5.17.2012 Park fun

**I added a few more pictures at the bottom :)  Enjoy!**

Thursday morning we got up and got ready for a fun morning at the park.  (Randee also had her camera, and I'm hoping to steal her pictures...so this post may be updated in a day or two with some better pictures :)  )

We headed over to meet up with some friends at the park in a neighboring town.  The kids played for a long time.  Eli was on the move the entire time :)

 Leah was too...of course, she's ALWAYS on the move :)

 Going down the big slide...

 'Mommy, help please!'  (That's really what she was saying.)  So I pulled her legs so she would slide down.

Not sure that was the help she was looking for, but she had fun in the end.

We had a picnic lunch at the park, and then headed for home. 

We spent the afternoon playing around.  We went over to Grandma's house and saw my Uncle Leigh (my dad's brother) for a bit too, which was nice.

Here are a few of the pictures that Randee took that I 'stole' :) 

Another gorgeous Michigan day!

5.15.2012 Tuesday in Michigan (Featuring Parker)

We are thoroughly enjoying our time in Michigan.  The weather has been gorgeous-in the 70's every day.  We are hanging out, playing outside, and having fun with cousins.

 Leah and Parker have fun playing together.

 Isaiah was helping Eli play his game...though I don't think Eli loved sharing his Leapster.  We're workin' on that.

 Parker enjoying Leah's books.

 This kid is so stinkin' cute :) 

I just said 'Paker, SMILE!' and this is what I got.

I didn't really get many pictures of Monday and Tuesday, because I started a book Monday...and finished it by Tuesday, so I was spending all of my free-time reading. 

Tuesday we did go and see Grandpa at the nursing home, but he was sleeping.  Mom woke him up, but he didn't want to get up, which was fine.  We'll get up to see him again, I'm sure.

Wednesday we went to Pt. Huron and did a little shopping with mom.  We went to Joann's and drooled over all the fabric. I have high hopes of sewing something with my mom this week :) 

5.13.2012 Happy Birthday to you...and you...and you...and you

We had a gorgeous Sunday in Michigan.  We got up and went to church, then came home to celebrate a whole buch 'o birthdays.

Everyone was there...so I thought I'd take their pictures.

Mom was one of the birthday's we were celebrating...

...and Adriana...

...and Kristi.  We also celebrated Isaiah's birthday, but it's a little tricky getting a picture of him.

This guy, however, always has a smile for you :)

Ryan was there too.

And of course, Grandma & Grandpa.

Mom made the birthday cake, and I helped decorate it. 

Everyone got their turn blowing out their candles.

Fun times :)

The cake inside was a chekcerboard cake.  Super cute.

The cake was delicious!

After lunch we relaxed for a little while.

Parker is just so cute... :)

Eli loves Sam...

The kids played.

Isaiah showing off his new toys.

Grandma tried to teach Eli how to blow up a baloon...he's still got some work to do on that...

He is, however, great a lining them up... :)

We played a little baseball. 

Isaiah showed off his skills.

Adriana's sure to be a softball superstar :)

Rick with his power swing.

Pregnant mommy even got in on the action.

I hit a few.

Dad showin' us all how it's done.

Eli still wanted nothing to do with baseball, but he sure enjoyed the trampoline.

After baseball the kids went swimming for a while, then we all collapsed, exhausted after a very fun day.

5.12.2012 A Well Deserved Party

A few weeks back Jennifer called and told me that Ryan was going up to surprise mom at her surprise retirement party.  After talking to Edgar, we decided that I would go up too and take the kids with me and stay for a bit.  We arrived on Saturday in time for the party.

 Uncle Ryan is always a favorite among the cousins :)  Rick and Kristi and their kids didn't know we were coming either, so it was fun surprising everyone.

 The party planners :)

 SURPRISE!!  I think you can tell she was quite surprised.  Dad had taken her to a movie and then they were going to go out for dinner.  After the movie, dad started dragging his feet and said he didn't feel good and thought they should just go home...he said he felt like he was going to throw up.  He was very convincing :)  I think that's where Ryan gets all of his acting skills from...

 I think this is my favorite picture from the day :)  She was so surprised at the party, and very surprised to see Ryan...

 ...and us too :)

Happy Retirement mom!!  You deserve a break!  I look forward to seeing your many handmade creations that you will do in your 'spare time'. 

4.13.2012 Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

I know, I know. It's been almost a month since I last posted. And A LOT has happened. I'm sure I will eventually get around to 'back-posting' (Is that a word?) but I couldn't resist posting these cookies :)

These were made for my niece who loves Strawberry Shortcake.
When I called her on her birthday to wish her a happy birthday, she said that she had not had a birthday party yet...and when I told her I had made her Strawberry Shortcake cookies she said 'Oh, I've had a Strawberry Shortcake party." Apparently she didn't realize that WAS her birthday party :)I got my inspiration from THESE amazing cookies over at sweetsugarbelle.com. It's websites like these that convince me never to sell my cookies-these professionals are way out of my league! I'm content to just make them for my nieces & nephews :)