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!

32 Reasons.

Today is Brian's birthday. Since I am horrible at getting cards - and find them rather wasteful - I thought I'd try to come up with something more interesting to say..."Happy Birthday Mr. B".

1. He is funny...really funny.
2. He always knows how to act in a given situation.
3. He's a better driver than I am.
4. He goes to work and likes it.
5. He likes to lay around and read with me.
6. He doesn't show jealousy, even if he feels it.
7. He's always confident.
8. He's a "family guy".
9. He always picks out the right beer for my mood.
10. He enjoys concerts and music.
11. He is a subconscious cuddler, even when he's mad.
12. He is a hands-on-Dad.
13. He enjoys being with my family ALMOST as much as I do (at least I think?).
14. He is passionate about his interest (hockey season, GPS POI's, Harry Potter).
15. He's a Farkle champ.
16. He does dishes.
17. He makes a good cup of coffee, even though he doesn't drink it.
18. He picked up the house last night, even though I told him not to worry about it.
19. He always doubts my projects - but helps anyways.
20. He knew all my "rules" when we started dating, but didn't give up.
21. My grandma loved him instantly...and not just because he's Polish and Catholic.
22. He reads to our son.
23. He supported my decision to quit my job to do contracting - and still does, even though the contracting has been few and far between.
24. He is respected by his peers - and deserves to be.
25. He is wicked smart.
26. He is the most faithful, trustworthy guy I know.
27. He is only marginally addicted to Mafia Wars.
28. He is really cute when he's being "sporty spice" (playing sports or running).
29. He is careful with money.
30. He helped me create this wicked smart, beautiful child.
31. He is my BFF.
32. Life with him has been so fulfilling, it makes it hard to believe it's already been 10 years together.

Happy Birthday Brian.

Ya got the fever, boy!!!

For the 11th year, we got "the fever".

What is "the fever"? Well, back in the late 90's, there was one of the worst horror films ever, shot at our friend's summer home. It was called Fever Lake. Thus, our annual visit is now called the same. Tradition is to watch Fever Lake at least once, discuss who has the room with the "blood" on the walls, yadda yadda.


It's awful. Corey Haim is in it. Need I say more? Here's the wiki-page:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fever_Lake

We love going to Fever Lake. The house has such wonderful character, having been built at the turn of the century, remodeled in the middle of the century - and aside from the Wii we play with at night - frankly, hasn't changed much.

Isaac and Blue were pooped out when we left...

but did wake in time to see the double rainbow on the drive home. What excited us the most was, not only was it a double rainbow - but we could see BOTH ends of it!


Anyways - here are the photos from our adventure. Enjoy!
Fever Lake Photos

More bedroom pictures...

Well, the big push is done - we had the room ready for Brian's sister & husband (and new niece)'s arrival on Monday. We still have not finished the misc wall stuff, lamp, etc - but it's a usable room at least!

Special thanks to my Dad, for coming over to help me paint the bed. I couldn't have done it without him.

Here are some pictures!

Making a big boy room for Isaac....

We have started making a big boy room for Isaac. He has come to an age where he needs a bigger room, and a bigger bed. So - the remodel has begun...

I stole the idea from a Pottery Barn catalog. We purchased unfinished furniture and have been painting it navy blue. I am very excited about it.

These are the most recent pictures I took. There has been more work done - and hopefully the rest of the furniture will be done by this weekend - so I will post more then!

Click for pictures

Hammock Bloggin'

Ah. Nothing like swinging in a hammock with your laptop to inspire you to blog. But, about what? The last almost 2 weeks up at the cabin? Beach, beach, Mackinaw Island, Wolverine, beach, wedding, beach....

I will post pictures soon - but alas, since my laptop battery is now saying "warning, warning"...I guess I will just have to nap instead of blog.

;)

Near Disaster Averted....Sharpie Carnage 101

It's not blood. Thank goodness.

When I heard Brian walk into Isaac's room tonight, to see if he was asleep and heard "oh (insert poopy explicative here)"...and didn't hear Isaac crying - I was terrified.

Rightly so.

The scene which I happened upon, only seconds later was one that brings oneself to a standstill. Wordless. Stricken. Overwhelmed.

Red streaked down his legs. It covered the sheets. It dripped from the sides of his bedrails.

Was it blood?

No. Worse. Much worse. Sharpie. RED sharpie.

How he got it, we can only speculate, but he had it. He had it on his legs, his arms, his toes, his sheet, and worst - HIS BED. The beautiful white bed, purchased with such consideration....striped. Like a zebra. Only red and white.

"Get mom on the phone - STAT!".

Mom came to the rescue with the bizarre knowledge that only mom's of many years (and many sons) would have. Perfume.

So now, our son is blissfully sleeping, in a room, reeking of "Clinque Happy"...to the extent that I don't think I will ever be able to consider it a "fresh delightful smell" anymore. It is now on par with bleach, resolve and ammonia.

Happy. Right. Relieved is more like it.





(I think Brian is high off perfume - he claims to see the image of the Grinch in Isaac's scribbles)

Frog or Poo?

When your son goes quiet, while playing in the pool - and then you hear "Mom! I found a frog when I pooped on the ground"....well, really, what else can you do but chuckle? What came first? the frog or the poo?

Go Fire Up Chips.

To counter-act all the "Go Redwings" I had to endure during the playoffs, I decided it was time Isaac started learning about his parents Alma Mater.

Celebration in the City

Last weekend, Brian and I got a sitter (Grandpa Freeman), dressed ourselves up and headed out for a night of fun in Flint. We went to the Fundraiser for Downtown Beautification and Dedication of the Rutherford Parking Garage. We had a wonderful dinner, drinks while enjoying a performance by my aunt and uncle (Lynne and Rick Church)....some dancing - and all capped off with fireworks (and lightning!).

In classic fashion, we didn't get photos of ourselves, but we managed to get some nice ones of friends and family who attended...

Lynne and Rick Church performing

Perry and Michael

Brian and Michael

Mom, Candy, Aunt Cathy, Grandpa and Laurie

Gerard, Heather, Jim and Mike

Grandpa Time

Isaac, Dad and I spent some quality time together this week. We made a trip to the cabin to fix the water heater and a window...and spent some time in Flint on the way to and fro. Uncle Michael provided some iShots of the iSprat.

Does this look like the sort of man who just gave his grandson a Popsicle? Oh yes, yes it is. After 3 days of hanging out with a mischievous toddler, a Popsicle is all he could come up with to get him to sit still...for a minute or two.

More pics....