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Saturday, October 30, 2010

Trick-or-Treat

Trick-or-Treat!
Trick-or-Treat was celebrated on Saturday here in our town.
I was really glad since we won't have to worry about getting up early for school the next day.
Here's my two boys...
Nate...my little walking box of popcorn.
And...
Evan...my little nerd, LOL!

EVERYONE gave Nate compliments on his costume.
And EVERYONE cracked up at Evan.
I still can't believe he chose this costume...I laugh every time I look at this picture!

Here's our gang!
All the of Ev's guy friends baled on us...
So...
He got to trick-or-treat with all the lovely ladies!
Emma (his girlfriend)...
Selena...
And Nicole!
All such sweet girls!
And welcome anytime in our home!

Too old to trick-or-treat?
NEVER!
I LOVE having middle and high school kids come to my door in big groups all dressed up!
Better than getting into mischief!
Older kids are welcome at our house ANY time!
Hope you all had a very happy safe Halloween!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Nate's Halloween Parade

This is Mrs. Kraay/Mrs. Statema's fourth grade class.
Today I went to their Halloween parade.
I always look forward to it each year.

We've pretty much had a tradition that I come eat lunch there at school first (usually this involves bringing McDonald's, LOL!)  Then later, I come back for the parade.
It makes for a VERY hectic day...but it's so worth it.
It means so much to the kids when their parents show up at school.
I always feel so bad for the kids whose parents never show up.
I know some can't.  Work prevents it for many.
I feel very blessed to have a job that is flexible that allows me to get away for little things like this.
When I see these same kids without their parents, I always like to ask Nate if it's ok if they sit with us at lunch...I make it a point to make over their costume...I engage them in conversation.  At least I feel I can give a little back in some small way making them feel special on the holiday even if their mom or dad can't make it.

We had great weather.
Chilly...but sunny.
Nate looked so cute as the walking box of popcorn!
I tell you...if one person told him...a hundred people told him...how much they LOVED his costume!
Score one for the mommy!
LOL!
We had fun making it.
And so much cheaper than store-bought!
Tomorrow is trick-or-treat.
Stay tuned for pics of both boys!

My THREE boys carving pumpkins...yes, I said THREE...

Thursday night was pumpkin carving night at our house.
Look who's coming around the corner.
Yes...Oreo Flower.
That silly cat has to be a part of EVERYTHING that is going on in this house!
Even pumpkin carving.

He came in, and laid down right on the newspaper...right next to all the pumpkin guts.
Just sat there and watched us work.
He does does this with every family activity.
Plops right down in the middle.

There's Natee, working on his design!

Stop thief!  Stop!
Yes...that dumb cat kept taking off with our tools!
He kept carrying them off in his mouth and then hiding under the table and playing with them!

Ev's my pokey puppy.
Takes him FOREVER to get started...and stay on task, LOL!

There ya go Ev...keep on workin'!  LOL!
Look who's checking on him...
Silly cat.

Kitty!  Quit taking our tools!

Smily everyone!
Right in the middle...crazy cat.

I think Ev or Nate took this picture...somehow it just showed up on my camera, LOL!

The finished product!

Nate's bat...sitting on a jack-o-lantern.

And Ev's raccoon bandit peaking out of the jack-o-lantern!
Next up...roasted pumpkin seeds!

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Cutting and baking and decorating, oh my!

Nate was assigned to the Halloween party this year to bring in treats for the party.
So...we are bringing cookies.
There was another "assignment" at the beginning...but that's a whole other story/post of which I did write about, but later deleted.
It's not even post-worthy or worth talking about.
So anyway...
We decided on jack-o-lantern cookies!

We already had all the ingredients...so it was economical (my big thing).
And it's something Nate ENJOYS eating (so many years there's not even anything he likes).
And...I got to practice my decorating skills.
Still not the best.
But hey...
I'm getting there.
Slowly...

It was a long process.
I made the dough Tuesday night and wrapped it up and regrigerated it.

Wendesday...
I rolled it out, cut it, and baked it.

And today...
Thursday...
I decorated during naptime.

It was QUITE a time consuming project.
But hey...if it's for my boys...
It's worth it.

Hope you like them 4th graders!
Happy Halloween!

Saturday, October 23, 2010

We're baaaaa-aaaaack! (Mackinac Island, that is!)

Well...
It was (too) short, but sweet.
We came up on Friday and are leaving tomorrow (Sunday).
Boohoo.
I always hate leaving.
I'm not ready for reality yet.
We were able to come up to the island for one last time before winter set in for Jamie's birthday weekend.
Just he and I.
The boys are with grandma and grandpa.

It was beautiful weather on Friday.
We took our usual hikes though the woods.
And talked...
And talked...
And talked.
It's always such a different experience being alone...
Just the two of us.
Yes...
I miss those two wonderful crazy boys...
But moms and dads DO need some alone time every once in a while, LOL!
We loved the way our shadows were cast on the path of this trail.
Had to snap a pic you know...

We thought this was cool looking too.
Kinda like on "Ghost Whisperer" when she says, "Walk into the light", LOL!

This was the craziest, yet very cool thing we came across.
It was laying on a big huge rock.
It was made up of branches, sticks, rocks, bark, etc.
Someone had arranged it all in the most artistic way!
Reminded me of a jellyfish or squid, LOL!
We're always keeping our eyes open for new and unique things on our walks!

Do you see what I see?
There's a little baby squirrel on that tree ledge!
I had NEVER seen a baby squirrel till Friday evening!
He was so cute...so tiny!
He was nibbling on a nut!

We can never leave without yet one more picture by Arch Rock.
I ought to print out all of our pictures by Arch Rock and see how we all change/age though the years, LOL!

Jamie always likes to take a picture in this same spot every year too...right by this fence with the water in the background.
We're staying at the Harbor View Inn.
It's lovely.
We've never stayed there up until now.
I tell you...with the new investors who bought out Mission Point...things have really gone downhill at our favorite resort.  And after staying here at Harbor View...we were SO impressed, we may be making this our new spot each time we visit the island!
Everything is IMACULATE!
So clean...so much attention to detail!
Not a bug or cobweb on the porch.
The porch furniture was spotless.
Housekeeping was constantly wiping down the inside common areas.
Our room was spotless.
And they're fast!
All the decor is beautiful...and festively decorated for the season.

Each time we go back to Mission Point...it seems there is one many more things that disappoint us.
It's sad, because it was always our favorite place.
And it's not just the worn carpets, peeling wallpaper, or not so perfect housekeeping.
It's the attitude of many of the staff.
They don't go out of their way to make you feel welcome like they used to.
There are still some that are wonderful.
Several guys and gals who work at Round Island Bar & Grill and Lakeside Market that always remember us and chat with us.
But many other areas...two thumbs down.
Anyway...I didn't mean to go off on a "let's diss Mission Point" post.
We still enjoy many aspects of that resort and may go back at times.
But I just wanted to say what a splendid time we had at Harbor View Inn.
We enjoyed Saturday afternoon coffee on the porch and we had a visitor!
I think he knew we were kitty lovers!
He came and spent about half and hour with us.
He obviously has a home and owner who loves him.
He is definitely well fed, that's for sure, LOL!
I'm sorry kitty...you're not fat...you're fluffy!
LOL!
Jamie said he looked like a little black bear because he was so fluffy and chubby, LOL!
He was very well groomed for an outdoor kitty.
He rolled around, layed down, sat a while, and then also played with me.

We spent a lot of time relaxing on this porch.
It was so clean and comfortable.
Had some afternoon and evening coffee here.
We came back at night and enjoyed watching the rain.
It was very peaceful.
We went down to Mission Point for dinner one evening at the Lakeside Market and had some sandwiches and got to visit with several of the girls who always remember us.
They're really sweet.
I was so glad I brought my coat, hat, scarf, and gloves this weekend!
Who knew it would be so chilly!
But hey...
As long as it's dry...
I don't care HOW chilly it is.
Nothing is worse than rain all day when you're visiting the island.
I love a good island storm at night.
But please give me sunshine during the day.
At home...
I'll take rain any time of day.
But at Mackinac...
I need my sunny days.
LOL!
Well...
Tomorrow we leave...
We probably won't be back till next May.
I guess all good things must come to an end.
Good bye Mackinac Island.
One day...
Yes one day...
We will be...
Coming HOME to you.
We are keeping the dream alive.
Even if it's when we retire...
Someday...
We WILL have a spot to call our own.
Parting is such sweet sorrow...   ;)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Ok! They're here, they're here! Just like I promised! SOME of the family pictures are here!

Well, here they are!
Finally!
I've gotten the outdoor family photos I've always dreamed about!
We were blessed to have our friend Wendy do a photo shoot for us.
I think she did a WONDERFUL job!
And I am so pleased!
She gave us this little preview tonight and said she's still working on a few more...but these were her favorites.
Hope you enjoy!