Weekend Wrap

 If you need us on ANY Friday night from now until April - we'll be at soccer games. {insert eye roll} I love soccer and that Jack plays it, but I can think of about 45 others ways to spend a Friday night. Regardless - we are a soccer family...

 Josie and Nolan are good sports about giving up their movie night to watch Jack.

Saturday Tyson installed new light fixtures in our kitchen. He's handy. If you would like him to install some fixtures for you...no problem. It's just ONE year of college tuition. Let's just say - it was harder than it appeared and he will probably NEVER do it again.

Sunday we headed off to the BIG hill in Northville for some family sledding. Jack and Josie are seasoned pros...and Nolan decided it was one of his favorite things, too. Tyson was a good sport - hauling Nolan plus the sled up the giant hill a handful of times. Nolan screamed the WHOLE way down - in elation. I took him down the hill once, but I screamed in fear. Jack was being a daredevil - per usual - and smacked him face on the ground. He had a pretty nasty bloody nose...but definitely not his first, nor his last.

Sunday night we watched most of the Super Bowl game...Boo Brady. But the kids really enjoyed Lady Gaga's performance at half time. She killed it. Busy week ahead for us!

Celebrating 10 years in Cancun!

Once upon a time - two boys with backpacks met on a bus in Bloomington... They were Kelley MBA students. They both loved sports. They were both married to teachers. And the rest is history. 

We met our friends Jeff & Jaime in 2006 while we were in Bloomington. We shared lots of fun times. Lots. Then we parted ways. They were off to NYC, then Miami. We were off to Detroit, then Fort Wayne...and then back to Detroit. But they're life-long friends and we do our best to see them as often as we can...preferably in tropical locations.

Between us - we have 19 years of marriage (9 for them, 10 for us) and FIVE kids (4 boys and Josie). We had a good reason to plan a vacation to Cancun, so we did.

Jaime and I started the vacation off right. Our first time flying First Class. (Thanks, Jeff!)

Once we arrived - we ate some lunch, enjoyed some drinks, lounged by the pool, and enjoyed the ocean. Then we pretty much just repeated that for 3 days in a row...

The "dads" looking out over the infinity pool into the Caribbean Sea.

Happy 10 years...or close enough...to us! I had a "bucket list" moment - when we went to the beach one night after dinner and a baby sea turtle was hanging out in the oceanside shower. It's hatching season and some babies were being held in a crate (to be released)...and this one happened to escape the crate. I picked him up. I touched a sea turtle!!!

This was an intense game of Backgammon. And also a drink called a "Barney" - not recommended.

The "moms" - right after about 12 banana-coladas...and before our mid-afternoon cabana nap, poolside. It was an AMAZING time. Always fun to get away, enjoy some adult conversation, adult beverages, great food, and peace.

We are home again now. Thankful to Grandma Nancy & Grandma Shirlee - who took care of the kids while we were gone.  We are already planning another trip...but this time I think the GRANDPAS will be on duty.

Whiffle Ball Champs

Last weekend we were in Fort Wayne for the 10th Annual Whiffle Ball Classic. Tyson has been playing in it for YEARS and it's always fun to see so many of our old friends. The weather was cooler than normal - but nobody was upset about it. It was perfect Whiffle Ball weather (yes, that's a thing).

And we are excited to report Tyson's team WON THE WHOLE TOURNAMENT! Big moment in their lives - to say the least.

Team Concordia...plus some extras.

Josie and Jack loved the trophy. Jack was so mad Tyson didn't bring it home with us. But it's living in Fort Wayne until next year.

Nine

Happy Anniversary to Tyson! We are celebrating NINE years today! Life is hard, marriage is hard, kids only add to the "hard" - but he's been my best friend since the day we met at DePauw...and I love him so much.

Here are some highlights of our years...

 The very first picture we took together - Sept 2000

 Just me and my best friend..."I could NEVER date Tyson"...

 Oh wait, never mind. Married November 26, 2005

We QUICKLY added to our family...with our Cleveland street dog, Cooper.

And then our family just kept growing!

We've dealt with our fair share of this:

And PLENTY of this:

 

 Our kids are SO lucky to have you as their Daddy!

And I'm blessed to have you as my husband. You still make me laugh...even when I'm REALLY mad at you. You are my birthing coach (x3) and I must say, we're a good team. You are my sounding board, the person who keeps me grounded, and the person I couldn't live without. And all these years later - you're still my best friend. I love you.

PS: Next year is #10...and we will FINALLY take our honeymoon. That's final. Now who wants to watch our three kids?!?!

Mud Run

Last Sunday Jack and Tyson ran in a 100 yard dash obstacle course. It ended with a run through the mud.

They got to run with our old neighbors Sydney and Jessica. Jack wasn't a huge fan of the mud, but Syd down right HATED it. 

 Jack showed off his big muscles after the race.

Our friends Nick & Christian Festa ran, too. Since Christa and I have recently had babies & couldn't run this year, we have dibs on next year!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Last Thursday - this guy turned 33! Wasn't he a CUTE baby???

We welcomed him home with a mini-party...planned by the kids. We had a cake, a balloon, and some gifts.

Can you tell the 4 year old and the 2 year old picked out the cake?

It was like a HUGE helping of frosting and food coloring. Pretty gross.

Regardless, Tyson appreciated the "thought" and the singing as we stumbled through "Happy Birthday." We hope his 33rd year is SUPER awesome (as Jack would say)!

DePauw 10 Year Reunion Weekend

Tyson and I were back in Greencastle last weekend for our 10 year Reunion. It was great to be back on campus!

My two besties from Alpha Phi were there too...Kelly and Georgianne. We spent lots of time sitting on the Alpha Phi porch swings and catching up. We're all pregnant - so there was plenty of water being consumed, lots of delicious Marvin's (GCB), and plenty of "pregnancy talk."  Their husbands - Eric (Kelly) and Josh (Georgianne) were good sports as we shared WAY too much info about our bodies and reminisced about our days in college.

We had a great dinner with the other 2004 Alpha Phi girls on Saturday night. We really brought the "party" to the reunion! I'm due 8/21, George is due 8/28, and Kelly is due 11/24. Of course, I had to make all the soon-to-be babies matching onesies...because I'm a nerd like that...

You'll notice I have ZERO pictures of my husband. He had a ton of Beta Boys back for the weekend and they were busy....doing fraternity boy things...  I did see him a few times, but never long enough for a picture together. Regardless, we were there. DePauw is where it all began...

For the record - I'm already planning to really LIVE IT UP for the 15 year reunion! I was pregnant with Jack at our 5 year, too. I'm due for a SUPER crazy time (which by then will probably mean 2 glasses of wine and then bed).

BIG thanks to Nancy & Denny - who pulled off TWO weekends in a row of babysitting duties. Jack and Josie had fun with you!

Poor Daddy

Last week Tyson wasn't feeling so great (sinus stuff), but the kids didn't care. When he got home they wanted to spend time with him, actually ON him. Tyson played "couch" and the kids caught up on some Mickey Mouse.

We may be MIA for a few days to enjoy some turkey. But, you can look forward to Thanksgiving updates and a special little lady's 2nd birthday party on the blog next week...
Oh, and we'll have a special VISITOR!

Parks & Rec

We spent a few of Tyson's "days off" making our rounds through some parks. Here is where we went:

PARKview Field - to watch a TinCaps game {or 4 innings}. Jack loved the game & the food, but HATED the National Anthem. They send up red fireworks during "the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air." We were sitting right next to them and it scared Jack (actually all of us got quite a scare).

Buckner PARK:  Jack enjoyed running through the splash pad and Josie did some exploring.

Booth PARK: On Father's Day we were in Michigan (at the "vacation house" - aka: rental). We woke up early and decided to venture East to see some of the neighborhoods we are interested in. The kids were getting restless as we drove through Birmingham so we stopped for a stretch. Small world - Sydney was there too!

And we are sending LOTS of birthday love to Tyson today! 

We are SO proud of him and his new position with GM!

He's an awesome husband and an even better Daddy.

Thanks for putting your family first. We love you.

XOXOXO

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Tyson! I can't imagine a better partner in this life or a better daddy for my children. We are lucky to have you and we appreciate everything you do for our family! We love you SO much!

Also - a VERY happy Father's Day to our dads - Denny & Jerry! You are both AMAZING grandpas! Jack and Josie adore you. Tyson and I love you. You are both the first people we call when we need guidance and advice. Thanks for everything you've done for us throughout the years.


And of course, a Happy Father's Day to my grandpas, too! I love you both!

XOXOXOX

Like Father, Like Son

The love for all things "tech" runs deep in the genes. Tyson got a new iPad 3 from work and Jack is still beating up on enjoying his original iPad. These two will be a very dangerous combination in about 12 years...

Just Jos

 And her Daddy...

The moving truck arrives today! If you don't hear from us for a few days...we're buried under boxes. Or we're without internet. Or both. (actually- internet, cable, and PHONE - yes, a land line - will get installed tomorrow. You know Tyson can't wait that long for his technology to be hooked up!)