Wedding Bells Are Ringing

Yesterday I had the honor of hosting a bridal shower for my soon-to-be sister-in-law, Kelly! This day was scheduled and coordinated originally by my mom. Mom picked the date, booked the location, chose the menu, and made the guest list. In February, I took over the planning. I sent out invitations, made the favors, ordered a cake, and put together a traditional silly shower game. Most of you know that this type of planning is right up my alley! However, this time things were different. I didn't have Mom. She of course insisted that the "show must go on" and so it did, beautifully. Although she wasn't there physically, we all felt her presence. We had a wonderful afternoon celebrating the love between my big brother Keith and his beloved Kelly.

Sloane enjoyed being part of the "girls only" party.

We had to get a picture of the cake before Sloane got her fingers in it! Sloane took the first piece and enjoyed every bite!

All smiles for cousin Katie and Ellie.

I am hoping that Ellie catches the bouquet at the wedding :-) A special mirror from Mom! She always planned ahead! Awwww... Sleeper Est. 2011

Springtime in Michigan - You Never Know What Will Happen

After looking back through my journaling from a year ago, I saw that on April 2, 2010 it was 82 degrees and the kids were swimming in Lake Michigan!!! Well, not in 2011! This year the kids had to find other options for swimming. Thanks to our family visiting from the U.P. the kids were able to enjoy some swimming at the local hotel. Neither Russell or Sloane have been swimming since September, so as soon as Aunt Nancy offered to swim with them at the hotel, the kids were ON it! It didn't take long for them to transform into the same two fish I had all of last summer. Now I only hope that spring weather arrives and quickly turns into summer.

Swim time with Aunt Nancy and Linda!

If Ever There Is Tomorrow...

I'm not sure that my heart or mind are ready to accept this, but a good friend gave me a frame that has this wording and I think it is not only special, but something that my mother would want me to believe. I only hope that I can be as great a woman as her and be the mom to Sloane that she was to me! I love and miss you Mom!!! My world will never be the same without you.

If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is, even if we're apart I'll always be with you.

Toy Story 3 on Ice

We just got home from an exciting night at the Palace of Auburn Hills! Aron and I took the kids to see Toy Story 3 on Ice. What a show!!! Sloane was literally on the edge of her seat for all of the 2 hours! She squealed with delight as each character leaped, spun, jumped, and danced across the ice. Her favorite part, of course, was Barbie! She kept telling me to take pictures. The only confusing part for her was not being allowed to go out on the ice. She REALLY wanted to skate with Barbie or Jessie. Luckily she settled for dancing in the isle along to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!" Russell enjoyed Buzz Lightyear's entrance in flames and Woody's adventure flying off on a kite. He also chuckled at the references Buzz made to Star Wars. The only issue Russell had was with me saying "NO" to the hundreds of toys being offered at a pretty costly price. Despite his best sales tactics, I could not be convinced that a plastic sword with the Disney logo was really worth $16! They are both sound to sleep now and I am about to head that way myself.

Spring! Are you out there? Please? Somewhere?

I can not believe the amount of snow that has landed upon us in Royal Oak this year!!! There is more snow here than at my parents' home (which is normally unheard of)! Although I am never all that fond of the fluffy white stuff, Russell and Sloane are having the ultimate play time adventures outside! I hope they never forget this winter, because they may never experience another one like it! Thankfully Aron had his casts removed a week ago because with me out-of-town, he has been our main shoveler and snow fort builder. Our backyard is truly a winter land amusement park with a snow hide-out complete with 3 tunnels and slides!

Aron, Russell, and Sloane all took part in the construction.

Sloane loved tunneling through the snow. Mac was typically right behind her.
Russell enjoyed digging, climbing, and jumping!

Building Bears for Grammy

I have been spending the last few weeks at my parents' home in Gladwin in order to be with my Mom. Needless to say, stress is running high these days and I am missing Russell and Sloane tons! Last week I snuck home to Royal Oak to surprise the kids on Valentine's Day. I took them to Build-a-Bear Workshop where they both built a teddy bear to their exact liking! They each placed a special heart in their bear that holds all of Grammy's love. I told them that each time they think of her, all they have to do is squeeze their special teddy bear and know that Grammy is squeezing them right back! They loved this! It was so much fun watching and listening as they made all their selections for their one-of-a-kind bear! Thanks to all for the outpouring of prayers. Please continue to keep my family in your thoughts.

Here Sloane is assisting in stuffing her bear.

Russell gives his bear an air bath.
The almost finished products:

Princess bear and Captain Rex bear

With me out-of-town, AC has proven to be the World's Best Father! Friday night he treated the kids to dinner at Steak-n-Shake. Wish I could have been there, but he texted me lots of pictures and quotes the entire time so I could feel like I was taking part. I just wish I could have been sipping a chocolate shake too!!!

Blizzard 2011

I wanted to share a few pictures of our bizzardy day in Royal Oak! After I shoveled us out bright and early this morning, I got the kids dressed in their snow gear and we headed out for some fun! We went back out after dinner for some snowy fun in the dark. I thank God everyday for Russell and Sloane. This week has not been a good one for my family, but Russell and Sloane always seem to be able to brighten my days and bring a smile to my face. Here are a few funny quotes followed by pictures!

Setting - Dinner table Monday night

Sloane: When I am a mommy someday, I will have a job too.

Russell: What kind of a job will you have Sloanie?

Sloane: Oh, that's easy Russell. I will be a rock star.

Russell: You can't be a rock star. Only boys can be rock stars.

Setting - Aron walking inside after trying to fix the snow blower. He wreaked of gasoline.

Kirsten: You smell like my dad.

Russell: You smell like Uncle Keith's snowmobiles. I like that smell.

Kirsten: I guess the Sleeper men must smell like gas!

Setting - Arriving home from school and Sloane unpacks her things and holds up a small Michigan map that she made at school. While pointing to the U.P. she states...

Sloane: And this is our Upper Peninsula!

When telling this story to my dad, he was happy to know that Sloane already knows where "God's country is!"

Winter on Altadena Avenue

Not quite "God's Country," but pretty none the less!

Sure... now you get it fixed after I just spent 2 hours shoveling!

Fun in the snow!