Holidays

Greetings from chilly Grand Rapids. Not a lot of snow, but very cold here. The boys have so much enjoyed sledding this winter. The bigger they get, the more fun it is! Craig and I got the boys an old "flexible flyer" style sled for Christmas, that really flies in the snow. They have loved it!

Our Christmas was here and gone before I knew it. We like to keep our Christmas's as non-hectic as possible, and I believe we achieved that. Focusing on the true meaning of Christmas is always a challenge, but I believe we held true to our beliefs while navigating the comercialism that is now Christmas. We went north a little early to be with my parents, as they are now in Florida for 4 months, to spend a little extra time with them before they left. It was fun and relaxing. The boys built a gingerbread house, which was not structurally sound, I'm embarrassed to say...as the wife of a structural engineer ; ) But if was fun to build....













We got to see my Grandma Clarke who came to Lake House periodically. We played cribbage, which I recently taught Jack to play as well. I always love seeing her when I go north!

We went to Jim and Sue's for Christmas Eve dinner and got to see Craig's brothers, Chris and Jimmy and their wives.....it's always fun to get together and do our annual secret santa gift exchange...We had not seen Sue since Labor Day, so we were pleased to see her. We spent Christmas weekend with them and it was very nice. We played Blokus......sooo fun!









We are plugging along here.....Heath lost his first tooth this morning....he was giddy with excitement! (his new look is tooo cute)

We love to have visitors, so come see us! Love you all!

Christmas season

First of all, I love the Christmas season. I don't particularly love the crowds or the materialism of the season (yes, I had the longest Christmas list of my whole family...what of it? ; ) ) But I do love the music, the snow, the lights, the celebration of the birth of my savior. I know that's cliche' but there is something I really cherish about sitting next to a window, watching the snow fall, listening to Christmas music and reading or doing my Bible study...with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate...with peppermint schnapps (I guess that's Jesus' favorite too) It's quiet and peaceful. When I day dream, I'm doing that very thing....Also, I'm a gift giver. Of course some of you may be saying..."Oh really? What'd you get me this year?"....my funds limit me of course.

This year we headed off in a neighbor's truck to get our tree, a scotch fur, $18..a total steal....and decorated it the next night. The "put all the ornaments in one spot" trick never gets old does it?

Craig and I have enjoyed making our Christmas gift list and shopping for others. Jack also made a 40 item list that I'm sorry I didn't scan and show you....too funny...I think a train was on there...not a toy train...a real train.

They both have one more week of school then they're out for 2 weeks. They both love to play in the snow so they'll look forward to that, plus going "up north" for Christmas. We are looking forward to seeing everyone!!!! Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving early....Happy birthday, Chris

Happy Monday! This past weekend it was 70 degrees here in West Michigan! Ahhh, sun. I got a nice dose of vitamin D. It was beautiful. We also celebrated Thanksgiving early with Craig's family, minus his Mom (we're praying for you Sue...we love you and miss you) and brother Jimmy and his family (see you guys at Christmas!)

It was also Chris' 32nd birthday. We celebrated with cake, a play written by Jack...Renee was so moved by the production, she cried.....and then off to Craig's Cruisers for some go-karting! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween

Happy, November! To celebrate the new month, we like to dress up in costumes and go door-to-door begging for candy. It's an old tradition, some of you may do it as well. This year my children, I had hoped, were going to be Mario and Luigi, thanks to Erika...but because Jack had it in his mind (quite firmly) that he was going to be a ghost this year, my plan did not fully come to fruition. Thank you again, Erika, for the costumes....Heath thoroughly enjoyed his.
Not much is new here. The weather is starting to get cool and the leaves have mostly fallen from the trees. We are looking forward to seeing family this month on a couple different occasions. That's always fun! Stay warm. Keep in touch. Love you!

Pumpkin carving...

Happy Halloween....almost. Every year it is a new challenge deciding what the boys will dress up as for trick or treating. The boys always have ideas and it makes me wish I was a little more creative and crafty. This year, I remembered Isaac, Ian and Colby were "Mario Bros." characters last year, and hoped that I could borrow her costumes. (since my boys are extremely into Nintendo DS.."Mario Bros." in particular. Erika sent the costumes and my boys are, as I imagined, geeked!

Last night, we carved pumpkins. The boys drew what they wanted their pumpkins' face to look like and Craig drew the faces on the gourds. Jack cut his own face out, with a little help from me, and Craig helped Heath. This is the first year the boys reached in and pulled out the guts. Here are some pictures.

Klackles Orchard

Every year we go to Klackles Orchard and Pumpkin Patch in Greenville, MI. Over the years it has expanded and provides neat things for the kids to enjoy. Apple picking and pumpkin picking as well. A petting farm, a trike track, with over sized tricycles....homemade donuts (the caramel apple ones are soooo good) and cider. This year I decided my parents should come with us, so I pulled Jack early from school and we spent the afternoon up there. It was chilly, but it was super fun. Here are some pictures.

A strange noise...

So the other day, I had Heath lie down for a rest. I was doing chores around the house etc. A little while after lying down, he came out and said that he heard " a strange noise..."

here is a very serious, heartfelt re-enactment of the sound...can you identify it, based on the excellent adaptation?



The weather has turned cold, as most of you are experiencing....Scott, Erika...I'm so sorry. I think we are visiting an orchard this week with my parents. Hopefully it's not too chilly. Other than that, same old, same old. Our garage is clean and ready for winter. Grass cut, toys put away...lawnmower too hopefully. Love you all. Keep in touch!


By the way, the answer to the riddle........



the dryer. Hahahaha, Heath you make me laugh!