Too cute not to share!

Is it any wonder I am throwing out broken toys all the time!?
Sorry these are too dark, but I haven't yet figured out all the settings on my camera. Brenton started on a basketball league at our church. He loves it. Of course, he is probably the smallest guy on the team, but he tries hard! Here he is with the ball (in the middle of the shot, wearing a blue jersey)....I love how huge it looks next to his head!
"I'm open!!!"
Brinlee coloring last week.
Brinlee and Jaron "camping" at his house last Sunday.
Brinlee cutting Tanner's hair (with the batteries from the remote!). Tanner has always loved anyone playing with his hair, as an infant he loved having his head rubbed. He will sit for Brinlee as long as she's willing. Last week they played this for 25 minutes.
He's not as happy about the brush and detangler, but he will put up with it!

Tanner's Party at Chuck E Cheese's...

We had to delay Tanner's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's due to the ice storm, and we finally got it rescheduled! He invited a few friends from preschool and his cousins. Fun was had by all! I think this is it for Tanner's birthday pictures....I only dragged it out for 3 posts!

I've been tagged by Amanda.....


A-Available or married? - Married for 8 years and taken for 10.
B-Best Friend? -I have been blessed with a lot of really special friendships.
C-Cake or Pie? -Cake, any kind.
D-Drink of Choice?- Water with lots of ice and flavored creamer with a little coffee.
E-Essential Item?- Lately it's been chapstick.
F-Favorite Color?-Green
G-Gummi Bears or Worms?- Gummi Bears
H-Hometown?- Saranac, MI
I-Indulgence?-Yankee Candles
J-January or Febuary?- January...Tanner's b-day!
K-Kids and Names?- Brenton Travis, Tanner James and Brinlee Faith
L-Life is Incomplete without?- Faith and Family
M-Marriage Date?- October 24
N-Number of Siblings?- One sister, one sister in law and two brother in laws.
O- Oranges or Apples?- Apples
P- Phobia or Fears?- Something happening to my family.
Q- Favorite Quote?- "This Too Shall Pass" ....encouraging to me during Brinlee's whiney days!
R- Reason to Smile?-See "L"
S-Season?- Fall
T- Tag Three People-Heather, Heidi and Elizabeth
U- Unknown fact about me- I get homesick. I wasn't able to spend the night at friend's houses until late middle school because I'd get so homesick. I still get homesick and like it best on vacation when my "whole" family goes together. I have really hard time letting my kids spend the night at friend's or family's houses because that too makes me homesick....it just doesn't feel right.
W-Worst Habit?- I'm a very gassy person (probably because of "Y") and although I say excuse me, my kids and I think it is really funny!
Y-Your Favorite Food?- Black bean burritos
Z- Zodiac?- I don't believe in it.

Tanner's Birthday Celebration at Preschool.

Tanner posing with the bear. Each child gets a chance to dress the bear when it is their turn to bring snack. Tanner put a birthday hat and tie on the bear since he was celebrating his birthday with his class that day!
Tanner and his friends giggling at something their teacher said.
Mrs. Deppe and the "chimp" who sings Happy Birthday to the birthday child.
Tanner and Mrs. Deppe passing out his birthday surprise, while the rest of the class hides their eyes!

Tons of pictures from a busy birthday weekend!!

We celebrated both Yaya and Tanner's birthday this weekend. Yaya's was the 12th and Tanner's is today, the 15th.
We all met at McDonald's Friday night for Yaya's birthday dinner. The kids all had fun playing in the playland and the grown ups actually got to talk for a little bit! We then went back to Papa and Yaya's for cake.

Tanner, obviously, had an Incredibles themed party, which we celebrated on Sunday at our house with family. We plan on meeting some of his friends tonight at Chuck E. Cheese, if the weather allows. We had an ice storm last night and are expecting more snow, so we'll have to wait and see!

We went to Great Wolf Lodge this past Saturday night and had a great time! We all love swimming and playing in the water so this was perfect for our family. We can't wait to go again!


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Gerald "Our" Ford 1913-2006

Wow, what a week it has been here in West Michigan! I'm sure most people know, Ford grew up here in Grand Rapids, so his final service was here, along with his body being laid to rest at the Gerald R. Ford Museum downtown. Tuesday afternoon his body was brought to Michigan. The kids and I went to stand along Patterson Ave. to watch the motorcade pass on the way to the museum. I planned on standing right at the airport gates, but there was so many people, it was impossible, and we got there an hour before Airforce One was due to land. It was amazing, the crowds of people and from what the news said, it was just as crowded the entire route downtown! Tuesday from about 5:30pm-11:30am Wednesday morning, Ford's body laid in repose at the museum. We decided to take the kids down, as this was a once in a lifetime event. Jim's dad came with us and we got downtown GR around 7:00pm. I think we entered the museum around 11:15pm or so. It was really quite moving. The casket was surrounded by soldiers standing guard. Even the kids seemed to know they should show reverence and were affected by seeing it. Brinlee, who had been crying when we entered the museum, stopped and asked to get out of the stroller as we passed the casket. We were shocked at how well behaved our kids were waiting in line. I heard a reporter describe the air downtown, as people waited in line to show their respect, as "electric". You could feel the sense of community as we all gathered to say good-bye to the man who made our community so proud. I heard it said that the people of Grand Rapids made sure that President Ford's last night wasn't lonely. The latest estimate I heard was that over 55,000 people came. Amazing! The funeral took place at the Ford family's home church in East Grand Rapids. Again, people lined the streets as the Motorcade made it's way to the church and back to the museum after the service. Downtown near the museum, people were lined up 5-6 people thick to try to catch a glimpse of the interment taking place at the museum. They had the Army Chorus and a band playing the Star Spangled Banner and America the Beautiful. Taps was played as they did a 21 cannon salute and 21 aircraft flew over. The honor guard removed the flag over the casket and it was given to Vice-President Cheney, who then gave it to Mrs. Ford. It was very intense. Here is the link to our local news station that has a lot of pictures and articles.http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=5887312

Here are some of the pictures I took. You were not allowed to bring any cameras to the museum so I only have pictures from the motorcade.The above picture is the kids waiting for the motorcade. Below is a picture of the herse carrying the casket. If you look closely, you can see the blue background and the stars of the flag over the casket through the back window. The herse was the first car in the motorcade, after the police escort, so I wasn't ready to take a picture. I cropped this one really close so it is a bit fuzzy.


Above is the front and back of the memorial card they gave out at the museum as you walked through.

Barry Christmas..

We had Jim's family here for Christmas the 29th. The girls had a ball playing with the babies and the boys disappeared to the basement to play Playstation 2. We commented on how quiet it was! I didn't get a lot of pictures, but thought I'd share what I had. Jim, Karen and the kids opening presents.
The girls playing with the baby stuff.
Jim and Tanner at our favorite restaurant, Moe's.
Brinlee, Brenton and I at Moe's.