE" present on the bottom of the pile. He didn't want to open any other presents after that. Next year, I guess we can just do one present for the two of them to share. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjh55YNyp-8

Christmas Eve

The boys got to open one gift on Christmas Eve, before we went to church. They were both excited to get their new "holiday" pajamas. Jack was so happy he even gave Tyler a hug. We made it through the service at church, but I will not be taking flash lights again, until the boys are older. All Tyler wanted to do is shine his light.