Enjoying Nature at Home

The past few weeks we have had new members of our family again. We watched caterpillars turn into crisilis and then into butterflies. This was a great thing for our family to watch - it was such a visual process and the boys really enjoyed it.

After a few days of watching the butterflies we let them go.

This is the second year we have had Sparrows building nests inside our deer target. The hole closest in the picture is last years hole and this year they made a new one. There looks to be about 6 baby sparrows in the nest.

Justin & Eric built a fort in the back yard this weekend and the boys are having so much fun with it.

"Mom, can you see us?"

Baseball

Justin has started his 4th year of baseball! Every year he gets more fun to watch. On the pitching mound.
Run the bases.
Catcher
He's fast on his feet!

Fredrick Meijer Gardens With All Our Cousins!

We picked the most beautiful day last week to spend some time with all of our cousins at the Gardens. Having a picnic lunch by the horse.
Rolling down the hills were a highlight.
Smelling the beautiful flowers.


Jumping in the sandbox - the whole gang

Looking for butterflies - it was a scavenger hunt because there were not too many left.

Grandma & Tessa

Enjoying the gardens - Tessa & Levi

Mother's Day

Me & my boys.
Family supper with my family. Grandma came home from Africa on Friday and here she is showing her pictures.
Best Buds - Grandpa & Levi

Turkey Hunting

Of course the highlight of spring is Turkey Hunting. Eric took Justin out with him every time he went out - which didn't always fare so well with Levi. Here he is getting a chance to go too.
And they're off.
Levi watching the boys head out into the woods - he is going to be hunting from Grandma's deck!
A successful turkey hunt!
The boys & their turkey!

Summer Fun...Brrrrr...

Grandma & Grandpa are moving (they are our neighbors) - and they are enjoying giving the boys "stuff - treasures"... I have had it with stuff in our house so I have not been to excited about the things that keep coming to our house. However, Levi said we had to have their pool - and I was okay with that... I didn't think the boys would use it right away! This particular day it was hardly 60' and there they were soaking wet having a blast in the pool... Ever heard of swimsuits? It is too much work to have to run inside & change! Thankfully we live where no one can see us!
You can't swim in two inches of water without your goggles right!?

Levi

As I was going through my latest pictures I found so many cute ones of Levi - he is just at that right age for catching good shots!

This is what happens when you fall asleep with your sunglasses on.

The next Dale Jr., or Tony?
My precious little guy!

Welcome to the World!

Lia - these are for you! Saige Michelle

9lbs 1oz, 22 inches long

Michelle looks way to good to have just had a 9 pound baby naturally with no drugs!

Lots of thick dark hair.
Proud Daddy to three girls!

Levi LOVED the baby - he couldn't get enough of her and wanted to hold her. After we left he repeatedly asked to go back and see the baby!
Welcome to the world precious Saige!

GARAGE SALE!

Anyone in need of pretty much anything - I probably got it & if I don't my In-law's might! Thursday & Friday (May 8 & 9) we are having a 3 garage sale - seriously 3 garages full of stuff! The In-law's are moving and selling that type of stuff and I have LOTS of boys clothes - newborn - size 4, shoes, books, toys, baby blankets, swing, baby bath tubs, wooden high chair, Christmas stuff & other household stuff. I am doing a major spring cleaning & am getting rid of everything!! So if you are interested come visit our sales! This Thursday & Friday!

GEMS BLT

This weekend we hosted the GEMS Girls Club Big Light Tour. Almost 600 girls, counselors and moms attended! It was a fabulous morning of praise & worship. Approximately 100 girls came forward to give their lives to Christ. It was a beautiful hopefully life changing morning. Satan really tried to keep this event from happening - but as always our God is SO good! Below are some of the highlights of the morning!

My Baby is Not Feeling So Well...

Last night on the way home from Justin's baseball practice we had a great encounter with a deer. The deer came out of nowhere and Eric never even had the chance to hit the brakes. Needless to say the boys were very upset - Justin cried for at least an hour straight and Levi was a little overwhelmed and was very quiet - when I was brushing his teeth last night and cleaning the ice cream off his face he said "my superman fell on the floor" - which led to a quick call to Eric who was still on the scene to check the backseat for melting ice cream - sure enough he had a mess to clean up! I was glad that I wasn't driving, but heartbroken at what my truck looked like! This morning we went to the Body Shop to see what it looked like in the daylight. Not any better...
They did say that the "deer catcher" did work and there would have been a lot more damage without it!
My baby... next week she will be as good as new!!

Blast from the Past

The other night I was able to get together with some friends from high school youth group! Some of us had not seen each other in almost 15 years! Unbelievable that time goes so fast! We had a great night enjoy fellowship and learning what everyone has been up to these past years. Melanie, Amanda, Jed (Mark O's), Dana, John, Myself

Looking through albums of our years in youth group.

The whole gang!

(Back L to R) Matt & Shanda, Melanie & Brian, Amanda, Dana, John, Mark & Jed, Sheryl (Front L to R) Josh (goes w/Dana), Val & Tom, Duane & Erin, Heather & Josiah & Esther, Myself & Eric

It was so great to see such great friends!

I was trying to scan in a picture of us from the past & I can't get my scanner to cooperate...

Josh Turner & Carrie Underwood

On Monday night Eric & I went to the Carrie Underwood concert! Eric had given me tickets for our anniversary - and it was the best anniversary gift I have received yet! The concert was phenomenal from start to finish!
Josh Turner opened and did a fantastic job - his voice just draws you right in!
Thanks Eric for getting the tickets and a great "date night"!