And down the little one goes. So brave in 25 degree weather...I was heading back to the car for heat and hot chocolate!
Rolling Rolling Rolling down the hill...
Sledding at the High School day 2 of vacation...













Christmas break begins with fun open skate a Western Michigan University...luckily the kids are adept skaters because even at my "prime" I could not skate well....they take after their DAD!
This is the 6th grade science project "SINK BUG"It hss a drain and Scott even had his sister make fake "dishes" for the display.

Our sweet Cocoa....lives in the house now since no one can stand him in freezing outside weather or in the lonely basement....he hops around the kitchen daily and is spoiled with treats...the cats just look at him since he is as big as they are!
Scott on the snow boogie!
And back up we go! ( with our neighbor's!)

American Girl Fashion Show November 2009

Ok- It has been a WHILE and there are many months not accounted for.....I am starting NOW and will not feel guilty for the missing months. I swear we did stuff...we are here now though, living in the present! I did finally post the stuff from the beginning of the summer...forgot to hit publish before. Some of the pictures are sideways and I am not fixing them.

Here we are in NOVEMBER. Elizabeth was KIT Kittredge in an American Girl Charity Fashion show...she did a great job and did really look like the doll. I posted the video and I do not know why it has no sound....but you get the general idea. The character is from the 1930's and they talk about the simple clothes. They also talk about some ideas in the commentary that would be good for today- Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without. I am using that as a TEACHING MOMENT/ reminder for my little family! Great timing.




The next is our California Kid playing HOCKEY! He has moved up to his age group and having lots of fun "checking" which ='s legal hitting...although today he ended up in the penalty box after a late "check" He is number 5 in the black. He is really having a great time and Bob and I have a steep learning curve! We also got to go to a local Kalamazoo Wings game. My sister in law Katy's brother in law ( if you can follow that!) just got signed for this season..We had a blast with the whole Verduzco clan and our cool neighbors...we ended up with seat close together.




That is all for now.

June 2009

Elizabeth went to a Drama camp this summer! She took 2 classes and learned physical humor in a class called "Monkey Around" and how to be dramatic in a class called "Talk to ME" our little Kalamazoo Civic youth program is fantastic! She can't wait to go again next summer!


Michigan Football camp for Scott was fabulous. They stayed in the dorms and ate in the dining room that the students use. They got great coaching ( Scott was in the same group as Coach Rodriguez's son!) 3 days of football and away from home!

The girls and I went to John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids and had a blast! Scott's baseball team was playing in a local tournament and we took advantage and went exploring. From bears to camel rides to high ropes course, we had a blast.

Hockey, Valentines and Cooking!

Elizabeth hosted 6 of her friends at a "Cooking Party" We decorated our own aprons , made our own pizza and applesauce and topped it off with "Messy Sundaes!" Throw in some fun games an karaoke and it was a great afternoon!





Valentine's Day was a blast..we had cool centers in Elizabeth's room including Bingo, puzzles, eating and a craft and in Scott's room they decorated cookies and played games as well. Definately one of our favorite holidays!













Scott's team is called the Puckmasters and next week he gets to play his final game at the Kalamazoo Wings stadium on what they call FULL ice!



This was Scott's first hockey game. He absolutely loves playing...is quick to get his 20 pieces of equipment on and out on the ice.

The Frozen Tundra of Michigan

This is a hodgepodge for sure since I have not updated in a couple of months. Here we are and what we are up to these days. Happy New Year..btw it is 8 degrees here now..yes eight! Scary that 25 degrees feels balmy and tropical! I figure I had it easy for 36 years.....Love you all.


Elizabeth has really been enjoying her volleyball classes. The classes are once a week and they have really fun games like "Dead Frog." Anything to keep them interested!

Hey???who is that chick? Could she be the missing Mommy who takes all the pictures???

Scott the Hockey monster has really done well...where is my California KID?


Some of Elizabeth's artwork and pictures from our Verduzco Christmas party!

Scott playing BB for the Portage Elite Team.
There is the man flinging the puck around. You would not believe how many pieces of equipment are on that guy!

Total Transformations!

Our Lady Liberty! And our other funny faces!































Meet Scottisha our new girl child!


Elizabeth was happy to have a sister for one night!





AND the MONSTERS! Elizabeth made these for her party!









Wacky Hair Day was a part of red ribbon/ say no to drugs week at school! Whew Back to normal next week hopefully.

End of the Patriots season

Here we are a Western Michigan's Waldo Stadium. Bob holding the numbers and Scott #3.
Here they come...the 9/10 Portage Partiots!



Scott is on the ready on the kickoff team!

Elizabeth the ever ready fan!!! Even in the cold and the rain!

















And off she goes off of the TALL beam!

Here she is cheering at the Portage Northern Huskies Game! The HS cheerleaders had a 2 hour camp and then invited all of the little cheerleaders to cheer during the first quarter of the game. She did great!!!

And here she is practicing her cartwheels off of the balance beam in Gymnastics!
Great try on defense...Unfortunately after all of the work...The Patriots lost 10-0, but it was the fewest number of points the Giants ever scored! Cheers to a great season.