Kelley Christmas #1

No, you didn't miss something. Grandma Kris and Papa Mark are heading off to Arizona for the winter tomorrow so we celebrated early with them and had Christmas last night.

First, the boys beat me and great grandma quickly at Go Fish. They have minds like little traps and are really good at remembering who easked about which card. Then, we had a yummy steak dinner and have decided the boys are going through another growing spurt. I haven't seen Matthew eat that much ever and they have finally each gained a couple of pounds after NO weight gain at all in two years but growing nearly 5 inches! (Don't you wish you could say the same?)

Then, we had presents and the above all surprise was a Wii system for all of us. We had a ball bowling and driving Mario Cart for a couple hours and it wasn't easy to get them to settle down for bed but they did.

Do you think the neighbors saw me bowling all by myself this morning in my jammies???

A New Pirate Adventure!

The Pirate made another visit to see the boys this weekend. They went out for breakfast with Daddy, Grandma and Papa and then on a hunt to find treasure following clues their favorite mystery friend had left behind. At the end of the trail they found boxes loaded with goodies and treasures. Notice Jonathan on the cell phone to tell Mom of his good fortune!

We've had such fun with the pirate adventures and he's been leaving constant treats and treasures for the boys to find for several years now. Every little boy should have the fun of experiencing a special friend.

Postcard from Jonathan

While we were at Mackinac Island Grandma Cindy bought the boys postcards to mail to whoever they wished. Jonathan decided to write one to his cousins. Being a very busy man he didn't want to waste time or mince words. He wrote:

Horse
Bike
Fun

Jonathan

For Grandma Kris he wrote:

Bike
pool
horse
fudge


Think they will get the idea?? I think that sums it up pretty well!

More Fire Prevention Week

We hit the open house at the Township last night and had to check out all the trucks and gear. The boys were most excited about the fire truck slide and the Coast Guard boats. They were thrilled to pretend steering the boat and talking to the coastie people there who admired the boys CG hats. Lots of goodies and checking out the displays and then we headed off to dinner with Papa Mark.

Grandma Kris ended up back in the hospital yesterday, her heart rate was too high and they were not able to slow it down with meds so she was "shocked" today and is back home feeling better.

We were "ghosted" last night by a sneak visitor who left Halloween goodies on our doorstep. We returned the favor tonight to a couple of people in the neighborhood but the boys can't keep a secret and told Grandma it was us.

Beautiful weekend on Mackinac Island

We had a great adventure with Grandma Cindy and Papa Terry and had perfect weather in the 60's and higher and sunny. The car actually hit 80 degrees a couple times on the way home and the leaves were so gorgeous!

The boys loved the ferry boat ride and the trip over. They were not impressed by the smell of the horses on the island and were not happy the horse tour horses did not go fast enough. They did make the trip all the way around the island on their little bikes, that's EIGHT miles!! They made stops for snacks, a playground and hunting for petosky stones along the way. They loved the indoor pool at the hotel and we had a great time visiting with Grandma and Papa. Many thanks to them for a very special weekend!!

We also went across the bridge to the U.P. and had lunch in St. Ignace. I do not love bridges or tunnels but I braved it out so Matthew would go too. It wasn't so bad since it was a nice day.

Big new change too!

I forgot! Earlier this week the boys finally moved into separate bedrooms. Jonathan moved into the green guest room and we will be painting it this winter. He is excited to have new sports bedding.

He's already invited Matthew for a sleepover but got over ruled when he didn't ask Matthew's mom if it was ok.

It was a much needed move so they could each have their own space and some privacy. Five and a half years of togetherness have been more than enough.

Fire Prevention Week Parade

I fear the end of beach days has arrived. We had a hard frost last night and our flowers are done. Very sad.

The boys and Daddy headed down to Holland today for the annual Fire Prevention Week parade and open house. It's a huge display of about 30 or so fire trucks and ambulances and the boys' 2nd favorite helicopter from Aero Med. (Their favorite is "Big Red" from the CG, of course!)

Despite orders for less sirens and horns from the trucks, which is new this year after people complained of how LOUD it is, the boys had a great time checking out all the trucks and gear.

In the next couple weeks every fire department in the area has an open house of some sort. The boys already had a fire department presentation in school this week and learned how to get out of a house if there is a fire through a simulation in the smoke house. We will be attending a few open houses and visiting some of our firefighter friends.

I was under strict orders today to make sure there were no fire calls during the parade and open house. Several years ago I was the fire dispatcher on parade day and had to send some of the trucks to a call and the boys are still mad about it!!

We have our anniversary this week, hard to believe it's been seven years already! Then, on Tuesday, we have the first parent/teacher conferences. All is going well with school from what we have heard. Daddy got to go for Donuts with Dads on Friday morning with the boys. Matthew has decided he doesn't like school because it's a lot of work. We won't tell him it doesn't get any easier from here!

Next weekend we are excited about heading up to Mackinac Island with Grandma Cindy and Papa Terry. The boys have never been so it will be fun to experience it all through their eyes.

We also send lots of love to Aunt Judy who lost her dear, sweet mother yesterday. She will be missed by all of us and remembered very fondly.