This and That...

I just love the school spirit I see kids have on big game days!! This particular one was taken the morning on the Whitehall/Montague game. I had them both standing there...smiling I guess you could call it. But I just wasn't feeling it when I looked at the picture. So my instruction to them was to "pose" rather than just smile. Ta-dah! This was the result of it. Makes me smile everytime I look at it.


[Well there was a picture here...I have no clue where it went, nor how to get it back! I've tried four times to upload it and it won't work!!!] Guess you'll have to visit my facebook page to see it...gosh darn it. I'll keep trying!

This photo of Andie and Abi was taken last week at the Whitehall/Mason County Central game. Andie had math homework to do, and when she got done she looked over at Abi and asked if she could go play with her. How cute! How could I say no? An 11 year old wanted to go over and play with a 2 year old. I knew she would be great with Abi, plus I was right there, as was Abi's mom, so off she went. I snapped some cute pics of the two of them, then later with Brandon too, but this one just grabbed at my heartstrings. Precious kids - why do they have to grow up so darn fast?

On another exciting note - we plan to do family portraits for the FIRST.TIME.EVER this weekend! I'm so excited! My biggest struggle now is figuring out what to wear that we will all coordinate with. Any ideas/suggestions out there?? I like the white shirts/jeans theme, but I don't think we all have white tops. I'm thinking maybe white for the girls, blue for the boys, or red. Gosh, I just don't know. Definitely doing the jeans, I have to wear heels so I don't look like I'm the same height as my kids yet. I mean, they are both only about an inch shorter than me, so I'll do the heels as long as I can just so you can recognize me as the adult here!!

I so just love these nice quiet evenings at home - after all the hustle and bustle of getting up at 5am, making three lunches, letting the dogs out four to five times {in the morning}, making sure I have my mascara on, two of the same shoes, and out the door, all before 6:45 a.m.

We took the opportunity to go to church tonight and it just amazes me how much better I always feel after going. Plus, we don't have to get up at the ass crack of dawn now on Sunday morning :o). See my motive?? After church, we came home and made burgers for dinner and are now just chillin' out.

So I know it's been about a month since I've updated, but really a lot has been going on...we're getting into the swing of the school schedule, Drew is down to only two sports now, Andie is just as sweet as ever, my niece Ava turns 6 in exactly one month, and my nephew Josh is a busy almost-three-year-old, Mike and I will celebrate our 16 year anniversary in one week and I have to have another stinking surgery on my shoulder. I won't focus on that - need to stay positive!!!

Josh got his haircut a few weeks ago, and you may have seen this photo on facebook, but it is a favorite of mine, so I had to share here too, just in case you're not on facebook. [Does he not look just.like.Aiden??? Yes, it is a mohawk...and it fits him so well. Andie loves to run her fingers over the top of it everytime we see him. Ya just gotta love a two year old with a cool hairstyle!

Check out the ever-so-cool Kyle "Stwatton"

Does he look ready for a nerf war or what?? We had a fun night with friends over a few weeks ago and as always, the kids engaged in a nerf gun and rubber band war, and Kyle was serious about the competition!

Other than family, nothing compares to hanging out with friends!

Hmmmm...let's see, what else? Well, I started making the kids' Christmas lists today. Hard to believe that it's only about 10 weeks away! Which means, that I'll have a teenager in the house in about that short amount of time as well. The one part I'm not looking forward to about Christmas is the wrapping. I don't like it. I've tried and even told myself that it's fun, but really, it's one of my least favorite parts about my favorite holiday. I'd rather be on my feet for ten hours baking, which I'm sure will happen too. But I'll be looking forward to that part of it. Anyway, I've been watching the postings on fb, and the b-day parties lately have shown just how many of these amazing boys are become teenagers! Hard to believe. Where does the time go? As crazy as it is that they're growing up so fast, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

BUT...before Christmas, we have to enjoy my favorite holiday, which is Thanksgiving. And even before that, is Halloween, which honestly, I could do without. I'd rather wrap presents. Which, by now, you all know how I feel about that! I love that Andie hangs out with me on Halloween night, passing out the candy. Sure makes the evening fun...but so does Kris' hot chocolate! Dads - be sure to trick or treat at our place, there may be barley and hops in a bottle for you...just sayin'!

All in all, things on the Bolleserosa Front are going rather well. Hopefully I can resume taking a class (or two) for the winter semester in college...providing my shoulder situation shows signs of improvement. If not, PT will continue to take place of school. Time will tell!

P.S. - Happy 70th Birthday to the best Father-In-Law ever!!! Love ya Milty!

To start the weekend...

I took a whole Darvocet today, at the recommendation of my PT. He planned on it being a rough day of therapy. Boy was he right!
The kids each got a fish today. I wasn't really for it, but it's been about two years since their last fish, so...whatever. As long as I don't have to clean the tanks each week, I'm fine with that. Andie named hers Blaze, and Drew named his Frappe (yes, he loves them too!)
The dogs got groomed yesterday. I'm so tired of paying what we pay to keep the pups cute. They're expensive! It's that money supposed to be spent on ME??
In just a few days, I will have TWO jr. high students. Good thing I'm not getting any older!! I'm going to miss them so much, like I do every year when school starts! My heart hurts every school year at this time :(
Drew got his new glasses today - will post pics soon. Wow do they look great!! Now if only the contacts would get on his eyeballs already...
Drove out to Lake Michigan today to check out the waves - HUGE!! Impressive! Sure hope nobody decides to take a dip. Especially the "smart" people we saw at the end of the pier.
Love Love Love this cooler weather we're having! Ok, so today may have been a little cooler that I was thinking, but still, it's a nice change from the humid 90! Drew was wishing for a football practice today.
Looking forward to a Captain tonight with my BFF! Not more than two, don't want to feel icky tomorrow!
I know, lots of random thoughts, but wanted to get these thoughts down before POOF! they left my head.
Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Andie-ism #372

Out of the mouth of my sweet girl...Mike and the kids were eating lunch, so we're all sitting at the table, and Mike pulls up a video on espn of a catch made by an outfielder who climbed the wall and prevented a home run. It really was a cool play...too bad the cameraman only got him catching the ball, and not actually climbing up it - would've been cool to see. Anyways, one of the kids asked what team it was and Mike responded that it wasn't an American league, rather a team in Japan. Andie immediately pipes up and says, "Oh, you mean a Japanesian?" Japanesian??? Huh?

She has forever had these one liners that just make you laugh. My mom has told me from the time Andie could talk that I need to write a book of Andie-isms. Maybe one day I will...

Second Post of the Day!!!

Andie was in the Howmet Youth Theatre Play this summer, titled Skupper Duppers. She did a great job! She and I made the poster about a half hour before she had to be there opening day...talk about quick creativity!

Drew was in the 4th of July parade with my dad, {Papa}. He got to ride in his favorite fire truck, #1120 and loved every minute of it!! Andie wasn't feeling real well at the start of the parade, but improved as the day went on.

This picture of Mike and Andie is one of my favorite pics ever!

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Just Some More Rambling...

Is she not the cutest little flower girl you've ever seen?? Well, except for when Andie was flower girl, but right now it's about Ava! She was in my cousin Breanna's wedding this summer. She did an exceptional job and I'm so proud of her! {And wow does she look like her Mom here...}

One Drewcifer Jenoble has been keeping me busy lately! He decided last minute to play football and practice started Monday of this week. It's every.single.night. Luckily, it wasn't too hot this week, so that was nice for the boys. (The other nice part is that Kris and I have been able to get our walks in during practice). I'll be posting about that I'm sure, but games haven't started just yet...

Drew had some friends over Wednesday, Andie had Ashlyn {cousin} over and I felt seriously outnumbered! But what fun it was!!! There was you tube playing loudly, dart wars, rubber band wars, lunch, flag football, and general conversation. Ashlyn offered to help Andie "girl up." It's funny, because out of all of our friends that we hang out with, Andie is the only girl, unless she brings somebody. Really - she's the only girl! So naturally, whenever there is a get together and flag football (or whatever sport they happen to be playing) comes out, she just jumps right in and participates. Who can blame her? It's better than sitting on the sidelines and watching. Plus, I've learned that she just happens to be rather athletic, and V.E.R.Y. competitive! So I thought it was very sweet of Ashlyn to offer to help feminize her! My hope is that Andie can be "girly" and play sports all the same!

P.S. - not quite sure about the face on Brando - but we all had a good laugh looking at it after :)

I have mixed emotions about school starting in a week. My baby girl, a.k.a. Andie, will be entering the sixth grade. She is so very nervous!! I feel so bad for her, and can specifically remember the feeling of starting junior high. She is scared of, "not remembering her locker combination, of getting detention, and having her friends get into fights"....um, what?! My hope for her is that she remembers to always be nice, and treat others with respect.

On the flip side, I'm ready to get it [school] going...the kids have had an outstanding summer, but it's just time to get back into it.

Could It Be?!

So here I am now, ready to type and I have so many thoughts running through my head - where do I even begin? Hmmmm...I think I'll start with a re-cap of the most recent.

I went back to work today, Andie is horseback riding today for the first time!! She is with a new friend she made during this summer, while participating in the Howmet Youth Summer Theatre program. Drew's love for golf has evolved even more this summer; he is busy with lessons, as well as going to weight lifting and open gym two days a week. Soccer should start soon. Mike and I both celebrated birthdays this summer. We have a new nephew, Carter, who unfortunately lives in Tampa, Florida. We miss them terribly! Our puppy is growing fast! Erica is getting married next summer. My mom is going great with her weight loss! We got a new car!

Ok, so let me back up a bit and elaborate...I've been off of work since the middle of June when I had shoulder surgery. I asked the Dr. last Monday to let me go back...he released me to return today. Feels good to be on the payroll again ;o). My shoulder is still frozen, but hopefully by continuing physical therapy, and the shot I got last week, we can get that working again! It's been a painful summer, but it could have been so much worse than it was. Enough about me...

The kids are almost as tall as I am at this time. I know, it's not a hard thing to achieve, but hey, they've got that goal! And as long as they have a goal set, I'm happy. Andie starts Middle School this year - unbelievable!! I was ready for Drew to start jr. high, but I am so struggling with Andie. Girls just seem to have a tougher go of it in jr. high - I know not always, but I'm just thinking back to when I started middle school. It was so hard! I just pray that she keeps her head on straight and is always kind. Unless she is picked on again, then she can kick some ass. JUST KIDDING!! Drew plans on all A's this year, as his goal remains the same of becoming a Coast Guard Helicopter Pilot...needs those good grades!! Go get 'em Drew-B!

We sold our Grand Prix to Matt and Shani and bought a 2011 Subaru Outback. We love it! We knew we wanted an Outback, but when it came time to part with $$, we struggled, so as a result, only had one vehicle for...oh, about a month or so. That was a little strange and kind of nice, but now it's nice to have a shiny new car in the garage :o).

So here is Carter! Isn't he so cute?? This little cutie belongs to Eric and Darcy. They were up here at the start of the summer, so we did get to spend some time with them. It was wonderful spending time with them and getting to know little Carter. In my perfect world, all of my family gets to live where they want to, but it's still close enough to see everybody! Weird? Maybe. But that's my world.

I have many new pictures that still haven't jumped from my camera to my computer...how do I make it do that?? Just kidding. I really have not spent much time on my computer this summer, but have every intention of catching up with it all. So for now, enjoy Carter's pic!