Carol's Chatterbox

Hands on Museum and the Treehouse

2012-01-20T19:40:00.003-05:00

We celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Hands on Children's Museum in Ann Arbor and then we burned some energy and drank slushies at the Treehouse in Chelsea. What a great day. My boys were champs the whole day and even kept track of how to find the car in the parking structure. Oh...I'm such a small town gal.

Snow What Fun!

2012-01-20T19:26:00.002-05:00

Our first real snowfall didn't arrive until January this Winter Season. We ate up the six sided slopes as soon as we could on Saturday morning. Such fun. Such exercise.

It was certainly a fun filled day. The boys went to the workshop to work on the car for the Pinewood Derby. We went sledding. We did some chores. We had a fun evening with friends at the Fulk house. Everyone slept good that night.

Ryan's 7th Birthday

2012-01-20T18:13:00.006-05:00

We had a fun time at the house celebrating Ryan's 7th birthday. We surprised him with an Aaron Rogers Greenbay Packers cake that he loved. But he loved the company best of all. After everyone left the party he talked us into taking him to Finley's for a free steak. Love that kid. We didn't quite make it up to the New Year, but I loved cuddling with my buddy on one of his happiest days of the year.

Christmas Day Fun at Papa's and Grandma's

2011-12-28T20:50:00.004-05:00

I finally got me some snuggles from this sweetie. My neice Avery usually save them for Jimmie.

...as you can see.

The kids waited patiently for the loot. They had to wait for the adults to finish their meals. (Which reminds me, the night before, Tyler ran to Aunt Jennifer and tattled that Brendan's dad was not eating fast enough!)

The big boys had to get their game fixes too. Jim was trying to win on Streak for Cash and Rich was finishing up a Suduko game.

Papa likes to supervise the kids table.

We made it to Papa's around noon for some yummy deliciousness, gifts, and good company. It was a day to remember and cherish. The kids all got Papa a Wii system to ensure that they get to play when they come over. The big kids and little kiddos played some baseball, bowling and golf. Grandma Ellen also had a homemade pinata ready (boy is she brave...). You should have seen those bats flying.

Cheese Head

2011-12-28T20:44:00.002-05:00

The only thing Ryan really wanted for Christmas was this Green Bay helmet. Santa brought him a very vintage helmet. You see why it was so important that Daddy got Ryan a Lions jersey as an early gift. I think he might need a little more persuading b/c he really likes cheese and Aaron Rogers.

Christmas 2011

2011-12-28T20:29:00.003-05:00

(That's what the chipmunk does:)

500 piece puzzle??? Do we dare? Ryan is a puzzle master but we've never done one higher than 100 pieces.

A new baseball glove? (And later...Tyler used his Christmas money to buy a DeMarini bat!) By the way....that marble game is going to get super glued together or it's bound to hit the trash....however, it has accounted for hours of fun.

Tyler trying to guess what is inside the box. I think it was his tablet:)

We love stockings.

The boys just couldn't stop saying this is the best Christmas ever. It's not even that they got anything spectacular. They love getting gifts but they love the family time and we certainly do our best to spend time together. It was a very nice holiday. Thankful hearts.

Eve with the Ladds

2011-12-28T20:08:00.003-05:00

Christmas Eve at Dave and Jen's is one of our favorite days of the year. The kids always have so much fun and the hosts are the mostest. Grandma Vicki got the kids Skylanders and it is a big hit. They are also enjoying the Paper Mario and Sports Wii game. Michigan sweatshirts and Mario Ts are also favorites.

Christmas Eve Advent Gift

2011-12-28T19:57:00.003-05:00

We had a relaxing Christmas Eve morning. The boys enjoyed some game playing with Daddy while I played with my new camera. Ryan couldn't wait for the 4:00 Lions game. We were headed to Uncle David's to spend some family time and enjoy the game.The boys got an early present...actually a luxurious 24th Advent gift. They couldn't wait to open their treasures...and neither could Daddy.Ryan did a little happy dance after they each opened their new Lions jerseys. We all sported some Lions gear for the family event. Such a fun surprise...such a cute little dance.

Making Treats and Snuggling before Christmas

2011-12-28T19:48:00.002-05:00

We cherish our time together and the boys are always so willing to help out in the kitchen or to snuggle in Daddy's lap.

Horse Chestnuts....because we refuse to like a Buckeye!

2011-12-28T19:36:00.004-05:00

We had a fun night making Horse Chestnuts with Papa Ralph and Grandma Ellen. What a surprise to have Alexis and KayKay visiting too. The boys made a couple of friends while we made a couple dozen peanut butter yummies;) Ryan even passed on the chance to go to the bowling alley with daddy....so you know...it must have been FUN!

Cookie Test and Shirt Designing

2011-12-13T13:19:00.002-05:00

Ryan wants a Michigan Party and believe it or not, it is hard to find for cakes and cookies...so here is our attempt. It was a practice run. Kinda cute. Kinda tasty. I can live with it:)

Ryan has been begging me to make a T-shirt. He got a white Tshirt for his musical event and borrowed some special T-shirt making markers from Aunt Amanda and he went to town making his Green Bay Packers T-shirt. Fun.

More December Daily Life

2011-12-13T13:03:00.002-05:00

Tyler got a really fun set of "manners" books in his advent bag today. The best parts were when Daddy imitated Cookie Monster and made Tyler laugh....over and over.

Ryan was a little tuckered out and was crashing out on the chair.

Ryan used some money he had saved up to buy a Dagadar gift for himself.

We got some cute Snowman photos at the mall where we met up with Aunt Amanda to return our kiddos after the sleepover. We ran into Grandma Vicki and Papa Ron too.

Jim and I had a date weekend since the boys ended up at Granna's on Friday night and Aunt Amanda's on Saturday. On Saturday, we finished up our shopping and had a very enjoyable dinner at the Outback. With full bellies, we came home and turned on a cartoon (seriously, we watched a cartoon even though the boys were gone:) and took a quick cat nap . It was a good night.

Granna's Attic

2011-12-13T12:47:00.002-05:00

We have fun helping my mom drag out her Christmas Decor. I'm not sure what part of the evening the boys like best. 1.) Going into her attic with the secret staircase? 2.) Playing with her life sized Santa Claus who is connected to a Karaoke microphone and sings along? 3.) Decorating the tree? 4.) Horsing around with Daddy on the floor? 5.) Having a sleepover with Granna? It's hard to choose, but one thing is for sure....the boys sure do enjoy the night.

Everyday December

2011-12-09T13:43:00.002-05:00

Jim took some shots of Ryan in his Superman pajamas. Look, this superhero's got his protective blankie:0

Tyler playing some educational games on the ipad. Fun Stuff.

We kept the boys busy making some Christmas cutout cookies. They really do a great job.

Happy 8th Birthday Hailee!

2011-12-09T13:39:00.001-05:00

We always love spending the day with this little girl. Hope you had a happy 8th birthday Hailee.

Jake and Hailee's Santa Picture

2011-12-09T13:27:00.001-05:00

I'm loving this picture of my neice and nephew having a talk with Santa. It looks like Jakob might be a little worried. Of course, Hailee knows that all is right with her list.

Jackson Christmas Parade

2011-12-09T13:25:00.001-05:00

What a great way to launch the season. We enjoy the Jackson Parade every year even though it is always cold. This year, we saw alot of people from school as the girl scouts marched in the parade. We enjoyed free hotdogs and hot chocolate after the event.

Christmas Cards

2011-12-09T13:12:00.002-05:00

Finally sent out my hand stamped Christmas cards and family pictures. I didn't have time to make them for all so I had to also send post cards. I really enjoy the process of making the cards but wish I would start sooner than December:)

First Snow

2011-12-09T13:06:00.001-05:00

The boys couldn't wait to get outside on the morning of the first snowfall. Ryan had a 2 hour delay and when the call woke him up at 5:30 a.m., he wanted to run outside. I held him off until about 7:30 but he couldn't wait to make snow balls. Love the enthusiasm, but I couldn't make myself go out and play.

Some more Santa Shots

2011-12-09T13:00:00.002-05:00

Here's a cute one of Ryan wearing Santa's hat:)

It was cold, but that didn't stop the boys from playing in the cold snow

Group picture:)

Santa Pictures!

2011-12-03T21:30:00.001-05:00

They were all so sweet:)

December Daily

2011-12-03T20:58:00.003-05:00

Live Nativity Scenes at Somerset Beach Campground. Cool trains too.

Lego Characters in today's advent calendar. These are defintely a hit.

Tyler's first game of battle ship against Ryan.

A little ipad break for some much loved Words with friends.

This is my 4th year of doing a December Daily book that documents our lives in December. Here are a few misc. pics in December.

A lovely night

2011-12-03T20:53:00.002-05:00

It was a regular night but the boys just seemed to be extra loveable. Loving on the cat and the bear. Precious.

More good eats and some Twister fun:)

2011-12-03T20:47:00.002-05:00

After my mom cooked a fabulous dinner and we spent a good hour washing dishes, we enjoyed good company and then invited Jake and Hailee over for a sleepover. It was an especially blessed Thanksgiving since we got to spend it with Chelsea and Baby Mason. What a sweet pea.

The morning after, the kids and I make paper dolls and played alot of board games and Twister. We finished off the afternoon at the Treehouse while Jim went to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game.

Thankful

2011-12-03T20:32:00.005-05:00

It was a busy day running from Cement City to Hillsdale and up to Homer but we always enjoy the good company. Look at all those beautiful smiles....and a few fake ones too:)

Time to drag out the Christmas Goodies!

2011-12-03T20:03:00.003-05:00

It's one of our favorite days of the year....dragging out the Christmas stuff! It is total chaos and so much excitement and fun. Loving it.

Cookie Monsters!

2011-12-03T12:49:00.002-05:00

We had some after school fun making up a batch of cut out cookies with no particular theme. The boys did really well and they loved eating them.

2011-12-03T12:27:00.002-05:00

There was alot of falling around fun this autumn. The leaves dropped late and the snow came early so this was the only photo shoot of the season. Oh well, had a couple of days of fun with leaves.

Thanks to Veterans

2011-12-03T12:18:00.002-05:00

Ryan and his shcoolmates put on a spectucular show in honor of the Veteran's. It was a really thoughtful production and the kids sang some honorable songs. Luckily, I was able to go to the school day production as I had to work that evening. Jim and my mom watched the evening production and were quite impressed. The boys also enjoyed some running around at the gym after the show.

11 Strikes

2011-12-03T12:16:00.000-05:00

Halloween at Granna's and AUC

2011-12-03T11:48:00.004-05:00

Halloween is always fun at Grandma's. She always dresses up for us and fixes us a yummy dinner. This year, tacos. Then we head up to the church for some carnival fun before walking around the small town houses. This year, Ryan had school the next morning so we had to call it quits a little early. That's okay...we still got way too much candy.

Mrs. Skinner's 1st Grade Halloween Party

2011-12-03T10:24:00.006-05:00

Classroom parties are really fun and Tyler got to join along too. All of the kids were so cute.

Rollin Hwy Halloween Hayride and Fun

2011-12-03T10:06:00.004-05:00

We met up with some friends by accident at the Lutheran Church's Halloween Party and we enjoyed the day. We went for a hayride and did some Trunk-or-Treating. We ate some hot dogs and cookies. Then we played on the playground and were the very last people to leave.

Halloween Decor

2011-12-03T09:36:00.002-05:00

Getting out the Halloween Costumes is always fun in our house. Jim scares the little ones with his old man mask. Fun times. Tyler wore that batman mask for the next 20 days or so. Ryan loved his Darth Vader but it wasn't nearly as comfortable to wear.

Flag Football at Columbia

2011-12-03T09:10:00.002-05:00

Ryan was too young to join the football team at Addison Schools so we enrolled him in the CCE program. He had some fun chasing down those flags but admitted that he would rather be tackling! He also admitted that he hated the fact that some of the games intereferred with watching Michigan on the TV. It was a fun season though and Coach Carpenter helped make it alot of fun. We even celebrated the end of the season at the bowling alley with a pizza party for the families.

A Picnic at Uncle Jack's and Aunt Cindy's

2011-10-11T10:02:00.002-04:00

There were lots of hugs and smiles and good eats at Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jack's house this weekend to welcome home Aunt Kathi. The kids loved the candy hunt and playing games with cousins and Uncles. They even loved the claw. Who knew? I really enjoyed talking with the family and forgot to get some shots of a couple of cuties were there. Oops. It was a fun day.

Ready for some football?

2011-10-11T09:54:00.002-04:00

Ryan was a year too young to play football at Addison, so we signed him up for the Columbia league of flag football. Ryan was a little disappointed to find out he couldn't tackle, but it's good to see him learning some fundamentals. It's really messing with Jim's Michigan football schedule as the games seem to be falling at the same time:( But you never hear daddy complain;) Jim even missed a chance to go to a Michigan game b/c he didn't want to miss seeing Ryan play. Wowza. Ryan likes the fact that he is on the blue team and the colors are the same as Michigan.

Halloween Madness at the Ladd's

2011-10-11T09:49:00.001-04:00

We love to get out Halloween Decor and spend time going through the costume box trying to outdo each other. Fun Times.

What the boys do when the girls are at a baby shower!

2011-10-11T09:46:00.001-04:00

They soak up attention from the Papa's : )

Chelsea's Baby Shower to welcome Baby Mason

2011-10-11T09:40:00.000-04:00

Sunday Funday: Flavor Fruit Farm and McCourtie Park

2011-10-06T15:12:00.002-04:00

It was one of the best Fall Sundays. Beautiful weather.

First Day of First Grade

2011-10-06T15:07:00.002-04:00

Ryan was really excited to start school again. He really thrives with more structure and loves to have activities to keep him busy. I'm so proud of this little guy. I hope he has a great year in Mrs. Skinner's first grade class.

Eat 'Em Up Tigers!

2011-10-06T14:47:00.005-04:00

There's nothing quite as sad as disappointing your kids. We planned to head to a Tiger's game on backpack day b/c Ryan wanted to see the Tigers and he wanted to use the backpack for school. So we planned to go...but then it was sold out. Ouch. Luckily, a friend had tickets and with 3 girls, he said he could spare one...and so, Ryan got his backpack. Look at the delight.We're kinda scowling b/c my mom was taking the picture and I swear it was pointing to the ground. I mean, there was no way she got the shot. I guess I was wrong:) Who's your Tiger? The boys stood by the fence pre-game in hopes of getting some autographs. No such luck. We got some really sweet Maglio bats and got an extra somehow to give back to our backpack angel.

I'm so glad that my mom was with us. We were able to drop her off close enough to the stadium b/c we got there early. It was a super hot day and we all spent some time in the shade where the vending areas are. My mom is such a fan that she suffered through the heat more than I did. She really had a hard time getting back to the car. The traffic is so bad that she had to walk. We barely made it, she was in alot of pain. I hope the fun of the day was worth it....but I know she will probably enjoy the rest of the games in the comfort of her living room.

Jim's Vacation Week

2011-10-06T14:10:00.004-04:00

Had to get this shot of Ryan when we went for a quick trip to the mall to score some Gymboree deals for school! Everyone in the Jackson area can recognize this hungry hippo:) Legendary!

We planned a trip to Toledo to see the Toledo Mudhens in action for the first time. It was a really nice stadium and Ryan was surprised when one of the opposing players tossed him a pre-game ball. He was nice enough to sail one up for Tyler too!

Before the game, we visited Imagintion Station for a few hours. The boys really like this science adventure. We were only a few blocks from the stadium so I asked an attendant if we should move the car. She advised that it would be best to walk to the stadium. Jim and I checked the car before we made the trek to the stadium and everything seemed okay:) Boy were we shocked at 10 p.m. when the gates were closed to the parking structure. The note even said they would be open during event nights. Go figure. It was a little dark, a little shady in the area where we parked and we were nervous! I called the number posted at the structure and hoped that we could get an quick answer since I only had one bar left on the phone. Yikes. We were really pleased when an attendant showed up within five minutes of the call and gave us entrance to the structure. He didn't even charge us for our regular parking fee. Good gracious:)We've been wanting to try out Duck Creek RV resort so we opted to pull our pop up trailer to Muskegon for some camping and Michigan Adventure fun. Boy was that a great campground. We even saved ourself some cash by walking across to MA and avoiding a parking fee. As usual, we had a great day at the park. The weather was perfect. I only have shots of Tyler b/c Jim and Ryan were MIA for most of the day on the big rides. At the end of the week we found ourselves at our new Home Away From Home, the campground that Aunt Susie and Uncle Ray reside. It sure is alot of fun. The boys love the pool and especially the golf. I love the hospitality with Ray and Susie...so good to spend time with them. It's always an added bonus when their grandkids are there or when Papa and Grandma come visit us too.It was a great week. We planned on coming home on Sunday and relaxing on Monday, Labor day...but we were having too much fun and decided to spend another night. Love the flexibility of our family. Everyone is always so eager to play.

New Adventures: Putt Putt at Ella Sharp and MIS Truck Race

2011-10-06T14:01:00.002-04:00

It was a hot day at MIS for the Truck Race. We scored some free tickets so we thought it would be a good introduction for Tyler. He wasn't the biggest fan, and I must admit, I'm not either but it was a good memory even though it wasn't the biggest thrill.

We ventured over to Ella Sharp Park for some Putt Putt Action. The boys are doing really well with their putting and they have a good time, every time.

Vacation Bible School @ Somerset Congregational

2011-10-06T13:49:00.004-04:00

The boys insisted on attending their 3rd week of vacation bible school. We had seen the invitation on the sign and when the kids learned of some friends who were also attending, it was a done deal. Jim and I enjoyed the week walking around the lake and riding bicycles with a friend. What a treat is was to receive these pictures from the church via email. Look at those smiles and the look of determination in those boys. It must have been a week with divine intervention:)

Tyler Turns 4!

2011-09-30T11:12:00.005-04:00

A cupcake themed invitation and party at home with the cousins was just right. (We celebrated with our other group of cousins during our camping outing earlier in the month.)

U of M Fan Day 2011

2011-09-30T11:01:00.002-04:00

Fan Day is getting busier and busier as the years go on...but it is still fun. We really enjoyed being down on the field this year watching the new big screens and enjoying the changes made with the press boxes. Security was a little tough on the little guys who wanted to throw and kick footballs (so we had to do it on the sly:) We love getting the boys' pictures with the cheerleaders and we missed a shot of us meeting the drum major. He was a doll, ala Justin Beiber style. Mr. Greg and Ms. Kathy even found us on the field and it was fun laughing with them. We didn't stand in line for a picture with THE D, but we stood in the background and got a picture of his smiling face. GO Blue. (Sidenote: Tyler is so used to hearing us route for Michigan, that even when we take him to see the Addison Panthers, red and black, he hollars "Go Blue!"

More Baseball Fun with Lugnuts and Mudhens!

2011-09-08T14:31:00.003-04:00

Surprisingly, we made our first venture to the Mudhens this summer. What a fun ball park. We got to see fireworks too. Bonus! Jim and I thought we were so smart parking early in the day to go to Imagination Station and just walking the 4 blocks to the park. We even stopped back by the parking structure to see how much the day would be. $6 good deal.

Our hearts sank to our stomachs when we finally made it back to the parking structure around 10 p.m. with 2 tired boys and 2 tired parents who carried the boys. The gate was locked shut! oH No. What now? As we got a peak at the club across the street with dozens of security guards at the door....all kinds of scenarios crossed our minds. Luckily, the parking structure posts a telephone number...and luckily, I had about 10% battery on my phone....and luckily, a guard graciously came to let us in within just a couple of minutes. Luckily;)

A day at the park!

2011-09-08T14:28:00.001-04:00

It was a regular summer day and we had to run to Brooklyn for a Dr. Appointment for my mom. We visited the Brooklyn Park and enjoyed the play ground and jumping in the river for some crayfish finding.

Our New Home Away From Home, Quality Camping

2011-09-08T14:12:00.004-04:00

It was alot of fun camping out in Marshall where our Aunt and Uncle stay in the summer. We got to spend time with cousins and boy did we ever enjoy it. We played putt putt golf, basketball, horseshoes, and bean bag toss. We toasted s'mores and had cookouts. We played on the playground. We swam. We ran for the potty! And as you can see by Tyler's spoon trick, we got a case of the sillies from time to time. Smile.

Homer Days, Happy Birthday Celebration for Tyler!

2011-09-07T19:48:00.002-04:00

It has become a nice tradition visiting Papa Ralph, Gma Ellen, and Papa T for an overnight camping adventure in their back yard. Riley and Brendan joined us again this year and Avery, Jen and Dave joined us for some Homer Days Fun at the Parade and some visiting back a the ranch. The kids enjoyed the face painting (but not Tyler...he does not like face paint or stickers!) and tattoos and played a bunch of fun free games. Ryan and Riley even rode a bull...YAHOO! The fireworks are fabulous...second only to the company. It has quickly become one of our favorite Summer traditions.

No Training Wheels

2011-09-07T19:26:00.002-04:00

(Look how bad our road is:( It's kind of a neat perspective though.)

Pictured above, Ryan is taking a break from the action. He just needs to improve on using his breaks and keeping steady!

Boy were we ever delighted to see Ryan riding up and down the road with no training wheels. The neighbor girl, Kahlen, celebrated the accomplishment a few weeks prior and it really made Ryan determined. Daddy and Ryan went to a grassy field to practice a few times before he ventured on the road. We couldn't be prouder. Of course, we hope to get Tyler riding a little sooner b/c it sure is hard running after the bigger kid trying to hold him up on the bike. (We scored the new bike at Menards on a rebate for really cheap...how lucky.)

Happy 7th Birthday Riley!

2011-09-07T19:20:00.002-04:00

Birthday Parties @ Dave and Jen's are always alot of fun. The cousins love to play together and that Riley sure knows how to party Hello Kitty Style. Of course, Tyler opted to wear his Mario instead:) We spent some time playing with bubbles, playing basketball and enjoying the pool. Tyler swam without a life jacket for the first time and Riley gave it a whirl too!

Lansing Lugnut Adventure!

2011-09-07T19:12:00.002-04:00

We discovered that we really enjoy visiting the Lansing Lugnuts. The boys were lucky enough to score some balls from the players before the game began. At the end of the game, we lined up to run the bases and I took a foul ball to my back. OUch. The boys also enjoyed the inflatable toys that are out in the outfield. It's a nice break mid-game for the little ones.

Lil Ones on a Lil Slide

2011-09-07T19:05:00.002-04:00

We had a day of fun on the waterslide in our front yard. Looks like it might be one of the last times as the kidlets are quickly outgrowing the slide.

2 Parks for the Price of One FUN!

2011-09-07T18:47:00.003-04:00

Oh, how we love Michigan Adventure. It is such a bargain for families and the kids love the rides.

We love the Beaches of Grand Haven!

2011-09-07T18:38:00.002-04:00

We love to spend a day at the beach of Grand Haven to get ready for our Michigan Adventure the next day. The sand was extra hot and the water was cold. At least the waves were manageable this time around. We borrowed some sand toys from some other visitors and had some fun in the sun!

Happy 6th Birthday Jakob!

2011-07-10T21:24:00.004-04:00

We had a fabulous time celebrating Jake's 6th Birthday. He had a pool party and we spent the day in good company. Amazingly, these kids keep growing older and cuter. Fun Times.

The night before, the whole clan was at our house for the Lake Somerset Fireworks. Jake and Hailee spent the night and we spent the morning swimming in the lake. The boat went Kapoot and all I could think of was Jakob being late for his own party. Luckily, we called a friend...got a tow home, and headed to the party in our wet suits. Wowza. We just made it on time;)

Hailee's Softball Game

2011-07-10T21:16:00.001-04:00

We watched Miss Hailee play softball over in Chelsea. It was a hit and Ryan was chomping at the bit wanting to play so badly.

Summertime=Skiing + Smiles

2011-07-10T20:49:00.002-04:00

It was a great morning for skiing. So thankful for friends who have the equipment and the thoughtfulness for inviting the Ladd's along! I'm so proud of these youngsters. They are so full of determination.

Robin's Nest, Last Game

2011-07-10T20:45:00.001-04:00

We were sad to see Ryan's last game this season. He really enjoyed the season and his coach was very nice and has the patience of a saint. Thanks Stan! I'm sure Ryan will continue to keep us busy with baseball practice in the front lawn.

Full Blast is a Blast!

2011-07-10T20:35:00.002-04:00

The boys had a really nice sleepover with Papa Ralph and Granna Ellen a couple of Saturday's ago. On Sunday, we picked them up and strolled off to Full Blast Waterpark in Battle Creek for some fun. And Boy oh Boy, was it ever fun. Clean, fun. We opened the park and closed the park and the boys keep asking to go back. There was a bounce house, trampoline, water balloon launcher, zero gravity pool and waterslides. The day was hot and sunny and it was perfect.

Father's Day Nascar Way!

2011-07-05T22:16:00.002-04:00

The Ladd Dad's and Papa's and Cousins spent a hot day in the sun at the Nascar Race! It was a scorcher but they sure did have alot of fun.

Carp Carnival

2011-07-05T22:08:00.002-04:00

As always, we enjoyed the carp carnival. It seemed extra nice this year. Maybe a little more family friendly and less Riff Raff. We gorged ourselves on corn dogs and homemade potato chips and by the time we left the parking lot, the boys were asleep:)

Kindergarten Graduation and Last Day of School

2011-07-05T21:46:00.003-04:00

It was a very nice day at the Addison Kindergarten Graduation. Ryan really enjoyed his class and teacher. I'm not quite sure he grasped the fact that summer vacation means no more Mrs. Day every day:( I think he has his first crush. We made sure to get a picture of Mrs. Wetherby too.

Field Trip: Binder Park Zoo

2011-07-03T09:09:00.003-04:00

We had a fun day at Binder Park Zoo. It was the kindergarten field trip and it was cute seeing all the kids together. Jim stayed up to take the adventure with us. It was an all around good day.

Slow Summer Beginnings

2011-07-03T09:01:00.002-04:00

We sure did have a cold spring....and summer took a while to show it's face...but it didn't stop the kids from having fun with the sprinkler and water balloons! I love to see the smile on their faces and the laughter ring loud and clear, especially when they strike a blow with a balloon and even more so when the balloon doesn't pop.

Looking forward to many more good times this summer.

A Day With Friends!

2011-06-07T10:48:00.002-04:00

When I made a last minute FB message inviting Lisa and her family over for some summer fun, I sure was glad when they said yes. We had alot of fun jumping off the boat, playing at the park, eating tacos and drinking margaritas! We finished off the night with fireworks, s'mores, and some nasty mosquito bites. Ouch! It sure was fun though.

Love Blooms at Grandma's House

2011-06-07T10:45:00.001-04:00

After the Jog A Thon, Ryan left school a little early and the boys planted flowers with Grandma while I mowed. They just love planting...and playing in dirt! So does my mom:)

Jog A Thon

2011-06-07T10:37:00.002-04:00

We sure did have fun at the Jog A Thon, a PTO fundraiser at the school. When they announced "GO!" The kids just took off and left me in the dust;) Even Tyler kept running that circle for almost a half an hour.

Ryan wants to thank all of his sponsors for the generous donations that were made on his behalf. The money raised will help build a new playground at the new school campus. Thank You! And great job Ryan!!

Summer Fishies!

2011-06-07T10:15:00.002-04:00

My summer fishies are ready for fun! Ryan and Tyler like to jump off the boat and swim around the bay with life jackets on. The water is COLD, but they don't care. Once you start kicking around it feels pretty good.

Honoring Veteran's

2011-06-07T10:08:00.002-04:00

We spent the morning of Memorial Day honoring Veteran's at the Brooklyn and Cement City Parades! The Cement City Parade was fabulous as always and I am proud of my co-worker Patty Lueker for all she does for a full year to plan for the event. It feels like a homecoming when I am there and get to catch up with familiar faces from my growing up years. Ryan and Tyler sure love a good parade. Later, we spent the day on the lake and enjoyed some swimming and sunning.

Memorial Weekend Visit with the Ladd's

2011-06-07T09:47:00.004-04:00

Papa T always looks his best on a boat!

Riley and Avery go head to head with their water balloons. Tyler tags someone with his shot. Look at that form!

Ryan figures out how to really get someone wet! Too much fun.I'm pretty sure Ryan hit his target...but Riley was too wet to notice:)

I forced Ron to snuggle on the boat;)

Ryan barks at the moon!

Avery enjoys being Captain!

Despite the looks on my boys' faces...they really were having fun:) I thoroughly enjoyed this day spent with Jim's family. The kids adore each other and we always find fun things to do! We had some good eats, a nice boat ride, and we followed up with water balloons, squirt guns, and a hose fight. Then the threat of storms broke up the party. It truly was a memorable day though.

Splash!

2011-06-07T09:42:00.002-04:00

I never get good pictures at indoor waterparks. The lighting is just too bad. We had a great day at Splash Universe this Memorial Weekend. The forecast called for showers so we headed indoors and really got a bargain. A full day adventure with pizza, pop, and arcade money included. We enjoyed the day with my brother's family and had a good time. The night ended with a trip to Cabella's to look at the animals and a nice dinner at Lonestar for some steaks! The boys fell asleep just outside of Dundee:) Good times.

Spring Nests

2011-06-07T09:34:00.002-04:00

Even though we removed the beginnings of about 10 nests in the early spring, the mother succeeded in building one overnight right outside of our entryway door. Sure enough, she worked hard to nest 4 tiny eggs and soon ennough four little mouths peeked over the edge and we watched her drop worms into the open beaks. It is absolutely amazing to see the work and growth of a new family and all too soon...they flew the nest.

We had two nests, actually. The other was on the back deck and the mother would try to swoop us every time we took a step back there. I could watch her from the basement window while sitting on the couch. I bet she fed her babies every 20 minutes for several days.

Tyler's Dinner Prayer

2011-05-26T13:17:00.001-04:00

I posted this on facebook...but I wanted to put it here....just to always remember Tyler's cuteness:)

Tyler's Dinner Prayer: "God is great. God is good. If he hollars let him go....Amen"

Make Every Day Count

2011-05-26T12:59:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, our hearts stopped....

Yesterday, when the school bus stopped in front of the house and closed the doors and pulled away, I thought Jim was joking when he said Ryan never got off the bus. Our hearts stopped. I grabbed the phone and called the school and Miss Sally immediately connected with the school bus. I could hear the driver say that she was already turned around and headed back to bring home our little sleepy head. Ryan fell asleep in the seat and was down below where the driver could see him. When she asked the kids where was Ryan, they finally woke him up. That was one of the scariest minutes ever!

Jim celebrated by playing a few board games with the kids. Later in the evening, Ryan and I read stories for an hour and peaked at some Rocky movies that were replaying on the tv. It's the first Ryan has watched an adult show and he even recognized some songs. It was a great night for which we are grateful.

Photoshoot for the toothless grin:)

2011-05-26T12:51:00.002-04:00

On Monday, we all had tooth cleanings and xrays at the Dentist. Ryan's tooth was so loose that it creeped out both hygenists! When the doctor came in, Ryan asked him to give it a yank and now he has a toothless smile.

In the morning, Ryan awoke to an envelope with a dollar in it. That's a good way to start the day. Ryan wanted a family photo shoot to show off his new smile. So when I got home from work and Zumba, he gathered up the troops. He told us where to sit, how to sit, and what to do with out heads. This is what we got. Cute.

Sprinkler Fun!

2011-05-26T12:45:00.002-04:00

So it took Jim a few minutes of Tyler asking for Sparklers to finally figure out that the kid wanted to play in the water, ....sprinkler! I left for work and didn't get to join the fun but what a treat to discover these fun pictures on the camera. The day really wasn't all that warm and for sure, the water was freezing. You just can't stop these boys from adventure!

Seedlings

2011-05-26T12:42:00.002-04:00

Here's a fun little project the boys and I are working on....we planted mixed flower seeds in a baseball card protector. We used a spoon to fill each slot with dirt and dropped some seeds in and water with a dropper. It's hanging on our doorwall by suction cups. Now, we just can't wait for the rain to stop so we can get outside to plant them!

The End of an Era

2011-05-19T09:28:00.002-04:00

Jim still remembers the day I asked him to get rid of his Honda and drive a Chevy! He looked good in that car. He read the owner's manual cover to cover the first night. The Monte Carlo took a beating at the top of our driveway a couple of weeks ago and it was a total loss. She didn't owe us anything...she went for 120,000 miles ago and we bought it in 2001.

We picked up our new Equinox last night. It's going to be a nice ride for us....but Jim admitted this morning that it doesn't feel quite as fun to drive. We're taking it in for some window tinting and maybe something fun. I'm sure we'll love it when we get used to it:) I know we will love the gas mileage.

Serious About Baseball

2011-05-19T09:20:00.002-04:00

Ryan has always loved baseball. He asks to play every day! He is really enjoying the game and even though he probably could have moved up a level, we decided to stay and help to develop some of his skills. This has given him the chance to play first base and he is doing really well! Jim and I both played first base. Ryan was also given number 10 which was the number Jim and I both had in the early years too. I love watching these kids play. So cute.

Gone Fishin'!

2011-05-19T09:16:00.002-04:00

Tyler got his first fishing pole this year and has been using his Buzz Lightyear pole to reel in Nugget. So far, Nugget has been game for the game every time the pole is brought out. It is so cute hearing Tyler's giggles and seeing Nuggie make his move! I never in a million years would have thought that Nugget would make nice with the kids. Sweet.

I'm a little jealous!

2011-05-19T09:12:00.001-04:00

So this sweet situation never happens to a mom...we're too busy doing last minute chores at night time and trying to hurry little ones up to bed. Dad's on the other hand are comfortable enough to let the snuggles get the best of them. What a sweet picture and memory this makes:)

Carnival Night at Addison Schools

2011-05-02T18:37:00.001-04:00

I got a nice surprise today when the school sent home this gem from the carnival night. Love it.

Ladd Easter 2011

2011-05-02T15:01:00.004-04:00

Pictures worth a thousand words. We love to spend time together. Easter is one of our favorite holidays!

2011-05-02T14:50:00.002-04:00

We had a nice dinner and Egg Hunt and Grandma Cathy's. The food was too good. The kids were too good at finding the eggs. (Next year, flashlight hunt. The uncles played ball in the yard with the kids (read Ryan;) It was a nice time together...until poor Hailee was bit by a visiting dog. All is well, but it did break up the party a little. Feel better Hailee.

Somerset Beach Campground Hunt and some practice

2011-05-02T14:37:00.003-04:00

It was a beautiful day for some Egg hunting at Somerset Beach Camp Ground. The local firefighters sponsor the event and the kids really have fun. We also spent some time in the house the night before practicing up a bit. Tyler really got good at hunting this year. So cute.

Easter with Gma Vicki and Gma Cathy

2011-05-02T14:30:00.002-04:00

We had a special day with Grandma Vicki and Papa Ron the Thursday before Easter. We had ham and potatoes and some really good desserts. Then we colored Easter eggs and had some practice Easter Egg Hunts. We sure did enjoy our time. Tyler was so tuckered that he tried to fall asleep before coloring...we finally got him into the mood though:)

Spring Stadium Visit

2011-05-02T14:24:00.002-04:00

It was cold, but we enjoyed the day at the Spring Game for U of M. Then we enjoyed dinner at Applebees and Chuck E. Cheese. Tyler, who had to be convinced to attend, ran through the stadium chattering "This is fun!" As always, Ryan enjoyed the day.

80. Sunny. Toledo Zoo.

2011-04-12T14:52:00.002-04:00

We really enjoyed the weather and the company. Then we ate at Culver's and splurged on Sundae's. Can't wait for warm weather like this.

Loving Moments

2011-04-12T14:47:00.002-04:00

We've noticed that nugget is wearing down. He is 16+ years or more...I can't remember. He has never been much of a people person, especially little people. I am Loving that the boys are wanting to know Nugget as they've never really shown interest. I am Loving that Nugget seems to need their attention just as much. He can often be found looking for Tyler and following him around the island begging for treats. Oftentimes, we can be heard telling Ryan to leave Nugget alone or to let him go or to put him down. Inevitably, Nugget seems to stay right by his side with no gumption to leave or jump down. Our family is evolving and I am Loving it.

Too funny not to post.

2011-04-12T14:44:00.002-04:00

I always set out our clothes for the next day so that we are ready to roll and so we don't bother Jimmy while he is sleeping during the day. When I turned around, Tyler approached me with this and said, "Mommy, I've got your contacts." He thought he was so funny. It was more than funny. I guess when I go down to change clothes at night and take out my contacts he asks what I am doing and must think my bra is a contact! Ha Ha.

Let's Make a Michigan Cake

2011-04-12T14:38:00.002-04:00

Ryan woke up one morning last week thinking he wanted to make a Michigan cake. I really didn't know what he was thinking and I really wasn't looking forward to adding food coloring to frosting that would make all of our lips turn blue so I asked him to make a sketch of his cake. He agreed to compromise with green stripes and a white background for the field and then used a blue easy writer to make a M center. It was pretty tasty too:) I love that he is starting to use his own imagination to come up with projects. Tyler helped make the cake and named himself the official icing taster while Ryan created his masterpiece.

Double JJ....Best Day Ever!

2011-03-28T13:01:00.003-04:00

Ryan and Tyler kept telling us that Saturday was the best day ever! Yeah, it was pretty good:) Jim found a deal for Double JJ and we ended up booking a fun little rustic cabin. We hadn't really had any special adventures this winter and we all needed a break. Plus, the boys have been behaving very well. Can I get a woot woot!

Happy Birthday Avery, Big 3!!

2011-03-28T12:55:00.004-04:00

We had a great day celebrating Avery's 3rd Birthday. Even though she was a little under the weather...she was a little care bear:) Happy Birthday Avery.

Spring Fever S'Mores

2011-03-21T15:06:00.002-04:00

Saturday was a really beautiful day. Jim played outside the entire day with the boys swinging bats and dribbling balls (in his wool hat:). At the end of the day, Ryan begged to do some sparklers and roast marshmallows for smore's. We can't wait for more spring weather!

Addison Schools Carnival

2011-03-21T15:00:00.002-04:00

We had a great time at the Addison Schools PTO Carnival and thank all of the people involved to make the night a sucess. The boys really enjoyed the evening bouncing in the moonwalk, tossing rings, shooting baskets, throwing at the dunk tank and more!

Miscelaneous

2011-03-21T14:53:00.003-04:00

We tried our hand at making a pistachio bundt cake. The boys loved mixing and tasting the batter to this sweetness and it is super easy. A box of yellow cake, 3 boxes of pistachio pudding, and some oil and water is all. It bakes in 50 minutes and we sprinkled powdered sugar on top. So pretty and yummy and Tyler couldn't help but decorate the sugar with fingerprints:)

We had a surprise visit from Uncle Rick, Hailee, and Jakob this week and we really enjoyed it!

Ryan is trying to butter up to Nugget. It looks like he is trying to get away at this point, but surprisingly, nugget sat baby style for quite a while:)