Visiting Santa

Grandma Pam wanted to take the kids to see Santa while we were in Milwaukee.  We went shopping and found the perfect outfits.  Came home, dressed the kids and headed to the mall.  Mark came with us to help out.  We knew that the Santa pictures were over priced so Mark brought our camera with us.  
While we were waiting in line I suggested to Mark that he go to the second floor and take pictures from the balcony.  He obliged and headed up the elevator.  As Grandma Pam and I approached Santa, the kids started getting a panic look on their faces.  Erin started shaking her head no and held on to me very tight.  We had to sit down next to Santa with the kids on our lap.  As we were getting our pictures taken, I looked up and saw the mall security guards talking to Mark.  I immediately begin to 

panic.  We finished up and as we headed to pick out our pictures I over hear a lady say to her friend, 'Can you believe that there is a guy taking pictures of children sitting on Santa's lap?'  At the same time I watch Santa's elf walk over to Santa, whisper something in his ear and then point up to where Mark was sitting.  At that moment, I just wanted the floor to open and swallow me up. I quickly told Pam to pick out the pictures and I would meet her somewhere. I started calling Mark's phone and he wasn't picking up.  Needless to say, I was in full panic mode right now.  I spotted him and just kept walking towards the door. I didn't want Santa or the mall cops to see us.  We got to the door and then turned around to wait for Pam.  We didn't see the mall cops so we headed towards Santa while staying out of his site.  I went over to get Pam and when I returned Mark told me that the Sheriff had just walked past him (like 6 inches away) and there were about six mall cops all 

around the Santa display.  We finished up and nearly ran to the door. I was laughing nervously and hopping that Mark wouldn't get arrested for trying to save $27.00.  We made it to our car and will never return to the Mayfair Mall to see Santa again. We've had many laughs about Will and Erin' first trip to see Santa. I have a feeling that Mark will forever be on Santa's Naughty List.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We loaded up the van and headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to celebrate Thanksgiving with Mark's family.  It's always a fun to spend time with everyone and to see how much the cousins have grown since we saw them for the 4th of July.  

The day before we left, Will had injured his foot while sitting on my lap and going down the slide at the park. He wouldn't put any weight on his foot and had to be carried the whole weekend.  He just wanted to hang out with me and suck his thumb.  On a side note, we took him to the emergency room and there wasn't a break.  The doctor said that he just had a bad strain.   

Erin had fun running around with everyone.  We went to the children's museum, shopped and visited Santa. As always, we ate too much, played hard and had fun hanging out together. 

Signature Chefs Auction

Last year, we were the Ambassador Family for the Signature Chefs Auction.  It was an amazing night that I'll never forget. We were able to raise $250,000 for the March of Dimes in one night! This year, we along with our parents, were able to attend the auction again. We had fun sampling delicious food from around town. We bid (and won) some fun items in the auction. Mark bought at $20 raffle ticket and won a wheel barrel of liquor. It's always fun to see so many of the friends we have made because of Will and Erin.

Grandpa Paul, Grandma Connie and me

Grandma Pam and Grandpa Bill

Megan Z. who was one of our favorite primary nurses.

March of Dimes Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCf3CmXmZYk&feature=youtu.be

Here is the link to our March of Dimes commercial. 

October Pictures

As you've probably noticed, I've been a bit lazy with updating the blog.  I write the posts, but haven't been spending the time adding the pictures.  For some reason it takes me hours to add pictures and some days I just don't feel up to it.  I think that I've figured it out and am now adding a lot of pictures quickly.

Most of these are my mom's pictures from October.  She and the kids have a lot of fun each day.  They have breakfast, play inside (or outside if the weather is nice), have a snack, play some more, have lunch and then the kids take a nap.  During nap time, grandma will do/fold laundry, run the dishwasher, vacuum and/or do anything else. It helps to make my life easier.  Thank you!!

Whitecaps Games for Free?!

On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, we took the kids to a Whitecaps Game.  
The Whitecaps are our local baseball team who are the Detroit Tigers farm team.  The games are a ton of fun and very family friendly.  Will and Erin earned free tickets to the game because they completed the summer reading program at the library. 

 We brought my mom to the game with us too. While I was waiting in line to trade our vochures for tickets there was a man giving away one free ticket.  Thank you!  When we entered the ballpark, we learned that it was Kids Eat Free Day so they each got a hot, chips and a pop.  Thank you! 
 We found our seats and then walked down to see Crash the mascot.  He loves Will and Erin (even though Will didn't like Crash) and he gave them a baseball. When we got to our seats Erin spotted Crash out on the field.  She got so excited and pointed to him.  It was a beautiful afternoon for a game and the kids lasted until the 7th inning.  I have to admit that I was shocked! We all had a great time and can't wait to do it again next summer.

Parking- free (We parked at the Park and Ride across the street and walked to the ballpark.)
Extra Ticket for Grandma- free (Thanks to being in the right place at the right time.)
Tickets for Mom and Dad- free (We completed the Summer Reading Program and our library has cool prizes.)
Food-free (Thanks to the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.)
Photographs- free (Grandma Melanie has a great camera and loves to take pictures of her grand kids.)
Water & Snacks- free (I packed the diaper bag full of things we would need.)

 An afternoon of fun for free- PRICELESS!

Back to School

 This picture was from the days when both babies drank a bottle before bed.  We stopped bottles a few weeks ago because they really didn't need them.  I just needed the cuddle time before bed.   I decided to stop giving them a bottle before it becomes a bad habit that we are trying to break when they are three years old. 

At the beginning of the summer, Will and Erin wouldn't sit in their wagon.  By the end of summer (when this picture was taken), they love going for wagon walks. 

                                           Chubby cheeks!!

 

 

March of Dimes Commercial

We were asked if Will and Erin would be in the March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction promotional commerical. We filmed it in the kitchen of a local

 

resturant. The kids played with food, made a mess and looked cute. Erin wasn't sure about the whole thing and cried for most of the time. We were really worried about how they were going to use the footage to make a commerical for the auction. But, the editors were able to work their magic and the commerical turned out awesome. 

It is currently airing on FOX 17 until Monday. We've been watching this station a lot lately, but we've only seen the commerical one time. I've had a lot of people (friends, staff, students) all telling me that they've seen the commerical. Once again, our kids continue to make us all proud!

Halloween at My School

 Mark's parents were babysitting on Halloween and my mom joined in on the fun too.  They all brought the kids to school for our Halloween parade.  The kids (my own and my students) loved seeing all of the kids in costumes. 


 I managed to fit into my wedding dress and went as a bride.  I've always wondered if my dress would fit and was plesently surprised when it did!

Will and Erin had fun playing with my second graders and the stuff in my classroom. At one point, Will saw a cookie on one of the students desks and helped himself.  Thankfully, the student hadn't taken a bite out of the cookie yet.  Erin found a cookie too.  I think that these were their first cookies complete with frosting and sprinkles.  After seeing the mess on the carpet, I'm glad they ate them at school and not in our house. 

 

Erin loves to 'honk' your nose.  She will squeeze it and wait for you to say 'honk.' She then proceed to honk the nose of anyone near her.  Will loves to play the game too.  My mom was able to capture some cute pictures of Erin playing the game with grandpa.

 

 

Daddy even stopped by to say hi!

 

It's time to go home and rest up for Trick or Treating!

Will and Erin have started to hold hands when they walk somewhere.  You can tell them to hold hands and they will grab the others hand and walk.  It is so sweet to watch.  Erin usually ends up dragging Will in a different direction because she wants to go somewhere else.