Sunday, August 31, 2008

Happy, Happy Birthday to you!



I know Levi can't read but I am sending him a special Birthday message. Three years ago today a special little boy joined our world and our lives would not be the same without him. Thank you Levi for all your smiles, laughs, and hugs. I feel so blessed to be your mommy, and am so glad that you are part of our family. We all love you very much and can not wait to watch you continue to grow. Happy Birthday Baby!

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Summertime

We have been able to spend some good family time together this summer. Joe's schedule is a little more flexible now so most weekends we have free- what a concept huh? anyway one night we decided to head to Rockford to relive some good memories, we went to the Corner Bar for dinner and had ice cream at Rocky's. We also took a walk by the damn and took some pictures so here goes (these are really for you Honey and Grandpa)
Oh yeah, and the boys were almost attacked by the killer Canadian Geese, seriously we had to run!
As you can tell, Noah is so excited that I want to take yet another picture, and Levi saw a cute girl :)

Levi really and I mean really enjoyed his ice cream!

We also had the joy of taking the boys bowling and mini golfing one Saturday, believe it or not we had nothing planned that day, so it turned out to be a really fun day. This was the first time for Levi so it was very overwelming, but good. I love being a parent and being able to help your children learn how to do something new. Before that day Levi had no idea how to bowl or golf, what fun!

Noah informed us that he has been bowling 5 times before this so he does not need any help. I think he beat Joe too!
To make the day even more exciting, when we went golfing they were playing Joe's favorite kind of music in the whole world - Christmas music, why you ask? it was Chirstmas is July don't yah know? Levi didn't like golfing so much, he got very frustrated,but he liked running on all the greens.
Joe really took this seriously!


We had a chance to go Blueberry and Raspberry picking with some friends for the first time as well, I noticed that this summer is a lot of new things for the kids, and some for me too!

We had friends over for a grill out too, the kids had a blast with their friends, and the adults too:) That night was a perfect summer night, good friends, good food, and super hero popsicles.




We also had the opportunity to go the Fredrick Meijer Gardens with some very dear friends, we had a great day and look forward to many more. Thank's guys again!

Last but not least Gretchen and I took the boys camping for 3 nights at Son Life camp. It was a great time but I now understand the importance of a camper instead of a tent with children :) I can't wait to do it again though it was a fun time. Don't worry the Michigan State chair was given to Gretchen as a joke, we did not switch sides!
I love this picture of Noah, they were both fish all weekend, and Noah perfected his bike riding skills, he now can ride his two wheeler perfect and even on the gravel roads too.
I would like to inform you that Gretchen and I made this fire on our own, who needs boys right?
We have had a wonderful summer so far and with only three weeks left I am reminded of how quickly things are going to get really busy again. Noah will be in first grade, and gone all day and Levi is going to a speech group twice a week for two hours at a time. Noah is also playing soccer which starts the week of school and Joe job is going so well that he is getting new clients weekly. I am not meaning to complain in the least bit, I have just enjoyed my summer with my family so much. It will be hard to get back in the swing of things,( and set the alarm clock everyday :) but it is a new school year with so much to learn. Enjoy the rest of your summer, and remember these lazy days when you driving around town all day every day :)

Oh yeah and by the way Joe has not smoked in 6 weeks! He is doing so well and I am so proud of him for doing this. Joe you rock!