More Biking Adventures

My husband is so good at coming up with exciting adventures. All I had to say was that I wanted to go biking and he came up with a fantastic idea. We drove over to Wellesley Island and biked in one of my favorite places...TI Park. I love it over there because it feels like it is set back in time, the houses are so amazing and it is peaceful. We all had a great time checking out the scenery and then we had some play time and finally a trip to The Guzzle for some candy.
After our bike ride we stopped at the playground. I love it because it has all sorts of old equipment and it brings me back to my childhood. I love to share those types of experiences with our kids.
Of course Leah found a swing. I think she had swing radar. Seth tried out an old fashioned piece of equipment and it was so neat.
Lastly we drove in to The Bay and ate at Top of the Bay. It was the most perfect day!

Summer Kick Off

Saturday night we invited my Mom and Tom over for dinner and a campfire in the back yard. I made my new favorite mozzarella salad and my Dad sent me home some fresh perch so I tried my hand at frying them up just like he does. The dinner was fantastic and then we had Butterfinger S'mores and we broke out the Pudgy Pie Maker and made ham and cheese and pizza sandwiches over the campfire. It was so.much.FUN.

Leah remains obsessed with anything that swings so she spend a lot of time on the swing set with whomever would swing with her.
Seth made me a beautiful potted plant for Mother's Day so we replanted it and it has blossomed. He is so proud of it!
Second swing victim! Frying up the mozzarella and perch Buckingham style!
1st camp fire of the season.
Leah is even old enough that she stayed up for part of it. She opted for raw marshmallows though. She would have eaten the whole bag had I not snatched it from her.
Seth showed her how to really toast them, but she still ate them raw.
We went for a walk prior to the camp fire and Rocky was exhausted so we plopped him in a chair and he relaxed.

Justin and Joan even came over after Justin got out of work and then the party really started. We broke out the Pudgy Pie Maker and made ham and cheese sandwiches and pizza sandwiches over the camp fire. It was so fun!
We even cooked S'mores with Butterfinger candy bars which we heated up a tad over the fire too so that they were soft and gooey.

It was an evening to remember.

Plans for the Weekend Ahead

For once in our lives we have NO plans for the weekend which means that we can go and do whatever we want. My thoughts are...

* PLEASE let it be sunny and warm
* Get pizza from The Shack and go for a boat ride
* Have a fire and cook s'mores
* Go for a bike ride in Sackets
* Let the boys go fishing with their new poles (Thanks Nana & Grandpa B)
* Soak up the sun I am praying for
* Enjoy my family
* Cook some delish food

Sound good??

Destined for Greatness

He is such a sweet boy who sings this to his sister before she goes to bed at night!

Pure Bliss

I found this amazing recipe in the Pampered Chef catalog so I decided to try it. I love love love cooking and trying new recipes and I have to say that I give this recipe a fantastic review. It is called "Fried Mozzarella Salad". It was super easy and amazingly delicious. I plan to make it for everyone I know, so sign up for dinner ASAP!

Great Minds...Wear Matching Shirts

Justin walked in the door on Tuesday night for dinner and we both laughed hysterically as we noticed that we were both wearing the same shirts!
Have I mentioned how much I LOVE him being home and hate that he has to leave again in a month?
If I had been smart I would have put Seth's Ithaca shirt on AND Leah's because the whole family has them of course!

I came across this today on a random website and thought of my super hero husband instantly!

The Baby Whisperer (NOT)!

Good effort Uncle J

Our Young Phil Mickelson

On Sunday Seth went golfing with Aunt Sheryl, Aunt Jess and Ro. He didn't just ride in the cart, he actually golfed. It is pretty bad when I took golf lessons for an entire summer and my 5 year old is a better golfer than I am.
I love the feeling of being out on the golf course. It is so peaceful out there!
Line it up and keep your eye on the ball.

Swing!

Look out world!

Exciting News!

Leah is starting speech services next week...look out world we hope to have a full talker by the end of the summer! We couldn't be more excited!

Boo Boo's & Bows

After we picked Seth up at Pam's yesterday Leah went running down the sidewalk and BAM down she went and major boo boo's insued. Many tears were shed and two scraped knees were the result. So we came home and doctored her up with two Phineas and Ferb bandaides.
Needless to say she says "boo boo" just about every five minutes now, but she looks so stinking cute with double bandaged knees.
She also managed to keep a hair clip in her hair all.day.long! This is a first as she basically hates anything in her hair. Score one point for girliness today!

Let the Season Begin

The garden is planted and now we wait for the harvest!

Kids Day Take 2

It was kids day once again, but the Voss' switched it up a bit and Maya went this time!

The fathers and kids went on a Club Ride from Tugger's to Brantingham with some scenic stops along the way. They rode over 100 miles for a total of 6 hours and they all had a blast!
Of course they got plenty muddy which makes Seth all too happy!
Seth also had to get a new mud/rain suit because he had so much fun on his last ride that he tore holes in it. This time he was much more careful.

Leah and I went to the Armed Forces Day Parade, cleaned the garage and worked in the yard getting ready for the summer season! It was a fantastic day all around!

Roland's newest addition to his four wheeler!

K Screening

It's official, Seth has been screened for kindergarten and he passed with flying colors. We think we are alright with our decision to send him to Knick, but it has been a very hard decision and I still have my days where I am unsure. I can't believe that he is even old enough for this. YIKES!

We love you and are so proud of you Seth!

Check Out This Sexy Guy

We take housework here in Charlton World very seriously...ha ha! We put in these shrubs a few years back and in the last year the pavers started to grow moss and mold on them, so all I had to do was mention it to Ro and he was on the task. Any excuse to use a power washer is more like it. He didn't anticipate all of the mud that splashed back up at him so when I walked out front and saw "Mud Man" I had to document it!
If you need anything pressure washed you know who to call!

Quote of the Day

I will post pictures later, but if you would like a good laugh listen to this...

We went to Seth's kindergarten screening this morning and as he is asked to walk with one of the kindergarten teachers who is rather short, she is trying to make chit chat and Seth bursts out with, "I'm almost as tall as you are!" Roland and I tried not to laugh too hard, but YES that is our son, he calls it like he sees it.

Our Rainy Weekend

I am trying DESPERATELY to stay positive, but all of this rain is starting to get to me. I didn't take any pictures this weekend. We were super busy, but there wasn't anything worth while to take photographs of, but here is how the weekend went down...
Friday night we drove to 5 stores looking for an 18 inch bike for Seth. Yes, he is a giant and needed a new bike for the third year in a row. 18 inch bikes must be popular this year because everyone was out of them. We gave up on Friday night, but I sent Roland and the kids to Super Walmart in Leray on Saturday and hoorah...they found the last one and it was yellow just like Seth wanted.
Saturday morning was our annual garage sale and for the second year in a row it rained and I'm not talking a little rain, I'm talking downpours of rain. Thank goodness people who garage sale are die hards looking for bargains. They didn't disappoint and I sold a ton. I think I will open it back up this Saturday for a few hours and try to sell a few more items.
Saturday night Kristen had a Pampered Chef party so all the girls ate, drank and shopped while the boys hung out together and watched the kids. They definitely deserve a guys night soon.
Sunday we headed out and stocked up on the plants for our garden. Last year we waited too long and couldn't find certain veggies we had wanted to plant. We are all set for this year now! Roland also got his fishing license so as soon as this rain STOPS, he and Seth are set to fish all that they want to.
Sunday afternoon my mom and I suited up in our rainsuits and went to walk in the Melanoma Walk at the park. A friend of mine lost a dear friend to the disease so we try and walk in it yearly to support our friend and the cause. It was super rainy, but we felt so good after we did it! The Relay for Life is next and we have tons to celebrate this year. Roland will also be able to walk in the survivor lap and we have a rather large cheering section coming to support him!
This week consists of...dinner with Kristen tonight, my Mother's Day massage, Seth's swim class, Seth's kindergarten screening, Mother/Daughter Day, another poker run, but with the kids and Date Night to wrap up next weekend! What a Fantastic week ahead despite the rain!

Happy 10th Birthday Lexy!

Last night we went and celebrated Lexy's 10th Birthday. It is so hard to believe that 10 years have passed and we love it when all of the cousins are able to get together. Seth was in his glory because two of Lexy's friends were there and let's just say Seth is girl crazy! He gets all nervous, red faced and silly acting around girls. I dread the teen years if he is like this at 5!

Seth and Luke are only 11 months apart, but Luke is such a peanut that Seth looks about 2 years older.
Leah with her god father, Uncle Brad

Leah loves to pick her nose and of course she would do it in the pictures. Where do kids learn to do it, why and for what enjoyment??? AHH!

Tips on How to Stay Young

One of our teacher aides passed this to me today and it really made me smile and think so I thought I'd pass it along to you too!

How to Stay Young

1. Throw out nonessential numbers: This includes age, weight and height (I totally love the height one since I am super short and some of my 5th graders tower over me.) Let the doctors worry about them, that is why we pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends: The grouches pull you down. (Cheers to my closest girls who keep me smiling; JV, KC, LS, AB, EM, MD, BN, NG)

3. Keep Learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle.

4. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

5. Enjoy the simple things.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourselves. Be alive while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family (My family ROCKS!), pets, keepsakes, music, plants or hobbies. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve get help. (We are so grateful for good health currently...thank you God!)

9. Don't take guilt trips: Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county or to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt it.

10. Tell people you love that you love them at every opportunity!

Reason #12,306 Why My Husband ROCKS

Not only did Roland fulfill another life dream and get me tickets to see Journey for Mother's Day, BUT he also made me an appointment for a massage next week! I am so flipping excited I can't stand it! Thank you soooooo much Ro!

Boys Will Be Boys

Thank goodness for Uncle J! He comes for a meal, but gets to play sword fights, monster trucks, basketball and much much more! We love you and are so happy that you are home!

Smiley Kids

We love the smiles!

Men & Their Mud

Just a little glimpse into our Saturday. The mud that flew around us all was hysterical! I have to say that Ashley would have to be the winner of the muddiest at the end of the day. She may even need a new jacket she was so caked with mud.

Mother's Day Weekend in Review

To say that we had an amazing weekend is certainly an understatement. The poker run on Saturday was fantastic. It was full of thrills, laughter, great friends and MUD! Today I was made to feel extra special and I spent the day with my wonderful family who showered me with gifts, food and the outdoors. I couldn't have asked for a better day or family. I am so blessed!