2nd Day

Since my pictures are posting sideways here are some more of the second day!

First Day of 2nd Grade

My baby girl had her first day of 2nd grade today and it was a success! First time with no tears. I am so proud of the little lady my baby is becoming.

End of Summer

Well, it is officially the end of summer for us. We ended it last night with a trip to DTE for the Christina Perry/Jason Mraz concert! It was a very good concert.
We don't travel over Labor Day weekend. We just take the time to relax before it is back to school.
We are going to have a bonfire Sat. night, not sure who all is coming since most of our friends go away. Oh well.
Hard to belive I have a 2nd grader now:)
XOXO,
Heather

On The Way Home

We are now on our way home from our week vacation at Sleeping Bear Dunes! And it was a wonderful week.
Yesterday was a very busy day. We started out in the early morning with kayaking. We dropped the kayaks at the head of the river. I drove the car down to the end and then began the 2 1/2 mile run back to the top. Then we began our 4 mile journey down the river. We beat all the tubers out on the river!
After kayaking we went back to our site and had lunch before heading to the beach for the majority of the day. It was hot and sunny and Lake Michigan was so refreshing.
After spending all afternoon getting burnt at the beach we got showered and went into Glen Arbor. There we did a little bit of shopping and had a wonderful dinner at the Boonedocks. There was a live band playing on the patio and it was a wonderful way to end the week.
But then on the way back to the site we stopped at the dune climb and once more at a blueberry patch to pick berries.
We ended the night with a bonfire.
Keegan lost a tooth last night on the way to Glen Arbor. She had been working on it for a while. She is waiting til we get home to put it under her pillow for the tooth fairy.
What a wonderful week!
XOXO,
Heather

Day 5

It is now day 5 of our camping vacation at Sleeping Bear Dunes and I am feeling so relaxed.
On day 3 we kayaked down the Platte River and ended up on the beach for a while.
On day 4 we spent the day traveling up M22 to Glen Arbor. We shopped and attended a historical program at the Maritime Museum there. It was Chad and my 9th anniversary as well.
Today we started out with the intention of going kayaking. It looked like rain so we decided not to head out on the kayaks. Instead we went in search of gas. We made it to the town we were heading to and neither Chad or I had our wallet. Oops. So we headed back and then out again for gas. We did find a McDonald's however so Keegan was pretty geeked about that! After that we found a spot on the river bank and swam in the river and chilled in the park. We just sat in the grass and people watched, played some ball, and people watched some more.
I am totally relaxed today and already not looking forward to going home in a couple days:(
XOXO,
Heather

Vacation Day 2

So here we are on vacation at the Sleeping Bear Dunes day #2 and I already feel like we are running out of time!
When we got here yesterday we got our camper all set up and decided to take a 1 mile hike to the beach. Well our 1 mile hike ended up being much more than that. We decided to walk the beach to the river and the main road back to the campground. This hike ended up being a 7 mile hike! Poor Keegan. Luckily I stuck out my hitch hiking thumb and we caught a ride from a kayaking shuttle. So it ended up being about 5 1/2 miles for us, and that was just the first day.
Today we decided to take it a bit easier and went to Traverse City for the day. We took Keegan go-carting for the first time. She had a blast. On the way back we stopped at BBW for dinner.
Of couse Keegan had to do more so we let her play at the beach for a while.
Now we are just chillin by the bonfire enjoying some beverages we picked up in Traverse.
Tomorrow we are off to do some kayaking, my favorite!
Til next time.
XOXO,
Heather

Vacation

Finally! It is here! My favorite vacation of the summer.
On Monday we will go to Platte River National Campground in the Sleeping Bear Dunes for a week.
It is also our 9th anniversary on the 23rd. I couldn't think of a better place to spend it.
First we have to get thru the weekend! Spending this evening with my sister and her family. Keegan is having a friend stay the night tomorrow as well as having a bonfire. Packing and cleaning in between whatever else may come up.
Can't wait for a week of relaxing, kayaking, hiking, & whatever else may come our way.
Pics to come upon our return.
XOXO

Catch Up

After spending way too much time this summer hanging out with friends, sitting poolside, and having bonfires we have spent the last couple weeks catching up around the house. We caught up in the yard a couple weeks ago and got Keegan's room back in shape, which included cleaning out her closet and now we have a ton of donations to make.
Today after getting groceries Keegan tackled her playroom all by herself and she did an excellent job! I tackled cleaning downstairs and her toy closet while she was occupied, and Chad has been working on the work truck for hours!
Keegan found toys she forgot she had in the process and now she is content playing with the newfound toys today, which mostly consists of dolls.
Now that all tha
t catch up work is done we can enjoy the rest of summer! Until fall cleanup anyways.
One more vacation left to Sleeping Bear Dunes during the week of our anniversary...our favorite place to go in Michigan.
It is time to go school shopping this week too. Which only means that fall will be upon us before we know it. I am ready though, can't wait for jeans, sweatshirts, bonfires, apples, and everything else that comes with fall.

Some Pics

Vacation #1

We spent last week in Ludington camping. It was absolutely wonderful. It was so nice to wake up when we wanted, go to bed when we wanted, and just relax. We spent the majority of the week on the beach, which is Keegan's favorite. I think that girl could live at the beach. We also spent some time hiking and even got our kayaks out one day. Ludington is a wonderful place, however, the state park is like a village.

When we came home Keegan had quite the cough so it was off to the doctor we went. Just as I thought, bronchitis.

We tried to wake up early on Saturday morning to go watch the hot air balloons but it was just not happening. My neighbor friend brought over a bottle of wine Friday night and we stayed up far too late making tutu's for The Color Run which we ran on Sunday. Our poor kids, whenever we get together the kiddos get to run around like crazy until far too late:)

Saturday evening we were off to the Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was not too exciting. There were very few balloons and we were all exhausted anyways.

Early Sunday morning Chad and I were up and on our way to Ypsilanti for The Color Run. Mom came and stayed the night so we didn't have to get Keegan up early, but we were up at 5:00! We arrived at the run with plenty of time, our friends, Cherie and Marty Samon, Sarah Brogan, and Kim Paquin all came with us as well. There were so many people there, about 15,000! The experience was awesome and we will do it again next year, hopefully we can add more people to our team! If you don't know what The Color Run is, Google it and watch the video.

Hopefully I will find some time in the next few days to post some pics.

XOXO,
Heather

Robbery

Well, the day after the 4th of July, the credit union of which I work at was robbed again. Luckily I was not there this time when it happened and nobody was hurt. The guy was caught thanks to fast work of law enforcement and social networking! It brings back a flood of memories from December 26, 2003, when I was the one robbed. It is a very scary thing and makes you appreciate every bit of your life.

Over the holiday we went out on the lake with our friends Hillary, Craig, Chris, Jarred, and Courtney, and their children to watch the fireworks. We saw them on the 3rd and the 4th and had a great time. Thanks for hosting Hillary and Craig, we had a great time hanging out with you.

During the day on the 4th we hung at Chad's parents by the pool all day. It was so hot! The pool was great. I think we only got out to eat.

Today, we are heading to the Tiger's game. It is going to be a hot one! Hopefully there is a rain delay and the game starts late. Is it bad to think that?

One more week of work and then heading to Ludington for vacation. I can't wait. I look forward to kayaking, laying on the beach, hiking, fishing, and relaxing!

It's Hot!

Wow, it sure is hot out. I am a hot weather fan, but anything over 90 is pushing it for me. But then I think, isn't summer what we wait all winter for?

Haven't had a whole lot going on the last few days. I took a long weekend last weekend and it went by so fast. Chad's sister Kristy and Alex came and hung out by the pool for a bit on Saturday. Sunday was Father's Day so we took Chad to breakfast, did the normal Sunday grocery shopping, relaxed for a bit around the house, then went to the driving range. We had fun. It has been a really long time since I hit golf balls and Keegan never has. The guy working had a kids club that he let her use and needless to say, she had a blast. Now we are on the lookout for some kids clubs.

On Monday I took Keegan to the Potter Park Zoo. We got stormed on and had to stay inside one of the buildings there for over an hour! Then we visited my sister and did some shopping. The days went by too fast as they always do when your not working.

The last two days have been hot! We have been taking full advantage of the pool. I did not go running last night, but played a game of kickball with Keegan, got tons of excercise from that though. I went for my physical today and thought that I had gained a ton of weight, but I only weigh 2 pounds more then I did last year. I was surprised, but am still working had to lose about 10 pounds! I will wait til later tonight to go for my run, I will probably sweat off the 10 pounds I am working on:) Just over 1 month til the color run, I am excited! Chad has even been training for it! It will be a good time.

XOXO

Bad News

Besides the whole refridgerator fiasco, which has become even bigger, we got other bad news this week. The refridgerator we bought is way too small, still looking for one to fit our space, the new range that was supposed to be in the store is not yet there and we already took the old one out. Still on a mission for a refridgerator but using the other til we find it.

The really bad news is that we found out this week that Keegan's multiage teacher, Mrs. Anderson, will be taking a new position next year and will not be her teacher. We are so sad about this, yet so grateful that Keegan had the opportunity to have her for the 2 years that she did. She has been an amazing role model and teacher to Keegan. Keegan said she was so sad when she told her, that she cried. Now that is an amazing teacher. Mrs. Anderson's son will be playing for the St. Louis Rams this year, we wonder if that had something to do with her new position? It is so hard to believe that I now have a 2nd grader. I think I am getting old!

At 4 o'clock today, I will be out of work til next Tuesday. I am taking a much needed fun weekend off. Tomorrow is going to be catching up on some housework while waiting for our new range, then off to run some errands and search for a fridge! Saturday will be family pool party at the in-laws, which is where I would be regardless of who was there. Sunday is father's day so that is up to Chad on what he wants to do. We may go to Lake Michigan for the day, but if not, Keegan and I are heading there on Monday. I am looking forward to this weekend. I have a few small projects that I would like to do around the house as well, like cleaning out Keegan's playroom which a tornado has gone thru :) She also has a wooden table and chairs that her and I are gonna work on creatively painting.

After playing catchup this weekend I have some BIG projects planned. I want to paint Keegan's bedroom, again! I also want to paint my kitchen cabinets and add some new hardware. This is going to be a big project! I also have so many toys and clothes that I need to find homes for. I also still have car seats, strollers and high chairs. By the time I decide to have more kids these will be so outdated anyways :) I should have a garage sale, but I kinda don't want to fuss with that, however I feel like I should, will probably make a fortune, we will see. If no sale, then I shall be making lots of donations!

XOXO

18 Year Old Appliances

This weekend our beloved 18 year old fridge finally called it quits on us:( It has been acting up for quite some time, and unfortunetely we had just gone to Meijer and got groceries. We now have food stashed everywhere, Chad's parents, our camper refridgerator, and at my work! I met Chad at Lowe's to buy the new one this morning and of course they did not have the one that I had picked out yesterday, but the good news is they upgraded us for the same price as the other one! While we were at it we decided to replace the stove as well, so it will be nice having these upgraded appliances!

Summertime

It is almost officially summer for us. Keegan gets out of school next week, so hard to believe I will soon have a second grader! I am so ready for summer to begin. Chad and I coached her softball team this year and that is over now, we went camping over Memorial Day Weekend with the Yeo's, we made it through my sister's wedding, now it is time to bring on summer!

Since we were so busy the last couple of months we decided to take it easy in June. We had reservations for Grand Haven the weekend school gets out, but we decided we are going to take it easy so we cancelled them. I am looking forward to bonfires, relaxing, and working around the house.

I was looking in Keegan's mouth last night, she was saying that her gums hurt, and what do I find but a new tooth coming in was down low where her adult tooth still is. Now I am getting worried. Her teeth are so crowded and she has only lost two baby teeth...luckily we are off to see the dentist this month and I am pretty sure they are going to start pulling some of those baby teeth to make room for the adult ones.

I am looking forward to summer. We have a couple trips planned so far and we shall see what else comes our way. This weekend I am planning on relaxing around the pool all weekend!!!

I will try to post some pics from the wedding and Keegan's sofball soon.

XOXO

So Much Going On

Wow, time has passed by so quickly since my last post and alot has happened.

To start with, the day after my last post Chad's grandpa Joe passed away. We knew it was coming. As hard as it was to say goodbye, it was time.

Over spring break, I took Keegan to Dundee Splash Universe with my friend Hillary and her little girl. It was alot of fun for the girls. However, when we got home, the sickness set in. She ended up with a double ear infection and I has some sort of virus. Yuck!

Easter was good. We had brunch at our house with my family. We took the traditional Easter photos along with the 2nd annual modern family pic:)

The next event on our list was that Aunt Karen lost her battle with cancer. She fought hard and for so long. She is truly an inspirational woman. Through all the pain and suffering she went thru, she always put a smile on her face and looked forward to tomorrow. She will be greatly missed.

We celebrated Chad's birthday in Mt. Pleasant. I had a conference for work. It ended up being a little shorter than we thought it would be. We had a great time. We did some gambling, some chillin out in the hot tub, a couple times, had some drinks on the patio with coworkers and board members. All in all, it was a pretty good weekend. However, we did not take any winnings with us.

Chad quit playing recreational softball after about 18 years this year to coach Keegan's softball team. We are actually co-coaching together. It is a really fun experience. The girls have had just a few practices and it is amazing to see their growth. From the first practice where they couldn't catch or hit a ball, where now they are actually doing it. The smiles on their faces are priceless. I know Chad misses playing ball, and he is hoping he can sub and catch up with his old team after Keegan's season is done, which is the beginning of June.

Annette's wedding is quickly approaching. The date is May 12th. I think she has things in order and is ready for it. Keegan and I had dress fittings the other night, and we are almost ready as well. It should be a fun time!

Then on the 19th of May is Keegan's dance recital. She decided to do hip-hop this year. It is cute but I miss the ballet and jazz. It is hard to believe this is her 4th year of dance. She is really good at it.

Well, that is all I can think of for now.

XOXO,
Heather

Daddy/Daughter Dance

So, Keegan and Chad are off to their first daddy/daughter dance. Keegan has been excited about this for weeks! I took her to get her hair done by my friend Hillary and she came home and got dressed right away. She looked so beautiful and so grown up! Chad went with our friend Matt and they took Keegan and Bella to Applebees for some dinner and then they are off to the dance. I am sure it is gonna be a blast for them. Chad bought her a neclace and earings to go with her dress, and she was glowing!