35 Things I'm going to do while I am 35

1. Go camping.
2. Digital Scrapbook.
3. Go to Disney.
4. Get fit.
5. Lose 15 lbs.
6. Send more letters/cards.
7. Nurture relationships.
8. Be more appreciative.
9. Be more kind.
10. Be more patient.
11. Get a manicure.
12. Get a pedicure.
13. Go to Ikea.
14. Ride a train.
15. Visit Chicago.
16. Get wireless internet.
17. Get a new computer.
18. Get new sexy specs.
19. Go to a concert or play or both.
20. Spend time with girlfriends.
21. Read the Sooky Stackhouse series.
22. Create a playlist of my favorite songs.
23. Write a grant.
24. Bicycle more.
25. Run a 5K race.
26. Bowl when my family goes bowling.
27. Praise God more.
28. Be nicer to my mom.
29. Tailgate for a U of M game.
30. Do better at connecting with Jim daily.
31. Do something creative on a weekly basis.
32. Take a class.
33. Prepare a meal that I've never made before.
34. Go to an amusement park with my peeps.
35. Go to the movies.

It's do-able. It's realistic. It really has been a good run so far. I'm looking forward to the memories. I still have a few more days to be a slacker:)

Fireworks from the boat and randomness

It was a cooly, windy night, but we enjoyed the 3rd of July fireworks on our boat. It's a neat display in the background while dozens of boats gather in the center of our lake. You can barely hear the crackle of the rockets over the laughter and distant storytelling from each boat. Ryan exhibits such passion for each display that it is hard for me to watch the sky as I love to watch his expression filled face. Tyler enjoyed the time snuggling too. I liked hearing his quick little claps whenever the sky filled with twinkles. We're really looking forward to the next 2 weekends where we will enjoy fireworks in Homer (...I keep telling Ryan they are setting them off for my birthday!) and then again in Addison on Tyler's birthday.

We spent the evening celebrating Riley Kate last night. We played some backyard wiffle ball, ate hamburgs, dogs, butterfly cupcakes, and ice cream and finished it up by opening gifts and competing at Wii. Fun times.

A trio of sisters visited at church yesterday and sang for the congregation. It was really moving and inspiring and made me feel a little teary eyed in thankfulness from their noteworthy message. Inspiration soon crept away when Ryan starting chatterboxing during the sermon and would not heed my looks of warning and stern finger to the mouth shhhh-ing.

The day turned into a real downer as Ryan challenged our every move. Long day, long story long, we sent Ryan to bed last night with no snacks and no company. We packed up the Wii and other video games and told him we will not tolerate his misbehavior. Rough night. I'm really hoping today will be better.

Perfect Scores

We are sooo tired and sooo glad that our 3 day weekend is nearly here. I've been wanting to upload pictures to keep you up on our adventures, Jim's 300, Ryan's 300, and so much more but this week has been long.

My mom was scheduled for an angioplasty but the angiogram showed it wasn't necessary. However, somehow, her body was knicked during the procedure causing a bit of internal bleeding. After some morphine, a painful pressure attachment and a night at the hospital, mom was sent home. Needless to say, I had quite a bit of running to do between job #1, job #2, hospital, kids, etc. I'm so thankful that my sister-in-law was so gracious with her time and compassion. Mom was in good hands.

The boys were in good hands too. They had fun playing with daddy on the wii, watching baseball, and playing with our new "Bing Bang" toss. I'll try to post some pictures soon.

Bowling Champion

There wasn't much time for Wii bowling this weekend but the champs have shown real improvement. Ryan and Jim are both vying for perfection. (Well, Jim got it on several occasions.) Ryan has had some near perfect games. No surprise since he is constantly bowling in one form or another...wii, at the alley, skittle bowling game, setting up toy pins in the basement, and setting up mini pins that he got on his 2nd birthday cake. There's alot of bowling going on around here. Jim and Ryan actually watched a tourny on tv and when we took Ryan to the alley over vacation...Ryan kept falling to floor in celebration just like the pros in the tourney! Congrats buddy!

Stay posted...I'm hoping to tell you about our picnic & family filled weekend.

Slugger

Okay, so here's some more evidence that I am not perfect:) I saw a sign at country market for a sign-up for soccer at the local school last night. There was not contact information so I drug the whole family over to the school for the sign-up. Unfortunately, the kids have to be 8 to join the league. Bummer. I think it broke Ryan's heart as he was pretty pumped up about playing like Hailee. I sure do hope he can sign up in the fall over at Clark Lake's program.

In the meantime, we will continue to nurture our little baseball man. He is very serious about his game and Daddy may even have to invest in some protective equipment! I'm sure you can just imagine where he was tagged by the line drive screamer. Ouch.

We survived our first week back after vacation and we are really looking forward to the 3-Day weekend! Yeah.

Jake's 4th Bday Celebration & A Day With Grandma Vicki!

Jake celebrated his 4th birthday at Domino's Farms. I already posted some pictures from this day but wanted to remembr these moments. Ryan and Tyler loved the animals. Ryan loves the ducks and Tyler loved anything that tickled his carrot covered fingers. Tyler is really becoming fascinated with animals. All along he has loved the zoo but he has had the chance to play with Uncle Len's dogs and some neighborhood canine friends and he squeals with delight. Aunt Amanda and Grandma stepped in on several occasions to ensure that Tyler went home with 10 digits:) We had pizza, Cars cake, a wagon ride and plenty of sal manila (just kidding, I hope). Such a fun day!

Tyler is coming along a bit with saying some words. It takes alot of effort on our part to encourage him to say help, please, milk, Daddy, Mommy, Ryan, etc. After a two week vacation as I picked Tyler up from school the first word out of his mouth was "Arielle" as we waved ferociously goodbye. Arielle is a sweet helper at the day care and I am so glad to hear him talking...but couldn't mommy roll a little easier off his lips? He is also getting good at saying Grandma which has created some nice smiles amongst the Gs.

Yesterday, Grandma Vicki took good care of our boys while our daycare lady took a break. Ryan was out of his mind excited. Jim says he snuggled up to Grandma from the moment she arrived on Monday night. They slept side by side and when Jim got home in the morning he found them sitting in a silent living room 9no tv, what?) snuggling contently:) I was also pleasantly surprised to hear that Grandma spent plenty of time pitching baseballs to both of the boys! What? That is so out of Grandma Vicki's character but the boys really enjoyed playing with her. They also went for a bike ride. Tyler was knocked out from all the play until Daddy woke him up at 3:30.
What a wonderful comfort knowing that these boys were in good hands and what a wonderful surprise that Grandma engaged in all of the things the boys love to do. We are truly blessed. Thank you Grandma.

Vacation Fun and Happenings!

Well, vacation is officially over. Trying to remember that summer is not yet over and there is more fun to be had...but with work and all, feeling like it is over. We quickly abandoned our plan to head to Mackinaw this vacation b/c the weather was a bit chilly, the clouds threatened rain, and the boys threaten each other daily. Not a good combination with a 4 hour drive. We filled our days with family fun closer to home and now Jim and I both are racking our brains on how we can make money with very little effort. Any ideas?

Vacation Fun & Happenings
Lots of Wii
Bubbles
Pop-Its (Bam Bams)
Boat Rides
Jakob's 4th Bday at Dominos
Party continues all day at Uncle Rick's
Backyard Waterslide
Goodbye Michael Jackson and Farah Faucet
Chores, Chores, Chores
Fireworks/Sparklers in the driveway, on the boat and 4th of July
Chuck E. Cheese
Toledo Zoo
Splash Universe
Continuation of full time deck painting;)
4th of July Party at Uncle Len's
Xanders DinoRoar party
Boat parade
New color to dining area
Bing Bang Toss
Bowling
Fresh coat of paint to walkway
Red Lobster
Grandma's overnight stays
Good Eats
Good Drinks

Good Life!

Heard around the house yesterday

Just wanted to remember this conversation between Ryan and me yesterday:

Mom: C'mon hotdog, hurry it up.

Ryan: Mommy, I don't like it when you call me hotdog.

Mom: Why Ryan...it's just a cute nickname. What do you want me to call you?

Ryan: Ryan. Yep, call me Ryan.

Mom: Okay sweetheart.

Ryan: Mommy, I don't like it when you call me sweetheart.

It was just so cute. He's really starting to show preferences and is turning in to such a big boy. I just don't think I can stop calling him by his nicknames so he's up for some disappointment.

(Just for the record, it's not just my nicknames, he is also always telling Grandma that he doesn't like it when she says he looks "sharp!")

Tyler is determined!

Tyler is tired of standing by watching Ryan have all the fun in the front yard. Lately, he has been dragging the T out to the yard and bashing wiffle balls. He loves to run the bases too! We're so proud:)

On Vacation!

Oh, I have so much fun stuff to share but I'll have to do it later. No time to spare to talk about what we've done when we are soaking up every minute with fun things to do. See you soon.

A Play Date with Jakob and Chuck

Had fun on Sunday at Chuck E. Cheese to help celebrate with Jake. All the kids have fun at the cheese. Jim and I both had fun and allowed the boys some freedom running around while we talked with adults. They are really starting to grow up. I can't believe Jake is 4 and that I am planning birthday #2 for Tyler.

Just starting our 2 week vacation and are having alot of fun. Many adventures up our sleeve. We were planning to go to Mackinaw but decided the weather was not cooperating and opted to head for Dundee for some waterpark fun and zoo fun. I'll post later:)