Those funny little sayings...

I always say I should write down those funny little things the kids say that just make me crack up! Well, I'm going to do one better - I'm going to share two of them with you... Kelsea and I were on our way to Meijers to grab some groceries, and she was commenting on how she has freckles in the wierdest places! She said "Mom, I have a freckle right in my pinky-wrinkle!" I burst out laughing, because she was referring to her knuckle, but the phrase "pinky-wrinkle" just struck me as so darn funny! Kolton was at his back to school checkup at the doctor. I informed him that he may have to drop his drawers for the doctor, so the doctor can make sure everything looks alright. Kolton was less than enthused, to say the least. So, in an attempt to ease his nerves about the whole thing, I told him that when mommy goes to the doctor, the doctor has to look at her, too, and so it is really no big deal - that's what doctors do, and that is normal and good. Kolton looked at me, and with the most shocked/horrified/confused look said: "Are you telling me that the doctor just walks around all day going room to room looking at NAKED people?????" I almost busted a gut! After the doctor had completed his exam, Kolton and I were walking out of the office and saw the doctor going into another examination room. Kolton said "Yep, there he goes - from one right into the other!" Kids really DO say the darndest things, don't they??!!

Kelsea's 1st Soccer Game!

Kelsea had her first Strikers soccer game this past Sunday, against the Muskegon Gold. It was a gorgeous day, and the game was really good! Our girls were leading 1-0 until the last 15 minutes, when the Muskegon team tied it up. Unfortunately, in the last few minutes of the game, they scored two more goals against us, taking the game 1-3. It was disappointing, but at the same time, the girls had played REALLY well together for their first game. Kelsea was ON! She played a great, defensive game. We were super impressed, as she has not played outdoor soccer in a couple of years. Trying out for the team was stressful for her, and when she found out she made the team she was thrilled (and we were thrilled for her). Her coach is Chris Dennison, and he is a great coach. He truly cares about the "love of the game" and making sure the girls are well-rounded soccer players. He is teaching foot skills, working on endurance (running - not Kelsea's thing!!) and the overall strategies of the game. She is loving her experience! Here are some action shots of that great first game:

First day of school!

It is so hard to believe that summer break is over already! We had a wonderful summer...the weather was warm and we spent lots of time outdoors. School is back in session, and we are back to our busy fall schedules. With both kids in travel soccer we are headed for a busy next couple of months! Kelsea entered the 6th grade this year at Spring Lake Intermediate School! Her teacher is Mrs. Postema. Kelsea likes school and was excited to be back - especially as the "top dog" at the Intermediate School. Her favorite subjects at school are reading and physical education, and she plays the trumpet in band. Kolton entered the 4th grade this year at Holmes Elementary. His teacher is Mrs. Smits. Like his sister, he is "top dog" at the elementary school, but unlike his sister, he'd rather be home! Kolton's favorite subjects are math and physical education. Here are a couple pics of first day...

The morning began so smoothly - kids got up right away to get dressed and eat their breakfast. We left in plenty of time to get to school early and get settled. As I grabbed my camera for that "leaving the house" shot, I realized my camera was broken!! I was heartbroken! Then, as we approached school, both children proclaimed they did not need mom coming in the building with them! They are growing up...I'm not quite there yet. So, I dropped them off, ran to buy a new camera and was ready to take pictures when I picked them up. What a day...

Summer's end...

As summer break rapidly approaches it's end, we took some time out for a day of family golf. It was a gorgeous day, and the golfing was good! A few balls lost along the way, but all in all, a day to remember...

I took the kids to Michigan's Adventure this past Wednesday. Louisa was able to come along as well, making it the perfect 4-person group. Kolton was so happy to be able to ride ALL the rides - no worries about height restrictions!! When we were at Cedar Point, there were 3 rides he was unable to go on...he's 52" and he needed to be 54". Luckily that was not the case at Michigan's Adventure. He loved Thunderhawk, the newest addition, which is a suspended roller coaster that inverts 5 times. Cedar Point has it's version, the Raptor, but Kolton couldn't ride it. He was SO happy to be able to ride Thunderhawk - he is definitely my daredevil. We had a perfect day - the weather was awesome 80 degrees with a slight breeze, and the wait times were right around 15 minutes per ride. We spent most of our time in the Adventure Park, but did pop over to the water park for a couple of hours. Kolton and Louisa hit a few water slides, while Kelsea spent her time in the wave pool...a wonderfully relaxing time!

Anxiously awaiting...the park doesn't open until 11, and we got there just after 10 to get in line!

Kolton was in the front car - his favorite spot - on the corkscrew!

The kids took this ride on their own - all that spinning would NOT be a good thing for mom...

Kolton in line for Thunderhawk - YES!! He's finally tall enough!!

Waiting in line for Shivering Timbers - a completely THRILLING roller coaster! Louisa wasn't so sure about it the first time around, but LOVED it!! We took a second turn a while later!

More Summer Fun!

Kolton's in-line hockey team made it to the finals again this year - and he took FIRST place for the second year in a row. He has really enjoyed playing hockey during the summer...even though he is a sweaty mess after the game!

Such concentration...

Kolton with his trophy...

The whole team...

Then, this past Thursday, most of the family went to the Whitecaps game. Nancy was able to get us tickets to the Lack's Enterprises box - how fun! Grandma, Aunt Coralyn and Uncle Bill, Bev and her kids, Jim, Nancy and Aug and kids, and the four of us all attended. Kolton was given a ball! He was happy to have evened the score with his sister from the Tiger's game! The night was perfect, and the Whitecaps WON!! They had been on a losing streak, but pulled out a great win the night we were there. I am now beginning to think that I am GOOD LUCK for these teams...!!

Finally some pics of the kids at our FAVORITE summer spot - Grandma's pool! We love spending time at the pool with our cousins, and eating Grandma's cookies...

Tiger's Game

Last week Thurday, Grandma, mom, Kelsea and Kolton went to our annual Tiger's game. This was our 3rd year going - the kids have such a great time, and so the adults! We sat right behind Ordonez (#30 - Grandma's FAVORITE player) in the right field stands. Ordonez would throw a ball into the stands after a few warm-up throws with the center fielder, and Kelsea caught one of those balls! She was SO excited! Her little brother, however, was not so happy - he thought the ball was meant for him...Kelsea, being the great kid that she is, gave the ball to her brother. Probably the BEST part of the whole game was that the TIGERS WON!! I have been to 4 games in my life, and they always lost when I was there! I was starting to think I was bad luck for them. They were not on a good streak with Toronto last week, so I had my doubts of them pulling out a win, but they did it! Bottom of the 8th - they brought in 5 runs! What an exciting finish to an already great game. They held Toronto off top of the 9th, and the game was over. Tigers won 5-1!! Here are some of the pics from the game... The four of us...

Kolton with glove, anxiously awaiting a ball... Kelsea was all smiles the whole game...

Grandma's boy - #30!!...

The famous ball...

Here we are!

Hello! We are here! Joining the world of blogging...seems life is so busy, I just don't get the chance to call everyone and send pics out, so we are going to give this a try.

Summer has flown by! It is hard to believe the kids are back to school in just 2 short weeks. And then I'm back to working again everyday...bummer! I enjoy my summer schedule (or should I say non-schedule) of just 2 days in the office a week.

I wanted to share a few past pics - some of my favorites - with this first post. I hope you all enjoy them!

God bless, Carol

2004 - Back when "little brother" and "big sister" still thought each other was just the best!

2005 - The day we picked up Vader from the humane society

2006 - Kelsea gets braces!!!

2006 - Kolton is our T-ball superstar!!!

2007 - Our "self portrait" at the Tiger's game, Carol - Kelsea - Grandma - Kolton