Venetian!

Seriously....I've been off the blog scene for a month. The time flies!

Anyhoo, in recent activity....the Venetian Festival was here again, a yearly event in St. Joseph. Like a carnival I'd say, crappy (but oh so delicious) food around every corner, lemonade stands, LOOOTTTS of people, and the fairgrounds down by the pier, topped off of course with amazing fireworks Saturday night- usually better than 4th of July. Let me tell you- we've lived here for 4+ years now and I have YET to walk down and be IN with the Venentians- don't even know what that means. But we were there! Joe and Susie went along on Friday night and the kids rode some of the rides. We ate a funnel cake and an elephant ear. Verdict= funnel cake won the first night, and the elephant ear was better than the FunCake the second night. Probably just depends on who's making it- since there were about 15 funnel cake vendors.

As for the rides! the boys loved them...which was to be expected. And I was actually expecting more of a melt down when the tickets ran out, but maybe they were over-stimulated enough and ready to go home. HA! I know I was!!





And after going back Saturday evening without the kids- I am SO thankful that we went Friday night, way less people and no lines for the rides...and 1/10th the teenyboppers roaming around without their parents. haa. We've been busy with lots of things the last few weeks...August is just around the corner, then after Labor day the boys will start preschool! OH MAN! We better live it up the next 6 weeks- it's gonna go fast!

New game

Garrett says "Hey Ethan, let's do that thing with our eyes"...and this is what they were talking about. ?? HA! notice how everything ends with wrestling. boys.... =)

I'm still here!

Hello long lost readers....

Well, since I've returned home from Georgia a week ago already (wow)....I've basically been tryin to get caught up on life from being gone for 6 days. All of life has consumed my every free minute and I feel like the days are flying by and there are still many things left on my list. Last weekend was our yearly Twins Club Garage Sale, and since I'm the treasurer, that brings along lots of behind the scenes work for the club, but it's all pretty fun cause I like that sort of stuff...so I'm just now getting to the end of my duties for the sale. I feel like just typing a huge ****SIGH****, and I don't really think you guys want to read a detailed list of events of my week, so I'll just highlight with a few pictures and stories of my last few days. =)

We had ONE great day for the swimming pool last week when I got home, but then it was SALE SALE SALE, 70's and RAIN RAIN RAIN. BOO. So here are the kiddies from last week livin the dream in the back yard. They've asked everyday if they can swim again. Think it's time for some lessons in a REAL pool!





Then there was a trip out to Sister Lakes Elementary school for Rachel's last day of teaching these 1st graders....so fun. We brought them suckers to celebrate. The day also included a private lesson on the smart board after the kids went out to recess. =) Preschool HERE WE COME!






Then yesterday a trip to the "purple park" with Grandpa. This is one of his favorites to take them to- tucked back into a nice neighborhood and never anyone there. =) Plus, it has this sweet backhoe thing so he can teach them his mad engineering skillz. So fun.







And last but not least, I got to do some hair again today on the beautiful Ashley. She was pretty pumped about it, and for good reason. She looks awesome! just in time for her to tear up DC with her 8th grade class....who are leaving in about 3 hours (2:30am) for a fast and furious weekend getaway! Can't wait to hear how it goes. She's a freshman in the fall already. And as tall as me. what is the world coming to. SIGH, what a great girl, she's one of my favorites. =)

Birthday Wish from the Mich

Meant to get this up yesterday.....so we're a day late---SORRY! =)

Love you dad, miss you tons.

PHOTO SHOOT

Sydney's new favorite thing...'Jumping' (aka me lifting her) off the fireplace!





Boys being goofy.....watching Toy Story 3. It's been in the 'Thomas vault' for about 2 months, so it was like watching it for the first time again today! HA!

Destination: Grand Rapids!

So our surprise date was A-MAZING. So much fun...and it all started with THIS:

So FUN! They went all out for us, a gift card, some chocolate bars, sparkling raspberry bubbly from Tabor Hill (my fav) with glasses, brownies, muffins and fruit for the morning, and some other fun stuff ;). Ry took some great pictures of our room. HAHAHA



HA! hilarious. WOOOWWW. AND, turns out, it was the same weekend as the 5/3 Bank River Run....and the start line was RIGHT in front of the hotel. Our friend Breanne Vugteveen ran the 10K, so we popped out of bed and walked down the block just in time to see her finish the race! It was sprinkling the whole time (why does that always seem to happen when there's a race). She didn't even look tired! I would have needed a wheel chair...or maybe a ride in the stroller with Parks. hehe.


All in all we had a blast, and the staff had a pretty fun time it sounds like in their 'DAY IN THE LIFE OF MARTHA'. Let's just say, lots of 'accidents' and laundry and no nap. oh my. Good thing the kids love all of them, they were spoiled for the weekend. =) And I'm just now noticing that we didn't get any pictures of the two of us besides this one.....

HA! We had a de-lish dinner at Kobe Steakhouse, hot tub after breakfast, lunch at Panera, some shopping...the day went by pretty fast. THANK YOU THANK YOU!! A weekend to remember for sure!

WOW it's already May!

Go figure as I sit down to write this I can hear Sydney start to wake up. I'll just make it quick.

Some bedtime fun(ny) pictures...I have a few of Ry reading to the boys when they were shorter and chubby...it's fun to have some to compare to a year later =)




Sydney is ALL OVER THE PLACE when we're getting ready for bed. She is so wound up, climbing, running, 'talking', bringing you books...too busy to read them of course. haa. I don't really remember the boys ever being that way. it will be interesting to see if she mellows out over time. HA!

Also, little Beckett and Elle were over here yesterday. Are you kidding me, Syd looks like a monster next to him! Doesn't help that she just woke up from her nap and her hair is a nest...He's such a little cutie! Check out some sweet pictures of the Whites on EMILY'S BLOG. What a muffin! smiles and laughs all the time....awww

OK gotta go...she's getting louder.....