Hannah turns 9!!!

Well my Hannah turned 9! I cant believe it, it was just yesterday she was 1! I have said it before and Ill say it again, its so sad. Why is it that we (well at least I do) feel so sad when you notice that your children are growing older and you get that desperate feeling of trying to keep them little! Well it has to happen, and she is a wonderful little girl! She is the sweetest, nicest, smartest little girl! We Love her sooo much! Happy Birthday my sweet Hannah!

She loves her Birthdays!!! Love you!

Shout out to My Wonderful Sister Karin for a Happy Birthday too!!!!

School has started!!

Well the day is here. The day where my last one started Kindergarten! I just cant believe it! My 8 year old is now a 4th grader..what has happened..my oldest is in his second year in college...how did this happen?!?!
It is so bitter sweet. I am not normally an emotional person, but when the teacher let the parents in my kindergartners class stay for a short story, and then wanted them to go to their parents and kiss and hug them and tell them bye, I lost it! It was like she was telling ME that I had to go! I held it in til I left the room, she was fine. She was ready and has been for awhile. Seeing her older sister ride the bus and be gone all day at school is what she has wanted to do the last two years! She has done awesome! Hannah is such a great big sister; she tells her where to go and talks to her about what to do. I hear them laying in their beds the past couple nights talking, Hannah has been quizzing Hailey on what she needs to do and what her teachers name is; shes like a little Mommy! I love it! So very proud of all my children, God has blessed me and I am grateful! The feeling after they hop on the bus and the house is quiet (except for the dog, who is confused on where is everyone) is not quit yet comfortable to me, not sure if it ever will be, but I do know I get alot done!!! And knowing that I don't have to schedule a babysitter or daycare for my little one is a HUGE relief! I saw Hannah after dropping off Hailey to her class the first day in the hallway, however when I wanted a hug and kiss from her she ran!  Yes the day is here where she cant show affection to me in-front of her peers. Crazy! She sure will want to snuggle on the couch with me tonight though!!! Thank You Lord!

Waiting for the Bus!

Putting her stuff in her cubby like a big girl!

They have been playing SO well after school too! This is what they have been doing. Its a road. They ride their bikes or roller blade or use the scooter. Someone is the safety patrol person and drive thru person, or they say they are driving to their house to come over and play, the ideas are endless and I am very happy that the common element in their life of being in school all day has brought them closer! Amen!

Parenting Then to Now!

I came across this post from another blogger "Andrea Dekker" I had to post it its so true!!!

Parenting! Then to Now

Summer events!

So since I haven't posted in a while and am trying to play catch up, I thought I would share what we have been doing!

Fourth of July fire works in St. Clair! They were Awesome!

Some friends of ours enjoying the show!

Swimming in the pool!

 Bought a new desperately needed refrigerator! Love it!

 Went to a Tigers Game!

 Went up to Ludington! I love that town, we will be returning there every summer! Lake Michigan has the best beaches! soft sand, clean water!! Miles of beaches!

See how clear the water is! This was taken at Sleeping Bear Dunes, this beach had some rocks near the beach, which the kids love looking for rocks! However after they filled two sand buckets full of them, the park told us we needed to dump them since it is a State Park! Girls understood, Bruce was sad! ha ha

See how great the sand and water is, seriously was the best place to go!!

Well that sums up most of our summer, not to mention a couple family reunions which were so much fun as well! Girls both graduated from Level 1 gymnastics to Level 2! So exciting!!!

Summer is still not over, we have an upcoming BBQ/B-day party for my nephew, my sister Kim is coming into town!! I still want to sit out in the evening listening to summer, I still want to enjoy the summer mornings! I still want to enjoy summer fruit! However its coming to an end.... Logan left yesterday for college :-( he is excited to start another year in a new dorm. The girls start school soon (Hailey starts kindergarten!) I am not quit sure how I am going to handle everyone gone all day.....oh wait, yes I am, wooo hoooo!!!! ha ha seriously though I am sad to see them all grow up! Life is short so hang on!!!! 

10th Anniversary!

Well I have not done a bit of blogging since July! Due to work, summer plans, and that word relaxing....
We have checked off most of our items on our Summer 2013 calendar. The girls have been having a pretty good summer, Logan's been working full time (not home a whole lot), we had our 10th Anniversary, family reunion, camped out in the backyard, it was a fun filled July!

So Bruce told me that he had a surprise planned weekend for us, and would not tell me a clue on where he was taking me! He is ultimately the BEST husband EVER! Well I have been wanting to go to Mackinaw Island FOREVER! And well thats where we went! It was literally the best trip, I could say it was better than our honeymoon, which was at Key West, Florida. The island is the greatest, no cars are allowed nothing with an engine! Everyone rides bikes or horses, or pulled by horse carriages. It really makes you relax and live the simple life! Loved it, so much we made reservations already for next summer!!!! With the kids! Heres come pics.

                                                    Bruce even surprised me with a picnic by the Beach!

                                                              Grand Hotel view from boat ride to the Island!

                                      This is a view from on top of the Island, this spot is called "Arch Rock" the view from on top of this hill was amazing!

                         
                                                            The water was so clear and beautiful

Sunset!

                                               We decided to reinact the "Somewhere in Time" Photo below.... We must have tried to do it like 10 times. We were laughing so hard and people were riding by looking at us!

        It was the best trip! I could go on with pictures since we took sooooo many, but I wont bore you!

The trip was again the best! My husband is such a romantic, and he did great at not having me find out, since I love surprises, but continue to try and find out things! Honey thank you so much for such a wonderful Anniversary! I Love You! Here to us for 50 more!!!!

Birthday wishes and other wishes!

July 2nd was my sister Kim's birthday! She is one of the best sisters! (I also have another sister who is just as wonderful, just need to dedicate this post to Kim!) Kim is beautiful in every sense of the word!  Kim is one of those people that you just want to be around, she is fun and always has an answer when you need one. She is that person you can always count on to be there for you.  She is a great Mom, and a wonderful Aunt! She is wise (yet young!), she is stubborn -in a good way! There is never a dull time when you are with her!! Fun is too be had! No lulls here!!! I have so many great memories, as well as some fights! (sisterly love!)
She is one of the best people I know! She is my best friend!!! I love you Kim! :-)

Fourth of July 2013

We normally head up north (thats what you do when you live in Michigan!) , but this year we will be staying home. I am actually good with it, we plan on going to see some fireworks by the water, go to a family picnic/BBQ, and get a couple things done around here! Wishing everyone a safe and 

Happy Fourth of July!!! 

New jewelry, pizza dough recipe and other things!

So I had a premier jewelry party recently, and just for having one, and having some great friends over I got all this for free! Love Premier and my friends who came, and of course my friend Lisa who sells it! There are a pair of gold hoops as well, however I had to put them on!

                                                 I love this turquoise set, cant wait to wear it!

So most every Friday we have pizza. After many years of buying it, I ran across this recipe of frozen pizza dough over at brown sugar toast and ever since I have been making it! It is so easy and cheap!

Freezable Pizza Dough

2 Tbls active dry yeast
2 cups warm water 
2 tsp sugar
5 cups flour (I use half white and half whole wheat)
4 Tbls olive oil
2 tsp salt

Instructions:
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
Mix the rest of the ingredients with the yeast mixture.
Dump on floured surface and knead for 3 minutes
Divide dough in half
If freezing; Seal tightly in a freezer bag & store in freezer for up to 6 weeks.
When baking; Allow to thaw at room temperature for at least 4 hours. Roll onto greased pan, top with desired toppings, and bake at 500 degrees for 10 minutes or until golden brown. 

Enjoy!
I also use this dough to make Stromboli! -see below picture

This weekend my husband and Logan will be cutting down a huge tree that fell over from a past storm about a month ago. Isnt it HUGE? It was crazy, it just blew down!!
Its actually our neighbors tree, however they have been kind enough to let us have the wood, since that is how we (and most others in our area) heat our house during those cold winter months. My son is very excited about this project...... He cant wait to spend his whole weekend doing this!

I on the other hand will be painting these lovely garbage picked items!! Aren't they awesome? The bench is a glider! I plan on painting them white. I will post an after pic when completed. 

Enjoy your weekend! :-)
Stacie