Go West young man....Independence Day!

Greetings, friends and family! The last two weeks have been busy and fun-filled. I wanted to update everyone on what we're doing....

Craig and I were blessed enough to fly out to Denver for a long weekend two weekends ago. Thank you, Aunt Cindy, for your hospitality! We always appreciate your generosity! Thank you, Rob and Joyel, for your hospitality...we could not have made the trip without your 'help'. Thanks! We had so much fun. We went to our favorite restaurants, went golfing (ugh...you'd think a reasonably athletic person could hit a stationary ball off a tee...no?) saw old friends (Thanks, Dave and Tricia for generosity on our evening together....we enjoyed our time with you so much!) I think, as I get older, I realize how much I cherish my old friendships. The familiarity of them. We laughed a lot on our trip....a lot!!!! (which is one of my favorite things to do) We also got to see Scott and his family. Scott and Erika, thank you so much for making the trek down to Castle Rock with 4 boys and a dog. We greatly appreciate your sacrifice. It was so fun to see both of you and the boys.....getting so big.

Jack and Heath spent the weekend at my parents.."Camp Grandma and Grandpa". They had a blast. Boating, swimming, s'mores, biking, trip to the movies...thanks, Mom and Dad!

After we got home from the west, we went up north (we're well traveled) for the 4th of July. We got to see two sets of fire works. Bay Harbor on Friday night (So good!) and then Mackinaw's Saturday night (So good!) We spent the weekend with Jim and Sue. Thanks for letting us stay with you...we had so much fun! We went to a water park, Dairy Queen, and played outside. The boys thought it was pretty cool that they got to see fireworks two nights in a row. (and stay up late)

Our last day up north we spent at the lakehouse. I got my first tutorial on driving the boat. That's right I'm taking over the reigns as captain. (you've been warned) We got to see my Uncle Rick as well, which is always nice. Of course, every good time must come to an end...we ended our time with a trip to the Cheboygan ER. Jack slipped off the boat trailer and got 4 stitches in his head.....we weren't going to leave with just a kiss and hug goodbye. If you can't leave with a bang....I mean, what's the point. (ugh)

Overall, our first vacation of the summer was a hit! We are anxiously awaiting our family reunion at the end of this month! Yay!

A day in the life...

Today is 93 degrees...my house is a balmy 86.....our air conditioning broke a couple days ago and I've run out of creative ways to cool the house. A couple windows are open, but mostly, I'm just sitting here...sweating. Craig knows a guy who works for a guy who shares the building Craig works in....who works on AC units. He's about an hour and a half late. (but who's counting?)

So, Father's Day was Sunday. Craig kidnapped me for an impromptu getaway Friday night, for our anniversary was Saturday, so I did not have ample time to put together a montage to the fathers I love... the first father I ever knew was of course my own.....I know how blessed I am to have a dad like mine. Some of my fondest memories are from my childhood...camping, boating, traveling, family vacations....my dad made sure we had wonderful memories. Scott and I are very loved and are secure, mature (well me anyway..
he he...kidding) because of the childhood we had. My dad loves kids...and we were the first! Thanks Dad!

My second experience with a father, really, was Craig. Anyone reading this doesn't need me to go into much description. Craig is the perfect role model for a dad. He excels at it. He's a natural. Craig would quit his job and be a stay-at-home dad if he could. He loves playing with the boys and looks forward to it, even after a long day at the office. He puts their needs first in every situation. I know I'm blessed to have a father such as he for my children. Thanks, Craig!

Here are a couple pictures and videos. We are off to Denver tomorrow night for a few days, then up north for the holiday weekend......I'll keep you posted on our adventures!

Girls Weekend!

Every year my girlfriends from high school, Chrissy (Alexander) Jones and Wendi (Smith) Yee and I, get together for a weekend. We've been to Detroit before, where Chrissy lives and she has come here. This weekend she came here.

We don't do much. We stay up late talking, reminiscing, laughing....we like to eat and maybe watch a movie. We sleep late. This weekend that was pretty much the plan. Wendi doesn't drink coffee (gasp!) I know that's hard to imagine...slow your breathing... ; ) So Chrissy and I headed to Biggy's. Overpriced coffee, served to the masses....here we are.....
No those aren't Mickey Mouse ears on my head....they're sunglasses.

We ate at Red Lobster. And then went to the mall. I only window shopped, but it was fun just the same. Then it was off to see "The Proposal". It was very good! (I wouldn't see it with my parents, but it was very good)


After that we went back to Wendi's, where we were staying, and watched...I know this is hard to believe....."Twilight"......and ate Hungry Howies pizza. Oh yeah and we had some wine withe our pizza. Yum!

We all went home Sunday. (Wendi was already home I guess) Another fun girls' weekend! Thank you friends for taking time to get together. A special thanks to the men who took care of our children for us while we were catching up...we could not have had the weekend without you 3!

Love you all....

End of the school year...

Well it's the end of the school year, again. I don't remember what it was like when I was still in school. What was that last day like? I'm sure there was some sort of euphoria...but I don't remember exactly, enough to describe it. I had wonderful summer vacations. They were full of magic. Scott and I, a lot of times, made our own magic, but it was fun. (who could forget us hacking out the lot next to our old house...we both got such bad poison ivy...ugh....) I love the sun and I love the events of summer. Summer activities. Water. Fires outside. Camping. Boating. Sparklers. Later bedtimes. Traveling. The smells. My parents did a great job providing us with wonderful activities-which made for wonderful memories...thanks, Mom and Dad!

We often times got to see our family more. Grandparents and Aunt Cindy. Sleep overs. Water fights. I have so many wonderful memories. I played softball a few summers....I was practicing diligently my basketball skills to prepare for the following season. Trips out east....trips our west......I love the summer.

Now that it is here, I make those same plans in my mind for my boys. Trips 'up north', water balloons, trips to the park, boating, sparklers, later bedtimes, trips to Chicago, swimming in the pool out back....smores.....visiting family...things that I know will build memories for them. Like me, they hate wearing shoes outside....they love the sun....the smell of sunscreen...yum!

Jack had his last day of 1st grade yesterday (and Heath the week before)....it was a busy final week. I'm glad to have them home and it will be nice to be together after a long school year. I went to field day at their school which was nice. (it was competitive, not communist ; ) ) They handed out ribbons at the end of the day....here is Jack with his....
Most of you, I will see over the summer and I look forward to it! Thanks for logging on and reading my 2 cents....Love you all!

Happy birthday, Heath...Memorial Day

Greetings, friends and family. We went up north for the weekend to celebrate my baby's birthday. (not much of a baby any longer...5 years old!) It was delightful as usual. We love to get together at the lakehouse. The weather was great and so was the company. Bill and Judy Shearer came up from Cleveland, not just for Heath's birthday, but we were so happy to have them there. Grandma Clarke. Jim and Sue, Chris and Renee and of course, my parents, who hosted. We ate hot dogs and opened gifts. Heath got lots of summer things...a swimming mask, swim trunks, a pool...he was so excited! Thank you to everyone! We also got some accessories for our Wii and Heath also got his own Ninentdo DS. We are very blessed.

We also went to the Memorial Day parade. It was very nice. We sat across from the IGA at the Indian Pathways park....I was also able to make my tradition pilgrimmage to the local bakery to get my favorite...cream filled long john! The best in the world! It was a nice weekend. The weather was beautiful. I am ready for the summer months to be here. We have some plans that will no doubt include several trips up north...and possibly a trip out west.

Thanks for logging on and checking out my family!

5th/3rd Jr. race

Yesterday, Grand Rapids had their 5th/3rd Jr. race. The big race is Saturday....Jack took part in it and ran a mile!!! Go, Jack! It was so fun to watch him run the 4 laps around the track. He never stopped. I wasn't sure at first how he would do with all the noise and people; plus we weren't running with him, although Craig kept close tabs on him from the middle of the track while he took some pictures, but he did great. Here they are...enjoy!

Happy 60th Birthday, Jim

We went up to Traverse City last weekend to celebrate Jim's 60 th birthday. Considering he is the oldest Tamlyn in his family tree; we thought that alone was worth celebrating. The Tamlyn men come from a long line of heart disease that takes their men at a very early age. Jim's dad died in his 40's. We are thankful for modern medicine. Way to go, Jim! Happy Birthday!Here are some pictures and video from the weekend. My nephew, Hayden, Tracy and Jimmy's son, is getting so big, as they do that first year. It was fun to hold him. Thanks, Trace! We also got to see Emma and Terry Bell, who made a surprise visit to the party. It was so nice of you to join us! We had fun playing the Wii ( I actually think the adults enjoyed it more than the kids), swimming in the pool, and eating! Lots of eating! It was a great weekend; thanks Renee and Chris for hosting us all! Your new place is super cute!