Sunday June 29

Today while some of our cousins were flying home after a wonderful 2 1/2 weeks in Michigan (sad), the rest of us went to treasure hunt at the Allegan Antique Market.  All except grandma and grandpa who were driving to the airport and C and Uncle Tom who stayed home to play.  We spent 4 hours covering nearly every inch and went away with many wonderful treasures.  None as wonderful as being together for the morning!

Saturday June 28

Today the entire 'Mosher' family went horseback riding in New Era (minus Chuck).  It was a beautiful morning and we had an amazing ride.  We have had so much fun the past few weeks with all the cousins in town.  Tomorrow the Florida family heads home.  We will miss them so much!  The California family will be here for another couple of weeks so we will savor every moment!  (note:  a few people are not visible because they were in front of me! And the red shirts belong to the guides who rode next to a few of the younger ones!)

Friday June 27

Today we drove to Holt for Noah to compete in the Hershey State Track finals.  He qualified a few weeks ago to do the softball throw.  We were so proud of him!  About 60 districts from around the State were represented, all sending their 1st place qualifiers!  Noah came in 6th place in the State with a throw of 101.1.  This was significantly higher than his qualifying throw!  He got to stand on the podium to receive his ribbon (top 8 were called to the field!).  Way to go Noah!
We were also very proud of Abby and Sophie who qualified to run the 4 x 100 relay with two of their friends.  Unfortunately, their friends could not make it to the meet so the girls did not get to compete, but we are still very proud that they qualified! 

Thursday June 26

We had a wonderful lunch today with Tom at 'Electric Cadillac', a sandwich shop in Grand Haven.  It was yummy, and the family time was even better!

Wednesday June 25

Cousin love.

Tuesday June 24, 2014

As we drove towards the State park we thought perhaps something was on fire....but no, it was fog rolling off the big lake!  The clouds, fog and 60 degree lake temps did not stop all the kids from swimming and playing their hearts out! 

Monday June 23, 2014

Happy Pink Day!!! This is our third special day this month. (Remember? Last time it was Ice Cream Soda Day!) To celebrate this day, we had pink oobleck, homeade Play Dough, balloons,  lemonade, strawberry cheesecake fudge,and,strawberry yogurt covered pretzels! In this picture, we put all of our feet around the words:Happy Peank (pink) Day that was waiting for us when we arrived at our grandparents house! Our cousins, aunt, and grandparents got everything ready for us!   Pink Day was a blast!!    SOPHIE :)

Sunday June 22

It doesn't get much better than this.  Summer started officially this weekend and we celebrated in style with water balloons and our cousins.  Shrieks of laughter were heard around the neighborhood this afternoon!  We enjoyed an amazing dinner outside and banana splits. 
Note:  no mom or iphone was soaked in the taking of this picture (but she sure tried!)

Saturday June 21

Beautiful kids at my cousin's wedding in Jackson.  We had a fun day celebrating the wedding, antiquing, relaxing in a local coffee shop, and playing with our cousins. 

Friday June 20

Did you know that today was "Ice Cream Soda Day"? For our summer list, we have to do this day and 4 other special days like this one each month. To celebrate it, we brought the supplies to our Grandma and Grandpa's house and made ice cream sodas with our cousins! We had Root Beer, Orange Crush, and, Grape pop. It looks like a lot of us wanted Orange Crush on our ice cream sodas!  They were delicious!  We  also  had  funky  straws  to  match! 
-SOPHIE :)

Thursday June 19

We've been swinging like this since the kids were really little.  They used to rest their chubby little heads on my shoulder while I whispered, "I love you, I love you, I love you so much" as we would swing higher and higher.  Today Abby asked me if we could do "the spider" apparently that is what it's called (not, the "I love you, I love you, I love you so much swing with mommy).  So we did.  Love.

Wednesday June 18

Today I asked Mom if I could help make dinner. Right now I am making the sauce that I will marinate the chicken in. We had to put the sauce in a plastic bag, then we put the bag in glass bowl. That way, we would be able to move the chicken around in side the bag. To make sure the chicken would taste the sauce when they eat it, I used a fork to poke holes in the chicken. We made a salad to put the chicken in, when the chicken was grilled, of course. In the photo, you can see some of the ingrediants: cherry juice, soy sauce, and ginger.
Here is the link to the recipe in case you want to give it a try:  Asian style grilled chicken salad with cherry peanut dressing

Tuesday June 17

I made pizza for 15 people today this is a pic. of me making the salsa that is used as the sauce. the pizza has bacon on top. here is a  link to the recipe if you want to give it a try:  Pioneer Woman Breakfast Pizza

by Noah aka Swag Ranger

Monday June 16

One of my favorite things about summer vacation is having my kids home for lunch.  I love sharing meals with my kids and lunch is always the best in the summer.  We got home for lunch today and the kids started with the Italian Ice I had surprise purchased for them the night before.  They didn't think twice, just sat down at the table with their 'appetizer'.  Only in the summer!  While they ate, I pulled out a variety of healthier additions.  Sophie was thrilled to find the left over salad Grandma B had sent home with us the day before.  She though she would help us all out by 'tossing' it for us.  Literally (see bag of salad nearly touching the ceiling).  Oh did we laugh.  And that is why I love lunch with the kids in the summer.  Laughter. 

Sunday June 15

While this is actually two pictures, and they were not actually taken on Sunday (loopholes!), they do represent what I love about Tom as a daddy.  Tom loves his kids.  He loves to laugh, and play, and stop at a lemonade stand with his kids.  He loves to spend time, real time with his kids.  He is an amazing dad.  I could not love him more then when he is being a daddy to our amazing 3.  Happy Father's Day Tom. 

Saturday June 14

Today we enjoyed a beautiful summer day.  We spent time with family at the farmers market (yeah Michigan strawberries!), time visiting the parade of homes with the girls while Noah played the day away with a friend in Lake Michigan, a beautiful dinner with friends at the lake, and a late night visit crazy fun visit with all of our 'Mosher cousins'.  It doesn't get much better then a day like this. 

Friday June 13

Today we enjoyed another slow summer day.  We spent time with cousins that are visiting from Florida.  Played at a park.  Ate a cook out.  There is still a suitcase to unpack, but we are enjoying the moments of together time.  Noah is developing a real love of food and cooking.  He spends time pouring over his 'Food Network Magazine' every chance he gets.  I love talking food with him!  It's going to be a delicious summer! 

Thursday June 12

Home sweet home.  Today we enjoyed being home as a family.  We snuggled, met daddy for lunch, and expanded our summer list.  We even celebrated our first "special' day of the month, red rose day by sharing roses with people at the Warm Friend retirement home, our grandma, and our Aunt Laura who arrived today.  Let summer vacation begin!

Wednesday June 11

Today as we were flying home the kids all participated in the Hershey Track Meet.  The girls ran the 4 x 100 relay with a couple of their friends.  Noah ran the 200 and did a softball throw.  All of the kids qualified to participate in the State Meet at the end of the month!  The girls for the relay and Noah for his softball throw!  Awesome!!

Tuesday June 10

We had a phenomenal few days away in Mexico.  It was precious time together laughing, talking, and relaxing.  We missed the kids every moment, but we know they were having fun too! 

Monday June 9

One of the hardest parts about being away was missing TWO of Noah's baseball games!  We missed a triple and his first 6 pitch inning!!  Amazing! 

Sunday June 8

Today the kids enjoyed swimming at the hotel and time at Cranbrook Science Center.  Sophie was thrilled to find a pig statue!  We love that our kids had such great adventures while we were away! 

Saturday June 7

Today Tom and I took off for a 5 day vacation with friends.  The kids started a wonderful time with Grandma and Grandpa Mosher.  Saturday had them traveling to Detroit and enjoying a day at Greenfield Village!

And just like that we have 5th graders!

The winter passed in a blur of snow and ice and before we knew it it was the last day of school.  We have started our summer list.  We are excitedly planning time with cousins and trips.  We are counting on slowing the pace and savoring the moments.  We are going to try again this summer to post a photo a day.  We have planned a 'pretty much summer of no' again (one scheduled activity being religious ed...doesn't count).  We are humbled and amazed that the kids rocked out 4th grade and will enter their last year of elementary school in the fall.  Welcome summer vacation 2014, we are so glad you are here!