Monday, January 26, 2009

Day 26 - Monday, January 26, 2009

Day 26 - Monday, January 26, 2009 -
Liam hard at work at everyday math. Need I say more?

Day 25 - Sunday, January 25, 2009

Day 25 - Sunday, January 25, 2009 -
The winter birds FINALLY found the bird seed that's been waiting for them to discover all winter. There were tons of birds and I loved it! And there was a bit of a kawinky dink with my Chinese cookie fortune!

Day 24 - Saturday, January 24, 2009

Day 24 - Saturday, January 24, 2009 -
Jordyn, Kayla, & I met the Gablers at Waterford Mott High School to watch Hannah compete with the Oxford JV Competitive Cheer Team in the Second Annual All County Championship. Although we were there for FIVE HOURS on a cramped wooden bleacher seat with no back support, it was SO much fun. The last time I've been to a cheer competition, I was IN the cheer competition! Watching Bring it On doesn't count. Can't wait to attend the 3rd Annual event next year!!

Day 23 - Friday, January 23, 2009

Day 23 - Friday, January 23, 2009 -
Owen & Kealey at preschool. It was pajama day. Owen was not happy with Nee Nee trying to take his picture. Crab. But still oh so cute.

Day 22 - Thursday, January 22, 2009

Day 22 - Thursday, January 22, 2009 -
Self portrait of me driving to work southbound on I-75 at 70 mph. Probably should have had both hands on the wheel, but at least I had ended my conference call by this point. That is Kevin's football team's sticker on the dashboard (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)...the boys either got it out of a machine at BW3's or as part of some Sports Illustrated junk mail. And Kevin let them stick it on the dash....it's a lease, after all.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Day 21 - Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Day 21 - Wednesday, January 21, 2009 -
Less than a week of being laid off, and Kev already had two face-to-face interviews...both of which were today. In between those interviews he picked me up from work and took me to lunch, just like old times.

Day 20 - Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Day 20 - Tuesday, January 20, 2009 -
Inauguration Day could not get here soon enough for me. I've been waiting for this since 2000, when Bush was first elected. And today's inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America is historical. Obviously, every presidential inauguration is historical, but today marks the first day that a person of color has occupied that office. I hesitate to say he is the first African-American president, although that's what the media has said (over and over). I agree with Jordyn, he's our first BIRACIAL president. Regardless of his skin color, I am thrilled with the hopefulness he has inspired in the American community and the respect he has already started to win in the global community. I was at work during the inauguration, but watched the events on the internet. Thanks CNN. GOBAMA!

Day 19 - Monday, January 19, 2009

Day 19 - Monday, January 19, 2009 -
MLK Day, which means I had a holiday from work. Liam went to play at Mitchell's and Jordyn went to "hang out" at Taylor's. So, Kev, Owen and I went to Victoria's for lunch. Not Kev's favorite spot, but I was craving their yummy Maurice salad and I'm all about supporting local Oxford businesses so that more establishments stay open instead of shut down. When I got there, however, they had a special on the menu...steak and wild mushroom crepes with a cabernet demi glaze. It was divine!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Day 18 - Sunday, January 18, 2009

Day 18 - Sunday, January 18, 2009 -
Today was the annual post-Christmas Christmas celebration with the Jankowski side of Kevin's family (his mom's relatives). For the past few years we have held it at the American Legion's Boat and Canoe club in Grand Rapids as we did today. With a family this large, it's just easier to do it at a bigger venue than someone's home. Here is a picture of just the kids....add to that another 19 adults and things can get pretty crowded! (one of these days we'll be able to get a picture of all the kids where they all look at the camera at the same time!!)

Day 17 - Saturday, January 17, 2009

Day 17 - Saturday, January 17, 2009 -
Tonight we went to dinner with Pat & Maria at Vitale's in Grand Rapids. Spitini is my favorite item on the menu and Kev loves their pizza. Then we went bowling. A fun night with family, who also happen to be good friends.

Day 16 - Friday, January 16, 2009

Day 16 - Friday, January 16, 2009 -
Once a month I go to Stamp Camp at my friend Stacey's house who is a Stampin' Up demonstrator. Tonight we made 3 cards & a box, and we shared stories and laughs...which is the the best part of all.

Day 15 - Thursday, January 15, 2009

Day 15 - Thursday, January 15, 2009 -
Everybody loves breakfast for dinner once in a while. Yum!!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Day 14 - Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Day 14 - Wednesday, January 14, 2009 -
Today we learned that Kevin had been layed off from BearingPoint. Given the state of the economy, layoffs are more and more common and today it hit the Hillary house. As a coping mechanism, we abandoned our diets and made cookies. And we drank a lot of wine, too!

Day 13 - Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Day 13 - Tuesday, January 13, 2009 -
These are my constant companions. My computer bag, my laptop, my badge.

Day 12 - Monday, January 12, 2009

Day 12 - Monday, January 12, 2009 -
This is how we see Jordyn a lot these days. Either playing with her iTouch or downloading content from iTunes. A true teenager through and through.

Day 11 - Sunday, January 11, 2009

Day 11 - Sunday, January 11, 2009 -
The Howells had snow cleared off the frozen lake in front of their house to form an ice rink. Kev took the kids out ice skating...it was his first time ever on skates! Owen went, too, but we didn't have any skates for him. I took pictures from the deck! I'll get my skates on and go next time. :)

Day 10 - Saturday, January 10, 2009

Day 10 - Saturday, January 10, 2009 -
Jordyn and her friend Molly spend the whole weekend together. First it was a sleepover at Molly's on Friday and today it was a sleepover at our house.

Day 9 - Friday, January 9, 2009

Day 9 - Friday, January 9, 2009 -
On the Friday before the Christmas break, Owen was supposed to have his preschool Christmas program at Holy Cross but the weather had other plans and there was a snow day. So, the make-up day for the program was today. Most of the other kids wore their Christmas best, but Owen dressed himself that day...in a shirt with an ape on it that says "What are you looking at?!?" Despite his inappropriate attire, he thoroughly enjoyed all of the music and the cookie fellowship that followed. Here he is with his best buddy Kealey and his teachers Mrs. Ewald, Mrs. Macks, Mrs. Lopiccolo, and Mrs. Dunn.

Day 8 - Thursday, January 8, 2009

Day 8 - Thursday, January 8, 2009 -
Kevin's realm in the house is the kitchen. Grocery shopping, cooking, doing the dishes. This is his domain.

Day 7 - Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Day 7 - Wednesday, January 7, 2009 -
My mom & dad have been in Florida (and Arkansas and places in between) since mid December. This is the longest they've been gone at one time and we sure did miss them. They returned home on Sunday and brought us dinner tonight. Beef tips, mushrooms, onions, noodles, & a delicious salad. Not to mention priceless company.

Day 6 - Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Day 6 - Tuesday, January 6, 2009 -
Although I wasn't looking forward to returning to work after having so much time off, it's nice to be back in our routine. Liam after a weeknight shower.

Day 5 - Monday, January 5, 2009

Day 5 - Monday, January 5, 2009 -
My only New Year's Resolution this year was to scrapbook more. On my first day back to work after having more than two weeks off for the holidays, I stayed up until 2 am scrapping (not advisable when you have to get up at 5 am for work!) I love the Cricut I got on Thanksgiving. This is a work in progress.

Day 4 - Sunday, January 4, 2009

Day 4 - Sunday, January 4, 2009 -
Owen looks at his birthday scrapbook in my office/scrap space. This is why I scrapbook....or "crapbook" as Owen calls it.

Day 3 - Saturday, January 3, 2009

Day 3 - Saturday, January 3, 2009 -
Poor Kevin started feeling sick on New Year's Eve. Today started out with him feeling a little bit better in the morning, but by the afternoon, he started feeling sick again. By the evening, he felt the worst he's felt in a loooong time and had the chills so bad that even being layered in tons of clothes, wrapped in a blanket, and sitting by the fire, he could not get warm. We had to cancel dinner plans with the Parsons which we were sad to do, but was truly the best choice. He never loves it when I take pictures of him, but this time, he didn't even have the enery to give me any crap about it.

Day 2 - Friday, January 2, 2009

Day 2 - Friday, January 2, 2009 -
Aimee, Lori, Andrea, Heidi, and I got a hotel suite for the night at the MGM Grand in Detroit. We had a blast at the bar, casino, dinner (Bourbon Steak), clubs, and just hanging out in the hotel room being silly girls.

Day 1 - Thursday, January 1, 2009

Day 1 - Thursday, January 1, 2009 -
We invited ourselves over to Brian & Tara's house to watch Michigan State play against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Bowl game. The Spartans lost, but Owen & Liam had fun playing with cousin Chase.