Halloween - Petoskey style

After the infamous barn party, we had a full day of being lazy at Tim and Missy's until it was time to go trick or treating. Since they live in a rural area, they head into Petoskey for Halloween fun. The street they took us to was jam- with kids, and you could tell the residents really enjoyed decorating for the holiday!

Isaac was a "happy bat" and Will was a "black cat"! It was so funny to watch them...and Isaac was very serious about the candy gathering! He wouldn't even eat any until he was done. We called it "No Candy Left Behind".


Then, after all of the fun, Isaac and Will decided to try on some of the masks from the "Barn Bash"!

Cuddling with Uncle Tim and cousin Will during Sunday morning cartoons....

Happy Halloween Everyone!

The Freeman Barn Bash

Have barn, will party.

My brother and sister-in-law hosted the first annual "Barn Bash" at their place in Wolverine this year. The mandatory costume requirement was taken seriously - especially by Brian, who grew a goatee, then trimmed it to a mustache in order to become "Magnum PI". I was a witch, although I never got around to making myself look very witchy!

The witch and Magnum PI

Michael and I, changin' up our costumes.

They had all the makings for a great fall party...bobbing for apples, kegs o' beer, spooky decorations and of course, little goblins (kids) dancing to bluegrass music! After the kids were settled into the house (or camper, in Isaac's case) - the band Rootstand took over the stage. They were great and it was awesome to have a band just for family and friends!

It's not often I get to have quality time with ALL of my brothers - much less actually capture a picture of it happening...AND in birth order(or youngest to oldest at least)!"the Freeman's"
Jon, Becky, Michael and Tim

Enjoying Fall...

Sometimes I forget to post the simple pictures. The ones that show us doing something "everydayish". So here are a few of these from about a week ago. My friend MVG went on a 'craigslist' run with me (which is a great way to get time to have a coffee n' chat without kids!), meanwhile, Isaac and Brian did some raking...and leaf jumpin.
Isaac was also excited to show off a worm he found (and later, accidentally squished) to MVG...and she was nice enough to act interested!!!

Halloween - and it's not even the 31st yet!

We started our our Halloween with carving pumpkins with Leslie and Joe! This year, we really pulled out the stops of our creativity!!! Isaac missed out because he was power-napping, but we sure had fun! Pumpkin seeds were consumed by all in the following week. Can you guess who is who's?Next, we had our Mothers & More - Trick or Trunk. Problem was - well, it rained, so we were trunkless - and held it indoors. It was more like "Trick or Room full of spastic toddlers". Isaac ran into the room, bouncing and annoucing "I'm a bat! I'm a bat! Look, I am flapping my wings!". Despite our child running himself ragged - we had a really good time!

"We like trees"
Brendan and Isaac

"Cat and Bat"
Natalie and Isaac

"Batty about Princess"
Isaac and Charlotte

"Argh, A bat matey!"
Luke and Isaac

This week has been quiet on the Halloween activities, but this weekend will be sure to make up for it! I am amazed at how much more fun it is, this year, vs. last....and how much Isaac "gets" it. Last year, he never asked for ANY of his candy-loot....this year, it's a daily request! Ugh....

Happy Halloween everyone!

Cooking breakfast with Daddy

Brian is, hands down, the egg-cooker of the house. Every weekend that we stay home - he whips up some sort of egg creation. This weekend's delight was chock full of veggies and cheese. Yum.

Here he is - passing on his talent to Isaac.

Random Fall Activities...

We've been trying to take full advantage of fall this year, since Isaac can fully appreciate things like hay rides, pumpkin patches, Children's Museum, etc. We've been to Post Family Farm, Koetisers, etc.

Here's some pics!

Adventures at Post (sitting with his buddy Natalie)



Bounce Fun and a Hay Ride at Koetsiers!



Children's Museum

Central-Western -- Battle for the Cannon!

Yesterday, (thanks to my favorite ticket hook-up) we went down to Kalamazoo for the Central / Western Game. We invited local friends, Brian and Mary, to represent for the Broncos - and ol' college friends, Jon and Christine to root for the Chippewas.

This was my first trip ever to Western, and I thought the campus was beautiful. We had fun observing the college kids - and reflecting how different fashion is now vs. then (flannel, anyone?).

Western put up a good fight, but ultimately Central won!

We had such a great time - we all agreed, we should meet up again for it next year!

GO CHIPs!

Visit with Sam!

Brian had to travel to Georgia for the weekend, so Isaac and I decided to become wondering travelers!

We stopped to see Dawn and Sam for a night, then over to Flint, then up to Tawas to do "end of the year cabiny things"...and then back home again.

While visiting Sam, we went to a pumpkin patch and picked out pumpkins to paint! It was a quick, but fun visit!

Bed head, anyone?

Ride a lil horsey...

A lil movie time so the mom's can visit...

Applewood and 15 Year Class Reunion Mixer....

I am going to post-date this because I am SOOO behind on my blogging!!!

The first weekend of October, we were in Flint for my 15 Year Class Reunion Mixer. That afternoon - while Brian watched the UM/MSU game with my Dad - Courtney, Isaac and I went to the Applewood Estate.


(The frog statue from Genessee Valley Mall)

I had never been there before. It became open to the public after I moved, and it is only open a select number of times a year. I was SO impressed with Applewood and will definitely be going back again! Not to be cheesy but - WHAT A GEM.

They had home-made refreshments made from many of the items they have grown there, including a wide selection of apples. Organic coffee, fresh apple cider, apples, fresh salsas, cakes....it was sooo tasty!!! The grounds and the house were beautiful - and for those of you who know me well - it's right up there in my "fantasy house" league. They had horses, cows and chickens in the barns, a wide array of gardens (including veggies), and an fall educational tent from the MSU extension.


After the game, we cleaned ourselves up and headed downtown for a rare "adults only meal" at the Blackstone with Courtney, Scott and Jonquil. We had a really nice time!

After dinner - Brian and I roamed down to Churchhill's for the reunion mixer. We had a really good time - and I was pleased to see some old friends I haven't seen in a long time. We had a great turnout...hard to believe it's been 15 years. Unfortunately, I was too busy gabbing to take any pictures!

Bedroom Transition 2009 = Check.

Isaac is officially in his "big boy" room - and loving it! We were able to put the shelves up, move in the toys and even throw the mattress on the top now that our month-long visitors are gone.

Isaac is thrilled with his new room (although, he has slept in his "little bed" a few times this week).

Enjoy!