Saturday, October 31, 2009
Halloween
These were the best pictures I had of this Halloween. Kara was a witch, Tanner was Harry Potter and Kendra was a lion and at the trunk or treat was a pirate. 
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Jelly Belly's and Fishing Flops
Barry couldn't pass up a fishing trip. He went Friday night with some guys from church to Lake Michigan to fish for salmon. He came home late empty handed...so of course he needed to go back the next day. We loaded the car up and because the Jelly Belly factory was close to the fishing spot we headed there for a tour first. We rode a train around their warehouse and watched some movies about how Jelly Belly came to be and how they made jelly beans. The best part was definitely the end when they gave us our own bag of jelly beans. They also had a sampling counter where you could sample any flavor or kind of candy they made. Tanner wanted to try one of the Harry Potter Jelly Belly flavors....lets just say that the canned dog food flavor was not top on his list of favorites. 
Tanner was a lot of help caring the fishing net full of goods.
Here is Kara hanging on the rail of the observation deck on Lake Michigan. Tanner was nervous being up there, so nervous that he climbed up saw the view and decided he was safer on the ground. He warned Kara to be careful and to stay away from the edge. I also warned her to be safe. I turned to take Kendra's picture....Kendra started pointing and freaking out about what Kara was doing. I turned back to where Kara was and she was half way on the other side of the rail just hanging there. She had a good talking to about good choices and how living on the edge is not the smartest place to be. I hope this is not reoccurring theme to her life. She makes me a little nervous. 
Here is Kendra before she started freaking out. I loved being on the lake. It gives you the feel of being at the ocean, without the salty air. 
Here is Barry fishing in the harbour. He got skunked again, but is still determined to catch the big one. 
Tanner was a lot of help caring the fishing net full of goods.Here is Kara hanging on the rail of the observation deck on Lake Michigan. Tanner was nervous being up there, so nervous that he climbed up saw the view and decided he was safer on the ground. He warned Kara to be careful and to stay away from the edge. I also warned her to be safe. I turned to take Kendra's picture....Kendra started pointing and freaking out about what Kara was doing. I turned back to where Kara was and she was half way on the other side of the rail just hanging there. She had a good talking to about good choices and how living on the edge is not the smartest place to be. I hope this is not reoccurring theme to her life. She makes me a little nervous. Here is Kendra before she started freaking out. I loved being on the lake. It gives you the feel of being at the ocean, without the salty air. Here is Barry fishing in the harbour. He got skunked again, but is still determined to catch the big one.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
First Day at a New School
Kara started Kindergarten. She was really excited for school to start and loved going to art class on her first day. 
Tanner switched schools with our move. He just started second grade and is trying to adjust to how this school runs and where everything is. 
One of the best parts of being at a new school is that Tanner's best friend Josh and Kara's best friend Lily are moving to the neighborhood and are both in the same classes as Tanner and Kara. This has made the transition a little less stressful for all of them. 
Kendra thought it was her first day of school and was disappointed that Tanner and Kara went into the school without her.
Tanner switched schools with our move. He just started second grade and is trying to adjust to how this school runs and where everything is. One of the best parts of being at a new school is that Tanner's best friend Josh and Kara's best friend Lily are moving to the neighborhood and are both in the same classes as Tanner and Kara. This has made the transition a little less stressful for all of them. 
Kendra thought it was her first day of school and was disappointed that Tanner and Kara went into the school without her. 
Day Three Of Chicago
Day 3 was still rainy and cloudy. We headed to the temple first thing and then Barry drove us downtown, which wasn't nearly as bad as driving in New York City. 
We went to Shedd Aquarium. We saw a dolphin and Beluga whale show. Then we saw a quick Sponge Bob in 4D movie. We saw sharks and lots of fish and got to touch star fish. 
After the aquarium we walked at least two miles to eat at Bubba Gumps on Navy Pier. My mom and Barry ordered shrimp and fish, I opted for a burger. We were all pleased with our meals. 
We then went to where the carnival rides are and Barry bought us tickets to ride the Ferris Wheel. My mom and I were discussing how we really didn't like Ferris wheels when Barry said he didn't love to ride them either. We got on the ride with Kara in between my mom and I and Kendra in between Tanner and Barry. Tanner was looking nervous and we could hardly keep Kara still. We had to remind her multiple times that she had to sit down on the ride. She kept reminding us how high up we were. It was a great view of the Chicago skyline. We were all relieved when we started coming down and we were able to get off.
We played half a round of mini golf before it started raining. We ran in the rain to catch a taxi back to where we parked by the aquarium.
We went to Shedd Aquarium. We saw a dolphin and Beluga whale show. Then we saw a quick Sponge Bob in 4D movie. We saw sharks and lots of fish and got to touch star fish. After the aquarium we walked at least two miles to eat at Bubba Gumps on Navy Pier. My mom and Barry ordered shrimp and fish, I opted for a burger. We were all pleased with our meals. 
We then went to where the carnival rides are and Barry bought us tickets to ride the Ferris Wheel. My mom and I were discussing how we really didn't like Ferris wheels when Barry said he didn't love to ride them either. We got on the ride with Kara in between my mom and I and Kendra in between Tanner and Barry. Tanner was looking nervous and we could hardly keep Kara still. We had to remind her multiple times that she had to sit down on the ride. She kept reminding us how high up we were. It was a great view of the Chicago skyline. We were all relieved when we started coming down and we were able to get off.
We played half a round of mini golf before it started raining. We ran in the rain to catch a taxi back to where we parked by the aquarium. Brookestone Bandit
We spent most of the afternoon after Lego Land shopping. We went to Ikea and then headed to the mall. Kendra found a "best friend" to sit by. 
Our last stop at the mall was Brookstone. We spent a least an hour there testing the massage chairs, and such. We left, drove back to the hotel, and I opened my purse to find the hotel key and I found some goods from Brookstone stashed in my purse. I saw the color and knew instantly that Kendra was the culprit, but she was sleeping at the time so the questioning came later. We dropped Grandma, Tanner and Kara off at the hotel so they could start swimming and we went back to Brookstone to return the pink items.
When Kendra finished her nap we questioned her. I have no idea what she is saying at the beginning, but I love her expressions.
Our last stop at the mall was Brookstone. We spent a least an hour there testing the massage chairs, and such. We left, drove back to the hotel, and I opened my purse to find the hotel key and I found some goods from Brookstone stashed in my purse. I saw the color and knew instantly that Kendra was the culprit, but she was sleeping at the time so the questioning came later. We dropped Grandma, Tanner and Kara off at the hotel so they could start swimming and we went back to Brookstone to return the pink items.
When Kendra finished her nap we questioned her. I have no idea what she is saying at the beginning, but I love her expressions.
Lego Land Discovery Center
The weather was a little wet so we stayed our first day in Schaumburg, IL, which is where we our hotel was. Lego Land was five minutes away so we headed there. We found some coupons to get the kids in free which was the only way it was worth making the visit to Lego Land. 
Kendra loved all the little lego people just her size. She said they were her best friends.
There were a couple of rides that looked more exciting in the brochure than they actually were.
The kids liked them, and I guess that's all the really matters.
Tanner standing with Harry Potter. He has just finished the second Harry Potter book and was happy to see this lego statue.
Barry with Batman.
The kids had a lot of fun, but I wouldn't make the trip just for Lego Land Discovery Center.
Kendra loved all the little lego people just her size. She said they were her best friends.
There were a couple of rides that looked more exciting in the brochure than they actually were. 
The kids liked them, and I guess that's all the really matters.
Tanner standing with Harry Potter. He has just finished the second Harry Potter book and was happy to see this lego statue.
Barry with Batman.
The kids had a lot of fun, but I wouldn't make the trip just for Lego Land Discovery Center.
Chicago Style
My mom came for a visit last week. We decided that because Chicago is only a couple of hours away from us that we should spend some time there. We picked up my mom from the airport and took the train downtown to go eat some Chicago deep dish pizza. Pizzeria Uno is where Chicago style deep dish began. 
We all enjoyed our pizza and had lots of leftovers. On our way back to the car we caught the wrong train, so we had to get off the train and get back on and ride all the way back to where we started from so we could catch the right one. It ended up being a late (but memorable) night by the time we got back to the hotel. 
We all enjoyed our pizza and had lots of leftovers. On our way back to the car we caught the wrong train, so we had to get off the train and get back on and ride all the way back to where we started from so we could catch the right one. It ended up being a late (but memorable) night by the time we got back to the hotel. 
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Mercy Fair
This year we had a fun time at the Mercy Fair. Barry and the kids waited in line for about an hour to jump on the trampolines. 
While we waited in line the kids got to take turns going down the slide. 
Kara started out wanting to do flips, but actually got a little freaked out being up so high.
Kendra loved her turn and didn't want to get off. That's me jumping in the background.
Tanner also had fun. Barry wished that he was a little smaller so he could have a turn too.
While we waited in line the kids got to take turns going down the slide. 
Kara started out wanting to do flips, but actually got a little freaked out being up so high.Kendra loved her turn and didn't want to get off. That's me jumping in the background. 
Tanner also had fun. Barry wished that he was a little smaller so he could have a turn too.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
June Activities
June was a busy month, but full of fun....mostly. 
Early in the month is was hot enough to run through the sprinkler.
My friend threw me a surprise 30th Birthday Party. The kids made the sign for me. Thanks Shana!
Tanner and Kara opened up a hotel in our yard. The cost is only $3 per day...not a bad deal. Tanner was paying Kara and Caden a penny a day to work there. They had to clean the "bathroom", and also give Tanner his massage.
We were at the park and Tanner found a four leaf clover. After he found it Kara was searching like you wouldn't believe. She never found one.
Strawberry picking was fun! We went when Barry could come with us this year.
Kendra nice and clean before she started eating the berries.
Barry was a great picker! He did all of that himself.
Tanner and Kendra just ate strawberries. Kara doesn't love strawberries so she just picked them.
The kids at the Monroe Balloon Fest.
Kara won a drawing for a mini finger skate board ramp. She was so happy and made sure all the other kids that were with us knew that she won and they didn't.
Kendra had a tea party with Kamdyn. They are best buddies! I asked them to make a funny face and this is what they did. Here's a story about Kendra and Kamdyn...one day Kendra was saying goodbye to Kamdyn. She said, "Bye Damdyn (that's how she say Kamdyn)." It really sounded like she said bye dumb dumb. Kamdyn was very offended and told her mom that Kendra called her a dumb dumb. Her mom had to explain that the way Kendra says her name sounds that way, but she is really saying Kamdyn.
Early in the month is was hot enough to run through the sprinkler. 
My friend threw me a surprise 30th Birthday Party. The kids made the sign for me. Thanks Shana!
Tanner and Kara opened up a hotel in our yard. The cost is only $3 per day...not a bad deal. Tanner was paying Kara and Caden a penny a day to work there. They had to clean the "bathroom", and also give Tanner his massage.
We were at the park and Tanner found a four leaf clover. After he found it Kara was searching like you wouldn't believe. She never found one.
Strawberry picking was fun! We went when Barry could come with us this year. 
Kendra nice and clean before she started eating the berries.
Barry was a great picker! He did all of that himself. 
Tanner and Kendra just ate strawberries. Kara doesn't love strawberries so she just picked them. 
The kids at the Monroe Balloon Fest. 
Kara won a drawing for a mini finger skate board ramp. She was so happy and made sure all the other kids that were with us knew that she won and they didn't. 
Kendra had a tea party with Kamdyn. They are best buddies! I asked them to make a funny face and this is what they did. Here's a story about Kendra and Kamdyn...one day Kendra was saying goodbye to Kamdyn. She said, "Bye Damdyn (that's how she say Kamdyn)." It really sounded like she said bye dumb dumb. Kamdyn was very offended and told her mom that Kendra called her a dumb dumb. Her mom had to explain that the way Kendra says her name sounds that way, but she is really saying Kamdyn. 
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
NYC in a Nutshell
I got to go see Wicked with my parents while we were in New York. I loved it and hope to see it again some day. Barry got to go on a cruise tour around Manhattan with his parents and sister.
My dad and I trying to figure out where we were on the map so we could go the right direction to find Barry, Stacy and the kids.
We did a lot of walking. Tanner said he loved everything about New York except the walking.
The Statue of Liberty. Tanner looks like he has bedhead, but it's actually a really bad haircut. 
Guess who we ran in to at Toys R Us?? Can you believe it, we were there at the exact same time and in the same section of that huge store!
Tan and Kara enjoyed their Ferris wheel ride with their grandma and grandpa.
Us in Time Square. Kendra fell asleep.
Trying to get back to New Jersey to go home was crazy. We left the hotel and took the subway to Battery Park to try to catch the ferry back across the bay, we walked pretty far to catch the water taxi, but it was closed for the night. We didn't know how we would get across to our car that couldn't be in the parking lot overnight without being towed. We talked to some police officers and they said that we would need to walk to the train station where the train goes under the bay and then we'd have to catch a taxi to our car that was at Liberty State Park. Luckily it all worked out. Tanner was very doubtful and thought we might have to swim to the car.
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