Easter and beyond...

 We had a good Easter.

It doesn't matter how old we get...we always dye eggs.

It's just one of those holiday traditions that I don't think you need to "grow out of".

Kind of like carving jack-o-lanterns...everyone should do it...no matter your age.

 We did "glitter eggs" this year.  I had bought this kit on clearance last year after Easter.

It was a good concept, except the glitter didn't really adhere that well.

What did, was pretty.

 The boys didn't want their pictures taken...

And they were acting all goofy.

I promised I wouldn't post them on Facebook...

But...

 I didn't promise I wouldn't post them on the blog.

It's ok boys, no one major reads my blog anyway.

 So ham it up...

We went to church and out to Logan's for dinner on Easter.

It was a good day...and thankfully, no snow. :)

Kitty is doing well.

Making her usual blog appearance.

The other day, for the first time in the six months we've owned her, she discovered the washing machine..go figure.  She was completely intrigued.  Crazy girl.

In other news...

-I passed my science exam/class!  YAY!  I've finished my first whole year at WGU and am moving right along swiftly.  I am now 40% done with my degree.  Only a couple more general education classes and then I'll be moving on to all education classes, yes!

-Saturday I'm going to my cookie gathering/convention.  It will be a day filled with some of the most amazing bakers.  Fun, food, laughter, classes, raffles, prizes, contests, swag bags, and more.  I can't wait!

-It's finally getting warmer out.  I need to make some time to go out and weed the flower beds/landscape.  Pretty soon it will be time to plant the annuals!

I think that wraps things up for now.

Will be sure to give an update after the cookie gathering Saturday!

Hope you all are having a great spring!

MJ

Christmas 2014

 Another Christmas has come and gone.

Wow.

Where does the time go.  This one kind of just sneaked up on me!  We celebrated with the extended family at mom and dad's house this year.  Everything was wonderful, the only bad thing was, Jam couldn't be there due to work.  Crazy schedule, crazy shifts...bummer.  We had a fun day.

 Lots of yummy foods, presents, and games.

 Everyone playing with their gadgets...cameras, iPads, phones, etc.

 Dad with one of his gift cards...

 Chillin' w/ my sis and niece...

 Mom with one of her gift cards...

 Playing games at the table...

 We're a crazy bunch!

 Christmas morning the boys opened their gifts...

 Stocking stuffers...

 Ooooh!  Could it be?  A new game system?

 More history books for our history buff!

 Gaming headphones for Nate...

 Stocking stuffers for Jam...his favorite candy and some Detroit Lions and Tigers decals for the car window.

 Kitty with some of her new toys...

I made a quiche for breakfast.

It was a great holiday.

We are enjoying our time off together as a family.

We hope your holiday was blessed!

Have a happy and healthy 2015!

First Day of School...a little late ;)

After we got back from our Island trip...Nate started back to school the following Tuesday.

Most moms take a picture before the kids leave that morning, but I'm too unorganized (and barely awake) at that point.  So Nate let me snap one when he got home.

He started 8th grade this year and is doing great!

I can't believe Evan is in college now.

I'm embarrassed to say I didn't take his picture, but hey...

Kids don't really let you take their picture on their first day of college, do they?

He probably would have obliged if I'd have asked, but honestly, the first day of college isn't quite the same as elementary, middle, or high school.

They're coming and going, different classes at different times, different days.

He's adjusted really well and loves all the food options on campus, LOL!

So proud of both of the boys.  They're both doing so well this year!

Our Christmas...

 Santa came...

 The boys awoke to some nice surprises on Christmas morning.

 Nate is on a Disney Infinity kick and is collecting all of the characters...so he got quite a few of those for Christmas.

 Evan is our gourmet tea drinker.

He got a nifty little single cup tea-maker from Teavana for Christmas for his loose leaf teas.

 Nate was thrilled, as he FINALLY got an iPod Touch this year!

 Evan is our outdoorsy guy...he loves getting any kind of camping, fishing, outdoorsy kind-of stuff.

 A few more Disney Infinity sets.

 Our soon to be History major...got some historical books.

He devours history books.

I'd say it was a success!

We hope you had a Merry Christmas too!

Cookie Baking Day At Geeg & Papa's...

 We had our annual Cookie Baking Day again this year at Geeg and Papa's house.

It's mostly for the cousins.

The adults just hang out, eat, chat, and supervise.

 Honestly, the "kids" are getting older now...and I honestly think they more enjoy just being together than decorating cookies.

 But some cookies did get baked none the less.

 The cousins...and my sister and me.

 Baked, but not decorated yet...

 My mom is a major "crafter".

 So my sister and I made some ornaments.

 Crafty sisters!

 Another ornament we made...

Shhh, don't tell the hubs and papa I took this picture when they weren't looking!

Haha!

What annual traditions do you have?

Springtime Stuff...(Tulip Time, Mother's Day, etc.)

 Another successful Tulip Time Festival has come and gone.

2013 was a hit.

I have to say, as beautiful as the tulips are, my favorite part is the parades.

We went to all three, as usual, since Evan marches with the ZHS Marching Band...gotta support my babe!

This is Nate and me at the VolksParade.  It was SOOOOO hot!

 Wednesday and Thursday were the VolksParade and the KinderParade.

Both days were absolutely scorching for Michigan springtime.

We were absolutely sweating!

 Of course we had to enjoy some festival food.

Wednesday we got a funnel cake and elephant ear to share.

And we picked up a corndog and homemade chips for Evan to enjoy after marching.

 There's my Evan...see him?

 There he goes! 

 Saturday is the BIG PARADE...the MuziekParade.

And the weather had taken a turn for the worse.

The temps on Wed/Thur were in the low 80s.

By Saturday, the windchill was in the low 30s (33 to be exact).

A 50 degree temperature swing is pretty drastic to the body!

 Not to mention, it was cloudy, RAINING, and HUGE wind-gusts!

It was pretty miserable.

But...

 We stuck it out!

Had to see my babe march!

There he is!

 We hadn't planned to buy anything, but we got some fresh cut french fries to keep us warm.

And a bag of cotton candy to go for Evan.

 I didn't take many pictures of the tulips or floats this year.

 Because, you know, for ME...it's all about the bands...

ONE in PARTICULAR...

Zeeland High School Marching Band!

And...as luck would have it...

We (ZHS Marching Band) WON the "Text To Vote" People's Choice Award for bands!

Congrats ZHS!

 Mother's Day sneaked up on me this year!

Maybe it was the weather.

It didn't feel like spring.

I was looking at pictures from last year's Mother's Day and my boys had on shorts and I had on a skirt with bare legs and sandals with a short sleeve blouse!

This year, the boys are wearing jeans (and jackets when we went out) and I had on jeans, sweater, and boots!

Brrrr...we had a chilly stretch mid-May!

 And to end this post...

Just a few random shots of my favorite boys...

...and cat...hehe!

Evan.

 Nate.

Ev holding Oreo.

Hope you're having a super spring!

Looks like the warm weather is headed back our way this weekend!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for reading!

Until next time...

Melody~