Thanksgiving

This year we tried something new for Thanksgiving----we headed to Marco Island! Hailey has been asking to go to the beach in Florida, and with two kids' crazy schedules, it seemed like the only time we could sneak a family vacation in! I am so glad we did!  Marco Island was beautiful. We had amazing weather the whole week, and spending our time just hanging out as a family was fantastic. Thanks to some friends(and the concierge) we ate at some really good restaurants and had some great drinks. =) The kids played so nicely together on the beach, and enjoyed looking for seashells, star fish, and conch shells. Scott spoiled me with some time at the SPA, while Tyler learned how to flip on the trampoline, and Hailey got her hair braided island style! The week really flew by, and even though we were so sad to leave, the kids were super excited to see if their elf Andy would be greeting us back here at home(and he was!).  Big thank you to Scott for once again providing us with another fantastic vacation! Life is Good!

These two know the way around the airport better than most adults! I barely could snap this pic!

Couldn't wait to get down to the beach

Scott was so sweet to have this in our room upon arrival! YUM!

The view from our room---so beautiful

My two lovies

Scott and I really enjoyed this! HAHA!

Our smart little lady did this all on her own!

Getting some air

She thought she was so cool! Especially since all the "big" girls were getting it done too!

Yep! She tried it, chop sticks and all!

Tyler liked it--- with soy sauce!

Hailey decided to feed the giraffes at the zoo

Ty wanted to ride the camels instead

Not a bad way to spend Thanksgiving---with those
I am most thankful for!

watching a sunset on our last night there---and melting my heart!

More Fall Fun

Here are some more fun pics!

Of course, the day before Halloween was GORGEOUS out. So needless to say I snapped some pics. Thank goodness because Halloween itself was a nasty cold wet day.  We still went trick or treating, but I did NOT bring my camera!

Zombie Football Player and Rapunzel

Ty and some of his friends before the school Halloween parade

Hailey doing the Pumpkin Twist at dance with her friends

And some of the random things we have been up to......

My two boys hard at work. Ty loves doing projects with tools!

Hailey and "her" pony Trigger

She loved every minute!

Our cowgirl

Enjoying golfing one night during dinner

He is getting pretty darn good!

This year Tyler's school had a Veterans Day Breakfast. He was super excited to invite both of his great grandfathers to be honored for their service.  Unfortunately Papa wasn't able to join us, but Opa made the drive down to Dryden to celebrate with Tyler.  It was so neat to see over 40 veterans recognized for all they have done for our country. We couldn't be happier being a part of such an amazing school community that teaches our children compassion and life lessons through these types of experiences.

Ty and Opa at Dryden's Veterans Day Breakfast.

Scott and I were so proud when Tyler stood in front of his whole school and introduced Opa.

Fall Photo Dump

Oh man! Where does the time go?!?!? I can't believe it is already the end of October and I haven't blogged! Anytime my life wants to slow down, that would be great. Here's a photo dump of what we have been up to!

Ty and Scott golfing before Mark's Wedding

Ty and Hailey getting some love from the family

It's Official! Uncle Mark is married! The kids loved being a part of the big day!

Hailey enjoying a ride at Grove's Last Carnival!

Dinner with Oma and Opa

Our mermaid! Hailey loves her swim lessons!

Pumpkin Carving Day at Dryden. So glad Scott was able to go!

Getting too big!

Yep, even the meatball is growing!

They picked the perfect ones!

Back to School!

I can't believe we have a 1st grader and preschooler! It just is so surreal! I know I still have many other fun things to blog about, but thought I would start here....


Tyler was so eager for school to start. He LOVES to learn! I was in Wisconsin with the kids the day the letter came home with teacher assignments, and so when my phone was blowing up with texts it was so stressful! Finally Scott got home to open the mail, and he of course teased me about it. Lucky for us, Tyler is in a class with some of his closest friends. I was so relieved! I think I personally had a harder time this year because the thought of him being at school all day overwhelmed me!(he wasn't worried at all about this big change, he was too excited for recess and hot lunch!) So far it has been a very smooth transition.  His teacher is so sweet, and I know he will have great success with her!  It is going to be another great year for Tyler!

First day pic!

Ty guy and his teacher

Miss Hailey is now a preschooler!!! I really had asked a lot of the parents from our area what preschool they sent their kids to, and there wasn't one specific one. Scott and I talked it over, and it was pretty much a no brainer---we wanted to send Hailey to the same preschool Ty attended. The teachers are wonderful, and he really had such a great experience that we wanted that for Hailey as well.  She had her first day today, and she was a little nervous and shy.  I wasn't too surprised by this, because Hailey is a bit of a mama's girl. Once she warms up she is such a funny, happy, and smart little lady! It is great to know she will be in good hands and have so much fun.   We can't wait to see how much she will grow this year!

So excited to go here!

Hailey and her good friend Sofi. I am so glad they will be in school together!

3 1/2, one month, and one day

Wow, I am so embarrassed it has been that long since I have blogged. The last month of summer was CRAZY! But, better late than never.  Miss Hailey is now 3 1/2, one month, and one day old! It blows my mind that she will be starting preschool in just a few weeks! Needless to say she is a total momma's girl. She is almost always by my side and tends to be a mini me.  She still is our girlie girl. She loves wearing make-up and dresses. She always wants to have her purse and sunglasses with.  And just like me, she LOVES shoes! Hailey is totally opposite in her eating than Tyler. She loves meat---especially baloney, sausage, and salami! She doesn't eat most sweets, but she has a weakness for m and ms and kit kat bars.  She participates in dance and gymnastics, and will also be doing swim lessons again this fall.  This summer she spent almost everyday in water---weather it was at the pool or up in Door County. She is quite a water rat! She still loves loves loves her brother,  but is enjoying her alone time with me while he is at school. She has a great imagination, and recently has been putting on performances for us where she dances and sings. Teapot is her baby----and Hailey is a great mom. She tucks her into bed, changes her outfits, and always brings her with. Scott and I love Hailey so much. She brings such a fun dynamic to our family! We are so proud of her!

So glad we only live 3 blocks from the pool!

She can do this for hours on end....

Hailey wants a cat so badly. She is very angry with Scott that he wouldn't let her take this one home

Love that face!

Enjoying the view

Tyler is 6!!!!

Tyler turned 6 today. Wow! We have a little man who is 6 and going into first grade. Both Scott and I keep saying it over and over---when did he get so big on us? This past year he really seemed to grow! He has developed a true love for golf.  He has always enjoyed it, but after his Top Golf camp this summer he has gotten really good---like only lost to Scott by 16 strokes! I can't wait to see what he does with his new golf clubs! He also loves to learn! He is reading everything he can get his hands on, especially chapter books. Tyler did another camp this summer called Camp Invention. It seemed like a great fit for him since he was able to take apart things and upcycle items into new inventions! He had so much fun, and was so proud to show us all he created! We keep telling him he is going to be smarter than us in no time!  Tyler stays quite active all year---between basketball, swimming, baseball, and violin we are always on the go. He also is still a "great outdoors" kind of guy. He loves to get in camo and sit in the tree stand with Scott.  We can often find him on the end of the pier with his fishing pole in hand. He's got great aim in archery. Tyler is still our very early riser, up before 6 most of the time!  He has gotten a little more adventurous in terms of eating, however still will not eat meat. His diet consists of fruit, nuts, fish, shrimp, asparagus, and of course peanut butter/ nutella sandwiches! Ty has the best demeanor. He is just the happiest go lucky kid! He can light up a room with his smile---I just want to bottle him up and keep him this amazing forever! Scott and I every year reflect on the struggles and hardships we had to go through before we had Tyler...but he continues to make it all worth while. We are so proud of him, and even though he is growing way too fast, we love the person he is becoming! Happy Birthday Tyler! We love you so much!

Tyler loved this golf camp.  He will definitely do it again next summer!

All the parts on the board are from the DVD/VCR he took apart--he was very proud!

Hailey was so excited to give Tyler his presents this morning. She picked them out herself!

His new golf set---yep its orange!

He was super excited for his minion party with friends at Pirates Cove!

goofing around with friends in line

six candles are a lot to wish on! hope they all come true!

haha---what 6 year old asks to go to Bonefish for his birthday dinner?!? He ate at least 15 shrimp!