Mexico!

For Christmas this past year, my sweet husband surprised me with a trip to Mexico. We have been so looking forward to it since then, and really were excited to take our first tropical trip together. Neither one of us has ever been to Mexico so it was amazing for us. We stayed at a beautiful resort called Aventura Spa Palace and enjoyed spa treatments, all inclusive drinks and food, and gorgeous weather. It was great. We kept meaning to leave the resort but we just didn't. We met some great people, danced, saw a show every night, and did karaoke. We laid in the sun by the pool, we snorkeled in the lagoon, slept in, and played fun pool games. Since there wasn't a beach, they had a lot of things going on around the pool, and it was a blast. In fact, we WON the couples game, which included Matt and I answering questions, personal questions, in front of everyone, and trying to match them up...like the newlywed game. And at the end of the game, he poured out his heart to me in front of the whole pool, and I will never forget it. It brought tears to my eyes. Love him so much. Thank you babe for a wonderful time to reconnect and fall in love all over again. Let's do it again soon!!


No beach, but still beautiful







A bit windy at night

Hanging out by the pool

Bocce ball with the "oldies"

Snorkeling in scary Mexican river...I got my gear on...jumped in slowly...cried...got out.

Karaoke

Snorkeling in clear lagoon at resort where I could stand up

Riding the bull

Hard to get our heads together with those hats

Mojito Making Time!!

Coconut drinks with cutie newlywed Jennifer

Gorgeous weather



Ahhhh...could it get any better?

Rock the kayak

Entertainment crew fav...HUGO!

Right outside our room

Notice the purplish color of my skin...ouch.

Last night

Butterfly Time

Spring is here! At least for the moment, as I see snow is the forecast for this weekend. Before we left for Mexico, we decided a family day was is order. We always love seeing the butterflies at Meijer Gardens, and I love the pics I get from there.

Miss Molly

Just love her. She is definitely a two year old and developing quite the will of her own. But I just can't resist those sweet eyes and her adorable little voice...at least when it's not whining at me. She is growing up way too fast. Sleeping in a big bed, using the potty on her own, dressing herself. I just had to take some pictures to remember how she is at this moment...this sweet but fleeting moment.

The Sun Will Come Out

As a Michigander, you get used to these cloudy, dreary winters that we have to endure. But an amazing thing happened this past weekend...the SUN CAME OUT!!! And for like three days in a row. WOW. So as long as it isn't below zero degrees, we have to head out to get some sunshine on our pale faces.

Miss Charley

Because she's beautiful...

...and so happy...

and now...always on the go...

Big Girl Bed

On Monday, we moved Mols into a big girl bed...a BIG girl bed. Since we had a queen mattress, she moved into a Queen bed, and she looks like the littlest princess in it. She looks so tiny...I can't believe she is growing up so fast. We were very firm with her about not getting out of her bed, and she did great! She talked for a long time, but didn't get out, and eventually fell asleep. She was very excited and very proud of herself in the morning. When we left her room that night, I cried. I always cry. I kind of wish I could freeze time right now. Before we know it, she's going to be going off to college. Ugh.

"Cheese" (we're still working on that)

Getting Ready!

Big hugs from mom and dad...

Grant says goodnight!

2 of 8!

Here are 2 of Grant's 8 goals in his last game!

Black Rockets

Grant played indoor soccer again this year with some friends, and we had a great time, even though I think we only won twice. Funny story. When I was growing up, I responded very well in sports to "incentives" from my parents. Grant seemed to have checked out a little bit, so I thought I'd try this approach with him too. We were supposed to go to Chuck E. Cheese after this last game, so I told him if he scored some goals, he would get extra tokens. And the kid scored 7 or 8 goals!! Guess it worked. Too bad we didn't actually go to Chuck E. Cheese. It was packed out and had a line just to get in, so we jetted over to Burger King Playland instead, but I'm sure that we will have to take him to Chuck E. Cheeses soon!

Science Night

A couple weeks back, Grant had Science Night at school. Here are some shots of his Science Project. Grant's Dancing Raisins was the name of it. If you put raisins in 7up, the raisins will dance. CO2 bubbles attach to the raisins causing them to float to the top. After they reach the top, the bubbles pop, making the raisins more dense again, causing them to drop back down. And it continues like this for about an hour or so. Pretty cool project actually...and easy. (Molly enjoyed "helping" out too!)

Can You Tie it in a Bow?

Charley does not have a lot of hair. I feel like Molly had much more at this age. Sometimes I am told...what a cute little boy...so we are trying to get a bow in that hair to make my little girl a little more girly, especially when she's in blue. :)

Baby Girl Walking

Charley has started walking! At 10 months old! It's crazy to see my baby girl walking around the room. It really makes me realize how fast she is growing up. Since we've taken this video, she has really taken off. Walking all over the room. Grant walked at this age as well, but Molly waited until she was 13 months old to walk. My life just got a little crazier. She has also learned to crawl up the stairs...ugh. Can't believe my baby is getting so big!