Fall Fun Not Forgotten

 

 

I was holding onto these pictures because I assumed we would go back one more time before they closed, but it just didn't happen this year.  Lewis' Market and Petting Zoo is such a blast.  We even shot some apples on "Bunker Hill" this year. 

Writing His Name

At school and at home, Brighton is working on writing his name.  It's not exactly short, but he is actually doing quite well now.  Below is the first paper that ever came home with his name on it.  This was earlier this fall.

I was so proud that for quite some time I completely missed the extra letter.  I also later noticed we apparently need to be working a bit more on our numbers too. 

 

I can't believe my boy is writing his name!

Our Silly Pic

We have some new family pictures thanks to Brother Rob of Walcott Imaging.  This is a fun extra that I love.   Another favorite will be on our holiday card.  Thanks Uncle Bobby!

Get the Job Done

We always have a long list of things to do as we enter into each weekend.  The list always includes some chores as well as fun stuff to do.  Man, we can not cross things off the list like we used to!  Can anyone relate?  I am a cross-it-off-the-list kinda girl, but that is no longer my reality.  On the weekends we always have a great time, and I consider it pure luck if we're able to tackle a few tasks.  The kids "help" which doesn't exactly speed things up, but it does make for a few great pics.

 

Check out Bright's Carhartt workin' clothes :)

Stand in the Place Where You Are

Happy Birthday to Me

I'm 34.  And let's be honest, birthdays really aren't a big deal anymore.  I am perfectly fine with just having it be another day and letting it slide on by.  I envision a quite night out with my hubby maybe.  This year, that was not the case.  It was Homecoming at West Ottawa.  After a week of insane school spirit, my birthday fell on Friday: the day of the annual Homecoming Assembly.  This is of course an assembly to not be missed; I had Panther Pride coming out of my pores.  (To get a taste of this you can check out clips of the assembly: Senior Walk, Senior Mock Rock, Teacher Mock Rock, and more.  And of course in addition to all of this, my students and my family threw in some birthday celebrations.  It is a day that will not soon be forgotten.

First, my students secretly put a video in our morning program that both made me cry and then I was overcome with embarrassment (the show goes to over 2500 students, plus the staff, plus online to parents and the community where it lives forever).  If you'd like to check out this touching (and embarrassing) video that was already broadcast to the entire WOHS community, it's here at 3:34...

Then my family showed up with four dozen donuts.  Brighton was a bit shy, but Tilden couldn't get enough of all the craziness.  I love how she is hanging out with my students...a sea of black and white that day.

Then one of my students brought in an ice-cream cake (she works at Dairy Queen).  I had a donut and a piece of ice-cream cake before 9:30 am.  Yes, a sugar high and a gut ache.

Whoa!  I was never wished "Happy Birthday" so many times in my entire life.  When I got home I was ready to crash.  I did get to hit Nordstrom Rack on Saturday for a bit.  Just being able to go was a great gift.  Jon, maybe a nice night out next weekend?  Life is busy and often chaotic, but I am for sure a 34 year old that feels loved.  

Photo Shoot: 4 Months & 4 Years

We always have pictures taken by Walcott Imaging because we love them and they're the best of course. Here are a few from Brighton's "I'm Four!" session. This was also Tily's "I'm Four Months!" session. And of course a whole new element to the photo shoot is that we have two kids, and we'd obviously like a few shots of them together. A few of our favs....

Detroit Weekend

We did a short get-away to Detroit last weekend.  We hit the Detroit Zoo, the Henry Ford Museum, and we stayed at the historic Dearborn Inn.  It was a package we won at a fundraising auction, so it required no planning; we just went.  We added pizza Saturday night at the famous Buddy's Pizza, it really is fabulous pizza, and a nice family-friendly place.  The zoo is great; we love the poloar bear exhibit.  And none of us had ever been to the museum.  It is huge and very boy-friendly (engines, cars, trains, planes, etc.). 

The Detroit Zoo

 

 

The Dearborn Inn

The Henry Ford Museum

 

 

 

 

We have a tendency to forget about all that Detroit has to offer.  It's only a two and a half our drive.  We will for sure head back in the coming years to take in more of the same.  Fun times!

Tilden at 8 Months

 

Chapter 1 Verse 1

Brighton's first memory verse