Brooke's brithday

"I'M 5!!!!, I'M 5!! I keep thinking I'm 4, but I'm really 5!!"

That's all I heard on Monday. Poor child didn't have kindergarten, so she was home all day waiting for something to happen-,we had to wait for the girls to get home from school! But we did make a cake together. (we didn't eat it until the next night) We celebrated that night by going to a fun kid-friendly restaurant called Red Robin where they sang to her and gave her balloons. Then we went to go see The Bee Movie. Her real birthday party will be this Saturday (on Ronnie's birthday) She's invited some friends to go bowling.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROOKE!!

Halloween pictures

Happy Anniversary

Ronnie and I celebrated our 14th anniversary on October 7th. (Sorry, there's no picture-- I know you're all so disappointed :0 ) He surpised me with a beautiful necklace and earrings to match. We also went out for dinner. We feel so fortunate to have such a happy marriage. We hear of others that are struggling and feel so fortunate and blessed that we are closer and more in love now than we ever have been. I remember thinking when I got married... and even said it out loud- that I didn't think I could ever love Ronnie any more than I did on that day. But as time has passed and children have come, and challenges have come, we feel closer than ever. I know that I have a wonderful husband-- he's very sensitive to my needs and feelings. I trust him 100% . I have truly married my best friend. Love you, honey!

Sparkles

Okay, I know no one but me and my girls care... BUT-- these pictures are cute. We have a fairly new kitten at our house. We've had her for a few months. Her name is Sparkles. The girls took a little Barbie crown and put it on her head and thought it was the funniest thing they ever did to her. The poor cat doesn't get any rest around here. They 'torture' the poor cat to death with all the crazy things they put her through!! Brooke and Brandi especially cannot get enough of Sparkles.

Apple Orchards

"The Man"

Look what I found!! I found the perfect shirt for Brooke. Ronnie has this on-going joke (that only he thinks is really hilarious) with the girls... they call him "The Man" occassionally at the request of... "The Man". Brooke is the only one that will still comply with this request. Give her a few more years and she'll be like Briana and Brandi: a little older-- and a little wiser. :)

1st Day of School

Can it be? Can it really be the 1st day of school already??? Here's the breakdown... Briana started Middle School this year - 6th grade. Brandi is in 2nd grade and Brooke, my baby... started KINDERGARTEN!! Can I really be old enough to have all my kids in school???

Brooke and Grace

Getting on a big schoolbus. "Yikes!", says mom.
Yay! Coming home!
Brooke did it!! She rode the bus to and from school today!!

1st Day of School Part 2

Briana about to be late for the first day!! :) Thus, the apprehensive smile
Brandi's waiting on the bus the first day of school
The bus stop kids
At the school... I got to go the first day with her. (It was half day, that's why she doesn't ride the bus until tomorrow. Those pictures were first)
Brooke at her locker. Oh, what a happy girl!! :)

Our Mackinac trip

Wow! Mackinac Island was so beautiful. We drove up on Wednesday, stayed in St. Ignance and then took the ferry over the next morning and spent the day there. I can't wait to go back and visit. It was nice to spend that time with Mom and Dad. They were here for the week and we went to the Henry Ford Museum, outlet shopping and then Mackinac. It really was fun to have them here. Ya'll come back, now! :)

Our Mackinac trip

Our SC Visit

Lisa, Emily, Michelle and Christie

What a blast!! We had Lisa, Emily, Michelle and Christie and their children come for a visit. It was so much fun. We had 6 adults and 8 children in the house for 4 days. We did alot of fun things together... like the mall (an all day event that ended up with three of them getting their hair done-- all at different times!) So yes! Literally 6 hours, or something like that. But I have to say that was so much fun. I think the only thing we managed to do that day was eat, go potty (there were 8 kids and 5 women) and get hair done. And occassionally walk into a few stores and cause havok. Then we let the kids run loose in the play area for awhile. Anyway- we did do other fun things like go to the park and to Milford Memories. It truly was alot of fun having my sister, sister in law and my two cousins here!! Come back again!! :)

Our pictures of the family

Amanda and the missionaries

This next group of pictures is of Amanda. She has been coming to church for a year and a half before she could be baptized. So when she turned 18 in April-- that was it! She took the plunge! We've been with her through it all. We have had such a wonderful experience with the missionaries and Amanda in our home every week for about 5 months. I would have to say that we have grown attached to them. Elder Cobb, (below) was in our ward for 6 months... so it was hard to see him go!! But he promised to come and see us when he gets off his mission. Brooke is too funny... she has on Elder Cobb's glasses

This is the last visit we had with the missionaries and Amanda. She also had her friend, Ashley over and taking the discussions, too. Last April when she was baptized! :)
Me and Amanda right before she left for BYU-Idaho. (Why is my face so red?????? I t hink Ronnie had us laughing.) Anyway, it was hard to see her go too!! Boo hoo!!

Cedar Point Vacation

Fun at the Lake

Fun at the lake with friends...
Our new kitty, Sparkles
From the first night Ronnie came home, she jumped on

his shoulder and got comfy. She did this every

night for a few weeks. She was so sweet and cute.

Grandparents Visit

Ron has such talent with a hoola-hoop! :)
At the Science Center- Wow! This rock isn't so heavy!
At the Science Center-- Briana was chosen to be in a "Gameshow"
Detroit River front-- Canada in the background.

(Also, notice the tie-dye... that was another project. :O )
Also at the Riverfront.

We had a nice visit with Ron, Norma, Harriette and Ned in July. It was good to see everyone. These pictures are of various things from the Zoo to the Detroit Science Center

to the Riverfront.

Briana's 11th BD Slumber Party

Briana has been wanting a slumber party with all her friends for a long time. So we finally did it! Her birthday was a month ago, but we were in the middle of moving, so I told her if she could wait a month, then that would be fine. So we invited 10 girls to sleep over and 8 of them came. We were expecting all 10-- but a few were sick at the last minute. I really didn't mind it because I know that Briana won't see these friends next year in Middle School. Since she'll be going to a different school. So I wanted her to have the chance to have a fun time with them as one last good-bye. And they had such a good time together. They made jewelry, played games, watched movies (3 of them, I think) They finally went to sleep somewhere about 2:30 or 3:00 am. Then they were bright eyed and bushy tailed (whatever that means) at 7:00 this morning! They were playing twister and sliding down the stairs in their sleeping bags at 7AM. Such crazy girls!! Whew! What a night!