Thursday, February 16, 2012
My precious daughter and Eliana...
This video is for Eliana, my niece. And also for Grandma Grace so she can see a video of her newest little grandchild.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, August 30, 2009
It's been a long time...
Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated this blog. Life just happened then I felt intimidated that I hadn't written anything for a few months but I'm just going to get over it.
I last blogged in Nov. Well, in Dec I quit my part-time job as a graphic designer to be a stay-at-home mom full time. Thomas and I were able to take a wonderful trip to Hawaii as well, returning Christmas Eve. My parents drove up from warm TX to blizzard MI and watched my kids for the whole week. We went with my sister, Marie and her hubby, Dennis. They had both been there before so they showed up the ropes. We did some amazing snorkeling, swimming, and exploring the Big Island. One of our favorite parts was Waimea Bay, where the undertow was extremely strong. And we stood by the king (I think) statue on Waikiki Beach and called my sister in MI who was at my house with the kids and we looked into the camera and she could see us on the computer. That was cool, too! There is a lot more about Hawaii but seeing as how I've got about 8 more months to write about I won't go on and on.
Jan. seemed like one big vacation to me. I was adjusting to staying at home and not having to think about going to work two days a week. I had lots of play date and we had lots of snow.
Feb. mmmmmm....I can't really remember much about it. I know I got more use to being at home.
Mar. ummm...same a Feb...lol but I had the goal to study up about homeschooling. So I know I did lots of "interviews" with people who were homeschooled and mothers who homeschool (hs) or did hs. We also took a trip to Ohio and Great Wolf Lodge. The kids absolutely loved it. We stayed two nights and of course I packed all the important things but I forgot the camera. Shoot, next time! =)
April - it just seemed to not want to warm up this year. It was still cool and we prepared to get ready for Tulip Time.
May - Tulip Time was a huge success. The "Queen" of the festival showed up in grand style. The "Queen" is the tulip! In fact they were so nice this year that after the festivities were over there were still plenty around. Kristen, my sister, and I took my kids to get picture with the tulip and we didn't have to fight any crowds, they had all gone home! My parents came back up right before Memorial weekend and stayed with us off and on for about a month. They stayed with my sister, Emma, for most of the time though.
June - This brings us to Melia's birthday month. She turned 3 on the 12th. Tom took the day off and we took the Jeep up to Silver Lake and rode the dunes. We really had a great time doing this. We also spent some time at the beach up there. Elijah also took two weeks of swimming lessons. He now doggie paddles with a life jacket!
July - The weather finally warmed up mid-July and Lake MI somewhat warmed up. We enjoyed going to the beach almost everyday starting mid-July. We took a day trip to Ludington at the end of July and froze trying to tube down the river. When we returned home, right away we noticed someone drove through our yard and took out one of our matching (15ft) lilac trees. We were grateful we weren't home but later learned that the neighbors all came out and had a "party" to watch all the excitement. Basically a 17yr old boy, who had two friends in his mom's vw bug, took the corner two fast, he was inexperienced and plowed through the yard across our driveway and our lilac stopped them. Our neighbor explained he heard the tires squeal and by the time he looked out his windows, the car was in our bush. He said the boys got out and tried to get the car out and leave, however one tire was blown and the car was hung up on the branches. So the police, the parents and a wrecker all hung out in our yard for a while straighten it all out. The mother of the driver had her son come back and take out the rest of the branches and plan a new lilac for us. That was some excitement for July!
August - YEAH AUGUST! Thomas and I celebrated our 8th anniversary!
I last blogged in Nov. Well, in Dec I quit my part-time job as a graphic designer to be a stay-at-home mom full time. Thomas and I were able to take a wonderful trip to Hawaii as well, returning Christmas Eve. My parents drove up from warm TX to blizzard MI and watched my kids for the whole week. We went with my sister, Marie and her hubby, Dennis. They had both been there before so they showed up the ropes. We did some amazing snorkeling, swimming, and exploring the Big Island. One of our favorite parts was Waimea Bay, where the undertow was extremely strong. And we stood by the king (I think) statue on Waikiki Beach and called my sister in MI who was at my house with the kids and we looked into the camera and she could see us on the computer. That was cool, too! There is a lot more about Hawaii but seeing as how I've got about 8 more months to write about I won't go on and on.
Jan. seemed like one big vacation to me. I was adjusting to staying at home and not having to think about going to work two days a week. I had lots of play date and we had lots of snow.
Feb. mmmmmm....I can't really remember much about it. I know I got more use to being at home.
Mar. ummm...same a Feb...lol but I had the goal to study up about homeschooling. So I know I did lots of "interviews" with people who were homeschooled and mothers who homeschool (hs) or did hs. We also took a trip to Ohio and Great Wolf Lodge. The kids absolutely loved it. We stayed two nights and of course I packed all the important things but I forgot the camera. Shoot, next time! =)
April - it just seemed to not want to warm up this year. It was still cool and we prepared to get ready for Tulip Time.
May - Tulip Time was a huge success. The "Queen" of the festival showed up in grand style. The "Queen" is the tulip! In fact they were so nice this year that after the festivities were over there were still plenty around. Kristen, my sister, and I took my kids to get picture with the tulip and we didn't have to fight any crowds, they had all gone home! My parents came back up right before Memorial weekend and stayed with us off and on for about a month. They stayed with my sister, Emma, for most of the time though.
June - This brings us to Melia's birthday month. She turned 3 on the 12th. Tom took the day off and we took the Jeep up to Silver Lake and rode the dunes. We really had a great time doing this. We also spent some time at the beach up there. Elijah also took two weeks of swimming lessons. He now doggie paddles with a life jacket!
July - The weather finally warmed up mid-July and Lake MI somewhat warmed up. We enjoyed going to the beach almost everyday starting mid-July. We took a day trip to Ludington at the end of July and froze trying to tube down the river. When we returned home, right away we noticed someone drove through our yard and took out one of our matching (15ft) lilac trees. We were grateful we weren't home but later learned that the neighbors all came out and had a "party" to watch all the excitement. Basically a 17yr old boy, who had two friends in his mom's vw bug, took the corner two fast, he was inexperienced and plowed through the yard across our driveway and our lilac stopped them. Our neighbor explained he heard the tires squeal and by the time he looked out his windows, the car was in our bush. He said the boys got out and tried to get the car out and leave, however one tire was blown and the car was hung up on the branches. So the police, the parents and a wrecker all hung out in our yard for a while straighten it all out. The mother of the driver had her son come back and take out the rest of the branches and plan a new lilac for us. That was some excitement for July!
August - YEAH AUGUST! Thomas and I celebrated our 8th anniversary!
Friday, November 14, 2008
An Email from Kristen
Hey Tom and Jennifer
You have one funny kid. Elijah was asking me why I didn't have any kids. I told him I don't have any right now but someday I will. Then I went into how I would have to have a baby in my belly like Mrs. Shanna and that would be my kid. Then your Elijah said I had a big belly. Then I explained that no the only things that are in my belly right now is a stomach, intestines, bladder, and kidney. Elijah said yes you have a kid in there. I was like no. Then he said "but you said you have kidneys." The things kids say.
Kristen
You have one funny kid. Elijah was asking me why I didn't have any kids. I told him I don't have any right now but someday I will. Then I went into how I would have to have a baby in my belly like Mrs. Shanna and that would be my kid. Then your Elijah said I had a big belly. Then I explained that no the only things that are in my belly right now is a stomach, intestines, bladder, and kidney. Elijah said yes you have a kid in there. I was like no. Then he said "but you said you have kidneys." The things kids say.
Kristen
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Ouch!
Everyone that knows our daughter, knows she is a mover. She just doesn't stop. So today I took the kids to a story time that we had not been to before. So Melia is moving all over the place and not sitting for the story and then at one point she fell backwards and hit her head. I think "Ok, she does this all the time. She'll be ok." I picked her up and she started crying and I notice blood coming out of her mouth. I think "Ok, this is normal. She bites her lip almost every week." I take her to the bathroom and notice it is bleeding really bad. There was blood getting on her shirt and it looked bruised on her lip on the outside. So I pull back her lip and realize she busted it pretty good and the bleeding was not stopping. Thank goodness our friend Kim from church (who is a nurse) was also at story time. I stepped out of the bathroom and ask her to help. She follows me to the bathroom and helps me stop the bleeding. She said it would be ok. But I was almost thinking that I would have to take her in and get stitches. Kim said they wouldn't do anything unless it wouldn't stop bleeding and she would be ok. Just give her ice or popsicles to suck on. I am so grateful for friends in times like this. Melia seems fine and she really liked her popsicle. Here are some pictures of the injury. I really don't like looking at it. Ouch!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
No, Daddy Drive!
Melia is so funny about when we go places with dad. Once I drove and she freaked out. So now when we go as a family she always says "Daddy drive." Now we tease her and tell her mommy is driving and she says "No, Daddy drive" if we let it go to far she will start crying that she wants daddy to drive. It is to funny. So the other day we were at the family fun place (where Melia go to go with me in the go carts!) and I just happened to have the camera in car so we tired to record her actions. However we were not thinking that the candy would preoccupy her and she wouldn't get so upset. This video is still funny. I'll have to try again when she doesn't have anything to occupy herself.
282
Elijah did it! In Saugatuck there is a place called Mt Baldy. It has 282 step to the top and Elijah climbed all of them!
He did stop once because dad found a cool spider. Check it out.
At the top he sits proudly.
At the top Melia and Elijah ran around. I baby wore Melia up the steps she only made it up about 50 then she wanted to be carried.
At the top the view was beautiful. We could see the fall colors starting.
He did stop once because dad found a cool spider. Check it out.
At the top he sits proudly.
At the top Melia and Elijah ran around. I baby wore Melia up the steps she only made it up about 50 then she wanted to be carried.
At the top the view was beautiful. We could see the fall colors starting.
On the roof top!
My sister Kristen and I were hanging out and I asked her to help me while I go up on the roof and clean the gutters. I don't mind the height and anyone that really knows Tom knows he does not like heights.
Before
After
Here is a different angle of our firepit area.
Kristen checking on the kids.
I took these while I was on the roof and the kids were on the ground. What a fun perspective!
Before
After
Here is a different angle of our firepit area.
Kristen checking on the kids.
I took these while I was on the roof and the kids were on the ground. What a fun perspective!
Making Mei Tai - for babywearing
So my sister, Kristen and I spend 3 days making mei tai's for some friends. We made a total of 5. I donated one to the local chapter of the Right to Life office for their annual auction.
Here Kristen is showing off the one we made for her with Melia in it. And Elijah wanted to be in the photo!
These are just some of the different fabrics we used.
I had fun making them and more enjoyment out of seeing our friends wear their babies!
Here Kristen is showing off the one we made for her with Melia in it. And Elijah wanted to be in the photo!
These are just some of the different fabrics we used.
I had fun making them and more enjoyment out of seeing our friends wear their babies!
Monday, August 25, 2008
Birthday
Did I mention Tom will be celebrating his 33rd birthday this Friday, Aug 29? Also, my Dad is celebrating his 67th birthday on Saturday, Aug 30!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GUYS!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GUYS!!!
Biking
So before we went camping we bought Elijah a bike. It has a 16" wheel and was $14 at a garage sale!!! We took it camping with us and he really enjoyed riding it all around the campground and to the bathrooms.
Well, tonight when Tom came home from work we decided to take a nice bike ride. We have a seat on the back of Tom's bike to put Melia in and we let Elijah ride his new bike. So off we set down the bike path. Tom & Melia, Elijah then me. Elijah wanted to go all the way to the beach and I was thinking that was not a great idea but Dad said that was ok. So we continued on and Elijah had no problem making it all the way! I couldn't believe it. My little boy can ride his bike all the way to the beach (with training wheels!). Once there we pushed the kids on the swings then walked down the pier. Being at the end makes me a little nervous with Melia. She is little miss independent and wants to walk around with out holding anyones hand, but she doesn't always watch what she is doing and fall sometimes. Anyway, we headed home on the bikes and only had one time where Elijah had a hard time - there is a small part of the bike path that you have to go next to the road and he did not like that. But we managed through that and he biked the whole way home. I was so proud of him. I think that is a total of about 3-4 miles! I do have pictures I'll post later of him on his bike.
So this biking thing has me thinking... you can learn so much as a kid learning to ride a bike. As a parent you have to teach your child to really be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to where they are. They need to think outside themselves. Good listening skills are a must. I talked with Elijah and explained that he has to listen to Mommy and Daddy. If we say STOP he has to stop right away. It is a little intense to think he could get hurt if I don't teach him all the rules of riding - like stopping when you get to a cross road and checking for cars. So what are your thoughts on helping children learning to ride bikes? You are welcome to leave comments!
Well, tonight when Tom came home from work we decided to take a nice bike ride. We have a seat on the back of Tom's bike to put Melia in and we let Elijah ride his new bike. So off we set down the bike path. Tom & Melia, Elijah then me. Elijah wanted to go all the way to the beach and I was thinking that was not a great idea but Dad said that was ok. So we continued on and Elijah had no problem making it all the way! I couldn't believe it. My little boy can ride his bike all the way to the beach (with training wheels!). Once there we pushed the kids on the swings then walked down the pier. Being at the end makes me a little nervous with Melia. She is little miss independent and wants to walk around with out holding anyones hand, but she doesn't always watch what she is doing and fall sometimes. Anyway, we headed home on the bikes and only had one time where Elijah had a hard time - there is a small part of the bike path that you have to go next to the road and he did not like that. But we managed through that and he biked the whole way home. I was so proud of him. I think that is a total of about 3-4 miles! I do have pictures I'll post later of him on his bike.
So this biking thing has me thinking... you can learn so much as a kid learning to ride a bike. As a parent you have to teach your child to really be aware of their surroundings and to pay attention to where they are. They need to think outside themselves. Good listening skills are a must. I talked with Elijah and explained that he has to listen to Mommy and Daddy. If we say STOP he has to stop right away. It is a little intense to think he could get hurt if I don't teach him all the rules of riding - like stopping when you get to a cross road and checking for cars. So what are your thoughts on helping children learning to ride bikes? You are welcome to leave comments!
Camping
This past weekend we went camping with my sister, Kristen and her hubby Aron in Ludington. Camping went ok - it is a lot of work with two small kids. Next time I think we will go longer than two nights. The first night was awful. The kids were up a total of five times. I had to take Melia potty in the woods twice. Not fun. The second night they were a lot better but Melia ended up in bed with us at 4am until Elijah woke us all up at 7:10. Saturday morning it rained until about 1pm then it turned out to be a beautiful weekend. We went to AJ's Family Fun Center and played video games. The kids and I do mean all of us really enjoyed playing. Kris and I played each other in air hockey [I think I won both times, not that that matters =)].
But Ludington was amazing again. We tubed down the whole Sable River. We started at the dam and went all the way to Lake MI. The kids did great. At the end there was a lot of shallow water less than ankle deep and a lot of little fish swimming around. Elijah wanted us to catch them so Tom and I tried and tried. Just when we were about to give up, I quickly scooped my hands down around a group of the fish and picked up the sand and water and caught one! Then Aron tried my way and he caught one. Tom never figured it out but I caught another one too and let Eman hold it. He thought that was cool. Pictures to come!
But Ludington was amazing again. We tubed down the whole Sable River. We started at the dam and went all the way to Lake MI. The kids did great. At the end there was a lot of shallow water less than ankle deep and a lot of little fish swimming around. Elijah wanted us to catch them so Tom and I tried and tried. Just when we were about to give up, I quickly scooped my hands down around a group of the fish and picked up the sand and water and caught one! Then Aron tried my way and he caught one. Tom never figured it out but I caught another one too and let Eman hold it. He thought that was cool. Pictures to come!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Insect Fun!
My friend, Shanna, was over the other day and she found an inch worm hanging from our garage door. Even though it was working hard to climb up, she decide to take it down off the string and see it walk. They are very interesting insects. Have you ever seen one up close? It was amazing watching it walk. It had six legs up front by its head and four legs in the back. The kids loved to check it out. Later in the day when Dad came home from work, Elijah found the worm in virtually the same place we left it. I am not sure if it was tired and took a long break or that they just don't get far fast.
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