A little more peace today AND BABY NEWS!!!!!

Ryan and I had so much fun last night. Our friends (Tresemers- Glenn and Susie) called and said they were running late, so Ryan and I went to Gap Outlet before dinner to stock up on underwear and socks for the boys. They were in desperate need of both. Then we went to Curragh's downtown and had drinks and appetizers while we waited. We tried to hit the Outpost, but the stores close sooooo early downtown on Saturday. I don't really understand why- the streets were packed with people, and nothing was open. Even the Peanut Store was closed. Glenn and Susie got there around 7:30 and we had a wonderful dinner. I had a vegetable Boxty- yummy potato pancake stuffed with veggies and cheddar cheese sauce on top. It was very good. Ryan had Shepherd's Pie and liked his as well. We laughed the whole time at Glenn's stories- he is a hoot! We moved inside around 10 to the bar. We ended up staying out way later than I expected since Ryan had to work today. We didn't get home until midnight. I was super tired this morning so I am sure he is whipped at work. Lisa and Chad took the kids out for donuts this morning, then dropped them off after that. I was up at 7:30, so I got a lot accomplished this morning as well before they came home. Sadie was absolutely exhausted and fell out of her chair twice onto the kitchen floor so she is back in bed. The boys are just chilling too. Cobe is supposed to go with Dimitri to Crane's this afternoon so he has asked me a hundred times when he gets to go.

I AM AN AUNT AGAIN!!!!!! Check here for a picture of the new little one:
Baby Gracyn

I just got a call from Kyle, and Amanda had her baby!!!! Little girl GRACYN KAY was born at 11:01 this morning: 8 lbs. 9 oz. and 19 inches long. Amanda didn't even get to the hospital until 10:15 this morning. No time for an epidural. Poor Amanda! Kyle said she did great though, but she never wanted to go through that again. Mom and baby are doing great! Kyle said Gracyn looks like a little linebacker. :-)

Heaven on Earth!

Have I mentioned before what an amazing friend Lisa is????? Have I???? She is THE BEST! She keeps me sane in many ways, but today is a perfect example of how selfless she is. She came to Cobe's soccer game- the whole family did. We all went to Chuck E. Cheese's together for lunch (my kids did not get enough of it last night at the party- they had such a blast they wanted to go back again). Then, she took my kids for the afternoon AND night! Any mom knows what a treat that is for me. They were going to play outside all afternoon on this gorgeous day and make a fire tonight to roast hot dogs and marshmallows. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Lisa!!!!! So, I went to VS in the mall to get new undies and to Claire's to get Maya's birthday present. Now I am home and about to head out to the grocery store. I'll come home shower in peace and Ryan and I are heading out with some friends for the evening. We were going to the BOB to hear a comedian, but there was no comedian tonight after checking into it, so we are going to Curraugh's in Holland for dinner and to hang out. I am sure it will be an early night since Ryan is working today and tomorrow. Then I'll have all morning to myself- YAY! I am going to meet Lisa at church for Sunday School, then we'll probably head home b/c I cannot deal with Sadie the entire service by myself. She's atrocious at church. She loves Sunday School though and does well in there.

We went to Landon's party last night and we all had so much fun. Liz got pizza and pop for the adults as well, and she included Sadie in the party fun. They played games and danced, and Brooks even got over his fear of Chuck. He hugged him and was dying to go back today to see him again. Boeve started calling him "Forrest" as in Forrest Gump because Brooks was making so many odd noises while we were there for lunch. He was quite excited to play and see Chuck. He can be so shy at times, and then wide open at others. Today was a prime example of him cutting loose. We left the party and headed to the Dux/Chix game. The Chix got smoked 38-0 and they called the game at half-time. Never been to a game where that has happened, but we were leaving anyway b/c it was getting late. We wanted to stay to see Landon (Bell) go out on the field with his football team and Bailey cheer, then we left.

Today Cobe played his cousin Justin in soccer. Such a rivalry they had created. They had been talking smack when they saw each other about the other one losing. Cobe's team was undefeated, so I was hoping today wouldn't be their first loss. No worry- Cobe's team won 4-0 and Cobe scored 2 of the goals. Dimitri scored the other 2. Those boys were on fire! It is so much fun to watch them play.

I am off to the grocery store. It is amazing how much time I can waste when I don't have 3 kids needing me!

Yesterday's Pictures

We attempted to have our pictures taken last night. We headed out to the beach and wham- a storm moved in out of nowhere. I had never even seen on the weather that it was going to storm. It was bad. The wind was atrocious and it was raining and lightening. My biggest gripe is that the State Park was still charging $6 to get in!!!!!! I thought they stopped at Labor Day. Now there is a sign that they collect money ALL year- what a waste. Anyway, Selena worked her magic and got a few good shots even in the midst of a storm! You can visit her blog to see a few: click here. I am going to go to her studio and have her take individual ones of the kids since I don't have any recent ones.

New Golfer in Town

Ryan with his new golf bag, golf hat and golf glove that he bought with his birthday money.
Brooks before he went golfing with Ryan this morning. Hamming it up as usual.
Sadie couldn't be left out of a photo shoot!
Another crazy shot of the new golfer in the family.

Men before their round of golf. Ryan has taken Brooks out a few times when Cobe is at school, and boy does Brooks think he is something else. He tells Cobe the second he walks in the door what he got to do with his dad. I thought it would bother Cobe, but he didn't seem to mind. They have been going to the driving range to practice, and today, Ryan was going to actually take him to golf 9 holes while Sadie and I go to dance.

We had church last night- 16 little four year olds in our class last night!!!! Way too many to be very productive. We headed home; the boys watched their favorite new show "Kid Nation" while I ran to the neighbor's to get some new Mary Kay products. I was in desperate need of eyeliner, lip liner and a few other things. Tonight we head to the beach for pictures. Yay! Sadie has NEVER had her picture taken professionally in her 2 years of life. Isn't that sad? For Cobe I took him every 3 months to Sears. For Brooks, I took him once to Sears, and Selena took his once, and for Sadie- NOTHING! I am a bad, bad mom. :-) Since the introduction of the digital camera, I don't feel the need for as many professional shots.

We are off to the store before dance- we have to get wrapping paper for some birthday gifts and baby gifts. The boys have a party to go to tomorrow night at Chuck E. Cheese. Tonya had her baby Tuesday (little girl Olivia Ryan), so I need to wrap her gift. After Chuck E. Cheese tomorrow night, the boys want to hit the big Chix/Dux football game. We'll have to see. It will be EXTREMELY crowded and I don't know how long the party will last. Ryan works all weekend, but we are still going out Saturday night with some friends to a comedy club at the B.O.B. in Grand Rapids. Can't wait!

check it out

Check out my friend Nina's blog to see some awesome pictures she took last week at dance class. She has some other pictures on her blog of her kids at an amusement park, so scroll down to find Sadie. She is taking our family pictures Thursday night at the beach. Can't wait!

Back in the Groove

Well I feel like after a few weeks of being tied to a schedule, we have settled into a comfortable routine. Not that I always like it, but at least I know what to expect. Kids don't make sense- they don't want to sleep in when they can, but as soon as they have to get up, they would rather sleep in. Cobe could sleep all day if I would let him. Brooks has been sleeping in as well. All summer, they were up at the crack of dawn! Go figure!

Saturday night was a blast. We haven't stayed out that late in a long time. We went to Friday's in GR to eat, the bullride, then Lisa, Ryan and I went over to the Margarita Grill after the PBR. We had so much fun! We were supposed to meet up with some riders that we knew, but we ended up heading over there with one of my brother's friends, Scott and some buddies of his. Some riders came over and we met them (Tater Porter, Brian Herman, and I can't remember the other ones), but Sean headed back to Detroit that night and Ross went to Friday's to eat, so we never saw them. I think I paid for the late night on Sunday. Ryan and I both slept all afternoon proving we are too old to stay out late! We went to Sunday School and church and then to Mary Jo's for lunch before taking mega-naps. Ryan stayed home from work on Monday because he has a horrible cold. He went to work today so I hope he feels better.

Cobe started back to Bible Study last night. Last year he went to the first half of the year and then he didn't go back after Christmas break. He seemed to enjoy it last night, so I guess he'll want to keep going. He got up this morning and wanted to do his lesson right away. Of course we didn't have time, so we can work on it tonight.

We are getting pictures taken Thursday night out at the beach with Selena, so I have to find something for the kids to wear. I have an outfit I want Sadie to wear so it is a matter of finding plain shirts that match for the boys. I was going to head to Old Navy this morning or to the Gap, but I don't have the gumption to drag the younger 2 with me, so I guess I'll go tonight when Ryan gets home.

Another hot day today- I am ready for 70 degree weather instead of this unseasonal super hot weather. Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

Cobe in Action

Cobe played goalie first quarter and made quite a few saves!
Of course I never got an action shot, but here are a few of him waiting for a big play.
Cobe after passing the ball.


Sadie chilling on someone's coat- I don't even know who took this picture! There were about 5 pictures that I didn't take. Brooks had my camera for awhile, so he may have taken it.

Cobe's team won again 4-2. Dimitri scored 2, Cobe scored 1, and Cameron scored 1. Cobe got hurt towards the end of the game. Some dude waylayed him. He was down for a minute or two, but got back up and finished the game. His shoulder was hurt in the process but he seems fine now. Dimitri and Landon came over here after the game. We had pizza and now they are outside playing. I am heading off to work on my Bible study then off to dinner and the PBR.

PBR

Fun stuff going on last night. We were all tired when we set off for GR, but we were quickly revived as soon as we got to the excitement of the PBR at Van Andel. It was so much fun! Unfortunately, our favorite rider and friend, Sean Willingham, got bucked off. But our other fav and friend, Ross Coleman, placed 2nd! We are heading back tonight for some more action. We were able to hang out a little with Ross and Sean after the ride so the boys were thrilled (okay- Cobe was thrilled, Brooks was nervous). Brendan Clark remembered us too- those guys are down-to-earth, super-nice guys! We are fans for life!



Brooks refused to smile (not unusual),but at least he looked for this one shot.
Cobe and Sean Willingham after the ride.
Ross on his awesome 86.75 2nd place finishing ride!
This is Justin McBride riding a bull that NO ONE has ever stayed on before. Look at the bull buck!!!!

We ended up having the 3rd showing on our house last night as well. The couple called back and wanted to come through at 5:30, so I quick cleaned up/straightened up again. 3 different showings in one day! I think that is why I was so tired last night- it is stressful to keep a house in tip-top shape for an entire 24 hours with 3 kids!!! Anyway, they seemed to like it and have to be out of their house by Nov. 1st, but are looking at Knollwood (where we are eventually moving) as well as a few other houses. I hope and pray that one of the 3 people will be interested enough to decide on our humble abode! :-)

Off to Cobe's soccer game at 11:00. Ryan is golfing in a memorial golf tournament for an officer who died in his department a few years back. He didn't get ask to do it until yesterday b/c some guy last minute canceled, so he'll be tied up with that until mid-afternoon. He had a very nice birthday- thanks for all the cards, gifts, money and well-wishes.

My crazy little ones

Sadie was bent out of shape ALL morning. She screamed and fussed and whined and nothing would make her happy. It was funny because I went to pick up Brooks from preschool and 2 other moms were standing there waiting with their little ones, and all 3 of us had had the same experience all morning- crabby kids! Maybe something in the air? She has some red places on her gums, so I am hoping she is just teething, otherwise we are in for some fun times with her as a 2 year old!!!! I gave her some Tylenol and she did improve somewhat. But, we had 2 showings this morning on our house! Well worth the cleaning. One was one we expected, and the other was a mom of a little girl in Brooks' preschool class. She is putting her house for sale tomorrow and knows she wants to be in our neighborhood. There are only 4 houses for sale right now in our neighborhood, and 2 are smaller for the same price. One is bigger and $25,000 more than ours, so I guess we'll have to see. She came over after preschool and went through it and may want to come back with her husband at a later time. The other "maybe" called as well while I was teaching, so I couldn't get the phone. I called her back and had to leave a message, so I haven't heard back. So I assume since she was calling, they may want to come through as well. Nice for no advertising! Ryan's friend who went through is going to call in a few days after thinking about it. Hopefully one buyer will be found in the sea of lookers!!!!!!

The boys have been making L-O-N-G lists for Christmas and their birthdays, and it is killing me (and my mom!) the things they are asking for: it will be an expensive technological Christmas! Gone are the toys and in are the gadgets. They want tvs and DVD players for their rooms, walkie talkies, digital cameras, IPods, computers, etc. Wow! They are dreaming big for such little pipsqueaks! Cobe also wants a RipStick and Brooks wants this ESPN Batting game, so we'll see what Santa decides! Haha

These pictures are the kids and I goofing off this afternoon. The ones of me and Sadie were taken by Brooks- might as well practice when a kid wants his own camera! :-)






Be back sometime this weekend with PBR pictures!

Baby Elliot

Well excitement came to our house this morning. Baby Elliot got to come play. I had to give him a break and put him in the chair just so Sadie would leave him alone for a minute. As you can tell, she stayed right there by his side even when he was in the chair. :-) Brooks loved playing with him too. He wanted to hold him the whole time.


Then Lynette was SO kind to help me. Lisa is sick today, so Lynette watched Brooks while Sadie and I went to dance, and then watched both of them while I worked. Get well soon Lisa! Thanks a TON for your help Lynette!!!!

The new season of Survivor starts tonight, so I'll be tuned in at 8:00 most likely with the boys. They love the show as well. We watched the new show called ' Kid Nation' last night and it was a hit with the boys. Survivor for kids as Cobe called it. We had a great first night back at church last night. I am teaching Brooks' class, and we had thirteen 4 year olds!!!! It was fun though. Cobe enjoyed his class too. Ryan and I have to clean good tonight. We are showing our house tomorrow possibly to 2 different people. One is definitely coming through and another person called last night to schedule a showing either tomorrow or Saturday. We need to advertise at some point if we are going to keep the house for sale by owner, but I keep putting it off. I like the little lull in action. Hopefully one of these two showings will pan out and I won't have to advertise! :-) Hope everyone has a great weekend! We'll be celebrating Ryan's birthday and hitting the PBR events both nights. Toot-a-loo!

Our Old Stomping Ground

We hit Logan's again tonight (so did Lynette and her family and Tina and her family). We are starting to be regulars there. Everyone in our family loves it and you can't beat the price! We even tried something new tonight- it was absolutely heaven. They have these miniature little buckets for dessert with whip cream on top, a nutter butter cookie sticking out of that, a layer of peanut butter topping, a layer of chocolate and then chocolate mousse on the bottom. DELIGHTFUL! You can get 3 for 5 bucks! So we got three- Ryan ate one, Cobe ate the topping off of one and Brooks ate the mousse out of 2. I had some of Ryan's. Yum! We then left and made a return at Target, stopped at Meijer's and picked up a cake for Ryan's grandma and headed over to her house for her 87th birthday. Tomorrow is her actual b-day, but we have a very busy day tomorrow, so we went tonight.

Tomorrow, I have to go into work early b/c we are taking our team of kids to the park for lunch and some team building activities. Then tomorrow night, Wednesday night church activities start back up. I am teaching the 4 year olds, so I will get to be with Brooks after he goes to choir. I need to still look at the lesson tonight and prepare a little.

Thursday we have nothing on the agenda. Friday night my brother (THANKS BRENT!) got us PBR tickets so we are taking the boys. Saturday night, he was able to secure us 6 tickets so we are going with Kyle and Amanda and Lisa and Chad. We are going to go out for dinner before hand. We love the bullride each year so I am excited about the weekend. Cobe has his 3rd soccer game Sat. morning at 11:00 as well. And then, we may go to the Honda place where we got my last Odyssey to look at new ones. Doubt we'll get it this weekend, but we are going to start looking. Ryan wants to keep the one I have through one more winter. I, of course, want a new one now. We'll see! Mine has 76,000 miles on it and I've had it since January of 2001, so I am due a new car. (Ryan has had 3 in the time I have the van.)

Off to prepare to watch the finale (I think it's the last one) of Big Brother! WOO HOO!

Caught up on picture posts for awhile

Okay, now I feel like I have posted a gazillion pictures lately, so maybe I'll take a break from that. Just news for awhile (boring, huh?). Yesterday we ended up having such a great day outside. One of Brooks' friends (Landon Culver) and his dad came over and we had a baseball game all afternoon. Mary Jo came over and played with us, and when Lynette came to drop off Cobe from her house, her Landon ended up staying as well. So we had a fun time playing outside. Sadie had to be drama queen b/c she wasn't getting all of the attention, but other than that, we had fun. :-) Landon ate dinner with us, then I ran him home and headed off to Old Navy and Target to do some damage. Got quite a few things for the kids at Old Navy b/c everything in the store was 25% off for kids. I just squandered time at both places b/c I was loving the time to myself. I was going grocery shopping afterwards, but spent so much time in the other 2 stores, that I was too chicken to go to Meijer's that late. Oh well- we didn't need anything major anyway. Today we went to Sunday School and church. Sadie Claire even started 2 year old Sunday School. I was SHOCKED that she stayed in the class, never cried, and had a blast!!!!! She is WAY too young for that! I couldn't believe how grown up she acted. She will be 2 in October of course, but the 2 year old teacher (Hey Amy!) said she could start coming this year. I wasn't going to argue! The boys enjoyed their new class as well. We came home, Sadie went to bed, Brooks went to bed, and Cobe headed off to Landon's again (after inviting himself!!!!). He had so much fun over there. He did say though Lynette that Landon could come here next time- so we'll have him over soon. :-) Sadie woke up after a very short nap and Brooks slept the entire day. After dinner, we all went over to the Bell's to pick up Cobe so Sadie could get her baby fix and so Brooks could work out some energy after sleeping all day. It was a fun day. The busyness of the week starts back tomorrow- school for the boys, work for me, Bible study at night. Ryan's birthday is Friday of this week, so I'll have to work on some sort of celebration for him= hopefully, it will be the bullride in GR with the kids Friday night. Brent is working on that. Hope everyone has a great week!


Sadie before her very first day of Sunday School- she was proud as punch to go to "school."
Strain your neck to see a full body shot.
Playing football this afternoon with Brooks. She really got into it.
Going after Brooks to tackle.
Brooksie coming in to score a touchdown! Then my batteries died! :-)

Not the pictures I intended...

I took my camera to Cobe's soccer game this morning intending to get lots of great action shots. I forgot to ever pull my camera out of my purse! Oh well- at least he has 4 more games so I can try again next weekend. Last night we went to the football game at the high school- freezing cold, but the kids still enjoyed it. We went to Cobe's 11:00 game this morning. He got invited over to Landon's to play after the game, so I am sure he'll have a blast. I am home; Sadie is napping; and Brooks is about to fall asleep. Looks like I'll get some quiet time which I desperately need so I can do my Bible study for the week. Here are some pictures that I took this morning before the game when we were just playing around.



The soccer star- Cobe.
A very tough and serious pose.
2 crazy kids!
The two stooges taking a break from a wrestling match where Sadie whipped Brooks' butt!

This is how most mornings go- Sadie wanting to play rough and the boys not liking it very much or either she hurts them somehow. Such a brute! (This is her true nature- not the sweet little ballerina pictures! )
Friends again for the moment.
Brooks is pretending to be a bear (so he says).
Mr. Cool can never just give me a plain ole smile for a picture. Nice rooster tail in his hair!
Cobe and Brooks took pictures all morning (I deleted most of them), but this one seemed to turn out okay.

A few more pictures

Here are a few more pictures of Sadie. I don't know how to flip them so you'll have to look at them sideways. Check out the post below for better ones.

Dance With Me

Sadie had her first dance class this morning. She sure did look the part. She got all dolled up in her tights, ballet slippers, leotard, and ponytail. Boy did she think she was something else. She had a lot of fun. Her daddy couldn't get enough of her!!!!! We had fun- there are 4 little girls in the class- one of them being Presley, Kristen's little girl, so they had a lot of fun playing together. She got a coloring page at the end of a ballerina and you would have thought the teacher had given her a bag of candy. She held it still the whole way home and was so excited to get that page. Here are a few little pictures of the diva herself.





I took 7 more, but don't have time to download them- I'm off to work!

Like Father Like Daughter

Sis and her new obsession. Those of you who know Ryan know that he always has on a stocking hat- summer or winter. He is obsessed as well. I guess his daughter has inherited his obsession. Or maybe it is that the poor girl doesn't have any toys to play with since they have been packed up for as long as she has been able to play with toys. With our house on the market for over a year, all she has to play with are winter hats and gloves. How sad!


Sadie as the homeless bag lady. Hat, glove and mitten.
Sadie snuggled on the couch this morning with her daddy, kitty and of course, her hat.

I do love my little girl so much! We have fun with her in the mornings, now that both of her brothers are in school.

Bathing Beauties

Just some quick shots of bathtime tonight.