Deer Processing

Wednesday night Dan returned home from his Dads house with a deer in the back of the truck. He finally got his buck. Dan was a bit bummed when he realized Tyler was already asleep. Tyler woke up Thursday morning with a gift hanging upside down in the garage. He gets so excited about this disgusting looking animal with its insides gutted out and beneath blood dripping on a piece of cardboard. I am thinking it must be a boy thing...until Grandma Tonda came over today.
Tonda and Dan spent Saturday afternoon (and evening)processing it. Of course, I was worried about Tyler seeing this but it didn't bother him a bit. He would have watched the whole thing if it wasn't so darn cold out.

I think grandma is crazy!


I am hoping this buck tastes better than the big beast he shot last year!

3 am on Black Friday

What was I thinking? Black Friday shopping to some is as much a tradition as turkey on Thanksgiving....but that is not what it will be for us. I had a great day hanging out with Niki and buying stuff for the kids...but it was exhausting. I woke at 3 am, picked up Niki and we were off to Kalamazoo. Actually, we did more standing in line than shopping. We hit Kohls first which went easy. Walmart was a nightmare, we stood in line to pay for an hour. The mall wasn't so bad, childrens place was packed but we took turns shopping and walking around the mall...then by the time we got to toys r us, they had slowed down and we were in and out. 8 hours later we were heading home with a packed car!
The one other nice thing was it got me out of cutting down our christmas tree. Sam and I stayed back and took a nap. While Grandma Tonda, Dan and Tyler went and cut down our tree! Tyler had a blast!

Thanksgiving in Grand Haven

I can't go a Thanksgiving without my moms stuffing! So, we ALL headed to Grand Haven Saturday afternoon and we stayed until Sunday evening. We kind of killed two birds (not including the turkey) with one stone. My grandma and grandpa Carlson are leaving for Florida before Christmas so they came and we did a little present opening with the kids. It was a great day....and the kids enjoyed playing with there new toys. I am so blessed!

 

 

 

 

 

Blood:Water Mission

Two weeks of sacrifice. Freshwater church has partnered up with Blood:Water Mission and has set a goal to raise enough money to build two wells in Africa.

"Clean water is a powerful way to begin a large scale conversation about AIDS. The 1000 Wells Project is a simple campaign that has very little controversy surrounding it. It is difficult to argue whether or not a person should have clean water. It is also difficult to deny the equation: $1= clean water for 1 person for 1 year. And it is vital that the church begin to build relationships with African communities. When a well is built, a conversation is started, a relationship between the church and the community benefiting from the project begins. This is the seed of a worldview shift. This is what excites us about this project." Dan Haseltine of Jars of Clay

Two weeks of sacrifice campaign asks people to make tap water their only beverage. For those 2 weeks, take the money you would usually spend on soda, juice, sports drinks, coffee, milk, etc., and collect it in a your favorite mug or cup. So here is my cup of pain! NO MCDONALDS COFFEE!

Check out the website at www.bloodwatermission.com

Slumber Party

We went to St. Joseph to visit Coutney and Cammy Saturday night. We had our first slumber party that we keep saying we want to do! We just hung out...it was so fun to watch the kids play. Tyler got to experiance the Wii for the first time (of course we got smoked by the mother-daughter duo!)... but how darn fun! The kids played on the jumper and watched Ratatoulle before bed. We woke up this morning had breakfast and headed to church. It was a great way to spend the weekend. What would we do without our play dates with the Browns?

MOMS-this is a video press play!

Obama vs. McCain

Everytime I walk into a voting booth I get an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for those women before me who had to overcome many obstacles for my opportunity today. I sat in the booth with my daughter on my lap, realizing that this vote is not only for the president of the United States but also for "her" future. There is nothing more important to me than that! This historical moment is more important to me than showing up and casting my ballot, it is more important than who voted for who, it has to do with the right that my Great Grandmother at one time did not have and changing the future for my children.

Halloween 2008-Muscle Madness!

I couldn't wait to trick or treat this year. I was probably more excited than the kids.

Sam is still a bit to small and Tyler doesn't have patience to walk house to house and get candy. But to see both of them dress was the cutest darn thing ever!Tyler would rather stay home pass out the candy and check out all the costumes. I think I enjoyed the week prior when Tyler wanted to just run around the house in his costume...pretending to climb wall, bounce off windows, and spray me with web (pewing, as he calls it???).
The night began with the Dekonings stopping by for a few pictures of the kids. Tyler loved seeing Carter and his muscles. They had to compare...whose was bigger (what a guy thing). They were cute...Sam stayed away from the boys... she wasn't sure of the mask on Jared.


Grandma Tonda came after work to help pass out candy while we walked. Grandma and Grandpa Dingy came to see the kids in the costumes and stay the night. It is always a good time.
Samantha went NO where that night without a sucker in her mouth.

As you can see...Tyler wasn't thrilled about the mask, so that stayed off!
We did get around a few blocks before he said he was done.

I charish these days with you both. It is so fun watching your imaginations grow...love you, Mom!