Hit Hard

I have the flu- achy, headache, dizzy, fever, etc. Fun, fun! Lynette so graciously took Cobe for the day, and Sadie slept from 11:45-3:15 which helped a ton. I slept the whole time she did. Poor Brooks- he fended for himself. He is such a great kid! He is the easiest kid to be around. He was bored, but he never lets on. We aren't going out tonight obviously, so Ryan is going to take the kids over to the Tresemers to play since we can't go to the Griffins game. We were supposed to go to the Huizenga family reunion/Christmas party tomorrow that they have every year on Jan. 1st. We never get to go because usually we are still in NC. We were planning to go tomorrow (minus Ryan who has to work)- it is at the Grand Haven Conference Grounds. There is always a ton of food and kids running around everywhere, so I hate that I have to miss it. Mary Jo offered to take the kids, so I am sure Brooks and Cobe will go with her. Sadie probably will stay home b/c it starts at 12:30- so she needs to nap then anyway. Hopefully all will be well for our trip on Wednesday!!!!! Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to visit and I told them I was sick that they probably shouldn't come in, and Grandma went home and made us dinner. What a nice treat! I have no appetite, but I am sure Ryan will enjoy a good home cooked meal. I am fortunate to have such great friends and family! Thanks for your well wishes and prayers!

One of many picture posts from our Christmas down south

See next 3 posts as well for more pictures...
Cobe trying out his new Ripstick from Santa in the warm Raleigh weather!
Ryan breaking Brook's big wheel. Brooks got to ride it a few times, then Ryan thought it would be fun to try...
it busted all apart as he went down the hill. Poor Brooks!
He didn't seem that upset. Look at that handsome boy!
Cobe giving it a whirl after it broke. It was quite a sight to see him going down the hill with a busted front wheel.


FYI- My email has been down most of the week and still is today. So if you have emailed me, chances are I have not received it yet. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

We are home safe and sound. It was a quick 12 hour trip, even stopping for milk before we got home. We left at 5:02am this morning and pulled in our driveway at 5:09pm. Traffic was very light and the weather was great for traveling. The kids all did great and slept quite a bit for day travel. Unfortunately, I think I am now getting sick. I am VERY thankful that it held off for our vacation, and I hope I wake up and feel better, but about an hour after getting home, I started getting an achy back, shoulders, have been dizzy, and can't take a deep breath without it hurting my chest. Soooo, it feels like the flu is coming on. I pray that it's not- I would hate to miss our fun plans for tomorrow night and the rest of the week. We'll see. I am posting these pictures quickly while Ryan ran to get his police car for the morning, then we are all off to bed.

#2 picture post from Raleigh

Cutey Miles!
Uncle Brent and Sadie snuggling- she liked to do that for the majority of the time.
Brooks showing off his new pirate ship that he got to open Christmas Eve.
Sadie with her new prize possession- a Princess backpack! She was thrilled.

Cobe putting together his skate park that he got to open Christmas Eve.

# 3 pic post (mostly lake house pictures)

Brooks enjoying his new DVD player from Nana and Papa
Cobe spending time at the computer where he was a lot of the time (either playing Scrabble or Webkins)
Sadie watching her new DVD player-getting her a Barney fix.
Brooks got Jungle Book DVD from Jeff and Michele and they both loved watching it together.
Michele, Jeff and Miles in Raleigh on Christmas day.

#4 post (lake house pictures)

Brent, Lindsey, and Sadie
Sadie and Nana
The 4 cousins
Another cute picture of the 4 cousins (Cobe, Sadie, Brooks and Miles)

On the dock. Papa was adding a section to the dock because he is building a dock bar, so the kids were excited to help!

Our long journey home begins...

hopefully around 5:00am tomorrow morning. We have already loaded the car. We will be up bright and early to trek home. I pray for good weather, healthy kids, and happy, patient parents. :-) I feel really bad for my parents. Their pump to their well broke tonight so we are WITHOUT water! Yuck! We brought up buckets of water from the lake to at least flush the toilets, but we won't be able to shower before we leave. Ryan had just showered tonight before the pump broke, but the kids and I are feeling pretty grimy. I am looking forward to a long, hot shower when we get home tomorrow night. Brent and Lindsey are going to leave tonight and go back to Raleigh so they don't have to deal with it, but they aren't going to leave until we go to bed. Brent, Nana, Cobe and Brooks are playing a game of Scrabble right now in the kitchen. Lindsey, Papa and Ryan are watching the Patriots/Giants game, and Sadie has already hit the sack. I am letting the boys stay up super late tonight in hopes that they will want to sleep a lot on our trip home. I will post so many great pictures from our trip when I get home in the next day or two.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my sister-in-law Michele!!!!!! We celebrated her birthday last night. She is thirty-something years old today! :-) She, Jeff and Miles got here on Thursday and stayed until lunch time today. My kids had such fun with their cousin Miles. Brooks was longing for him tonight while looking at his picture.

Off to find some bottled water so I can brush my teeth and wash my hands before bed. :-(
So long until we are back in Michigan!

Still enjoying our vacation

Not much going on since the last post, but we are really enjoying the beautiful warm weather. The kids were outside quite a bit yesterday after our day of rain the day before. We went to Ronoake Rapids in the morning for a Wal-Mart outing. The kids all got new DVDs for the trip home. The boys got new socks as well because I don't think they own a pair without a hole in them. Mom took Cobe out later on shopping around here, but the rest of us stayed home. Ryan golfed yesterday and has already left again today to go golf. I am getting ready to go for a walk now before I shower- just getting started for the day (at 10:15). Nice! I'm always so lazy when I'm here.

Brent's girlfriend gets here tonight so we'll get to meet her for the first time. Mom and Dad have met her, but not us. We are staying an extra day just to meet her- that better mean it is serious and amounts to something! haha

It's nice to have plans to look forward to when we get home. Ryan works Monday and Tuesday, then Wednesday we leave for Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City with the Boeves. We are spending the night there and sort of considering it the boys' birthday presents. Don't think we are going to do parties this year. Cobe's birthday is so soon in January that it is always hard to plan a party so close to Christmas and being gone. So, hopefully they'll appreciate going to the water park instead. I may give in and let Brooks have a party in February since he has never had one before and turning 5 is something special! But we'll see. He isn't the one asking for one... shock!

New Year's Eve we are supposed to go to the Griffins game at the Van Andel with the Tresemers. After the game, they have indoor fireworks and everyone can ice skate until midnight. I am sure we'll skip the ice skating since Ryan will have worked the whole day and will work the next day as well. At least it is a fun family night to look forward to- something to do without having to get a sitter. Glenn got tickets for free so that is a nice perk as well.

What is everyone else doing to ring in 2008?????

Post Christmas post (catchy, huh?)

I wish I could post pictures from this vacay so far, but no such luck. I'll post when I get home. The kids have had fun playing outside until today. It rained all day today. Otherwise, Cobe has been enjoying his Ripstick (how did Landon like his Lynette?), Brooks has been riding a big wheel until Ryan rode it and broke it (pictures to come), and they have been having fun kicking the ball around and flying their new hornet and helicopter. We were in Raleigh until this afternoon. Pete and Sandy came over on the 24th and we got to visit with them for awhile. The boys got light up radios from them and Sadie got a mirror. They loved their gifts!

Last night Ryan and Brent went to see Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story. Ryan said it was so-so. Some funny parts but not as funny as he expected. I was going to go, but decided to stay home and now I'm glad I did. Ryan and I hit Target for after Christmas sales this morning. He added about 12 or so more movies to his collection and all I got was some 1/2 price napkins and plates for next year. We went to a golf store as well that he had gotten a gift card for and then he and Brent went to the Y to work out. We got to the lake around 5:00 and Carmen, Mike, Billy and Suzanne came over for awhile. We enjoyed seeing them for awhile and opening gifts with them. We'll see Carmen (soon to be a new mama) and Mike (soon to be a new dada) again in the morning before they head back to Charlotte. She has some cute boy names (and a girl name just in case) picked out for their soon to be baby. She'll find out in January if she is definitely having a boy. Billy and Suzanne gave the kids books and Carmen and Mike gave Cobe an ITunes gift card, Brooks a light up soccer ball, and Sadie a microwave oven. I don't even think I put everything they got from Nana and Papa, Jeff and Chele and Brent yesterday.

Cobe: a portable DVD player with case/accessories, a skate park for a mini skateboarder, a few books, a magic case with some magic tricks, an ITunes gift card, a Webkins, 2 shirts, Hyperslide game, 3 GameBoy games; Jeff and Michele gave him 2 DVDs and Brent gave him a hat, SiW shirt, bandana and a bracelet

Brooks: a portable DVD player with case/accessories, a pirate ship with pirates and other gadgets, a few books, an ITunes gift card, a Webkins, bug vacuum, 2 shirts, Bull's Eye game, a GameBoy game, 2 Leapster games; Jeff and Michele gave him 2 DVDs and Brent gave him a hat, SiW shirt, bandana and a bracelet

Sadie: a backpack, an apron/spoon/hot pads, a comforter/shams/sheets for her new double bed (when we move), some books, some hair accessories, make-up, mirrors, purses, a doll; Jeff and Michele gave her an AquaDoodle bear and a mini Doodle penguin and Brent gave her some charms that she has on her Princess backpack right now. I might conviscate one for my cell phone. Brent said that is what they were intended for. She actually ended up with a portable DVD player/case and accessories as well that Brent had gotten.

My gifts: pants, sweater and cami, a hand-held video recorder, earring holder, earrings, book, ITunes gift card, dish towels, $$$; from Jeff and Michele- black picture frames and Target gift card and Brent- a bag and SiW burnout tee.

Ryan: Guitar Hero with 2 guitars for his PS2, Tiger Woods for his PS2, $$$, ITunes gift card, boxers, baseball display cabinet, golf balls, golf store gift card; Jeff and Michele gave him Bourne Ultimatum DVD and ITunes gift card and Brent gave him SiW shirts and Red Bull shirt.

Whew! As you can tell, we had a very nice Christmas. I am sure I forgot a few things that we got, but that is the majority. I am going to use all of my Christmas money for a new bike, so I can't wait to pick it out. I am trying to convince Ryan to use his money for one too, but don't think I have quite convinced him yet. He has already spent several hundred dollars on new movies, so he doesn't have quite as much left as I do. :-)

Oh and Lynette, my mom got a necklace box from my dad- can you believe it? I know what one is now. He got it at a jewelry/gifty type shop, not a department store. I thought that was funny since you had searched for one.

I am sure we'll have a low-key rest of our vacation since we are now at the lake. Since Sadie got a portable DVD player, we are going to try and find her a Barney DVD tomorrow so she can watch it on our ride home. But, not a lot of places to shop around here, so we'll have to see what luck we have. I have 2 boys pestering me to get off of the computer, so I'll finally comply.

Merry Christmas!

We just had an excellent Christmas Eve dinner with my family. Seafood casserole- yummy! The kids, my mom and Ryan all went to Jeff and Michele's this morning, and I enjoyed some peace and quiet. Then Jeff, Michele and Miles came over for lunch and to play awhile. They went home for Miles to nap then came back again for dinner. Brent flew in around 5:00. We are just hanging out watching football now, so I am trying to find other things to do. Sadie is tucked in and Brooks is asking to go to bed, so I am off to do that deed. Merry Christmas! I wish everyone peace, grace and many blessings tomorrow and in 2008!

Larry KNOWS how to throw a party!!!!!

Only 364 more days until we get to party with Larry again. I can hardly wait! He is such a great host and really enjoys everyone being together. He did NOT want us to leave! He begs everyone to stay as long as they'd like. The night just went way too fast for his liking. Just think Larry- we can do it again for your birthday in June so we won't have to wait so long for another party. I know he needs to rest though- the man is a machine! He just hustles and bustles around all night serving everyone, cleaning up, making sure conversation is flowing- he is a natural. Thanks Larry for a wonderful evening! Oh- and tell Jen, I wish she'd do more. She really needs to get some lights in the family room before having everyone over again. At least you know proper etiquette even if she doesn't. :-)

Here are some pictures from our fabulous Hains' Christmas party tonight. It really was a fun night. I am stuffed! The kids really appreciated all of their gifts- Grandma and Grandpa Hains gave Cobe a remote control Hornet, Brooks got a remote control helicopter, and Sadie got a cash register and a Hello Kitty blanket. Very nice things!

Our gracious hosts- the Overzets (minus Josh)
1/2 the Huizenga family
Sadie and Uncle Kyle

Part 2

The grandparents and Braelyn watching the Hains' open their basket of gifts.
Jon VanDam- cousin in-law
Stephanie Van Dam- Ryan's 1st cousin
Grandpa and Grandma Hains opening their gifts from all of us. We each contributed gifts and Mary Jo wrapped them all up in a basket. It was neat to watch them open all of their little gifts.
Cousins JJ, Brooks, Braelyn, Josh and Selah watching JJ's DVD player.

Score!

Cobe's team won tonight- it was 11-2 or somewhere in that ballpark. Dimitri scored 3 goals!!!! The other 8 points were spread out among the other players- Cobe got 1 goal tonight. He played really well as did his teammates. It has been much more fun to watch indoor soccer this year. Last year, I dreaded going to the games, but this year, his team has really pulled together and seems to know many more skills. We left the game and went to Russ' with Mary Jo and Jim. Dimitri went with us as well. We had a good dinner and a room pretty much to ourselves, which was nice since the kids ran around after they ate.

Sadie impressed me tonight with speaking a full, completely clear sentence. We were heading to pick up D for the game, and she pointed to the seat beside her and said, "Is Dimitri going to sit there?" It was super clear. It made me realize how FAST she is growing up. I realize she knows a lot more than Cobe did at her age because she has 2 brothers to teach her- the good and the bad. She seems much more independent than her brothers were, but she also is naughtier than they were as well. When she is mad at me or anyone lately, she calls me/them a "poopy head." Not attractive! She hasn't chucked that out for a few days now, so I hope she has forgotten that one.

This morning Lynette came over and helped Ryan with his Ipod- or should I say MY Ipod. I inherited his old nano since he got a classic for Christmas. I thought I didn't even want an Ipod, and now that I have his "old" one, I already want a new one like his. He can watch full-length movies, tv shows, podcasts, videos, etc. on his in addition to listening to music. He can also load pictures. He has been downloading podcasts every morning and watching the news and history shows during the day. Pretty neat how much technology has advanced in my lifetime. Lynette left Elliot here for awhile while she ran and did a few things, so the kids had fun playing with Baby Elliot. I went to work, came home and then we pretty quickly headed to Cobe's game.

Now Ryan is vying for his computer time. That is the downside of all of our new Ipods- he hogs the computer downloading music/podcasts on everyone's Ipods. I guess I shouldn't complain- I would much rather him do it than me!

Derby Days

The pictures aren't the greatest, but here are a few of Cobe's Derby Car Races tonight at church. Once again, he did NOT place. His car seemed faster this year, but not fast enough. They give trophies to 1st-3rd places, and boy, did he want a trophy. Oh well... there is always next year. :-)

Waiting to race.

Aren't we full of smiles?

The whole gang of 2nd grade racers.

Justin and Cobe after defeat. :-)

Cobe is real thrilled with his Participant ribbon. Can you tell? Haha

Slacker!

I am a slacker! I didn't wake up until 8:10 this morning. Needless to say, Cobe missed the bus. They were all still sleeping so soundly. I ran into Cobe's room, woke him up and told him to bust a move. He managed to get dressed, brush his teeth and eat breakfast in record time. We still were a little late to school (sorry Em!!!!), but I got him there by 8:45. I couldn't even go in and sign him in b/c I looked atrocious. So, hopefully his wonderful teacher is forgiving. :-) Then I was supposed to watch Elliot this morning. But.... I must have been in the shower when Lynette came to drop him off so we didn't hear her. She left and called me later to tell me she had been here. I feel so horrible! I told Brooks to listen for her while I was in the shower, and I came down and unlocked the front door before I dried my hair in case she came, but somehow, we still didn't hear her. Sorry Lynette! I feel like now I have it together and the rest of the day should go smoothly. Let's hope anyway!

Sunday was such a great day. The kids enjoyed all of their Santa gifts all day, and so did Ryan and I. I gave him a new Ipod so he spent the day loading podcasts and songs to it. He gave me the American Idol game for Playstation, so the family spent a lot of time down in the basement playing that. Those who know me know that I LOVE to sing (even though I can't!), so it really was the perfect gift. And for those of you who think I CAN'T sing... Randy, Paula and Simon have lavished the compliments on my performances! So there! Haha The Bell kids came over last night for awhile, and Landon and I went head to head in competition. I have to say that I won. (Didn't hurt that he didn't know any of the songs!) Ryan thinks this game might actually be good for me and teach me how to stay in tune better.

We were going to go to Logan's tonight to use our gift certificate from Jennifer, but I just put stuff in the crock pot for Beef Stroganoff, so I think we'll wait until after the holidays. It doesn't go as well the nights Ryan works and we have to get a later start- Sadie gets too crabby. Lisa and I are going to make some tiles for her and her mom sometime this week, so I need to run to Michael's and get the supplies. I ordered the pictures last night on-line, so I just have to run in Walgreen's to pick them up.

Tomorrow night is Cobe's Derby Car Race at church. Wish him luck! He wants a trophy in a BAD way! He races at 6:00 if anyone reading wants to come watch. :-) I haven't even seen his car this year- hopefully it will be a fast one. Thursday night he has a soccer game at 6:00 and then we are going out to dinner at Russ' with MJ and Jim. Friday night is another Christmas party- Ryan's family plus the Hains' and the Lohman's. Saturday a.m.- another soccer game, then Cobe heads to Grand Rapids with some boys to spend the night at a hotel for Jaxson's birthday party. So we'll be busy (or Cobe will anyway!) until Christmas. We are looking forward to seeing all of my family!!!!!!

Santa Came Last Night

Santa always comes early to our house since he has so many kids to visit. We help him out each year by letting him come early. :-) He came last night and left lots of goodies for the kids, me and Ryan.

Sadie got this new kitchen. She came down the steps and Ryan said, "Wow, look at your new kitchen that Santa brought you." She said, "I wanted an IPod!" No lie! We couldn't stop laughing. She got some Littlest Pet Shop animals as well, Polly Pocket and a coloring pad.
Brooks got a b-ball, walkie talkies, an IPod shuffle, some SW gear, a MI shirt, a digital camera and some Diego legos.
Cobe got an IPod Nano, a Ripstick, some SW gear, b-ball, a digital camera and some skateboards.
Here is dolly playing with her new kitchen. She kept using hot pads saying that everything was hot.
Santa brought me a Vera Bradley purse, American Idol Playstation 2 game (which I LOVE), and a nightshirt. Santa brought Ryan an IPod classic, 20 Questions game, a Target gift card, a SW shirt and some candy. We really had a nice Christmas!!!!!!!!

Christmas Pictures from Tonight

We had such a nice time with Ryan's family tonight. We got there around 5:00, ate, Santa came to visit, and we opened presents. We all got VERY nice gifts, and we appreciate everything!

Santa is STRONG!

The boys and Santa

Surly Sadie- she was BENT when Santa came near her!

Uncle Larry with Sadie's My Little Pony Pipe! Ain't he cute????

Justin got a new toy called Guitar Star and so all the guys (and Jen!) jammed out for awhile.

Josh, Grandpa and baby Gracyn

Kyle and Sadie

Blurry picture of 8 of the 9 grandkids

Santa giving Cobe and Brooks their presents

Sadie screamed the whole time Santa was there. She was a little frightened. She loved her kitty that he gave her though.

Pictures of Crib and Changing Table

Here are pictures of the crib and changing table for sale. Purchased new- the crib was over $600. I can't remember the brand and couldn't find the brand on the crib, but it originally came from an upscale boutique in NC. (Sorry for the crowded room pictures- we have her new bed up in the same room making for a very crowded room right now.) Crib is in very good condition- mattress included. Both pieces for $200.00. (Smoke-free, pet-free home)




Changing table matches the crib. It would come with the changing table pad, but not the 4 wicker baskets.
Email if interested.