Day 359 - Friday, December 25, 2009

Day 359 - Friday, December 25, 2009 – Owen burst into our bedroom Christmas morning (after spying all of the stuffed stockings), and excitedly exclaimed "Mom! No one was on the NAUGHTY list!!!" The boys' big gift was a new DSi for each of them and Jordyn was thrilled with her purple Northface coat. After presents from Santa, a big breakfast, and a quick nap we went to Grand Rapids to celebrate with the Hillary side of the family.

Day 358 - Thursday, December 24, 2009

Day 358 - Thursday, December 24, 2009 – We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house with the Sprys, Gramma & Poppa, and Jeremy & Lillian. Peace on Earth, good will towards men.

Day 343 - Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Day 343 - Wednesday, December 9, 2009 – Tonight it was Jordyn's pick to do something fun. She wanted to go to Canterbury Village, but with the high winds and the possibility of bad roads, I didn't want to make the trip. So, she chose take-out Chinese dinners to be eaten IN the living room while watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas (with Jim Carrey).

Day 330 - Thursday, November 26, 2009

Day 330 - Thursday, November 26, 2009 – Thanksgiving at Carol & Don's in Grand Rapids. It's always fun to hang out on the west side with the Hillary family, especially on Thanksgiving when the house is full of family, food, football, and black Friday sale ads.

Day 311 - Saturday, November 7, 2009

Day 311 - Saturday, November 7, 2009 – What a gorgeous day for some college football! Kevin and I took the kids to the MSU vs. WMU football game in East Lansing. We tailgated beforehand with Brian & Chase, Scott & Nancy Hillary and their boys Mark & Jack, and Kev’s friend, Joe. We all had a spectacular time. (Yes, boys, it's sunny outside. Imagine that!)

Day 291 - Sunday, October 18, 2009

Day 291 - Sunday, October 18, 2009 –
An impromptu trip to Westview Orchards on what turned out to be a GAH-orgeous fall day.

Day 279 - Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Day 279 - Tuesday, October 6, 2009 –
It should have never come to this, but the Tigers battled the Twins for the AL Central Division title in a one game playoff. We let the kids stay up late on a school night to watch. Pint of beer? Check. Big screen HDTV? Check. The Tigers losing the ultimate tie breaker in the 12th inning? Heartbreaking.

Day 248 - Saturday, September 5, 2009 –

Day 248 - Saturday, September 5, 2009 –

What a gorgeous day for this rocking pool party at the Gulda's. There was great food, plenty to do (volleyball, swimming, horseshoes), and awesome entertainment from this local band called Trip Wire. Tons of fun was had by the whole family.

Day 242 - Sunday, August 30, 2009

Day 242 - Sunday, August 30, 2009 –

We had dinner at my parents' house today with Shawn's family and Jeremy's family. Mom and Dad leave soon for Florida and won't be back in Michigan until close to Christmas. We miss them already!!

Day 228 - Sunday, August 16, 2009

Day 228 - Sunday, August 16, 2009 –
Kevin has been gone on a guys' golf weekend since Wednesday. It was so nice to have him back home today so he could make us this delicious meal and complete the picture at our family dinner table. (No, I did not eat all of those ribs on my plate, even though they were indeed delicious!)

Day 213 - Saturday, August 1, 2009

Day 213 - Saturday, August 1, 2009 –

We spent the evening at the Petoskey's with the Barringers, Davises, and Webers for a wonderful BBQ. This shot was taken in the Petoskey's gorgeous back yard.

Day 211 - Thursday, July 30, 2009

Day 211 - Thursday, July 30, 2009 –

We checked another Summer Family to-do item off of our list today by visiting Cook's Farm Dairy for some delicious ice cream. Jordyn and Liam both got Mint Chocolate Chip. Kevin got Chocolate Peanut Butter, I got Pistachio Almond, and Owen went with Blue "Moo". MMM mmm

Day 207 - Sunday, July 26, 2009

Day 207 - Sunday, July 26, 2009 –

Today was the Shellnut Family Reunion at Green Acres Park in Hazel Park. Here is (most of) the Bennie Shellnut Family, which accounted for 13 of the 70+ people that attended.

Day 191 - Friday, July 10, 2009 –

Day 191 - Friday, July 10, 2009 –
Day Four of our family vacation took us to Big Star Lake after a day at the Meijer Gardens. We stayed at Kevin's brother Don's cottage with Kevin's parents Don and Carol. This part of our trip wasn't "planned", so it was a nice surprise.

Day 190 - Thursday, July 9, 2009

Day 190 - Thursday, July 9, 2009 –

Day Three of our family vacation took us to Grand Haven. This is a picture of us all touching the base of the lighthouse.

Day 189 - Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Day 189 - Wednesday, July 8, 2009 –
Day Two of our family vacation took us to Grand Rapids. A family portrait on the boardwalk along the Grand River. (photo credit - tripod)

Day 172 - Sunday, June 21, 2009

Day 172 - Sunday, June 21, 2009 –
Today was Father's Day and Kevin wanted to spend it doing pretty much nothing. Chilling at the house, fishing, just us. We gave him a new cooler with wheels, an outdoor clock, a fishing lure, and a lot of space for him to just do his thing with out us in his hair. It really was a perfect day.

Day 163 - Friday, June 12, 2009

Day 163 - Friday, June 12, 2009 –
The first day of summer vacation included a bit of fishing (of course!) and some Spry cousin fun.

Day 102 - Sunday, April 12, 2009

Day 102 - Sunday, April 12, 2009 –

Hunting for Easter eggs with the Hillary and Jankowski cousins in Grandma and Grandpa Hillary's backyard. An annual tradition.

Day 101 - Saturday, April 11, 2009

Day 101 - Saturday, April 11, 2009 -
The day before Easter is always spent at Grandma Carol's dyeing Easter eggs with all of the Hillary cousins. It's quite a production, dyeing dozens and dozens of eggs.