Mixed Emotions.......

So everyone has a little bit of Red Wing Feva kicking right now......Husband was able to venture down to game five on Monday with dreams of seeing the Stanley Cup paraded in front of him as his favorite team pulls out a win at home.......But those dreams went up in smoke in the last 30 seconds when the wings couldn't hold on - How do I know this?? I wasn't necessarily at the game but instead I was home alone with a craft room of possibilities and what was I doing???? I was tuned into this stupid game wondering if my husband would be lighting cars on fire in celebration (I think that is what you do in D-town- haha) my crafting abilities are ashamed and embarrassed! I was only able to make it up until the first overtime before I started sawing logs......next thing I hear was the front door opening - look at the clock and it was 4:30 am - Chris was just getting home - so I think ....oh good they won and he got to stay down and celebrate yadda yadda......well come to find out that is just how long 3 OTs take and a 2 hour drive home after that. So here I sit today with mixed emotions, the wings play tonight if they win then great they have won the Stanley Cup and I get my husband back, but if they loose than game seven is Saturday and whadda ya know. Chris randomly has tickets to that game too! So a little bit of me thinks let them just win tonight and lets be done with it......and another part of me thinks I really hope they loose so Chris can have the "once in a lifetime" opportunity to go back to D-town and experience a game seven Stanley Cup game, no matter who wins and perhaps I can use Saturday night to plead my craft room for forgiveness.........

So not sure how to end this other than LETS GO REDWINGS.....I think.....

Just a few shots of the "Wingnuts"

Commencement Craziness.....

So Brooke had her "preschool graduation" last week - I know weird huh? I thought so too. So I figure I will show up it will be a 15 minute presentation say thanks to the teacher and we will be on our way right? Little did I know......


*They rented out an entire church
*When we walked in we were escorted to a certain side (based on who your teacher was) I almost responded "we are friends of the bride"
*Parents are in full on suits and ties and women in dresses and I kid you not one in a Bonnet as if she was going to sit on the Easter Bunnies lap afterwards.
*Then a music procession begins and a full 1/2 hour slide show begins, which btw you could purchase after the event for $3. What is this senior prom? (Seriously though it was really cute they took pix of the kids from all year and all their events and made this slide show that really solidifies how much I love where they go to school!)
*The kids are then led in into the church dressed in full graduation caps and led across the stage in a large motorcade to be applauded.
*Then they begin to present awards to the kids (each one got one in the detrimental era of no one looses) like class clown, most likely to be a "fill in the blank" Brooke took home the "sweetest girl award" - and as it was spoken I was so proud but then felt the need to almost protest and request that they accompany her home some nights :)
* Each teacher then gave tear filled speeches about how much they will miss these kids.....
*Then each kid is announced given a diploma and a public school welcome kit.
*Then we went downstairs to have a full on refreshments and treats.



I don't think my high school did that much for us.......Brooke was loving every minute of it! Brady on the other hand had enough after about an HOUR AND A HALF of the festivities (so much for my 15 minute theory!) So we headed out to dinner to celebrate her big jump into public schooling and she dawned her graduation cap during dinner like she was royalty. A few pix of the event and her admired teachers....

Her Favorite - Ms. Jen - she will hopefully come babysit for the kids this summer!

Ms. Stephanie - who she adores and tells me that she looks like the girl on the cover of my US magazine (Angelina - ha!)

Order of Importance......

Brady doesn't say a whole lot yet (we are working on it) but when he does it is about something he really feels passionately for.....his list of words in the order that they came to him is sort of telling and a little bit scary......



1. BALL
2. DA
3. MA
4. BAYBALL



I am just saying I don't mind Da being before Ma, but if that "bayball" moves up any higher on that list of hierarchy and pushes me towards the bottom we might just be repainting his room! :)



So as you can see 2 out of his 4 most commonly used words have to do with balls and sports of any kind......the boy is feverishly crazy about any item that includes a bat, a stick, a ball, a net, or a glove (bless his heart he walks around all day with Brooke's hot pink mitt). I don't know if it is in the genetic make up of boys but it is so funny to watch him go so crazy over anything sports related and then catch a glimpse of his sister out of the corner of my eye mouthing every word to every song of high school musical.......(thanks grandma for the CD it has been on NONSTOP!!!) So the Ball continues to be the #1 love of this little boy and I don't think it is going away anytime soon!


Cases in point.....

The best $1 I ever spent at a garage sale!

Brooke Says Buh Bye & Brady Is Our Browbeater!

Today was the last day of Brooke's farm school and it is just hard for someone to understand the concept that she is too big to go back next year. She is so excited about young fives, but has such an attachment to her teachers, I think it has finally sunk in this week that it was really coming to an end.....how do I know do you ask, ummm the nightly mourning she has been doing crying and hugging and hyperventilating about how much she will miss them. It just shows what an impact these teachers have on our children and how much they look up to them - so there were a lot of ......It's okay to miss someone, it will be alright, we can visit, they will miss you too, Brady will be going there soon and then you can see them all over again, etc....... So we managed to conclude the year end picnic with no tears today - we took pix of her with all her teachers so she can remember them - she wants to put them all in frames in her room, bless her heart......... The teachers were great and told her she could drop in anytime and just visit during the summer camps or next year. Some pix of her beloved teachers.......

Ms. C, Ms. Izenga (seriously the whole year and I still don't know how to spell it.....Ms. Pear and Ms Harlow.......

If only I could get a toddler to understand that missing someone gets easier every day because even though it's one day further from the last time you saw each other, it's one day closer to the next time you will........but before I finish that she is already asking "mom can I go out and play" sooooooo much for reasoning with a 4 year old.

I just thought I would include a pix of Nelly to remember - the ugliest cow on earth - what kind of cow has hair like a sheep dog???

and oh yeah we just found out her teacher at her other school, just turned in her resignation so as she is "pursuing other opportunities" we will be rocking a sobbing sad little girl to sleep and I am positive this won't be the last time...........(secretly I am trying to nab her for babysitting!!!)

Brady on the other hand has been sensitive to others in another arena.....it appears when lil ones get up in his grill at school he decides to bite them.......This occurred about 6 months ago when we took the binkie away, but now its back and I hate that he is possibly hurting someone, so we have been trying to do time out on the steps, but this kid kills me he doesn't cry, doesn't care - he just sits there with his head down and lip out and waits for us to come back - its takes everything I have not to go there and kiss him to death, nice punishment huh? Hopefully it's a phase, he might be cutting his molars, but no excuses -I just wish he wasn't so darn sweet when I am trying to discipline him.........22 months is way too young to know how to work your mother over!!! But it is working :) So unfortunately he now is a harden criminal and has a record on file at school and probably won't ever get a "real" job........(isn't this hilarious - an "accident report!)

Here's looking at you Kid.......

I hope the two of you remain friends and playmates forever....it is such a joy to see the two of you get along and care for each other. Don't get me wrong it isn't always happy go lucky we have our moments when the two have to go to their separate corners....trust me, but for the most part they truly enjoy each other. Brady constantly gives us the "where's Brooke sign" whenever she leaves the immediate vicinity of where he is. He truly idolizes her and tries so hard to fit into her world. Brooke sometimes lets him and this is my favorite time to sit back and watch.......She defiantly takes on the teacher role trying to teach him songs, work on his speech, show him how she believes it should be done. I hope she continues to clear the path for him and show him the way, because soon enough it will be Brady who will want to step up and protect his big sister~but until then I hope he always looks to his Big sis for some guidance.

There's no other love like the love for a brother. There's no other love like the love from a brother. ~Astrid Alauda

A day in the life of Brooke's Mind.....

1. Mom, Where in the world is Matt Lauer is sort of like Scooby Doo, it's a mystery that you have to solve.......

2.She is very attached to her teacher's (always has been) but one of her school's is coming to an end and she is an emotional basket case about it. She tells me at night that she is just sad about not seeing Ms. "fill in the blank" anymore and she just needs to cry and hug about it.....What will we do when she has a new teacher every year in "real school"

3. Mom I think I am going to fall in love with Addy.....

4. Mom you know who you should be nicer to more than your friends and your family?? THE EARTH...... you shouldn't even tear grass because that is like tearing a whole in the earth and then we might die. (are her Boulder roots rearing their head?)

5. Mom how come you never take me to see my boyfriend anymore? I really miss him (referring to "her Joey" who she hasn't seen in more than a year)

6. Mom did you find out if I go to young fives in the morning or the afternoon yet.....

We don't know yet which would you like?

Morning - if I go in the afternoon I probably won't have time to finish all my homework!

This last one isn't from Brooke but dear ol' Hubbie who pulled a "Munson" himself.....

While standing in line to get a picture and an autograph of some old sports hero he turns to the person behind him in line and asks "Do you mind taking a picture of me when we get up there" This falls under the "ohh I wish I wish I would have waited a few more seconds before I asked category" - Turns out the woman was Blind. wah wah wah......

Worst task ever!

Buying a car. Plain and simple. I mean you would think I would be all about it - it is "shopping" right? But not so much! There is nothing I like about it. Now I know this excites some people and they look forward to it...... but really I despise it. Everything about it:

The haggling, the research, the stereotypical sales person, the unknown in buying a used vehicle, the cost, the variety to choose from, the options, the warranties,the gas mileage EVERYTHING. Perhaps it's because I am just not a "car person" I really have no opinions on color, look, style etc.... I guess I request too items when looking at a car - good safety rating and can it get me from A to B. We unfortunately were in the position to purchase a car recently, and not for the fact that we wanted to - Good ol' Patty was laid to rest as Hubbie and Brooke took a digger from someone blatantly flailing out of their driveway and backing right into them! (No one was hurt :)) From the looks of the pix - it doesn't look that bad - but apparently a lot of damage underneath that the body shop even told us not to fix it......

So we were forced with the big decision mini van or another third row seat car...... and when it came down to it we settled on a good ol' four door sedan (it ain't a popular choice I know) but as we stare at the gas pump $3.99 today folks - unbelievable.....we asked ourselves do we really need an SUV or a MiniVan to haul ourselves to Meijers or softball practice for Pete's sake? I just can't stomach spending money on a car that will sit in our garage half the year since Chris works out of the house. Trust me if the kids car seats could attach to a moped we might have considered it. So hopefully this will carry us out a few more years until we get to that point of "hauling" kids, kid's friends, bikes, sporting equipment around town we will "sausage" ourselves in our lil' sedan and hopefully feel a sigh of relief when we are only spending $50 on a tank of gas (absurd - but true!) - But honestly I DREAD the next car shopping excursion that will come quicker than I could ever want!

Mama's Boy........

They say it's a boy or man characterized by unusual closeness to his mother and boy did they hit the nail on the head with that one! Brady bugs is my lil boyfriend and definitely a mama's boy! He is so insistent on particular things with me that I find it very endearing albeit very amusing! For example.......

* If he gets hurt, even in the slightest fashion, he will fake cry and point to his area of infraction and come over to me until I kiss the spot and then immediately turns off the waterworks and turns around to continue whatever he was doing at the time.

*He is very particular in how we read books - he must back it up on my lap and gets frustrated if my legs are not Indian style (oh pardon me criss cross applesauce for those of you who were offended) - he literally will pull one of my legs in if it is sticking out in the least.

*He is an early riser - which most mornings I don't mind so much because this is his "on time" he literally cuddles and boarders on making out with me for the entire 1/2 hour before we have to get moving for the day......I love that part of the reason I need to go up and take a shower is that he has literally coated me with slobber in attempts at cuddling and wrestling all morning.

*Most nights before bed we read and have a nightcap cocktail in the rocker while listening to some music and I am sure I "pet" and "coddle" him more than any human should - but last night as I was trying to make bedtime "efficient" he took my finger and just put it on his cheek and stroked it as I normally do then onto the forehead and the hair - it was like he was saying....."oh no you didn't just try to put me to bed without the relaxing finger massage......."

So I am sure that this mommas boy thing will become a problem if it continues at the rate it is when he is older and married but for now - I will revel in it and enjoy every second, because as with anything it will be gone before I know it.

And off to College she goes......

Brooke had her big young 5/Kindergarten visitation today and someone was a little excited about it! She got to meet her teacher, visit her new classroom, go for a bus ride, meet the kids in her class (which was great, she new some already from her daycare, preschool, & the neighborhood!) So here are some shots of her visitation (yup - I am that mom......) Her mind was running rapid I could tell - some questions/comments that popped up were as follows ......

• Mom, we need to go to the store "tonight" and buy young five paper - because they probably won't let me do homework on "pre-school" paper.
• Mom, why are there no seatbelts on this bus?
• Mom, what if the policeman sees that there are no seatbelts on this bus?
• Mom, do we still nap in kindergarten?
• Mom can we "visit" the playground?
• Mom how will I get to the bus stop? Will it be like paige did?
• What if it is raining at the bus stop?
• Will the older kids from our neighborhood be on my bus?
• Do I start tomorrow?

So as you can see most conversations revolved around the BUS - it was very exciting and new....not sure I could answer her questions of why we practically put straight jackets on our kids in our autos but hey its a bus - throw em' in and hopefully they won't bounce around?? Who knows?? Anyway I am sure it will be a LONG summer of answering "do I go to "real school today?" In a blink of an eye my lil' babe is heading off to school - it is baffling but exciting all in the same breath!

You're Mean.....Mother Nature!

I mean I guess I shouldn't be surprised.....it is still APRIL and we do live in the Midwest, but mother nature gave us a taste of summer and left us wanting more......For the last two weeks we have been busting out of hibernation enjoying every waking moment outside. We have reorganized summer closets, gotten every plausible transportation toy out, visited multiple parks, replenished our sunscreen supply, immediate running to friends houses the moment we get out of the car and for what? A few mere moments of bliss all just to empty out the winter clothes tubs, throw on the long pants and jackets, roll up our windows and turn the heat back on. Mother Nature we are SAD, SAD I tell you..... you gave us a taste and then took it away. So we are patiently waiting to throw those coats back into the closets where they belong and enjoy the great outdoors! Here are some pictures of happier, warmer times.........

Brady trying sooooo hard to do whatever sister is doing! We are really excited for this summer - Brady is in such a better place being able to walk and be more self sufficient than last year!

Brady Bugs is becoming quite the monkey boy - in trying to keep up with all the other kids in the neighborhood.

Nothing beats a good game of hide n seek - I mean pine needles are really hard to decipher if someone is REALLY in there....wah wah wah.....

And Brady isn't really sure he can hide his melon behind this rock.....just kidding!!

Again not sure why it is sideways - but don't have it in me to go fix it......enjoy Brady being a big dude on the slide this year!

So fingers crossed we can get outside more soon!!

What a decade it was........

The 80's - there really was no better time, at least in my eyes. There was so much going on it was hard to keep up with it all. So to relive some of those precious memories we decided to dedicate our annual theme party to the decadent decade that is so near and dear to many of our hearts.....
I mean really what is not to like

• Hairdo's beyond comprehension
• Color pallets that were practically blinding
• Music that was immeasurable compared to the "****" they try to push onto us today (but really I don't feel strongly about this at all!)
• Language and phrases that had no relative connection to the English language. (ie "like fer sure that is totally tubular!") how embarrassing....I swear I never said any of those things!
• Numerous movies that are now considered classics.
• The innocence of growing up with MTV - I mean really when Frankie said Relax, its not like ANY of us knew what he was talking about

Everything seemed so cutting edge back then! Maybe it is because it is the period of time that I did so much "living" and "growing up" that it seems to resonate so deeply inside me, but seriously if we were to throw a 90's party what the heck would we do - throw on flannels and construction boots and mosh pit???? My point exactly no other decade really has as much pizazz as the 80's - Long live Bon Jovi and Spiral perms.... Okay I digress.....so anyway we had a great time (thanks grandparents for your most appreciated childcare!!) Here are a few photos of the event Kudos to all participants who really "turned that mutha out" with the costumes! I think I have all couples represented......

Chris and I gave props to the Jazzercise and Breakin' fads.

Kelly and Jake posed as a mighty fine Axl Rose and Slash.....Who knew you could buy a "sleeve" of tattoos!

Matt and Tammy paid homage to the NEON colors of the 80's!
Todd and Kelly gave a shout out to the "valley girl" and a uncanny Michael Jackson!
Kirsten and Omar did a nice spin on the high school cheerleader and Miami Vice!
Kahle is still hard to look at with that Mullet and creepy stache, and I might have to "out" Stacy for purchasing an entire outfit at Deb....bless your heart!
Matt and Sarah channeling the homecoming queen and Maverick from Top Gun















































































Rob and Nikki = ghost buster and Madonna (Desperately Seeking Susan version)
Jodi as the quintessential preppy sporting the collared shirts and Maury as Nelson , I think, or a blonde Axl.

Mom I just wanted to show you your moon boots are still going to good use!
Rachel posing as Debbie Gibson and Paul as Lamar from Revenge of the Nerds....
Jeanna as your typical Mall rat and Daryl as "I want to pump you up"
Thanks everyone for putting up with the "required" costumes it truly is an anticipation every year!

The Stanley Cup - GR style.......

Chris has picked up a new sport in 2008 and is IN LOVE with it! He has always expressed interest in playing hockey, but never was able to hook up with a team. This past year he was fortunate enough to join an adult men's hockey league and add "another" sport to be obsessed with :) He ended the season last week and it went something like this.......

it's game 7 of the final series and they are down by 3 or 4 - they finally tie it up and capitalize in the last 30 seconds of the game to win it and become "Wednesday night champions" (bless their hearts that this was the best title they could come up with) for real its even engraved that way.......

Or at least that is what I hear....you see this hockey league is something that I really wasn't able to be part of or witness - the games start at some absurd hour after I have already captured a few hours of zzzzz's so I have to take their word for it as they compare it to the "most incredible game ever" I mean you should have heard the recaps - its as if the 12 spectators were throwing buckets of octopuses on the ice in celebration! Now I am sure if you were to ask anyone of the team members to recap the story it would have been a bit more in depth than mine but the gist of it was they won the league and have quite a season to live up to!

Congrats "Wednesday night guys"

I am just excited Chris is able to get out of the compound and really enjoy something he has always wanted to try! (as long as he promises all original teeth will stay in tact) I mean it isn't the NHL but the WNL (Wednesday night league) I am sure is the next best thing! :)

So hopefully he can recuperate from his high of being a "champion" in order to focus up for Softball!

We are all showing our age.....

For some of us its a good thing for others not so much....... Obviously we age everyday, but somehow it has been more apparent lately.....


Hubbie - last two injuries were nothing to be "proud" of one consisted of a sore arm for several days resulting from a extraordinarily hard high five while playing hockey (sorry this one still makes me giggle.....) The other a toe that could barely be walked on from a break dancing mishap. The body is reminding us that we are a year older and it's not as forgiving as it once used to be!



Brooke - She is 4 going on 15 lately....She has become extremely argumentative lately and always looking to get the last word in....It doesn't matter what the subject may be! She is starting to watch "non cartoon" movies, proclaim she is Hanna Montana (after viewing one episode), going to kindergarten visitation.....Sometimes I look at her and think...How did she get that old - and did she really just say that? i.e. "Mom remember the golden rule" when we were battling out some issue (most likely getting her bangs out of her eyes!) We love you Brooke, but stop growing up so fast!


Me -I have never enjoyed a nap more in my life. I was never a big fan of them in my younger years, but given the opportunity I usually won't pass it up, I have had a stiff neck for about 2 weeks now, my bones creak at a volume that is sometimes absurd. I just visited a "retirement community" and really didn't feel all that much out of place :) I have also caught myself saying things in defense to Brooklyn's arguments like..... "Because we are the parents", "Because I am your Mom and I know what is good for you" - I swear another year and who knows perhaps "because you live under my roof, you will live by my rules" will slip out...... I know it's happening.......


Brady - All of a sudden this little boy fills our house with running, jumping, endless hugs and kisses, starting to get territorial with his sister and his things, a definite need to roughhouse, but hasn't let go of his cuddles with mom yet. He has started this hilarious laugh that I can't get enough of, still has an infatuation with any sort of balls (case in point) he will sit in this bucket of balls for hours.....sort of sad - but he is all smiles when he is in it....

Oh an the BEST part is that he is consistently saying Ma and Da to us - we have waited an extraordinarily long time for this but it is music to our ears as he finally is able to say our names! He is still working on Brooke but it will come all in due time!

So we are all aging in our own ways, some better than others in my mind, but still fun to watch all the twists and turns life gives you!

Thanks for everything Grandpa & Grandma!

We had a great time with you guys and we are back to reality - Surprisingly it is very "spring like" here so it wasn't that tragic. Thanks for all you showed us it was a nice break from the Michigan Blahs! Dad, Chris was wondering if one of the requirements of the "festivals" is that one spouse must be blind and use a walking stick :)

Also Mom we were wondering if there was a new pool rule for all people over the age of 55 to be assisted by a noodle in the shallow end. I mean it does look pretty deep from where dad is "sitting" :)

Thanks for watching the B girl while I enjoyed a magazine Pool side.....

Grandma thanks for warming me up by the hot tub 3 hours of non stop swimming every day!

Grandpa thanks for teaching Brooke how to calm down and swim like a big girl! And thanks to the family from Milwaukee for providing playmates for Brooke. Tyler the little 5 year old admitted to his mom that he was dreaming about Brooke - so funny!

Thanks for taking us on a hike and being able to witness mom see a REAL rattlesnake cross out path! Tom and Dave I know I don't have to write out the dialogue you can both hear it word for word in your head!

Thanks for taking Brooke back to her mountain roots - she felt one with the rock.....

Thanks for supplying the sunshine, sunscreen & definitely the Aloe!

Thanks for moving to such a cool place with so much to do! Even if you don't leave the compound.

Thanks for providing door to door service to/from the airport - I will have you know Brooke broke down twice - once as she saw you guys drive away and once as we were on the plane prior to dozeville. When asked what was wrong she responded "I miss Grandma and Grandpa!" I am so glad you have such an impact on her life and can't wait for your visit to beautiful, humid, hot Michigan in a few months!