Day 304 - Sunday, October 31, 2010

Day 304 - Sunday, October 31, 2010 – Ashton's first Halloween. This Yoda baby, my heart, melts he does.

Day 303 - Saturday, October 30, 2010

Day 303 - Saturday, October 30, 2010 – The Moms of Fall, celebrating the boys' second play off win at B-Dub's. Headed to the Super Bowl next week!!

Day 302 - Friday, October 29, 2010

Day 302 - Friday, October 29, 2010 – Owen enjoying the fun Halloween treats sent in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Hillary.

Day 301 - Thursday, October 28, 2010

Day 301 - Thursday, October 28, 2010 – Tonight we had a very special guest over for dinner. Our dear friend Susan was in town from San Jose, California. Kevin knew Susan and her husband, Sean, in college and they were both a part of our wedding. Every time we see them, the conversation is so comfortable and easy, definitely some of our favorite people in the world.

Day 300 - Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Day 300 - Wednesday, October 27, 2010 – Liam was awarded Student of the Month for the month of September for demonstrating the characteristic of being most welcoming. This morning was the celebratory breakfast at school where Principal Brown made pumpkin pancakes for the students and their special guest. Since Kevin was working from home this week instead of out of town, Liam brought dad along with him. We are so proud of you, Liam!

Day 299 - Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Day 299 - Tuesday, October 26, 2010 – Tonight Amy and I went to a thirty-one party at Kim's house then we came back to Amy's house and chillaxed with some wine and good conversation. I might have shed a tear or two, but that's what girlfriends are for.

Day 298 - Monday, October 25, 2010

Day 298 - Monday, October 25, 2010 – Owen putting this week's word wall words on the fridge. My first grader hard at work.

Day 297 - Sunday, October 24, 2010

Day 297 - Sunday, October 24, 2010 – Going ghosting this year, the kids told me that they wished they could ghost 100 people instead of just three. It warms my heart to see them thoroughly and equally enjoy this tradition together, one I hope they continue with their own kids some day.

Day 296 - Saturday, October 23, 2010

Day 296 - Saturday, October 23, 2010 – The Boys of Fall celebrate today's play off win. Look at the excitement on those faces. And you can definitely tell that Liam (#24) is saying, "OOH RAH!"

Day 295 - Friday, October 22, 2010

Day 295 - Friday, October 22, 2010 – Ashton's six month check up. Love those little baby piggies.

Day 294 - Thursday, October 21, 2010

Day 294 - Thursday, October 21, 2010 – Kevin and I celebrated our TEN YEAR anniversary today. Unfortunately, Kevin was in Germany on business. So, he sent these roses to me. (Cue the Awwwww's) Liam answered the door and signed for them and excitedly rushed them upstairs to me. All of the kids were super excited and Jordyn told me (with tears in her eyes) how happy she was that I had married Kevin. Because, had we not gotten married, we probably wouldn't have moved to Oxford, and she wouldn't know all her friends, and she wouldn't have her wonderful brothers. It was very sweet.

Day 293 - Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Day 293 - Wednesday, October 20, 2010 – Film night at Coach Miller's house. These guys are serious about their football!

Day 292 - Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Day 292 - Tuesday, October 19, 2010 – Tonight was Jordyn's first high school choir concert. This full length black dress is a step up from the button down oxford shirts they wore in 8th grade, and two steps up from 7th grade's polo shirts!! But of course, Jordyn thought the dress made her look fat. (whatev!) Jordyn looked gorgeous. The concert was phenomenal. What a JOURNEY!

Day 291 - Monday, October 18, 2010

Day 291 - Monday, October 18, 2010 – The kids like to eat sprinkles on their yogurt, it's how we do things. Well, tonight, Owen decided to put every variety of sprinkles into his yogurt. It looked gross to me, but he loved it!

Day 290 - Sunday, October 17, 2010

Day 290 - Sunday, October 17, 2010 – We went to my sister's for dinner tonight and Ashton was trying to push himself up to all fours. My little pumpkin will be crawling any day now.

Day 289 - Saturday, October 16, 2010

Day 289 - Saturday, October 16, 2010 – Liam's team ended their regular season with an undefeated record (8-0) today against the Lapeer Steelers. Already looking forward to the first round of play offs next weekend and really, really hoping they make it to the Super Bowl. :)

Day 288 - Friday, October 15, 2010

Day 288 - Friday, October 15, 2010 – I put this back splash up today in my kitchen (Southern Living at Home's Patina Wall Tiles). Obviously, the next project in my kitchen has got to be the installation of hardware.

Day 287 - Thursday, October 14, 2010

Day 287 - Thursday, October 14, 2010 – I survived my first HIGH SCHOOL parent teacher conferences tonight. In the hour and a half that I was there, I was able to talk to two of Jordyn's five teachers. Overall, she's off to a good start and is getting less intimidated and more confident as the weeks wear on. Keep it up, Jordyn!

Day 286 - Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Day 286 - Wednesday, October 13, 2010 – Love it when these two go into their own little brother world and cooperate, and laugh, and teach each other things. I hope they stay this close for all the days of their lives.

Day 285 - Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Day 285 - Tuesday, October 12, 2010 – After living in this house for 3.5 years, not only is this the first squirrel I've ever seen in my neighborhood, but the squirrel also found it's way onto my bird feeder!!

Day 284 - Monday, October 11, 2010

Day 284 - Monday, October 11, 2010 – Tonight was Jordyn's golf banquet at Oxford Hills. Each golfer brought a parent, or in Jordyn's case, a grandparent, to participate in a golf scramble before hand, and then we had a buffet dinner in the club house afterwards. Jordyn earned a JV certificate and was given her graduation year patches ('14) and a wildcat patch for her Varsity jacket. She also picked up the Most Improved Golfer award. The team finished the season 7-1. Way to go, girls!

Day 283 - Sunday, October 10, 2010

Day 283 - Sunday, October 10, 2010 – It was a beeee-yoooo-tiful day for some OJW football. I am so very thankful to my sister, Shawn, for bringing my dad out to the stadium to watch the second half of Liam's game today. And Liam's team racked up another W.

Day 282 - Saturday, October 9, 2010

Day 282 - Saturday, October 9, 2010 – Kev, the boys, and I went to BW3's to watch the Michigan/Michigan State game. Sparty On, Ashton!

Day 281 - Friday, October 8, 2010

Day 281 - Friday, October 8, 2010 – Jordyn went to Halloweekends at Cedar Point with Shelby tonight. They had a blast. Jordyn was frightened by everything and the Gulda's thought it was hysterical.

Day 280 - Thursday, October 7, 2010

Day 280 - Thursday, October 7, 2010 – Ash is so close to getting up on all fours. Then he'll be crawling. Then he'll be graduating from college. It goes so fast.

Day 279 - Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Day 279 - Wednesday, October 6, 2010 – Gramma and Poppa came to our house for a spaghetti dinner tonight. We all can't get enough of loving on Poppa.

Day 278 - Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Day 278 - Tuesday, October 5, 2010 – Owen stretched with me in the morning before he left for school. It was so cute.

Day 277 - Monday, October 4, 2010

Day 277 - Monday, October 4, 2010 – A trip to Costco and Meijer today allowed me to stock up on some good stuff. Tasty.

Day 276 - Sunday, October 3, 2010

Day 276 - Sunday, October 3, 2010 – I did a lot of decorating this weekend. It's amazing how happy I feel after sprucing up our home. The fondest memories are made when gathered around the table.

Day 275 - Saturday, October 2, 2010

Day 275 - Saturday, October 2, 2010 – Today was the Homecoming dance. Jordyn and her boyfriend, Jacob, decided to go to dinner by themselves at Sala Thai instead of going with a big group of friends to the dance. This was their first real date alone and they loved it. Jacob bought Jordyn a corsage which matched her dress and his tie matched her dress, too. They had a great time.

Day 274 - Friday, October 1, 2010

Day 274 - Friday, October 1, 2010 – It was a gorgeous day for the Homecoming parade. Jordyn got to ride in the bed of the Gulda's truck, which was pulling the Freshman float, Party in the USA. (The theme for the floats was iPod shuffle.) And Liam walked in the parade with the Oxford Junior Wildcats. I love our town.

Day 273 - Thursday, September 30, 2010

Day 273 - Thursday, September 30, 2010 – Owen woke up from school today and told me that his stomach hurt. I said, yeah yeah, whatever, go get dressed. He got dressed and then didn't touch his breakfast. Not one bite. So, I thought, OK, maybe he isn't just faking, maybe he really doesn't feel well. So, I let him stay home from school. He ended up taking a three hour nap on the living room floor, no pillow, no blankie. Then he woke up, came in my office and said, "Mom, did I just take a nap?" Uh, yeah buddy. For like three hours. I'm glad I kept him home.

Day 272 - Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Day 272 - Wednesday, September 29, 2010 – I never know what's going to trigger the water works these days. Today it was the new name tags on the cubbies at Ashton's school. Of course they would give him the fire fighter's helmet, just like his poppa.

Day 271 - Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Day 271 - Tuesday, September 28, 2010 – Owen has homework every day now that he's in first grade. He's not a big fan of school and likes homework even less.

Day 270 - Monday, September 27, 2010

Day 270 - Monday, September 27, 2010 – Owen looking at his Lego magazine and watching TV in his jammies. These kids have no idea what life was like when cartoons only came on TV on Saturday mornings.

Day 269 - Sunday, September 26, 2010

Day 269 - Sunday, September 26, 2010 – Today we enjoyed a wonderful celebration of life in honor of my dad. We were surrounded by tremendous love and support.

Day 268 - Saturday, September 25, 2010

Day 268 - Saturday, September 25, 2010 – We have been having a blast at Liam's football games this season. His team is undefeated and the parents have really come together as a family. This is me with some of the moms at the Raisches' bonfire and corn roast after their game today. Good times.

Day 267 - Friday, September 24, 2010

Day 267 - Friday, September 24, 2010 – One of the things I love about living on this lake is this guy. He doesn't live on the lake but on slightly windy days or super windy days (like today), he brings out his sailboat and goes back and forth. We have such a good time watching him.

Day 266 - Thursday, September 23, 2010

Day 266 - Thursday, September 23, 2010 – First graders have more homework than Kindergartners. Owen reads his book to me. Not sure if he's reading it or reciting it from memory.

Day 265 - Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Day 265 - Wednesday, September 22, 2010 – Such an amazing support network. I invited these Hott Chicks over for drinks tonight. First, I postponed the start time. Then I showed up late. They brought their own wine and appetizers. And they still love me. I was a terrible hostess tonight. I'll make it up to them later.

Day 264 - Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Day 264 - Tuesday, September 21, 2010 – This is what happens when you keep your keys in the ignition all night. Battery D-E-A-D. My new neighbor across the street tried to jump it this morning but it wouldn't even turn over. So, then my mom brought me her van to use for the day. And in the evening it was Larry Alcorn to the rescue. Good thing he makes house calls.

Day 263 - Monday, September 20, 2010

Day 263 - Monday, September 20, 2010 – Owen has been practicing the piano and is anxiously awaiting Mr. D's second lesson today.

Day 262 - Sunday, September 19, 2010

Day 262 - Sunday, September 19, 2010 – Aunt Thelma came up from Arkansas to help my mom and dad get through this difficult time. And we're so glad she's here. Even Ashton loves her, it's obvious she's got the touch.

Day 261 - Saturday, September 18, 2010

Day 261 - Saturday, September 18, 2010 – Today we went to my Uncle Bob's house where my cousin Glen has a ginormous garden. He invited Owen and me out to dig potatoes. It was a little misty that morning, but we were bundled up. Owen squealed with delight as every potato was uncovered. He also learned other names for potatoes like spuds and taters. We'll definitely come back to help with next year's tater harvest.

Day 260 - Friday, September 17, 2010

Day 260 - Friday, September 17, 2010 – Sometimes my POTD comes to mind as I'm sending the boys up to bed. You can never have too many pictures of your boys, can you?

Day 259 - Thursday, September 16, 2010

Day 259 - Thursday, September 16, 2010 – Oh my goodness, I just had to laugh out loud when I walked in the boys' bathroom and saw this toothbrush stuck to the mirror. Yep, you guessed it. Owen.

Day 258 - Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Day 258 - Wednesday, September 15, 2010 – Shawn holds my dad's hand during pre-op. It serves a couple of purposes, one- to comfort my dad and let him know that we're here for him and two- to keep him from picking at the sticky dots all over his head, which will be used as coordinates during the surgery.

Day 257 - Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Day 257 - Tuesday, September 14, 2010 – My dad is scheduled for a very risky procedure tomorrow to take a biopsy of the tumor on his brain (which doubled in size in two weeks' time). So, we had a big dinner at my parents' house to wish him well.

Day 256 - Monday, September 13, 2010

Day 256 - Monday, September 13, 2010 – Towards the end of summer I asked Owen if he wanted to play soccer. His response, "No, I want to play piano." Then I asked him if he maybe wanted to learn out to golf. "No, I want to learn the piano." So, I tried flag football, maybe that would be fun this fall. "I want to play piano." So, here we are today, his first piano lesson with Mr. Denninger. He waited anxiously for Mr. D's arrival and bounded out the front door when I told him that Mr. D had pulled into the driveway. His excitement was palpable.

Day 255 - Sunday, September 12, 2010

Day 255 - Sunday, September 12, 2010 – Watching football at the Parsons' while we were there to celebrate Max's 10th birthday. Here Kevin is holding the beer, but not quite holding the baby.