Get Busy Living, or...

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Wow, the last couple of weeks have been heaping with fun times and memorable moments, just what we want for our last weeks living in Michigan!  We have been cherishing each and every moment with the people we love, knowing that the time will come where we long for that connection on a whim.

Have you ever seen such a massive sleepover?  This was definitely our biggest sleepover yet and this was just  the kids!

The sleepover was to celebrate our friend Velma's Birthday!  Velma is smiling front and center and Julie is next to her.  Marci is back row far left and Candi is next to her in the middle!  We had so much fun laughing, talking and playing skip bo!

On Good Friday we were lucky enough to have the my family gather together to celebrate Easter together!  We had a great time just enjoying each others company.  Although this picture is missing Aunt Susan, Uncle Bruce, Ryan and Dad...etc...

Here is a picture of Trinity snuggling on Merrick.  I just love that Reese got to sneak in on this picture!  LOL, but when Trin realized Reeese was in the picture, she made me retake the photo with just her and Merrick!  I think Reese is the icing on the cake in this picture.  I love those new glasses Reese!

Saturday morning we took Grammy Kathy and Grandpa Tom to an Easter egg hunt that our church hosted.  What an amazing event for the entire community!  So many people come together to make it all happen.  On top of the candy from the eggs, the kids each left with a gallon bag full of gifts they were able to choose!  Then, when they got home, Grammy Kathy gave each of the kids a basket full of fun toys and gifts.  The kids were so grateful for everything, especially the special time spent with Grammy and Grandpa!!

Later that day, Kierce had a birthday party to attend for her friend Grace.  As you can see in this video, Kierce had a blast celebrating her friends birthday and dancing with Chuckie himself!

Here I am with my GNO girls!  I first met these girls while attending MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) several years ago.  We have continued to meet for random dinner dates to talk and chat!  I am going to miss these GNO dates!  Thanks girls!!!

Here you can see the silliest part of the costume I had to wear to work as background in an upcoming movie.  I am holding a wine bottle canteen made from a foot of some kind!  I had to wear this around my neck all day! The scene I was in was a costume party full of made up super heroes.  I was the last one to be fit for this scene, hence probably one of the craziest characters "Camel Toe".  Good thing I can laugh right along with everyone!  I decided to work this scene having a feeling it would cut the mood a little, and it did...a lot!!  Jason Segel is funny and a total teddy bear, or bunny, since he was dressed as a SUPER BUNNY in this scene.  Ultimately is was a very fun, but tiring day on my feet that definitely did the job of lifting the mood ;)

Kierce and I had a lot of fun doing yoga later this week, and here is a very silly picture of her cheesin' it up!  The kids were off on break this week, so we definitely enjoyed the extra time together!

Namaste

Helicopter, Easter Eggs and Bubbles Oh My!

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It all started with the very famous Helicopter Egg Drop extravaganza.  We figured we should probably attend this event at least one time in the seven years we have lived here before we move!  You could say it was on our move to SD bucket list!  The best part was watching the helicopter speed past really fast one time before coming back to drop the eggs.  A high def video camera would have come in handy in this instance!  I did my best to capture the moment ;) 

This was a lot of fun for the kids, and Daddy too!  Notice all of the broken plastic eggs!  It was like a stampede when the egg hunt began.  Thankfully we were at the back of the herd, not sure if the kids would agree since they only got a few eggs compared to their predecessors :)

The Easter Bunny (a.k.a  Gamma) came to our house a week early!  She had tons of fun coloring Easter eggs with the kids.  As you can see, they had an absolute blast creating designs and mixing up the color schemes!  Even Kaylin, the birthday girl and one of Rowan's best friends, joined them for the fun!  Gamma even brought  bubbles for some outdoor fun with the kids!  

Look at all of these Easter eggs!  They did such a great job!  Ryan is looking forward to having lots of yummy egg salad, especially since the Easter Bunny forgot to take some eggs with her!  Oooooh, and deviled eggs of course!  We have made our own natural egg dyes previous years, and I think we'll use our juicer to make some natural egg dyes this weekend!  We just can't get enough!  

  I had to add a little of Kierce's humor to your day!  A bubble that looks like a gourd, and eyes that look like dark chocolate!  

Merrick the Bike Star

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Merrick and I had lots of fun this week while the girls were in school!  The weather was so nice this week, we did a lot of bike riding.  Oh, and can't forget the hours of hardcore Lego playing!

Here is Merrick showing off his latest skill on his Spiderman bike.  I was so happy when he finally wanted to ride his bike again!!  He took a very long hiatus from riding after taking a spill last summer.  Go Merrick!

Here is my very own chipmunk being silly with a couple organic gum balls I found online.  One sour apple in his right cheek and one silly strawberry in his left cheek.  Leave it to Merrick :)

Now if you think this is talent, you should have seen him wearing both of my heels minutes earlier!  The perfect finishing touch is all thanks to Kierce!  Hop Hop

Morning Adventures!

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The kids and I have had so much fun in the morning getting exercise and some adventure, since the weather has lifted!  Seriously, its amazing how much happier and lighter we all feel getting this extra action and sunshine, even Buddy!

Here is Kierce and Merrick being silly during one of our morning yoga sessions!  As you can see, Kierce is definitely in the yogi zone ;)  I could almost bet that she easily stays in the yogi zone most of every day!

Rowan, Merrick and Buddy are all ready to walk (or scooter if your name is Merrick) to school!  Kierce, where are you???  Rowan is excited to walk or bike to school everyday when we move to San Diego.  I am going to have to make sure we are close enough to their school to do so!   

Merrick with his famous scooter.  This is by far the most used gift ever given to one of my children!  Thanks Aunt Dawnie and Aunt Lynn!  The first day Merrick and I walked the girls to school it took sooo long to get home.  He would keep running off the road into the grass or a random driveway to take a break.  Before you know it I am carrying his scooter above my head with my left hand to give allow room for Merrick to lay his head on my leg as we walk, while holding Buddy's leash in my right hand.  This was a sight I'm sure!  Full (of love) load coming through!   

Rowan's Music Concert Takes Us to China

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Rowan being lead by gorgeous handmade dragons.  She was really excited to participate in this concert!

Don't you just love her shirt??  I confess I had to bribe her to wear it!  lol  You should have seen her curl up her nose when she saw this shirt I bought.  Rowan has NEVER been a big fan of any type of accents, frills or different type of "fits" regarding the clothes she wears.  Its all about comfort, and hey, most of us can relate!  Many, many clothes with the tags still in tact make their way to Kierce who is smiling all the way at the frills and glam!  I am very happy to tell you that just before the concert after about an hour of wearing the shirt, looking in the mirror and talking herself into it, she started to actually like the shirt!  Now, will she wear it ever again...probably not :)  and that's OK.

Here is Rowan giving her speech!  She also did a great job singing and playing the drums on stage.  We are so proud of her.

Merrick got a hold of the camera during the concert :)  He likes to take pictures capturing only the subjects smile in the picture.  I am proud to present this example of Merrick capturing the entire face of his subject!  He was lucky to catch Grandma being silly!

Rowan's fans standing with the star herself!  Her principal was kind enough to take a picture of all of us!

Grandma and Grandpa with Rowan!  Thanks for coming on such short notice.  Wow, they even coordinate!

I just had to close with this picture of Kierce.  She wore her Dad's mo-hawk wig for Crazy Hat Day about a month ago, and this is a picture of her on a poster at the school.  Thanks Grandma and Row for noticing her picture after the concert!

sPriNg into Summer

We had a wonderful day with family and friends yesterday on what felt like a hot summer day!  Yes, 85 degrees and sunny here in Michigan.  Its must be time to break the bottle of sunscreen, because Ryan and I realized at the close of the day that we landed ourselves a little sunburn!

While Ryan was at baseball practice, the kids and I started our day with church, and were blessed to have my parents and the Trins (my brother's family) join us!  After church we stopped at a local taco stand for some fifty cent tacos, their Sunday special.  We were even able to eat outside at picnic tables, chit chat and soak in the sun.

Later while playing housekeeper, Ryan asked me if someone was coming to visit.  Just as I said no, we received a phone call from Aunt Diane wanting to stop over!  Well this was perfect, because our plan was to go to the park after the house was polished.  We were excited to have her and her dog, Fly Girl come with us!

Aunt Diane was brave enough to take all of the kids along with the dogs, Fly and Buddy on a pretty long one mile walk!  They definitely got their exercise!  Rowan and the dogs came in ahead of the pack, while Ryan sent out to give Merrick a little help and the rest some moral support :)

We were also blessed to visit with some of our best friends at the park.  Here is Rowan with Sami and Marci (looking so tan from her recent vaycay to hawaii) happily taking a break from playing.

Here I am with my most handsome and amazing husband Ryan.  We were so happy to share this beautiful day with people we love so dearly!

I just had to share this most beautiful picture of the girls.  I just know these girls will be best friends forever.

To bring the day to a close Aunt Diane took us to the famous Pizza Primo for dinner.  It was so nice to be gifted this time to chat and catch up with each others lives.  We were a little bummed that the days events appeared to be too much fun for Kierce, who had been sick and was feeling a little better at the start of the day.  She is now resting up and getting ready to take on the world again!

Brynn's Exciting 4 Day Visit

This last week was full of excitement!  My niece Brynn was able to stay with us for a four day quilting marathon.  We finally finished this super cute quilt for Brynn's bed, which we had been working on for almost two years!  You can imagine just how elated both of us were to complete this fun yet massive task.  While packing and sorting through all of our things, I have also been working on finishing uncompleted projects.  It will feel good to leave Michigan knowing I have tied up random loose ends.  The timing was perfect, because Brynn is getting herself a new bedroom, with a new paint job and now with a new quilt to pull it all together!

As you can see, my nephew Brett is interested in sewing as well.  Don't worry Brett, we'll plan a little sewing date before we leave ;)  He is a details kind of kiddo!  Uncle Ryan also has dibs on the boys for a little kayaking trip as well.  

Rowan and Kierce took their turn sewing as well!  I'll let you all in on a secret, this is totally my dream come true!  I have always hoped that my children, nieces and nephews would enjoy sewing!  This is such a great and positive skill to possess.  Here is a quote from a waitress I once had. "I have so much appreciation for people who sew quilts, it takes such skill and patience.  I could never do it!"  It is definitely a healthy creative outlet for our younger generations.  I think anyone can do it, but obviously not everyone wants to.  I am so glad that these great kids do :)

***(Here is a video, if you are reading this blog through your email, you probably won't see the video.  Just double click on the title of this blog which will take you to the actual blog post to watch this funny video of Merrick dancing, its super cute!)***

We jammed to tunes most of Brynn's visit.  One of the nights the girls dressed Merrick up as Justin Bieber.  They thought it would be a blast if we had him dance and sing to Baby, one of Justin's songs.  We will be laughing about this one for years to come!  Its a good thing Merrick thinks its funny too.  Now ten years from now...?

Brynn also lost a tooth during her visit!  Kierce lost her other front tooth just days before this as well.  We are just the "tooth loosing house"!  Just come to our house and loose a tooth!  If you're a kid that is, we are not promoting dentures here :)

Here is a close up of Brynn's favorite quilt block.  We picked this quilt pattern for a couple different reasons.  Brynn was able to go through my fabric stash to pick her favorites.  Also, all of the girls could help cut each layer of the flower petals.  The edges of the flower petals are meant to unravel and create a more 3-D flower look.  Of course now Rowan and Kierce want one too ;)

 The girls were all excited when they found out I am planning to send this picture into American Patchwork and Quilting.  Every issue they publish quilters who have made a quilt pattern from their magazine with some improvisation.  The original quilt pattern was for a much smaller square quilt, using more pale colors.  We brightened it up and made the quilt twin size.

Brynn's visit was a special time to remember.  After going through all of my fabric and doing some letting go, while some of the fabric went to my Prayers and Squares quilt group, I packed two boxes full of fun fabrics for Brynn to experiment with.  She has a nearly new machine that my Mom gave to her Mom as a gift, that's just ready for her to explore!  Go Brynn!