Girl time = refreshing break time

While back in Orion, we visited Aaron and Lissy's beautiful new house. While they still have some work to do and as well as some unpacking and decorating, they have come so far and it looks great! In fact, I might be a little jealous... maybe some day we too will have a nice, new house. :) When it was time to leave, we realized it was going to be a challenge to tear the girls apart, again. Lissy so graciously offered to let Aubrey stayed and she willing agreed without hesitation. That meant that Jeff and I could go back to my parents' house and have a breather as it coincided with Tyler's nap time and the Bears were playing. It was AMAZING! Who knew how relaxing a quiet house could be. Hopefully more of this is to come in our future.... On a side note, the girls had a blast and were as good as can be. They even got to play outside in the freshly fallen (and plowed) snow!

(photos and winter attire are both courtesy of Lissy)

Roadtrip continues to Orion

After spending the day at the Children's Museum, we finished the drive to Orion. It was a typical weekend there filled with activities, family, food, fun and lots of laughs.

First on our agenda Saturday morning was going to Country Corner Pumpkin Patch. This is the third year we've made the trip. Now that the kids are getting older, they are beginning to enjoy the activities a little bit more. We, or should I say Grandpa, wheeled them out in a wagon to find our pumpkins. Then we went through the petting zoo and fed the goats, alpacas, pigs, chickens and cows. Tyler loved feeding the goats! Last, we took a ride on the cow train. Have it be known, this is the last year that Jeff and I will be riding with the kids. Our knees took a beating! The kids had a ball though so it was all worth it.

After getting pumpkins and eating lunch, we headed up to Sarah's volleyball game. First of all, she looked adorable in her spandex. :) Second, she surprised me at how well she played. It's hard to believe that she is only 9. I cannot wait to watch her grow as a volleyball player!

Then we went over to watch Caleb's football game. Unfortunately, they lost a tough one. But, I am so proud of Caleb and how well he does. I look forward to watching him play next year as a senior.

Another great weekend!

Orion lighted parade

We entered the lighted float parade in Orion for the third year in a row. Dad loves it and is so proud of his grandkids. Let's face, I think we all love it! Here's to many, many more....

the kiddos

our family

Aaron's family

fun before the parade begins

our family (minus Joe and Caleb)

Mom and Dad with the grandkids

sharing a sucker

the older cousins and baby Avery

the truck ready to go

so excited! (this is what it's all about!)

Fun on the farm

Visiting my parents' house means the kids never run out of fun things to do. Tyler loves the pedal tractor, Aubrey loves the kittens and both kids love the swing and pool.

17 already?

Back to Orion yet again. This time we are celebrating Caleb's birthday and participating in Orion's lighted float parade for the 4th of July. It's so hard for me to believe that Caleb is already 17! Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday, he was a toddler that I was carrying on my shoulders and Mom and Dad's house. Now, he is a kind, hard-working, generous young man. I'm so proud of who he has become. I look forward to seeing him grow during his last two years of high school. I can't wait to see him tear up the football field, too! Happy Birthday, Caleb! We love you!

Of course, here are the pictures taken. I had a chance to play around a little bit. I love the one of Tyler with the round bales in the background. I hope to have more free time to continue to learn more about the camera.

Garage sales in Orion

Finally recovered from vacation, we took a trip back to Orion to see my family. Conveniently, our trip was the same weekend as the garage sales in Orion. I sure love to garage sale! I decided to get to work and make some more bows, clippies and my latest, bobby pin creations. I sold about $30 worth. I wish I would have sold more but I only had them at the sale for one day so I am pretty pleased. Maybe I'll have to start taking this hobby a little more seriously.

We had a great time visiting. Aubrey and Lainey got some more bonding time and I was able to spend time with my siblings. Orion will always feel like home. I love going to visit!

Weekend in Orion

For the first time since Christmas, we made a trip back to Orion to see my family. As always, we had a great time! Friday night, Deanna came over with her family. We were able to meet baby Avery. As Aubrey says, "she is beautiful!" Tyler enjoyed meeting her, too. When I was holding her, he climbed onto my lap to get a closer look. It was so precious.

On Saturday afternoon, we headed up to Denise's house for Deanna's baby shower. She had so many friends and family members there to celebrate her new baby. As a result, she received so many clothes! It appears Avery will have plenty of clothes to wear this summer. But, something tells me, she'll never have a shortage. She's going to be one spoiled little girl! I also had a great time at the shower. It was a good opportunity for Aubrey and Lainey to play together some while I relaxed somewhat kid-free. :)

Then, on Saturday night, everyone came over to my parents house for pizza and to celebrate Aubrey's birthday. She was so excited for her first (of three) birthday celebrations. Her and Lainey ran around, the older cousins played with them some and Tyler got his first black eye (explained in a later post). Aubrey also got a lot of great gifts. She got a new swimming suit from Grandma and Grandpa, a beach towel, and some books, Gator Golf from Aaron's family, new dollhouse furniture from Deanna's family, and Disney potato head accessories from Denise's family. I think her favorite gift of all though was the Littlest Pet Shop houses and pets from Sarah. She shared some of her old ones and Aubrey plays with them almost every day.



We had a wonderful time although the weekend was much too short. We look forward to getting back there this summer so we can use the pool and maybe hit the zoo.

Ho, ho, ho!

Christmas Day is here! We had a busy day planned and after a late night on Christmas Eve, we had to wake up both of the kids at 8am. Aubrey was excited to get downstairs to see all of the presents left behind by Santa. We weren't able to take any pictures during this time since we each had one of the kids. But, we did get a picture of the stockings. They were too heavy to hang so they are just "placed by the chimney with care" instead.

After opening gifts and playing for a bit, we packed up the car and drove to my parents' house for a few days. Christmas day is the day we celebrate with my extended family. It was nice to see Grandma and Grandpa Harkey. As they age, I know my visits with them will be few and far between so I try to appreciate the moments I have. I know Grandma was thrilled to be able to spend the day with all three of her kids as well.

It was day three of opening gifts and Aubrey was still excited! Luckily there were only a few to open as her steam runs out quickly. She got some furniture and family members to go with her new dollhouse from Santa so she was thrilled. Tyler has just as much fun with the boxes and paper. We expected as much though.

Saturday was day four (the last) of Christmas celebrations. My brother and sisters came over with their families to celebrate. Again, many more presents. Aubrey wanted to open presents right away but since she was to wait, she didn't want to open them anymore. So, Daddy and I did all of the opening for both kids. We know the day will come when they both tear through them so fast that we won't even know who they came from.

Aubrey's face before and after receiving her presents

Tyler helping with presents and wearing his new Sox hat

Once again, our trip back home was much too short. But, with the kids, it was all that we/they could handle. Tyler still doesn't sleep very well and it's even worse away from home. When he doesn't sleep well, neither do we.

We had a wonderful Christmas and cherish our time with our family. We know the kids will grow quickly so we want to appreciate every day when they are little. Only 363 more days for the kids to be good so they stay off of Santa's naughty list. :)