Filling in the gaps...

Fall has ended and the days continue to speed by...the girls are excited that hockey season is in full swing and they are able to do some ice skating.  Here are some photos of "skate with the lions".  Following home hockey games, the kids are able to go out and skate with the hockey players.  Isabelle LOVED her first time on the ice in her hockey skates...but then again she was getting pulled around and was the center of attention.

Grandma and Grandpa stopped in for a visit.  Once again they made the long trek to the UP, for the special occassion of "grandparents day" at Addy's school!  Addy was excited to share her school with them...

Thanksgiving was a nice day for us.  Our family was joined by Ji, an international student from China.

The snow has come...all 4 feet in a matter of days!  I am thankful that the girls love it!

We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of auntie Steph, Kaaren and Chloe...they will be joining us for the holidays!  May 2010 bring you much peace and happiness!

The fun of fall

Fall is here, and with it comes the fun annual events.  The family accompanied Addy to the open house at her school.  Chris and I were both blown away by seeing her first official desk...no more tables...but actual desks.

The weather has been toying with us. Days of snow, followed by days of rain...followed by a little bit of sunshine!

We have started down the countdown to Halloween. Pumpkins were carved this morning, the scarecrow was entered into the city of Hancock competition (Addy won 1st place...the second year in a row!)  The girls dressed in their costumes and trick-or-treated at the area stores, and then went to the Halloween celebration.  I must admit, Isabelle is a darling little lamb...and Addy...a goofy scooby-doo!

Happy Halloween to you all!

Hiking Uphill...

Labor day has come and gone...but has left some sore legs to remember it by.  Chris loaded us up for a quick family hike on Monday, and seven miles later we returned to the truck!  A great way to spend the day...even though we started the week a little more tired than I had hoped.

1st grade for Adelynn began today!!! No, we didn't rely on a taxi.  I actually got everyone where they needed to be...almost on time.  She was a little hesitant to be in a new class with a new teacher...but stepped off the bus deciding she liked Adelynn better than Addy, her teacher is great, and four recesses make her really sweaty! Oh, to be in first grade. 

All in all, everyone had a great day!  It is funny how much you miss the little buggers when they aren't with you!  I find myself trying to hold on so tight to these days...they go by so fast and I wonder if it gets any better than this? Well, class started for me today, so I better hit the books before making dinner! Good night and love to you all...

Where does time go?

I woke up Saturday morning, rolled over, and looked out the window...the leaves on the trees are already changing to an amazing red...and I had to ask: where does time go? I know it is a cliche and we think that all the days pass too quickly (maybe not all the days), but time in general just sweeps us away! Chris and I reflected on our summer...and realized we are still waiting for it to start...the weather has been so cool this year that we missed our many days at the beach! We are thankful the time we were able to be outside!

Isabelle turned 2!! We had a quiet party with cake. When Isabelle was asked, "what do you want for your birthday?" she always answered with "I eat cake". Our babysitter Kelly and my sister came to celebrate the eating of cake and the turning of 2!

To answer everyone's questions A/B and a B. Yes those are the grades Chris received in his last semester of summer courses...the courses that consumed his every waking thought for the past 8 weeks! He did it with shinning colors and we are all really proud of him. (Granted, I was a little peaved).

Now today, back to the grind. Chris started classses and Isabelle started preschool! Yep, my baby is growing up...and making us proud throughout the process! She is such a special little soul...what a blessing...even with all of her "no thank yous" and "aawe mans!"

Isabelle ready for her first day of preschool! She wanted to learn about puppies, but instead fell in love with the drum set!

Addy is being a real trooper this week, and is spending her mornings at work with me. Today was our trial run of getting everyone out of the house by 7:45am. When I explained to Addy that starting next week she will already be on the bus at this time, she answered "well...I guess I will be taking a taxi!" Oh, to be 6!

We celebrated our last free weekend at the Houghton County Fair. A couple of days of fried food, games, auto disasters, and rides! Okay, I must include: I, Kelley Martin, was chosen as a judge for the Miss Houghton Queen Pageant...no, I don't get it either! Another U.P. notch on the belt of oddities...I think that my belt is running out of room!

Isabelle loved the choo-choo, poor Addy was less than thrilled!

Well, that is the latest update. I am getting ready to head back to classes next Tuesday and work has slowed down! Thank goodness. We hope that you are all well, and enjoying the last days of summer...Love to you all!

Picture Choices

These are all the photos...some are already spoken for...but let me know what you are interested in and I will do my best!