Aunt Marcia's

Well we spent the day yesterday hanging out with family up near Baldwin at Aunt Marcia's cottage. It was loads of fun, and Jake couldn't wait to get up there...so much so he wore his helmet for most of the car ride there in anticipation of his four wheeler rides (his favorite from last year!)

We held the first annual Brown Duck Race....in which Uncle Caleb was the winner! We ate garbage can turkey with all the fixins and enjoyed the company of everyone who was there. We also added to the celebration by throwing a surprise 60th Birthday party for Aunt Marcia. She was totally clueless and that made it all the better!!

All in all it was a great day! It is these kinds of days that we remember the most and look forward to again next year.

"Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the BIG things"
-Anonymous

Graduation

I can hardly believe it has been a year so far, but it has. Jake is now officially graduated from Preschool and moving onto Kindergarten. Is he really that old?? It was great to watch how much he has grown and learned over the last year. He is quite the character, and will definitely keep us on our toes!!

An Empty Spot

As spring moves into summer we enjoy all the beautiful weather, the end of the school year activities, and all that spring sports and family time has to offer, but there is always an empty spot.

As you watch your daughter play soccer, whizzing and whirling around the other players...there is an empty spot.

When your son makes the goofiest face and explains to you that if you want that new car all you have to do is have daddy take you to the new car store...there is an empty spot.

As you prepare for you son's preschool graduation and the BIG move to Kindergarten...there is an empty spot.

When look around your yard trying to decide where to start...there is an empty spot

Something needs to be sewn, or you have a new project you are dying to try, but there is that sewing part....there is an empty spot.

Since Mother's Day that empty spot has become a very large spot. I have struggled to look beyond it, but it is always still there. It is a spot that will never be full again. They say it will get better with time, but how much time?? I know that I will truly never forget, but sometimes I hold onto trying to remember. I want my children to know every story, every joke, and every wonderful thing about their Memah so amoung tears I share the stories, the jokes, and the wonderful truths that were my mom. I hope they can carry her with them just as I do every day.

And though she is not here in person, I know that really she is there for every special moment that we share, she is the sunshine on an otherwise dreary day, she the flower blossom that has somehow still survived living at my house, she is the delicious treats I make for special occasions, and raindrops when I am feeling blue. I love you mom...

Tip Toe...

Ahhh it's that time of year again where the beautiful tulips blossom and fellow Hollanders put on shoes made of wood and strange multi-layered outfits...Yes my friends it's TULIP TIME!!

This year was interesting since Emmah had the opportunity to march in one of the parades. And boy was she excited! Sadly this lame mom only got one picture of her actually walking, but I do have some of her and Jake in their costumes. That makes up for it right?? So for you out of towners, and locals who just love to see my little "dutchlings" here you go:

7th Heaven

It is hard to believe that on Friday my baby turned 7!!! How does that happen?? Well I guess I can admit that it did happen, even if I didn't want to she would still be 7, so I might as well just deal with it!

We celebrated on Friday with a Movie party with her friends. It was a great time and I enjoyed getting all the stuff together to make it special. Everyone had a great time, was well-behaved (for being at a party involving candy and cupcakes!) and enjoyed watching Up! Here are some of the pictures of our celebration.

We spent Toby's birthday yesterday at Notre Dame, not one of his favorite places, but we spent it with some great friends celebrating their upcoming marriage so it was a good time!!! Today we'll have some family over to complete the birthday weekend with Emmah's birthday dinner, she gets to choose the menu (Mac & Cheese, salad and corn...it could be worse!)

Gettin Crafty

I have always had this crafty gene in me, which comes from my mom and makes me smile when I get these crazy ideas, but lately I get the urge to make something new almost daily...I'm running out of room so if you are in need let me know!!

My latest idea actually came from a display in Michaels, I put my own twist on it and came up with this:


It so fun and it was my first attempt at playing with canvas...I think I will be playing with it again!

I hope you will find your craft gene, and if you have trouble well you should check all the fun and fabulous ideas at "I Made It" at Everything Etsy. (Click below to enjoy all the fun stuf on her blog!)

Great Wolf Lodge

Oh the fun we had!!! A while back friends of ours suggested that we take a group vacation to Great Wolf Lodge, a kids resort that has an indoor waterpark!! We, along with 3 other families were off for the weekend. Many great times were had by all!

Listening to story time with Wolfie!

Waterslides, and more waterslides and lots of fun!!

Getting some much needed refueling for more swimming!!

Emmah and I taking a break from the water, not for long though!

Wolfie brought us warm cookies and milk!! What a great surprise for the kids!