A Grand GrandFriend

As I was creating this post almost 2 months ago, our computer was rudely interrupted by a virus. We are back online and trying to focus. Maverick had Grandfriend's Day at school and invited his favorite great-grandma Pookey!! We had fun watching Maverick sing, and he and Pookey decorated cookies. It was a fun time. We're so blessed to be able to spend these times with her!

Pookey, Kathy, Maverick, and Everett

A Great Time in SD

The last week of October we packed up our minivan and headed for South Dakota. We left on a Saturday when Jesse was done with call. We left Michigan at 9:30 PM and entered my parents' driveway at 10:15 AM the next morning. The 14-hour trip went very smooth except for the fact that Maverick was still AWAKE at 3 o'clock in the morning as we went through Iowa City! Luckily, he dozed off, and I think he got about 4 hours of sleep. Everett was a trooper and slept about 10 hours. We were so happy to get to the farm! One of the main reasons for choosing this time of year was so Jesse could go pheasant hunting. He had a great time and got a couple of birds despite the crummy weather. Maverick was barely outside, but he did get the chance to ride in the tractor and on the skid loader. Jesse and his proud catch!
Jesse, my dad, and his friend Ron. Ron had 2 hunting dogs that he brought out which always makes hunting more successful.
Jesse and dad cleaning the birds. They were having a heck of time, but whenever those 2 are together they have a heck of a time. I think Jesse's surgery rotation proved helpful as he was naming all of the parts of the bird and dissecting the heart.

After we celebrated my 28th birthday in SD, we headed to Omaha. A precious picture of Everett and Carlee. We sure missed those kids! They are so good with our boys. It was gorgeous weather, and I even got a slight sunburn. I was very excited.

Those cute cousins!

It was great spending time with my sister Jennifer, and we got a picture because that's what we always do!

Carlee, Everett, and I. Carlee is turning into such a fine young lady. She is such a chit chatter and can keep me entertained all day. Oh, Carl!

While back at the farm, my old college friend Sara came over with her son Lane who is 6 days older than Everett. It was so fun to see them playing together, and it was great catching up. I love friends who you can never see, but pick up the conversation like no time has passed.

And, the roses Jesse surprised me with for my birthday! They were beautiful. I think they were the biggest roses I ever received. What a great guy to remember the roses even when we're away from home!

A Beautiful Fall Day

Today was a beautiful fall day! You wouldn't believe it's October with the temperature in the 70s! We'll take it though. Today we went to church, hit Sam's Club, took naps, and made a trip to the park. The boys even went to bed right at 8:00. If Jesse didn't have to be on call tonight, it would be a perfect day! The biggest difference between South Dakota fall and Michigan fall is the trees. The trees here are absolutely gorgeous! There are so many red and orange leaves. I found a great pile of leaves under a tree and had to snap a few pics of the boys. Between eating the leaves and throwing them, I was able to get a couple of good photos.
Playin' around.

I was so happy with how this picture turned out. I was even happier because my feet didn't end up in it!

On our stroller ride to the park, Everett got ahold of a leaf and started to eat it. He then proceeded to gag on the leaf. Jesse got him out of the stroller, and I dug the leaf out of his mouth. This guy is so funny because he was laughing and smiling the whole time. He is so laid back!

Jesse and Everett just a swingin'.

Jesse and Maverick.

This is the beautiful tree in front of our house. It is so awesome!! When the sun hits it, it looks like it's on fire. It's amazing.

We were cleaning the van and had Mav's carseat out, and Maverick wanted Everett to sit in it. So, he gave it a test drive. Crazy to think he'll be in this size chair in just 3 months. Almost 9 months old!

"I can't wait to get a big boy chair!"

September Recap

The month of September has come and gone, and I am finally updating the blog. It has been a busy month. We have been cruising to 2-yr-old preschool in our awesome minivan, enjoying Jesse's call-free month, and just enjoying the fall weather! Since Everett is sitting up, we were finally able to use the bike buggy at the end of summer. They say this thing can hold 3 kids. No way. I'm not sure who "they" tested it on. Either way, it's only a matter of time until we hear "Mine. Mine. Mine" being screamed from the buggy. Everett is definitely interested in everything that Maverick has. That's when we just put the screen down and say, "What kids?!"
Jesse's cousin Ernie, Aunt Jayne, and Uncle Mark visited from Alaska. It was great spending time with them and catching up.
We also got the chance to take in a Lions game in Detroit with Andy and Amy! It was my first trip to a NFL game. We had a great time, especially when the announcer said, "Receiving for the Lions, Stephan Logan." Stephan Logan was a USD graduate, and my favorite football player of all time!! It was so awesome to see him play in the big league. Man, don't even get me started on him!
Love these guys! So glad we live close to them to hang out more. Can't wait for their wedding in November!

We also had a day visit from Uncle Seth. It was so great to see him. Maverick was SO excited to play.

One morning I was loading the kids up for daycare, and I just cracked up looking at Everett after I put him in his carseat. I just thought he looked so goofy. Speaking of goofy, this little guy just got his first tooth and is crawling backwards!

Too cute.

Our mop-tops first day of preschool. He is absolutely loving school. He enjoys his teachers and friends. It made me feel good today because the teachers were commenting on how Maverick is such a fun kid to have in class. He's always outgoing and friendly to everyone. We must be doing something right.

Maverick showing off our super cool minivan.

Maverick and Oma Carola making whipped cream. Yum!

Taking the time to smell the flowers.

After a hard day at work.

A Visit From Papa Jerry & Grandma Tootie

This past week was exciting for us because Papa Jerry and Grandma Tootie visited from South Dakota! Papa Jerry even got on a plane for the first time ever, and I think he liked it. We had fun going to the beach, visiting, sight seeing, and just playing like crazy in the back yard. Of course, it was hard to see them go today, but I guess they couldn't stay forever. The crew.
This is just too precious. Today I took mom and dad to the Real Food Cafe a local staple in Alger Heights. We had a great breakfast, and Everett had the chance to take a snooze on grandma.

Grandma and Maverick. Maverick has gotten to the point that if you take out a camera he just starts saying, "Cheese." However, he rarely looks at the camera. He just keeps doing what he's doing while saying it. It's actually pretty funny.

Maverick and Papa had a great time playing out in the yard. They played in the sand, played with the trike, and even did some dancing! The day I worked, they swept up all of the leaves on our cement pad with my brand new push broom. Thanks Dad!

On Monday we headed to Meijer Gardens to see the sculptures and Chahuly exhibit. It was a beautiful morning. Everett was in his stroller for 3 hours! He just took it all in and then took a snooze. He's such a good baby. Maverick's favorite spot is the waterfall with the Koi fish. We even got the chance to feed them. Lots of fun!

Just watching the fish.

On Saturday we headed to Holland to see Carola, and we went to see Lake Michigan. The weather had been cooler in the day so we didn't bring suits. Well, it decided to warm up. Poor Maverick looked like an orphan. He had been playing in the mud and grass at Oma Carola's and was absolutely filthy when we went to the beach. To top it off, he didn't have his swim trunks. Oh well. Mom and dad were very impressed with the sandy beach and Maverick got to clean up in the water!

My orphan in his diaper.

Grandma and happy Everett.

Almost always a happy boy.

Leave it to grandpa to find the mud. He wasn't in Michigan 24 hours before he and Maverick made a huge mess. Of course they had a blast!

So, the funny story of the week. We went out for supper at the Beltline Bar to have burritos. For dessert we decided to get fried ice cream because it sounded so good. Maverick had been fantastic the entire meal. He ate a condiment cup of onions (not joking), some sour cream, a ton of chips and salsa, and most of his food. I was so proud. Well, the ice cream arrived. Surrounding the ice cream were these cinnamon sticks. Maverick was being sweet and offered me a bite of whip cream. I assumed he had put the whip cream on a cinnamon stick; however, it was all on his finger. I bit down like I was eating a cinnamon stick and bit down right on his finger! He just started to scream. I felt so bad. Of course, everyone in the restaurant was staring at us. But, what can you do? Now, Maverick goes around, "Mommy bit my finger," and has to show you the exact location.

That's What Friends Are For!

This past weekend I had the biggest and best surprise I think I've ever had. Jesse and Jennifer schemed together to plan Jennifer's surprise trip to Michigan! It was Saturday morning and I was getting ready to take the boys to Holland to spend the night with Oma. Jesse had been on call the night before. I was planning to leave about 11 AM. I got a text from Jesse about 10 that he wanted me to wait until he was home to leave because he wanted to see the boys. Of course I thought this was a bad idea because then Maverick would want to stay with him. He then texted and said, "I have something for you guys." I had no idea what it might be. Well, I waited for him to get home. When he pulled into the drive, I was going to meet him at the door because I was mad he was parking behind the van which I was taking to Holland. As I looked in the car, I saw a girl with him. At first I had no idea who it was. Then, she got out of the car and it was Jennifer!! I just started to bawl. The best surprise ever! We took Jennifer out to the beach to experience Lake Michigan. We had a really good time playing in the 78 degree red-flag waves.
The 3 of us!

We took Jennifer on our walking tour and played at the park for about an hour. Maverick had a great time playing with her.

Everett, Jennifer, and Maverick in the fun car!

Everett is starting to sit in his height chair. Still, he will eat anything we present which is so nice.

Brothers at the park!

Jesse and I at the beach. We also took Jennifer to a Whitecaps baseball game on Saturday night. Thank you SO much Jennifer for making the trip. You totally made my weekend. Now, I get to look forward to my parents visit already tomorrow!!