Yesterday

The neighborhood CIA in action. (Chase, Cobe, Jake, Jacob and Mark)

Brooks, Regan and Ella on a wagon ride. Kiley and Sadie on a jeep ride.
Mark Elgersma stuck up in a tree.
Ryan and Jason enjoying some neighborly love! Haha

We had such a fun day yesterday- it was kid central, but it was fun. The day was gorgeous and the kids had so many friends over to play. We grilled out with the Onstotts, and the Elgersmas and Onstotts ended up coming over after that for drinks. As you can tell in the picture- we had fun- the guys especially. :-) Off to enjoy another beautiful day outside.

Carnival Fun

Wow! I was super impressed with Cobe's school carnival last night. I wish I had taken my camera to get some photos, but I forgot. It was set up in the Cityside middle school's gym (where I teach) and the food was served in the cafeteria. They had great prizes for each game. The boys both won Spiderman and Dale Jr. framed pictures- they were the rage! Cobe won a Pirates of the Carribean poster that he was eyeing all night. They really had games that were real carnival games. Brooks was hot- he won every game he played. Even the hard ones! I couldn't believe it! Cobe would always get the consolation prize so it became a big joke. Cobe went to Chase's to spend the night after the carnival so we are going to pick them both up at baseball practice at 10 to come here for the afternoon. We finally have rain-free weather, and it is supposed to get quite warm, so I am sure there will be kids everywhere before too long. We are grilling out with the Onstotts and the Boeve girls are spending the night, so I know those 4 kids will be running around to play. The more the merrier! I actually have mixed emotions about moving now- Cobe has sooooo many kids he plays with that just bike over or that he bikes to their house. I hope there are kids for him to play with in the new neighborhood. The picture at the top of this post is of Sadie and Brooks working on sticker pages that he won at the carnival. He is such a big help with Sissy- he loves to "be in charge" of her and help her with whatever she will let him. I am blessed more than I can express with my 3 wonderful, beautiful children. God is good! All the time! Amen!

Long time, no post :-)

Ryan and I goofing around before dinner tonight. (Yes, I know- I am a pale face!!!!)
Sadie and her mama! She was such a snuggler tonight!
Cobe and his friend Ethan goofing off at dinner.
Brooks looked adorable today, but for some reason, he would NOT let me take his picture, so I had to trick him and sneak this one.
Sadie is VERY interested in going on the potty. She is only 18 months, so I don't know how much to push her. Cobe was just over 2 and Brooks was just over 3 when they were potty trained, but she begs to go on the potty. I guess it can't hurt to let her try. She had just pooped in her diaper and she immediately lets us know that she wants her dirty diaper off. She leads me to the potty and sits. She actually pushes and pushes, but so far, she has always already just done her business so she is pushing for nothing. Boy does she think she is big stuff though!

As I am typing this, I am listening to rumbling of thunder so I better make it short. I feel MUCH better today. Monday I felt horrible and yesterday I felt horrible. I woke up yesterday with a pulled muscle in my side as well as the cold, so it was not a good day. As the day went on, my side/back felt better. I still have a cold today, but didn't feel bad at all.

We have a busy weekend.. again. Tomorrow night is Cobe's school carnival so I am going to take the boys. Ryan works so he won't get home in time. Sadie is going to stay home as well because she'd be too much work while I am trying to help the boys play games. Cobe is then spending the night with a friend after the carnival. He has baseball practice bright and early Sat. a.m. so we'll head to that. Saturday night the Boeve girls are spending the night and we are having a cook-out with the Onstotts. I hope the weather holds up b/c it will be much better if the kids can play outside/eat outside. I am sick of this rain anyway!!! Cobe was supposed to have baseball tonight but it got canceled due to the rain. Ryan took the boys shopping. They hit Dunham's and both boys got new baseball cleats. No, Brooks doesn't need them at all, but he feels like he needs to be just like his big brother. They hit Famous Footwear and Barnes and Noble as well. It was nice for them to have a guy's outing while Sis and I stayed home and had girls' night! "-) Sunday morning I teach Sunday school again. I traded for the next week because we want to go up to the cottage next Saturday to pack up some stuff to bring home for our neighborhood garage sale on May 18th. We'll spend the night so we won't be home for me to teach next week. Mary Jo is having the boys spend the night next Friday night with Justin and Jake, and Lisa offered to have Sadie spend the night, so Ryan and I will get to go out and have 24 hours of freedom! We'll head up to the cottage on Saturday after rounding them all back up.
I am missing Survivor as I type this, so I am going to cut it off. I will update again soon!

UGH!

I woke up sick this morning. It is the first time I have been sick in a L-O-N-G time. I bypassed all of the kids' sickness all winter, and I finally got it. I think it is just a cold, but I have felt feverish off and on all day. I had to go to work because it would have been more work to leave lesson plans for a sub, than to just go in myself. I had no sleep all weekend and last night went to the Onstotts until 11:30 or so to help Julie with an interview for one of her classes. Of course we got to gabbing, and I stayed way too long. Friday night Cobe was up during the night thinking he was going to puke, which he never did, nor was he ever sick the next day, so that was weird. But it kept me awake for hours. Saturday night we didn't get home from our night out until almost 2 am, and then last night I got to bed after midnight. So, I am sure my body is run down and couldn't fight off the sickness. I didn't go to bible study tonight and I was supposed to help out in the Children's Program, so they rescheduled me for next week. We have a showing tomorrow morning, so Ryan, the kids and I all cleaned today. Now I am beat and am heading to bed EARLY! I will have to be up and out of here for the day by 9:30 or so because the showing is at 10. We are heading to Lisa's to hang out so Sadie can nap and I'll watch her kids while she is at work. Brooks gets to go to the pony farm tomorrow for a field trip so he is geeked! I hope something pans out soon for the house to sell because I am about tired of cleaning so much. It does make for a clean house, but unfortunately with 3 kids, that clean house doesn't even last an hour usually. A lot of work for strangers to come through that will never see your house again!!!!!! Let's hope it is different tomorrow! Good night! :-)

Cottage Fun

The kids got a kick out of floating on the tube around the lake.
Boeve and Lisa around the fire.
Ryan and me- we had to start the fire in the light so the kids could enjoy it.
Baseball game!

Boeve and his girls snuggled in for a nap that never happened!

We had fun at the cottage Friday night. We picked up Subway on the way in and then made a fire and had smores and marshmallows. The kids went swimming/floating and played baseball. Saturday we played outside and went to the park next door for awhile. Lisa and I even managed to get in a handful of Scrabble games here and there. We headed home in the afternoon to get ready to go out Saturday night. The weather was PERFECT! Who doesn't love spring???????

Unexpected Free Time

We were heading up to the cottage tomorrow after Cobe and I got home from school, so Ryan decided to go up tonight with Brooks and Sadie. Cobe and I watched Survivor, and he fell asleep watching it, so I just tucked him into bed. Once I get him off to school in the morning, I'll be able to run a few errands without the others. Nice! Cobe's class is actually walking to downtown Zeeland to look for a Golden Shoe (no clue what it is for???), so I am meeting him at 11:00 downtown for that. I'll probably get him from school a little early so we can beat the traffic. Ryan just called and said a big tree limb had fallen, so he is hunting down a chainsaw for me to pick up and take up there. I am sure he'll be busy all weekend working. The Boeves are going up with us, so we'll have some fun. It is supposed to be 72 degrees, so I know the kids will have a blast. We'll head home late Sat. afternoon. I have to teach Sunday School Sunday a.m. and haven't prepared my lesson yet. I'll take my camera to the cottage so I can post some pictures Sunday. Have a great weekend!

The Week Ahead

Spring is here! Yay! It was nice to have semi-warm weather today with no snow on the ground. And the week ahead looks okay too. Brooks and I went for a long walk this morning with Maya and Lisa. He was excited to tell Papa that he saw turkeys on our walk. After our walk, I came home and cut Ryan's hair. Yes, you heard it right. I cut Ryan's hair. It looks halfway decent too. He had to work on it himself a little when I was done, but he was pleased with the overall look. Yes, I know Amanda, your mouth is hanging open right now in shock! :-) I kept warning him that he did not want me to do it, but he insisted that I do it. :-)
I had bible study tonight and now am about to watch the Bachelor. Sadie has her 18 month old well- check up tomorrow morning. She seemed to be running a fever this afternoon after her nap, so I am glad she is going in tomorrow anyway. Wednesday night is the New Groningen talent show, so the boys and I may go to that if Cobe wants to see it. His best friend's (Chase) sister is in it, so we may go to support her. Thursday night he has his first baseball practice so at least the weather will be nice for that. Friday night we are heading to the cottage with the Boeves. We are going to hit the new restaurant in Lakeview called Tater Monkeys Friday night and then go to the cottage for a fire. I can't wait! We'll head home on Saturday in time to go to Warsaw, Indiana to see Sawyer Brown in concert if we get the tickets. Brent is still working on that aspect. Kyle, Amanda, Boeves, Culvers and us are going. The same group went last year, and it is always a fun time. I hope it all pans out. Sunday, I teach Brooks' Sunday School class. I think I only have 3 more times to teach this year before it is done for the summer. It makes me realize how close summer is!!!! Yippee!!!!!
The system Lisa and I put together is still working like a charm. We have had some great meals! It is nice to always have a variety and to always have a hot meal on the table with little to no thought about preparing it. We have to plan our April/May nights out because time is slipping by and we haven't had date nights yet this month due to spring break. I feel like we have something every single weekend so it will be hard to fit that in too, but it is important to do so we'll have to work on that.
Thanks to Brent for my birthday card and gift card to Target that I got today in the mail- you can't go wrong with a gift card to my favorite store!!!!!! I can't wait to use it. And thanks to the Hains- they invited my over for a cake she made for my birthday yesterday evening (and gave me a card and money). It was so nice because I wouldn't have had a cake otherwise. Mary Jo and Jim are back from FL and stopped by to visit last night with my birthday card and money gift too- I really appreciate it! Can't wait to spend it either!
So needless to say, I ended up having a very nice birthday- one that stretched on for over a week getting presents, cards and birthday wishes. Maybe I'll change my tune about not liking birthdays. I actually like them; I just don't like a big celebration is what I meant all along. I am very thankful that God has graced me with 37 wonderful years on earth and surrounded me with such loving family and friends. I couldn't hope for anything more.

Sunday Morning

Sadie and I trying to do our own photo shoot- in every shot, one of us was looking crazy.

It went much better when Sadie was by herself. She always kneels and says cheese when I say I want to take a picture of her. I wanted her to stand up so it would show how stinking cute her new cowboy boots are. Maybe she'll participate later.
My birthday prize from Ryan. He came home from work this morning around 8:30 and surprised me with this purse. He wanted to give it to me before I went to church. I love it!!! He got it from Amanda's sister Shawn- she makes them in all sorts of fun fabric combinations.

The boys ended up spending the night at Lisa's. Sadie and I went to TJMaxx, Old Navy, Payless and Target when she woke up from her nap. We were on the search for Sunday shoes for her. She came home with much more than Sunday shoes (which we did end up getting her some pink glitter shoes at Target for Sunday). I was not thrilled with the selection of shoes for her. No store has a very good selection of 5 1/2 which she needs right now. I ended up getting her size 6's hoping they'll work. She got a baseball cap, 3 pair of shorts, a jean mini-skirt, the cowboy boots, 3 shirts and a pink camo dress. Way too much! I got Cobe 2 new pair of jeans because he only has 1 pair that fit him right now. Poor Brooks got nothing.

Ryan and I watched the DVD "The Wedding Planner" last night. Very good! We had a quiet night without the boys- Sadie hit the sack around 7:00. We talked about what life would be like if we had never had kids. We both agreed- quite boring!!!! It was nice for a night though.

Sadie and I are off to church to meet Lisa and the boys. I am sure we'll have a quiet afternoon- Lisa said they got up at 6:30 this morning, so I am sure we'll have nap time over here this afternoon. :-)

Weekend Fun

Our Friday night fun- Cobe, Braelyn, Brooks and Sadie watching Finding Nemo.
Braelyn pushing Sadie around in a doll stroller- they both got a kick out of this activity.
L.A. Face with an Oakland Booty girl!
Selah and her dreamboat- she loves Ryan! In all of our pictures, she kept thinking Ryan was her daddy because he and Kyle look so much alike. She feels right at home in his arms because of it.

The weekend has been fun so far. We had the girls over while Kyle and Amanda went to Logan's. They were home early to pick them up, so I ran to Meijer's and got groceries. This morning we went to the pool and went swimming with the Boeve's. Then Lisa took us out to lunch for my birthday. We always hit the Pizza Hut in Holland after swimming, so we had some good grub. I opened my presents from her and got sooooo many nice things- WAY too much! I got a charm for my crocs- a cute daisy, a turquoise quilted backpack (like a Vera Bradley bag), my favorite candy- Cadbury eggs, a DVD, my favorite MaryKay lipstick color and a beautiful wood sign from True Vines that says Scatter Joy. Aren't you jealous you don't have a best friend that spoils you like that for your birthday!!!!! :-) Thanks a ton Lisa. And the gifts didn't stop there- she took the boys home with her for the afternoon and Sis is napping, so FREE TIME for Sarah!!!!!!!! WooHoo! Gotta love that!

I got cards in the mail yesterday from mom and dad, and a card and DVD that I wanted in the mail from Jeff, Michele and Miles. Thanks everyone! Who said I didn't like birthdays? I think I am beginning to change my mind. :-)

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!

Today is my mom's 64th birthday! Happy birthday! We love you very much! Wish we could be with you on this special day. Here are the kids wishing you a happy birthday! Sadie's sign does say Nana if you can't read it. :-) She wasn't fully cooperative! Love, Us

Overwhelmed with Love

Are you ever just overwhelmed with love for your kids, husband, family and friends? I have been lately. I have the best family and friends in the world!!!! Look how precious Sis is with her doggy- she loves it!
Brooks with his shooting range- he is quite the marksman!
Close-up and personal!
Brooks and his new treasure- a Tigers hat! Loves baseball!

What do we do on a snowy Wednesday?

We build cushion forts!!!!! The kids couldn't do much today- stuck inside while it sleeted, rained and snowed all day long. So we built pillow/cushion forts and watched some cartoons!
And we even got in our pj's so we were all snuggled in!

I had to work in Cobe's classroom this morning, so Ryan took Brooks and Sadie to the SWAT van and let them play in fire trucks. They got a kick out of that. Then the three of them hit Steve & Barry's, Dunham Sports and Mickey D's. Brooks got a Tigers hat and Ryan got a Tigers shirt out of the shopping trip. Sadie only got chicken nuggets! :-)

After dinner, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa Hains' house to celebrate Grandpa's 86th birthday! Wow! He doesn't act a day over 50! We had cupcakes and cookies and the kids played there and listened to old records. All 3 of my kids absolutely LOVE going to their house to visit and play. We headed home for baths and Sadie hit the sack and the boys are playing one last game of hockey before they head there as well.

Ryan has an outdoor tournament (shooting) tomorrow for his SWAT team and a pig roast. Can you imagine having to do that in this weather??? He is bummed because his SWAT team enters this every year and he and his partner usually fare pretty well- they usually have so much fun too. But I am sure it won't be quite as much fun in this weather.

Looking forward to my birthday weekend this weekend- Haha! For those of you who know me well, you know I am NOT a birthday person. I usually like to keep things low-key. We are having Braelyn and Selah spend the night Friday night. My kids can't wait! Sadie is obsessed with Selah and the boys adore Braelyn, so they are geeked! Cobe even turned down a sleepover invitation with one of his friends just so he could stay home with his cousins. Saturday we are going swimming with Lisa and her girls. Ryan works all weekend, so I am sure we'll celebrate another time. He wanted to go shopping tonight for birthday treats, but with this weather, I begged off. I don't need anything really, so I'd rather save our money.

My mom and dad gave me some great gifts over Spring Break. I got some pj's, some make-up, a bible cover, and a bath loofah with a long handle on it. They are also sending me $ for an IPod. I am debating about getting an IPod with the money or getting a new bike. Mine has seen better days, so I am torn about which one to get. I think I'll have to go look at both to decide.

Let's hope this is the last of the snow for the season and sunny days are ahead. Adios!

Under the weather

Cobe with his new look- no front teeth!
Brooks and his favorite pose lately.
Sadie enjoying her favorite snack- popcorn!
Ryan with his joke of a mustache- or is it Borat? (Yes, he shaved it off immediately after taking this picture.)

My day went back to normal today. I went to work and enjoyed being back. Ryan puked all night so he didn't go to work, and Cobe stayed home due to the stomach virus as well. They both are feeling much better and should return to work/school tomorrow. Let's hope this is our last round of the pukies for awhile.

Easter Morning

I took this picture yesterday to show how much snow we have on Easter.
Cobe with his Easter bunny treats. He got a ramp for his roller blades, bike, skateboard, etc.
Brooks with his treats. He got a T-Ball game.
And Sis with her treats. She got a puppy!!!!! (Don't worry mom, it isn't real!) It is very life-like and actually breathes while it sleeps.

They also got some candy, books, DVD's, and some money-filled eggs.

Cobe lost his hideous snaggle-tooth last night. It did not come out on its own. Ryan and I decided that nasty thing was coming out. Cobe of course cried and threw a fit. Ryan was trying to get him to stand still so he could put a piece of floss in his mouth, and I was trying to hold Cobe still so Ryan could pull it. Before we knew it, my hand knocked into Cobe's mouth while trying to keep his arms from flailing around and PRESTO- out came the tooth!!!! Unfortunately, the tooth fairy forgot to come in the midst of the Easter Bunny coming. Oops! She'll have to make a stop here tonight.

Plethora of Pictures

Look below to see some of the pics from our trip. We are home safe and sound, and I have never been so happy to be off the road. We had a safe, but not very pleasant trip home. We had a great week- fun, laughter, great company, great food, wonderful weather, etc. We left to head home yesterday at 1:00 in the afternoon. We were in a 3 hour traffic jam before, near and after Washington, D.C. Brooks threw up repeatedly on the way home, only making it into his bag some of the times. YUCK! Sadie screamed the whole 3 hours we were in the traffic jam. When we hit Ohio, we were in solid white-out, blizzard conditions. Ryan couldn't see a thing in front of him to drive. And of course, we got pulled over. Good thing Ryan is a cop or each trip to NC would cost us $150 in speeding tickets alone!!!!!! We got home around 3:15 this morning. We went straight to bed, and Cobe woke up first at 7:30. Ryan is just getting up now (10:15), so I think it is my turn to go back to bed. :-)

The boathouse where we spent most of our time- fishing, lying out, jet skiing and boating.
Nana and Papa's lake house A view of the beach where Cobe and Brooks built a fort. Yes- they had a tricycle in their fort and would ride it into the water.
A view of the big side yard- Old Gold in the background. :-)

Brent, Sadie and Rachelle
Cobe and his new passion- playing Scrabble on the computer. He played everyday.
Dad, Mom, Billy and Suzanne
The three stooges

My precious, genious nephew Miles. Boyfriend is only 19 months old and knows how to count to 8, say the alphabet, recognizes the letters you point to, say just about anything he wants to- I was AMAZED! Sadie just grunted at him. :-)
Nana and two of her sweethearts.
Family picture- no, that isn't Howdy Doody- it's Ryan.
Brent, Rachelle and Sadie. Sadie had an obsession with Rachelle-loved her to death. I guess that is a good sign, huh Brent?