Strep Throat

Gabi has been complaining of a sore throat for a couple of days now...no fever, no cough, no runny nose, just a sore throat. Yesterday I noticed her eyes were kind of glassy and this morning she woke with some rosy red cheeks-still no fever though. I took her to the doctor anyways and found out she has strep throat. Poor thing...we ran to Meijer...got the free antiobiotics (which is great!), grabbed a gallon of milk and headed home. Gabi is now nice and snug in a warm blanket on the couch drinking some hot chocolate and watching some Disney Channel. We won't be able to go to ICE tonight, but something tells me she won't miss it...she is enjoying all the attention right now. No worries, we'll make up the class next week.

It's No Charlie Brown Tree, That's for sure!

Well, here is a photo of our Christmas tree. I told you before that it has got to be the biggest one we have ever gotten, and we have been cutting our own tree down for 15 years! We are very happy with how it turned out, although we'll be sure to go a little smaller next time! What do you think?

Football Blues and Traditions

Boy, this weekend was not good for football at all! Last night ND lost and today the Bears lost to the Patriots...oh well, let's just hope ND gets to go to a bowl game! Enjoying the nice weather today, got some more shopping done - for my niece and nephew in Texas. Tyler stayed home this evening with me while Ben and Trenton made another round at hunting (no luck). We started a tradition some years back...I want to say 4 or 5 years now, Ben, Trenton, Tyler, Gabi and I draw names around Halloween time for a tradition we call "special gifts." We listen and watch our person we drew through the remainder of the year and we get that person a gift to open on Christmas eve-something special with meaning. We also take time to write a small letter to that person telling them how much they mean to the family and to them personally. It turned out to be a nice tradition that the kids look forward to doing each year. It seems everyone gets more creative each year - shows that we can actually LISTEN to each other. We enjoy it! Anyways, Tyler was able to get Gabi her "special gift" from him today while shopping. This year Tyler has Gabi, Trenton has me, Ben has Trenton, Gabi has Tyler and I have Ben.

Deer and Decorations!

I was able to get some great deals yesterday...yes, I was an early bird but I definitely made out on some Christmas gifts! I was up and shopping at Target at 6 am! Got home yesterday and was even able to decorate the inside of our house with Christmas decorations!

Fast forward to today...Well, we were supposed to just kind of chill out today and plan on getting the Christmas lights up after Ben got home from working a few hours...but as usual, our plans changed. Tyler went hunting again this morning while Ben worked and ended up getting a 110 lb. doe! He was excited.That makes it even...both he and Trenton got one so far this year. Ben has yet to follow their lead.

After Uncle Dave came to help Tyler turn the deer in to be processed I called Ben to find out what time he'd be done at work...he said sooner than expected and we both said at the same time, "why don't we go get our tree today?" It was a great day...in the 60's and sunny - you can't beat that!

Sounded good to us! We got in the car as soon as Ben got home and went to Butler Trees in Michigan to pick out a tree! We got a beauty...not only that, but a gigantic one too! I believe this has got to be the biggest tree we have ever gotten - and we have been getting real trees since Ben and I got married! We really fell in love with the place when we started going to Butler last year. They have a petting zoo, Santa, a bakery shop and a gift shop! They even take you out to the trees on a wagon ride. It's a great place to go get a Christmas tree. I guess they sell pumpkins during the Fall as well. We got the tree home, Ben and the boys got the lights up on the house, and we got the tree set up and finished! To top the day off, I ordered the kids a pizza and Ben took me to Eddie's Steak Shed for dinner - just the two of us! Whew! What a day...of course, we still have to watch our Fightin' Irish tonight so we won't be turning in anytime soon!!! Enjoy the pics of our beautiful day!!! Go ND!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Date...Thanksgiving Day, 2006

Time...1:00 pm

What...Thanksgiving Dinner at our house

Who...Mom & Dad B; Chad, Amber, Presley & Addison; Jeff, Pam & Bren; Dave; Dad R; and of course, our family

Menu...Turkey, Stuffing, Sweet Potato Casserole, Broccoli/Rice and Cheese Casserole, Noodles, Cranberry Mousse, Green Bean Casserole, Ham, Corn Casserole, Biscuits, Ice Box Cake, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and finally, Pumpkin Pie

How...What a great day! We celebrated Thanksgiving with the most important people in our lives...our family! Besides the great food, we had a fun time playing some ping pong, euchre, and just plain enjoying each other's company!
To our family we celebrated with...we love you and thanks for making Thanksgiving Day so special! To our family we were not able to celebrate with (Jenny and kids)...we love and miss you, thanks for calling us on that day! We were thinking of you. And thank you, God for such wonderful people you made our family.

Give Thanks

Gabi made the cutest turkey at school out of a brown paper bag. She is so proud of it so I hung it on our wall for Thanksgiving for all to see. It makes me think of all the things I have to be thankful for this year, the first being God's forgiveness. We have had some trials this year and I'm not sure we could have gotten through them without His forgiveness. I am also so thankful that I have Ben and my three healthy children, Trenton, Tyler and Gabi - each one unique and special in their own way - I don't know what I would do without them. My close, supportive family, just not Ben and the kids - our entire family. I am so thankful that they are all supportive in everything we do and they love me and mine. I give thanks for a job that allows me to stay home and be with the kids, to be there when they need me - to shuttle them to the dentist and to practices, to be able to go to their sporting events and to be home to give them chicken soup when they are sick. These are what is important in my life today. Thank you God for all your blessings upon me.

Holidays Are Comin!

We usually always try to go see the new "Christmas movie" when it comes out before the holidays just to get us in the holiday spirit. Gabi and I were able to go with my parents to see The Santa Claus 3: The Escape Claus on Saturday while Trenton and Ben watched the ND game. Tyler was actually lucky enough to be at the game with some friends. The movie was okay...Gabi enjoyed it and I laughed a few times. Most importantly, we were able to enjoy it with the biggest Christmas fan ever - my mom! She always makes it fun!! We are talking about going to see Deck The Halls this coming weekend - we aren't quite sure we want to brave the crowds shopping. We will see though. Well, I guess the countdown begins...35 more days!

Plymouth

I wanted to share something Gabi said today that was too cute! We were watching the weather on the news and of course the weather map shows quite a few cities in the area including Plymouth. She went over to the tv and said, "mom, that's where the Pilgrims came for the First Thanksgiving!" She evidently has been talking about the first Thanksgiving at school and learned about Plymouth today! She is just too cute and she absolutely makes my day!

Meet Maizy

Since it is "raining cats and dogs" today I thought I would put a word in for our dog, Maizy. She is going to be 4 years old in December and she is our family's best friend! It is so cute to watch her...for instance, everyday she hears Gabi's bus come around 2:45 pm or so and she'll run to the door to watch her get off the bus. Maizy's tail immediately begins wagging. Sometimes I'll let her out to meet Gabi halfway and she jumps up on her with lots of kisses (although Gabi doesn't particularly enjoy this on some days) - Maizy is just a happy dog and loves us all unconditionally. We could actually learn alot from dogs!

Brrrrr!

We finally got all the outside furniture put away and winterized the mowers, pulled out the snowblower and got the boat & camper around to be housed. It is definitely getting to be that time of year. With the cold temps lately we have been sure to bundle up really good, especially Gabi. We put on her new scarf that Aunt Boots made her when we visited in NC and it matched her coat perfectly! Gabi absolutely loves that scarf!!! Thank you Aunt Boots! We miss you and hope you are doing well...

Freedom

Well, Trenton had his bottom braces removed today! He was so excited to be "braces free" !
He still has to wear his retainers for a year full time and then only at night after that. Compared to what his teeth looked like before to what they do now, you can see a big difference. All in all, we are pretty happy with how they turned out. I know he is glad they are gone...no more bloody mouths at wrestling! That will definitely be a + !!

R & R

Not a whole lot went on this weekend. Saturday morning Trenton and Ben went hunting while Tyler, Gabi and I stayed home. Tyler had Randy stay over so he opted not to go with them. The rest of the day was spent relaxing which we are definitley taking in with wrestling on it's way. Sunday, of course, was church. We had a guest speaker and he was very interesting. He preached a message about prayer and how we pray. Are we persistent in our prayer? He used the Bible verses in Matthew 7 to illustrate persistence. Although our world is about "fast" everything - God is not on our time...He is on His time. That was a whole other issue - an interesting one, to say the least. Anyways, it was a good sermon. I was glad I went. Later in the afternoon Ben took the boys hunting - no luck again. Maybe next time boys. This week I will be working on the high school's wrestling team mom's club I am forming. Alot of work but worth it.

"Fall"ing into the weekend

Well, my new chocolate came on Thursday - I am adapting well to it, at least I can answer and make calls for now (that's all that really matters at this point). My boys have taught me how to take pictures and I can even record video! That will definitely come in handy at the wrestling matches!! What a beautiful day on Thursday! Uncle Dave (Ben's brother) came out and blew out leaves together for us - THANKS UNCLE DAVE! So, Gabi and I worked on bagging some - she had so much fun in the big pile of leaves. Tyler had his buddy, Randy stay over last night. I think they had a good time bugging some girls down the road! We got em up early (or shall I say early to them) to have french toast and play some video games. Ben took Trenton out hunting this morning so we are anxious to hear from them. I have to take this time also, to really put a good word in for ALL my children this semester in school. Tyler made high honor roll and was recommended for the National Honor Society at his middle school, Trenton made honor roll (his goal to get his license) and Gabi did excellent on her report card. Ben and I couldn't believe she got an O for Outstanding in the slot for "speaks when appropriate" - we said, "we finally got one that doesn't do that!" The boys always had a problem with that one = )
Gabi also wrote a paper on our vacation this summer and it is showcased at her school (the only one in the 1st grade)! We were so proud of her! Well, enough for now...looking forward to the weekend.

Ice Ice Baby

Here are some photos of Gabi at her tumbling class. She has done so well. This is her second month at ICE and she can do a back handspring by herself on the trampoline! Gabi really loves the class and is looking forward to more of the cheer aspect...she wants to be "one of the girls that gets to be held up in the air." I do however, think that her favorite part of this class is being with her best friend, Emma. They grew up together at my mom's house when they were both in daycare. It is such a blessing that Gabi's best friend is my best friend's daughter. It makes it all the more fun!!!

Everybody loves Chocolate

Well, I ordered my new cell phone yesterday - we were up for a new cell phone with the "new in two" plan - For some odd reason though, my screen on my old cell phone just decided to go out, go blank, and it just happened to be the two year mark! When I called Verizon Wireless, they admitted there is a problem with that in the certain kind of phone I had and I would need to go to the store to get it repaired. Unfortunately, I don't have the extended warranty for repairs on it. Well, dead after two years, just in time for the "new in two" - go figure! Oh well, I am looking forward to getting my new cell phone, the chocolate - the boys seem more excited than I do, but we'll have to wait and see how it works out for me.

Happy Birthday Grandma Brugh

Over the weekend we visited Grandma Brugh for her 90th birthday. She enjoyed visiting with my parents, Chad, Amber and their girls and of course, our family. We were also able to visit with Aunt Margie and Aunt Mary. It was so nice to visit with them! Here are some pictures from our visit. We hope grandma had a wonderful birthday - we love her!

First time for everything

This is my first posting for my blog...it seems to be the new trend so I'll try it out and see how it goes.