First Day of School

It's the first day of School! The kids are going to a new school this year. Both went in and didn't look back. I reviewed with Grant that it is important not to talk when the teacher is talking. Grandma Ned tells me this was Jim's biggest struggle when he was little. Grant told me that two things he hopes to learn this year are how the seasons change and how metal turns into lava. :) Kate is most excited that she gets to wear a uniform (me too)! I am hopeful for a great year!

JJ Ranch

For our end of summer vacation we went to a ranch on the west side of Michigan called JJ Ranch. It was perfect for our family. We stayed in a one bedroom cabin with a loft. The kids tried horseback riding for the first time and both loved it. There were also lots of other fun activities like archery, a stunt show, pedal carts, a huge water park and a playground. We could have stayed a lot longer, but we had to get back because school was starting..

Happy Birthday, Kate

Kate enjoyed many festivities for her birthday this year. She went to Build-a-Bear with grandma Koss, painted pottery with special friend Peggy, had a special party at grandma and grandpa Niedzinski's, and even had a Star Wars party at a park. (I'm not sure who was more excited about that- she or Grant!)

Sleepover with the littles

When Kate got back from her sleepovers with her older cousins she asked me "do you think my little cousins will hear how much fun I am at sleepovers and invite me to sleep over?" Well, sure enough, word is spreading like wildfire and Oliver(3) and Ben(1) invited her to sleep over! She enjoyed the park, digging in the garden, exploring the mysteries of the attic and having a special lunch with Lindsay. They even had a birthday cake a early celebration for her one night!

Summer Fun

Jim and the kids had a fun weekend up north visiting Jim's best childhood friend, Corey, and his wife Katie. They have kids almost exactly our kids' ages, so it made it fun for everyone! Kate got her nails painted for the very first time. Grant caught toads and mice and everyone went hiking. Good times all around! We hope to spend some more time with this gang again soon!

Double Blessing

Kate got a double blessing this time week by having a combined visit to Aunt Jill's and Grandma and Grandpa's house with cousin Amy!

Visiting Cousins

Over the last two weeks Kate was out of this world blessed by her cousins who invited her for some extended sleepovers. Here are some pictures of some fun things she did with Adam, Andrea, Austin and Abby:

Summertime

What have we been up to this summer...

Annual Fair

For months now the kids have been earning a marble in a jar for each night that they stayed in their beds after we tucked them in. For every marble in the jar they earned one ride at this weekend's annual fair. Who knew the lines would be so long and they wouldn't get to go on all 23 rides that they earned? They definitely had a fun filled day though. Grant's highlight was going on his first "big kid" ride- the spinning one where the floor drops! Yikes! Kate much preferred the merry-go-round.

After School Fun

One huge blessing of this year is that Grant and Kate have loved their Montessori School. Kate will continue on at the same school next year and Grant will head off to the local public school as a first grader! Even after their long days at school they really don't like to sit still (runs in the family, I guess) and have enjoyed lots of after school activities like Goldfish Swim School, karate, basketball and gymnastics. On the days where we don't have anything "official" to do they often request to go to the pet store (see bearded dragon on Kate's shoulder) or out for coffee. (hot chocolate) Their favorite day is Friday, for two special reasons. The first is because it is when they get to bring home their work that they did throughout the week at school. Beginning with the first week of school we have never made it out of the parking lot without them showing me their work. Even the teachers are gone before we are gone! Thenit is off to ice cream. It is much more enjoyable now that it is warm out. We always put them to sleep in their seperate bunks but we sometimes find them curled up together before the night is over.

Naples

We had such a fun week in Naples visiting Grandma and Grandpa Koss. The kids really enjoyed a new find, the Hands on Museum, with Grandma most mornings while Jim and I got a little extra shut eye. Papa assumed his usual role as master shark in the pool. It felt like a big year because the kids swam without life jackets and actually sat at the table when we went out to dinner. I think we may have turned a vacation corner!

Bahamas

What a week! Mom and Dad Koss took us all to the Bahamas to celebrate their 40th anniversary. They renewed their vows on the same beach they honeymooned on. Actually, it was not quite the beach, but the patio in front of the beach because mom didn't want the wind in her hair. But close enough. :) There were 14 of us all together. 5 kids under 6. The cousins had such a blast together. It was a trip we will never forget.

Bball

You have to look closely but Grant is rolling a booger and Kate has a basketball shoved under her jersey.

More December Fun