Christmas

Isaac at his preschool's Christmas program...I am always amazed at how quiet he is in places like this; he is SO LOUD at home!

Just a couple of days before Christmas, Isaac and Madison exchanged their gifts.

I am thankful that Christmas day began on such a happy note...

...because less than an hour after arriving at Papa and Mimi's, Isaac dislocated his arm while wrestling with his cousins. We spent the evening in the ER, and we missed all of the opening of gifts...we just couldn't make the other seven grandkids wait on us!

Candied Apples

I LOVE Fallen Timbers Kids' Club...a free activity each month for my son and I to enjoy together! In November, Isaac got to decorate his own apron, which he is wearing, and make a candied apple. Yum!!!!

Fallen Timbers Fall Festival

Give me free fun fall festivities, and I am SO there!

Isaac and his best bud Madison...yes, the gorilla did become Spiderman...we were going for originality!
Pony rides

Spiderman hands

He was pretending to swim in the pond

Some Special Ladies

My wonderful friend Michelle and me:)

My beautiful sister Amber and me:)

MacQueen's Apple Butter Festival

I LOVE fall! It is the most beautiful time of the year, the air is crisp, and our fall festivities are in full swing! MacQueen's Apple Butter Festival is one of the most anticipated events in our area. This year, it rained on Saturday, so Sunday was PACKED! But it was also perfect! And the apple cider was yummy!

Out and about with Papa and Mimi

Outside of Granite City

Such a tired baby fell asleep on Mimi at lunch
With Papa and Mimi in Detroit

Hilarious sign in our hotel room in Detroit

Cedar Point

Sad but true: I live 50 minutes from Cedar Point and had not been for 10 years...the last time we went was for the opening of the Millenium Force in 2000. So I just had to work it in this summer...it was a blast!

Mr. Coolman in the back of the kids' jeep:)

Gabe, Zoe, and Isaac...they were such a team!

Two gangstas rollin' through the hood (of Cedar Point?)

Family Fun

Exhausted!

Last Trip of the Summer to the Zoo

There was an animal show; Isaac got to pet this turtle and a ferret!

It was extremely hot, so we took a break in the air conditioning!

Isaac loves the animal masks outside the kids' area.

A monkey on a gorilla's back!

Great Friends Whom I Miss:(

Since I changed jobs over the summer, I do not see these two lovely ladies pictured with me:( We got together late August to catch up, which we MUST do again soon. We went to dinner then stayed out at Fallen Timbers until (gasp!) 2am! I truly do not know how many years it has been since I was out that late!

This Week at Our House

Last week, after returning from Chicago, I came down with tonsilitis, so we basically did nothing all week. I am trying to change that this week!

We bought Isaac a pool this past weekend, so Isaac and I set it up today and got in...felt wonderful!

Last night, Isaac was definitely putting on a show for us!

This is David and Isaac celebrating David's 21st birthday (at least that's what the waitress announced to the restaurant) at Red Robin!

Chicago with Mimi and Papa

Okay, so, yes, we go to Chicago quite often because Mimi, Papa, Amber, Ed, and the girls (and the coming boy!) live there. This time, however, we went because my parents were keeping Jamie's kids for the week. We had lots of fun!

On the way to Papa and Mimi's from Ohio, the boys crashed!

On Sunday, we went to church. This is Chloe after church was over.

Isaac and Carson (aka, double trouble)

Tuesday night we took the kids to the park

Thursday we took all of the kids to Portrait Innovations for Christmas card pictures

After we got back home, the boys decided to play a game of cards around the table, in their underwear. (Notice that Isaac is in briefs...not cute, well, okay, maybe a little.)

Friday we loaded up two vans to take all seven kids to the beach...it was fun!

Lily lookin' all stylish

The kids had dinner when we got back to the house.

On Saturday we went to Amber and Ed's to play on the new slide

Isaac is slightly afraid of some water activities, but he loved this!