Can I just say that it's been forever since I've blogged?? My goodness how time flies! Much has happened since my last blog, on October 9th...let's see, I've celebrated my 15th wedding anniversary and received a most beautiful diamond necklace from my amazing husband! I've finished up with my first class since returning to finish my college degree, started my second class. Been to Las Vegas for the first time, and gotten Mike and Andie back to healthy status, as they both had the crud...thankfully not the H1N1. But many prayers to everybody that does have the nasty H1N1 virus and many thanks that we've not been plagued with it. Can you just imagine how nasty that will be if Drew gets that, on top of having asthma?? Goodness.

Ok...so let me go back a bit to my list from above. Las Vegas. What an interesting place!!! It was really neat to see for the first time, and we traveled with great company!! Thanks to the Rake Families - Ron & Carol, Don & Kris, and Todd & Kim for a great time! While there, we visited the Hoover Dam. What a neat place! Check out the pics...

Oh my word is that a llloooonnnggg ways up! My big strong brave man is afraid of heights and not afraid to say so!!! Yep, he struggled with looking out over the dam while we were there, but did it anyhow! The photo of us together almost didn't happen. I had asked Mike to turn around and back into the groove so he wouldn't have to look down. But I really wanted a picture of us with the gorgeous background. We had to be ready for the camera as soon as he put it up there. Snapped the picture. And he was gone. But at least we got the photo!

We're still having {fun} with outdoor soccer. I hesitate to use that word because of the awful fall weather we've had this year! But Drew's team played in their third tournament game tonight and won 3-0, so we advance to the championship game, which will be played at 9:15 a.m. this Saturday. You know, cause who needs to sleep in on a Saturday??? But this should be an exciting game because it's for first place! He also has an indoor game this Friday evening at 6:00 p.m., then Andie begins her indoor season Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

Oooohhhh, then fun! It's Halloween!! Drew will be dressing up as a nerd this year, and Miss Andie will be a MSU fan...didn't go over too well with her dad!!! We will be doing the annual tradition of tacos before trick-or-treating with my family. Andie has decided not to go t-or-t again this year so she can stay and hand out candy to everyone with my mom and I. I guess my sugar-nazi ways have finally started to rub off??? good :o). For all of you who will be trick-or-treating...be safe and have fun!

Sorry if I seem to be jumping around tonight....I've got so many thoughts running through my small brain tonight and am trying to get them all down. Oh, and in addition to everything we've got the pleasure of having Louie visit this weekend too. Gonna be a crazy household this weekend, but like I said before, it's who we are and we love our busy lives!! As long as we spend it with those we love and have fun, what else do we need, right??

For You Jodi!!

So here it is...The 'W' Retainer...I don't think it's the best photo - but it's the best I've got considering my camera situation, which is my new phone. I'm just very thankful that it takes pictures and I can show you this. The bottom one is just like it, but without the 'W'.

Oh, and in response to Andie's 'sweater gloves' they are pretty cool, I agree, and she loves having them! Her response to me about them was, "Well at least now I can still wear short sleeves and be warm at the same time!" Hey...when she's got a point, how can I argue???

Still - Go Yankees! They won again tonight :o) yay!

Tigers? Whatever.

GO YANKEES!!!!

Oh The Pressure...

I just wish the Tigers would get some hits and build a cushion!!!! It's the bottom of the 7th inning, one out, one on base...Zach Miner is pitching and seems to be holding it together somewhat. Oh how I want to be there!!! Ok. Never mind. Twins just hit a two run home run, which put them up by one run. Snap. Now I'm going to be a bit snarky for the rest of the evening.

BUT. At least we're all home together for an evening without any sports, school, or other activities that we have to attend tonight. There's just nothing better than spending time together watching baseball, you know??

Does anyone remember when we had our Indian Summer? Cause I sure don't. Oh wait, maybe it was from June through August. That's right. We never really had summer, just skipped right over it and went right to fall.

Have a great night and root for the Tigers!!!!!

Sweatshirts!!!

Holy cow...did fall arrive with a vengeance! Cowboy needed his sweatshirt this week, as did the rest of us! Last week we still had summer weather and all at once it changed. I talked with Erica on Monday and told her it was 50 and raining and windy and do you know what her response to me was?? I can't remember her exact words, nor should I type it exactly as she said, but she said it was 106 degrees in Phoenix that day. 106!!!!! Now I'm not exactly a big fan of 50, rain and windy conditions, but I'd rather have that than 106. Geeeeeezzzz! Want to know how completely unprepared I was for the fall season?? Drew and Andie don't even have fall jackets! Guess what we'll be doing this weekend?

Check out these pictures - Andie just looked exceptionally cute on this day before school, so I had to take a pic. And the one of Drew is the day he got his braces off. Look at that puuuurrrrddddyyyy smile! He now has his retainers, which are really cool. Half is red, the other half is black, and it has a white W in the middle. Go Vikings! (That one is for you Shani!)

So we just got done grilling steaks for dinner - complete with marinade made by Drew. Yum! We'll be having steak again on Sunday at Mike's parents as we celebrate his Dad's birthday (which is today). So after Drew's two baseball games Sunday afternoon, we'll be heading over there. I need to make gluten free lemon bars for dessert and boy are they GOOD! The gluten free part is the crust...instead of using flour and oil, I use gluten free graham crackers. They're delicious.

Let's see...what else is going on? Oh yes. My cousin Mashawn is getting married tomorrow. Congrats to her and Brian!!! If anybody deserve some happiness - it's definitely Mashawn. She has endured her share of trials and tribulations, so we wish her nothing but the best and a lifetime of happiness! Love you Mashawn :o)

I received my new shoes this week - black casual Puma's. Wow are they comfy! I was going to take a picture of them earlier today so I could show you, but I was busy busy busy and just flat ran out of time. They're now tucked neatly away in their box...so the photo will have to wait.

This next week brings Fire Prevention Week - which means fire truck rides on Wednesday at Montague Fire Station. Best part? They're FREE! That, and my Dad will be there. Need I say more? Drew will be in heaven hanging out with his Papa, and seeing all the trucks. I'd love to be there with my family, but I'll be busy running a 5k for school. Yipeeeeee.

Big game tomorrow afternoon! U of M vs. MSU. Go Blue! Have fun whoever you decide to cheer for!

I Know, I Know...

...I suck lately. I made a vow to myself that I would keep this up, as I always feel better getting stuff written down. Ok, not written, but you get what I'm trying to say. Anyhow, I've not had time to uncross my eyes long enough to do just about anything. But I will. This weekend. We only have a spaghetti dinner, a football game to go see, a 5k to run/walk, trick-or-treating (maybe), and two baseball games on Sunday. Oh, and I have a test to study for this weekend. So I should have plenty of time. See? We don't have a soccer game on Saturday, so that gives me all kinds of free time :o). Not. But I've got some new photos to share, and blabbin' to do...so I will get on here. But for now, I sat down about 20 minutes ago and can hardly keep my eyes open, so sweet dreams all.

Great Weekend...

These were from the first day of school...

I just have to say that our weeks have been slammed with busy-ness! Monday I have class, Drew has soccer; Tuesday is baseball practice; Wednesday I have class; Thursday Drew has soccer; then we get to breathe on Friday. Only to gear up for soccer game on Saturday and double header baseball games on Sunday's. Oh...and homework in there for the kids and I. What more could a mom ask for???? We are having soooo much fun with everything, and the weather has been gorgeous!

So Drew and teams had an outstanding weekend of winnings. First the soccer game on Saturday was at 9:00...in Ludington! But the boys played together very well - lots of teamwork - it was great to see. They won 7-1. And then the White Lake Blue team won both of their games. Drew hit 3 for 6...two doubles and a single, plus had an outstanding catch in center field. Needless to say, we stopped for ice cream on the way home!! It's just good to see him have fun with baseball again and gain back some of his confidence. He had a batting lesson with a pro Friday evening, and has another one for this Friday - it seemed to help already!

Miss Andie seems to be starting the year out right with her schoolwork - she seems to be taking it more serious this year than last, which is good because that really needed improving!! So kudos to her for that. I saw in this weeks Beacon that basketball sign ups for girls is this Tuesday and she really wants to give that sport a try. The only time she's played b-ball is at home...never on a team. This will definitely be a big learning year for her, but she's pretty athletic and rather competitive, so she should have some fun!

Drew finally gets his braces off tomorrow - he's so very excited! I'll make sure and take some pics so you can all enjoy his "pretty" smile. Oh, if only he knew I typed that about him...he'd love me extra big for that one! Hee Hee