Our kid-free Key West getaway!

So by now, we have officially fallen in love with Key West - so we just keep going back! We did stay at a new place this year & it was AMAZING! The Pier House was so perfect - great rooms, views, perfect location, great beach, and everything was just right - drinks, food, etc. So here a re few pictures of us enjoying the sun and our favorite Key West hangouts!










While we were gone, Kort & Gigi had to deal with the stomach bug hitting Lindsey & Chralie... Then we got back and it hit Cody and me! So posting these pictures and smiling about our time off helped me through the funk of being a sick mom!

Now, when can we go back???

Why every mom needs a sister!

Why does every mom need a sister???

Because my sister is about to watch all 3 of my kids while Steve & I head to Key West!!! (Gigi will be pitching in, too) Can't wait to get there & blog about it when I get back!

Everyone wish the Grand Rapids crew luck watching Cody, Lindsey, Charlie, & Chubs!!!

Its a GIRL! Addyson Rae Schad

My cousin, Ross & his wife, Melissa had a baby girl last night!

Addyson Rae Schad
April 11, 2010
7 lbs. 15oz.
20 inches

She is so beautiful and very "Rossy"! Lindsey and I got a chance to visit the happy little family today after school! Linds is thrilled to have a girl cousin - She wanted me to call Melissa and Ross and see if Addy could havea play date at our house tomorrow....Soon enough!

Congratulations to the Schads - She is perfect!

"chips -n- cheese"

It is funny how a place or something as simple as good cheese dip & chips can become part of your life. Anyone in GR that knows me has probably heard about "chips - n - cheese" a million times. It is my therapy, my ultimate favorite place/food, and in many ways those guys at El Arriero are our family. I have been going there weekly - many times more than once a week since they opened probably.

Chips, cheese and grilled chicken quesadillas have been part of my day out since I was pregnant with Cody. It was the first place I ever went with two kids when I had baby Lindsey (they came out to the parking lot and carried her in for me), Steve brought it to me in the hospital right after I had Charlie, and it is part of my date days with Lindsey every time. Most Saturdays during the year, I can be found there with my 3 kids, my mom, my sister, my aunt Terri, Melissa, and sometimes various friends and other family members.

My kids have all been carried around by the owner Juan (or Kwan if you ask my mom) when they got cranky, they have toured the kitchen and all know Juan's fist bump. The entire staff calls Charlie - Carlos and/or Carlito. They put up with me toting Happy Meals in so the kids will go quietly...honestly, they are never that quiet!

Somehow, "chips - n - cheese" has become my happy place and Lindsey's, too! Bad days and great days all seem to be celebrated there. This week we were there with a very pregnant Melissa (my cousin, Ross's wife, Aunt Terri, Kort, & Gigi - the kids were trying to scare Baby Addy into coming out! Lindsey is thrilled to be having a girl cousin & can't wait to visit that tiny baby in the hospital. I am just still thrilled not to be the pregnant one!

So to the staff at el Arriero - GRACIAS!

Oh, how far we fall....

Today I took Cody & Lindsey to Gymco for a morning of running around wild. Cody got dressed and insisted that none of his pants fit - except for these! And the best part is that I let him leave the house just like he liked....

Now, back in the day, I matched his sippy cups to his outfits every time we left the house, I was staunchly against characters on any of his clothing, and I would have been quite embarassed when he walked into Gymco or the restaurant we had lunch in. Those days are over! Now I am just thankful to not be wiping as many booties, not to be carrying at least 2 kids in the parking lot, and that we actually got out of the house! Even more, I am SO thankful for the teachers that usually entertain and educate my kids (except for during Spring Break!) and to be leaving for a kid-free vacation with Steve in just a few short days!!!

FIELD TRIPS & SPRING BREAK!

Lindsey's last day of school before Spring Break was a field trip to exciting EGR! We saw the middle school band play (suprisingly, not terrible!) and got to touch/play the instruments. After that fun, we headed over to the library. All in all, a pretty boring field trip, but Linsey has been talking about instruments ever since...








SPRING BREAK at home, here we come!!!

Soccer Stars!

The kids just started a soccer class at East Hills - Lindsey was so excited to be 4 so she could play soccer, but she won't be old enough for the Spring AYSO season. This class is the closest thing to being on the "Blueberry Team"! Last year during Cody's season, Lindsey fell in love a little girls team in blue jerseys named the blueberries... So I got a couple of "blueberry team" shirts made for Lindsey and her buddy Sydney to wear to soccer class. It should be cute!

The nicest part of the class is that Cody & his best school bud are in it too! How nice for me! Plus, they are actually learning soccer skills - - - maybe this soccer season will be even more fun!



Lindsey & Syndey - the Blueberry girls!