Holiday photos

Now that Christmas is upon us we wanted to share a few pictures and our Christmas card....

"How long is this gonna take Mom??"
(notice Reece WOULD NOT wear a pair of dress shoes, only so many battles I will fight!)

One way to get a natural smile out of Reece is to involve sports:)!

Love, love, love this picture of Graham

Our Christmas card 2013

Overall I think the picture captures the boys spirit exactly and holding hands (ahhhh)!  

The finish line!

Disclaimer: I struggle letting many people into my core but I decided that I owe it to myself to write this moment down.

I have spent the better half of ten years wishing for more for myself.  I have decided several times to go back to school but then life always happened - we moved across the country twice, I found a new somewhat fulfilling job, I became a mom, the list goes on leaving the end result that I didn't follow through.  

Then it happened, the day I walked into the education program at Oakland University.  I was as nervous as I was excited.  But more importantly I knew this time was different!  The past two in half years have been an emotional, financial, and even physical stress on myself, the boys, and my family.  I have had every reason to take a semester off - a difficult pregnancy, a newborn baby, financial stress, or just trying to raise two boys.  However, I also had every reason to see it through.  I have quit a lot of things in my life especially when the going gets hard, but this opportunity as I saw it was my time to do it right!

In all the times I wondered if I could get through I would receive an evaluation or a grade reassuring me that becoming a teacher is exactly what I am meant to do.  So I dug my heels in(or lets be honest, flats )  and am finishing my classes with honors (what a difference 10 years makes;)

As my dad told me years ago "If you follow your dream of finding a career, the rest will fall into place"

Today I finally feel like I am at a place where I am happy and content with myself.  While I know I have a long an important road ahead with my student teaching, I can look back today and realize that all the hard work and sacrifice has been worth it.  I have learned a tremendous amount about myself, my marriage, the resilience of kids and the value of true friendship.  

I often tell myself and I certainly don't expect other people to understand, but I know I haven't chosen the easiest road.  Today I do know that I FINALLY DID IT! I have followed my dream of becoming a teacher and I could not be happier or more content with making this happen.  If nothing else I hope my boys learn that following a dream is more than just showing up and working hard.  

I have spent a long time envisioning this moment, completing my last class, and I can say that I feel as excited and nervous now as I did the first day I pulled onto campus.  I do know that today I feel a bit wiser, a little smarter and hopefully much more prepared to be a successful teacher!!

Graham is 16 Months!

As we close out 15 months, one word come to mind - CHAOS!

Graham has grown and changed so much since last month so we will begin with 

his milestones:

He is a walker, and almost a runner.
Once he gained his confidence after about a month of taking a few steps here and there, let me tell you this little man has taken off and hasn't looked back (except he learned tonight how to walk backward)

Graham cut two more teeth, on the bottom.  Now he has a total of 8.

He is climbing and may even be part monkey!  Graham wants to climb up on everything from the couch, to the dishwasher, and even including the easel.  So much for stairs...

Graham has learned how to scream.  AND yes he realizes that not only does this get Mom and Dad's attention but everyone in the near proximity so screaming trumps words every time ! (This needs to stop) 

What Mommy???

Sleep:

I am happy to say Graham has been sleeping great.  He sleeps about twelve hours at night and takes two naps during the day anywhere from 1 to 2 and half hours each.  This allows us some sanity during the day because no joke, Graham is a Texas Tornado when he is awake.  Needless to say we treasure some calm and quite at nap time!

Diet:

The ladies at daycare say they have never seen a baby eat as much as Graham.  While he isn't quite that good at home, we cannot complain, he is a pretty good eater.  Some of his favorite foods are blueberries, bananas, strawberries, cheesy eggs, any kind of pasta, and the top of the list is "ookie" or cookie which could be a graham cracker, fruit bar, or on dad's mornings home with the boys yes those breakfast chocolate chip cookies;)  

Likes:

Graham absolutely loves reading books.  His favorite seem to be any Eric Carle book.  He will bring us the "uck, uck" (the one with a duck in it) book or the "grrr"(what a baby bear says) book non stop.  He then climbs right up next to us and sits (yes he actually stops and sits for a book!) SWEETNESS! A close second are the Baby Einstein stackable blocks "ocks".  He loves to watch me stack them up, count them, then knock them down, over, and over again!  He loves to pull or throw anything just because he can.  This could be the toilet paper roll, the folded laundry, Reece's homework, usually something we mistakenly left in reach.

Graham loves to play hide and seek.  His favorite spot is under the kitchen table.  He loves Mondays with his Nana and going to Gymboree.  He has learned several of the songs and dances, which is so cute to see him mimic or dance to.

FIrst bounce house adventure

Dislike:

Graham wants nothing to do with being restrained, in his car seat, in a grocery store, at a restaurant, or even just getting his diaper changed or dressed.  We are quickly getting refreshed on wrestling a baby to simply put socks on which are pulled off in a matter of seconds.  Also Graham hates to not be able to do or have exactly what his big brother has.  Good thing Reece loves him so much!  Graham seems to become overwhelmed in settings which are new or a lot of chaos (which is kinda ironic considering the chaos he travels with).  

This smile lights up our day!

It has been a wild 16 months Graham.  Daddy and I look at each other everyday and cannot believe how lucky we are that God gave us you.  You have brought so much laughter, joy, and holy personality, all which complete our little family! 

We are so blessed that your ours!!

XOXO

Halloween Recap

Its been a full week of festivities leading up to Halloween.  We begin with a brunch and all things Halloween at my parents Country Club on Sunday.  It was complete with a pumpkin bounce house, cookie decorating, and a magic show.  Photo taking was anything other than easy but we did manage to get a few cute ones.

Donald Duck was the perfect costume for Graham because he has really just taken off walking the past few weeks.  He has the perfect Donald waddle complete with "Quack Quack!!"  when you ask if what a duck says!

Power Ranger Reece's highlight, cookie making with toppings galore!

All week the meteorologists had been calling for bad weather on Thursday but we were confident in normal Michigan manner the weather would change.  Unfortunately this time they hit it dead on:(!  So while it poured down rain with high winds all day yesterday, the rain turn to a light mist right around 6 pm and it made trick or treating much more manageable.  

Halloween brought out round two of costumes!

It was a full day of activities beginning with a costume party for Graham at Chuck E Cheese.  My mom, Nana took Graham.  He won for the best costume, and of course we think they made a great choice!

I took a half day so I could be at Reece's Halloween party and parade at his school.  Because of the weather the parade was moved inside.  It's always a fun afternoon!

Reece and his buddy Aidan at their school party

We had some of our good friends from school join us for dinner and trick or treating.  While I was originally on the fence about bringing Graham out, when the weather improved we went for it, and so glad we did!  Our neighborhood really makes trick or treating a big celebration not only for the kids but also the adults.  This year certainly did not disappoint.  

Halloween 2013 was the best yet!!

Halloween festivities

Back in August when it was warm, sunny, and 80 degrees outside we decided it would be a great idea to host a pumpkin carving party.  Even though our house is little we have a lot of space on the lake and despite the preparing we love to entertain.  It has been many years since we had a pumpkin carving party but decided we wanted to start the tradition again.  

So Saturday was our pumpkin carving party.  Despite our high hopes of a beautiful fall day at the lake we had high winds, rain, sleet, hail and even a few snow showers move through.  As a result the party got moved to the front of the house and oh yes THE GARAGE:(!  (We certainly sacrifice on space for lake living) But once the weather cleared it was nothing outdoor heaters and a few tents couldn't fix!

All that being said the party was exactly what we hope for, kids everywhere, lots of yummy fall food and drinks, a bonfire, and great friends!

so Pumpkin Carving Festivities 2013...

 (At the beverage station we served cider, wine, beer, juice, and water)

Thanks to Pinterest I got some great ideas for a chili bar complete with all the fixins'

 Our topping selections included onions, red peppers, jalapenos, blue cheese, shredded cheddar, avocado, sour cream, corn bread, and Fritos

The Halloween snack mix was a big hit thanks to the idea I found here.  

(I added Reece's pieces, candy corn, and halloween sprinkles to make it appropriate for the festivities)

The center pieces were an idea from Pinterest.  I used mason jars with burlap string around the top, filled the bottom with corn kernels, and added an orange votive candle

This proved to me my hardest task.  Holy cow who knew finding witches hats around Halloween would be so challenging, but after my Mom's help they were the perfect touch!

The calm after the storm!

Don't be fooled by this moment of calmness - preparing and hosting a party with a 15 month old has developed a whole new meaning to chaos...

We had some serious pumpkin carvers.  Many people came with their pumpkins already cleaned out, note to self - genius idea!

Our best attempt at most of the kiddos

Showing off their and um yes the parents hard work:)!!

Enjoying a brief moment together:)!

Kids are fast asleep and time to turn up the music and enjoy a couple of cocktails by the bonfire!

I have to say all the hard work was worth it, we had a blast and hope all our friends did also!  We are continuing the Halloween festivities this week and hoping the Michigan meteorologist are wrong with their Trick or Treating forecast!!! 

9 Years!

October 9, 2004

4 pm Mackinaw Island, MI

 I became your wife!

One of my proudest accomplishments

I sit here reflecting and reminiscing on all the moments we have shared and while it certainly has not always been an easy road, I couldn't feel luckier that you are my husband!

You are the first person I want to share my exciting news, or my sadness.  You are the one person who can make me smile wider or laugh harder than anyone else. You are the person I want to sit next to and share a beer.  You are the person I look to for support when I don't know what to wear.  You rarely tell me no:)! 

You are the person who makes me feel most secure.  You are the person who makes me stretch further than is comfortable.  You are my biggest cheerleader.  You are the person who expects more from me than I even know I am capable of.  You are my soft place to fall.  And you are the one person who I know will love me through it all.  

I feel incredibly proud of the family we have built and the lives we are living these past 9 years.  I feel incredibly blessed that God has given me you to call my husband.  

It has been an incredible journey and I know the best is yet to come.  I look forward to sharing and celebrating our marriage the rest of our lives.  Thank you for being my husband, Gregg!

Happy 9 years Babe!

I love you

Celebrating 14 months of Graham

Little Man, Boom, Graham, you certainly have had a busy 14 months!  

We didn't post a 13 month update so we have some catching up to do...

You are officially done with the bottle!  Your doctor suggested stopping cold turkey and while I was nervous, we gave it a go and sure enough you have had no issues.  For the first three days we offered you only whole white organic milk in a cup (you had already been drinking whole organic milk in a bottle) and for the first few days you took some sips but after about a week you decided that you were ready to really drink from your sippy cup.  Then after about two weeks  you decided not only did you want exactly what your big brother was drinking, but it had to be in the same kind of cup!  This has become a trend  with everything.  So now you prefer organic chocolate milk in a big boy sippy cup.  You have also perfected drinking out of a straw!  

Because you are no longer taking a bottle you are eating non stop and EVERYTHING!  You don't discriminate but some of your favorites are broccoli, sweet potatoes, pasta, blueberries, greek yogurt, and grilled cheese.

Last week you cut your top four teeth in three days.  Needless to say it was a rough week but once we figured out what was happening you pulled through like a trooper with a little help from some Motrin and Tylenol!  You now officially have 6 teeth!

You are a crawling maniac and wicked fast.  You have learned how to climb and tonight even crawled down the stairs all by yourself.  You have taken several independent steps and even walked half way across the room unassisted.  But it seems that you want to get to your next 'target' quicker than walking can get you there, so you would much rather do your one leg gorilla crawl.  So while I wasn't pushing walking the doctor said you should be independently walking at 15 months so we are now offering you a lot of encouragement which isn't complete without you clapping for yourself every few steps you take!  (LOVE)

We finally got your hair cut.  I had such mixed feelings on it because I just couldn't part with your soft baby hair but I have to say you look incredibly handsome AND so much older! 

You have also started back to daycare which also means two days a week with Nana.  Nana also  just started you in Gymboree.  She said you were a bit apprehensive at first but quickly found your way and loved every minute of it.  So while I'm disappointed I can't see your expressions in person, I am hooked to my phone waiting on Nana's picture updates!

Things you like:

Push toys, chairs, anything you can move around a room

By far the highlight of your day is the minute we walk outside!  You cry if we walk you back indoors.  You LOVE LOVE LOVE the fresh air, rain, going for runs with Mommy and even this cooler weather.

Playing at the dishwasher... When all else fails, I open the dishwasher and you are entertained.

Mischief... whether it is the toliet paper roll, or discovering a pen which has fallen on the floor, you don't miss a beat or what we have missed 'baby proofing'.

You LOVE balls!  

AND MOSTLY you love your brother and Daddy.  No matter what else is going on the minute they walk in the room or you hear either of their voices you stop in your tracks.

Things you Dislike:

You hate not being a part of the mix

You let us know when you want/need to eat

Not getting what you want, especially from your brother

Having to stop whatever you are doing

We have really been working on using words because honestly you yelling at us is like nails on a chalk board. It seems that everyday you are learning a new word .  Your words so far...

JET and pointing, DADA, MOMMA, UCK (truck), NANA, ALL DONE, ANCE (dance), EE (Reece), DUCK, and you can sign 'more'!

Graham - you never cease to amaze us!  Your smile, laugh, and feistiness  stop us in our tracks.  We thank God everyday for the happiness you have brought into our family.  It is hard to believe that it has only been 14 months since you completed our family.  We love you to the moon and back!