Valentine's Mini

This handsome dude is on his way to be 6 in April. How crazy is that? Time sure does FLY by...

lets take a look at the past Valentine's mini's!

2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and I didn't blog in 2017, but glad to be back at it. 

THE BEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL

THINGS IN THE WORLD CANNOT BE

SEEN OR EVEN TOUCHED-

THEY MUST BE FELT

WITH THE HEART.

~ Helen Keller

January 2018

Our January was full on snow in Northern Michigan.

The weather was either -6 degrees F or 56 degrees F. 

For Christmas, Montgomery received a science experiment, "growing" his own ice. It was super fun and we both learned so much.

Montgomery gets to bring snack about once a month and this month we decided to do a snow theme. All kids received 4 large pretzels, 4 small pretzels, 1 big marshmallows, and 8 small marshmallows.

We got invited to play Shit on your Neighbor at Bob and Nancy's. Such a fun night, next time, I'll remember to bring quarters. 

SNOW DAY!!! We watched lots of T.V. and made a snowman!

 With so much snow, we decided it was time to get the snow off of our roof, I had been scrapping for days and Greg decided that it was time to get more off, so up he went.

Paper Trax = a GREAT afternoon

A night out at Delaney's, Dinner & Karaoke

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Greg and I headed to Indiana to get the newest member of our family, Stormy is a Tri-Color Texas Heeler. She was born on October 15th, 2017. So just over 3 months old. This is a whole new experience for Montgomery and myself, but we are super excited to have Stormy join our family.

Montgomery and Stormy are great friends

1/2 day Friday and we had a playdate at McDonald's. 

My two babies.

This month has been full of laughter and play. Montgomery loves hot wheels, painting, TMNT, learning and his puppy Stormy. 

January was so full of SNOW!!! February will be full of Heart <3

December 2017

Hard to Believe it's December, I love December, I love the weather, the Holiday Spirit, and I love family togetherness. Since 95% of my Christmas shopping is completed, it leaves lots of time to do Holiday things.

 Our Christmas Card 2017

We had a Christmas Mini Session

Saturday, December 2nd was a busy day, started with a trip downstate to see Sinterklaas in Holland, with my brother and his wife and daughter, we also had a good Chinese lunch. Next for the day was Izzy's birthday at the Children's Museum in Ludington. And to finish the day off we met, Montgomery's dad at the Sleigh Bell Parade in Manistee. How many counties can you conquer in one day?

 December 3rd, we headed to Lake County to cut our tree down. 

Then decorate our tree. It turned out AMAZING!!!

 Celebrating Sinterklaas, is part of our Dutch Heritage. 

We froze at the Christmas Tree Farm. but seriously what a fun educational trip. 

Montgomery asked for a Santa Claus suit, so this mom got him just that. He was the cutest Santa ever! On the 9th it was the Santa Truck in Fountain. This is a great time to visit Santa, we got to see tons of friends. 

 December 10th, was an emotional day for me, it was the Habitat for Humanity Christmas party, it involved the volunteers and the board members. Leading up to this party, I was an emotional mess. There are things that I was dealing with, and it is sad to say, my time with Habitat had come to an end. I had cleaned out my desk the day before, and managed to make it thru this Christmas party, with volunteers whom I had worked so close with. I needed a change, I needed something different in my life. Habitat has taught me things about myself, and I'm glad to have experienced AmeriCorps and HFH.

My famous little man making the paper (again)

 Montgomery was part of a Christmas Card Around the World. He sent out 35 cards.

December 11th - MCC Kindergarten Christmas Program

December 13 - Montgomery loves his Santa Suit, and we love and support the Red Kettle and Salvation Army. We rang the bell to raise money for Toys for Tots.

December 14 - This kid is AMAZING! He is a great helper with shoveling and dusting off my SUV.

 ROAD TRIP - December 16th

First we headed to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, MI

I've been a few times and always wanted to take Montgomery. 

The boys had a great time and we got to see Santa.

Continuing on our ROAD TRIP, we headed to Grand Rapids to the fifth third ballpark to see the Christmas lite show. Such a fun way to see Christmas lights and with the snow on the ground, it was amazing with Christmas music in the background. We got home late that night, but the day was so worth the memories we made.

Johnny's Skate Center was our Sunday adventure, as Santa was going to be skating with the kids. We took Ara with us. The boys had a great time.

 December 18th - MCC Kindergarten Christmas Party, we decorated Gingerbread Sugar cookies, and frosted Gingerbread houses. I'm so blessed to be able to spend the day with Montgomery at school.

We try to do our "family" Christmas accordingly to all of our schedules, we choose Thursday the 21st, We had Logan over for an incredible dinner that my Husband made. The boys opened their gifts. Making memories in a blended family doesn't have to be complicated, make it fun. Montgomery loves it when Logan comes to visit, as much as his dad and I love having him here. 

Montgomery came home around 7pm on Christmas Eve from his dad's... I had baked cookies for us to decorate for Santa and for our Christmas Day Party downstate. We said goodbye to Jingle Bells, our Elf on a shelf. Set out cookies for Santa, Read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and Montgomery headed off to bed. I heard some snoring in the living room and there was SANTA... Sleeping on our couch! He left Montgomery presents!

Christmas Morning, We all opened our stockings, and then got ready to head downstate to Nana & Papa's to Celebrate. Montgomery loves seeing all his cousins. What a great day with my family. We spent the night and headed home, late the next day. It was nice to relax and hang out with my mom.

Hard to BELIEVE it's the last day of the Month and the last day of 2017. Montgomery went to his daddy's. Greg and I celebrated with dinner at LRCR and seeing a band. HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!!!

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Memories were made in 2017

As 2017, is ending... here are our top photos, mostly 4 per month in reverse order. This year has had so many highs, and a few lows. We always live life to the fullest!! This year we have had many firsts and made so many memories! In April we became Mr. & Mrs. We have done so much traveling in 2017. We have an amazing family and great friends! Kudos to a great 2017 and cheers 2018! (taken from my post on FACEBOOK)