Cookies for Mrs. Claudia …

Yesterday was a sad day for us.  It was Makenna’s last day at The Learning House.   I knew it was going to be crushing for me!   The Learning House has been a part of Justin and Makenna’s early school experience for the past 7 years.  Both kids started in their 2 year old play group and now 7 years later it is time to say goodbye.  My babies are growing up … can you believe Makenna will start Kindergarten in the fall. 

It has been a privilege for our kids to have been taught by Ernie, Mary and Claudia … Makenna has academically grown leaps and bounds this year and we decided to say THANKS to her teacher Mrs. Claudia with a special cookie jar.

~ I'm one Smart Cookie thanks to You! ... Makenna's photo and hand written note is under the lid ~

~ Makenna marching in the crazy hat parade ... an annual last day of school event for The Learning House ~

~ Makenna with her friend Rachel ... there was only 3 girls in the class and 6 boys ~

~ Makenna and Mrs. Claudia ~

One full day of fun ...

The Easter Bunny stopped by and left 3 baskets at our house!

Makenna ... Elmo ... Justin all got some goodies from the Easter Bunny!

Celebrating Easter at Aunt Sheri's and Uncle Bob's with Great Grammie! 

 Hanging out with their cousins made Easter Extra Special!!

Easter with Grandma and Grandpa Michael

Easter Bunny came to our house + Easter service at Timberline Church + Lunch and Easter Egg Hunt at Aunt Sheri's and Uncle Bob's house + Easter Egg Hunt at Grandma and Grandpa Michael's house = ONE full day of fun!!

Easter Party Fun ...

For years it has been tradition for me to host an Easter Party for Makenna and her friends.  To make it extra special for the little kids I generally have the party while the “big kids” are at school.   This year I had a little pinch on my heart knowing that next year Makenna will be one of the “big kids” and at school. 

The last few years the weather has not been ideal but this year it was PERFECT!  Makenna along with 14 friends had a wonderful morning. 

 

~ Petting the baby lamb ~

 

~ Ready for the egg hunt ~ 

~ Makenna on the hunt for some treat filled eggs ~

 ~ My great nephew Memphis (age 3) ~

 ~ My nephew Caleb (age 5) ~

~ Little Miss Marlie (age 18 months) ... 

the little girl I get to love on 2 days a week ~

~ Checking out all the goodies inside their eggs ~

 ~ My niece Emily (age 3) ~

 ~ Makenna and her friend Carli ~

~ Bunny Tail treats for Makenna's friends ~

After all this fun I might just have to break tradition and have the party on a weekend next year.

Underneath that Big Montana Sky ...

We have talked about it for years and I know Kraig and Jennifer thought it would never happen but it did ... we road tripped it to Kalispell, Montana for our spring break vacation this year.  Kraig Trippel is one of Dwight best friends from High School who has lived in Montana for 15+ years. We have  talked numerous times about visiting but never have.  On March 8th we headed out to surprise Kraig and his wife Jennifer for a week of Montana fun.

The kids have gotten pretty good at traveling which actually makes road trips enjoyable for all of us.  We split the 14 hour drive by staying in Billings, Montana.  Jennifer recommended a great hotel with an inside water park.  The kids LOVED it.  We swam after dinner and before breakfast.

~ Hello Montana Mountains ... it was dark when we arrived in Montana so this was a beautiful site to wake up to ~

Next stop was Butte, Montana … we had to stop and pay tribute to Dwight’s childhood hero … Evel Knievel. 

~ Beautiful Flathead Lake and National Forrest Mountain Range near Polson ~ 

The rest of the week was spent catching up and reminiscing about the good ole’ days, shopping, sight seeing and of course no “Michael Family Road Trip” would be complete without a tractor or in this case it ended up being 2 we drug home from Kraig and Dwight’s endless hours of “junkin”.  Pretty sure Dwight and Kraig are well on their way to being the next “American Pickers”!

~ Bonnie, Dwight, Jennifer and Kraig ~

 ~ Glacier National Park ~

 ~ Trouble ... lots and lots of trouble ~

Football and Dolls ...

If there is one thing Justin is passionate about it is FOOTBALL.  The boy loves sports but football tops the list.  Justin has attended several local football camps which have been great but after researching quarterback camps we got in contact with National Football Academies and found out that they would be holding a camp in Colorado.  We decided to make it a family weekend.

Justin and Dwight spent 3 days at Legend High School in Parker attending the National Football Academies Quarterback Camp while Makenna and I hung out with my cousin Darci.

 

~ Justin back row second from the left ~

One of the amazing components of an NFA QB camp is they video tape and analyze your throw.  Here is the video of Justin’s throw.  It’s about 2 ½ minutes long but pretty interesting.   It will be interesting to compare his throw as he grows and develops more football skills.  I know I'm bias but his throw is pretty amazing for a 9 year old.

Makenna, Darci and I did some shopping … including a trip to IKEA!!  Wow … so much to see and “could” have spent a fortune.  But instead we saved our money for a surprise we had planned for Makenna! 

We surprised Makenna with her 1^st trip to the American Girl Store where she got to meet the doll of the year McKenna.  On January 1st of each year American Girl names a doll of the year that is available in a limited quantity for a limited time.  This year the doll of the year is McKenna … the spelling might be different but we are completely sure she is Makenna's twin.

 ~ Makenna meets McKenna ~

 

~ Makenna with her bag of goodies ~

It was a super fun weekend for all of us and an extra special treat that we got to spend some time with Darci.

Bumper Bowling ...

Our local bowling alley Chipper Lanes offers free Friday morning bowling for tots.  A few of my mommy friends and I took our kids for a fun morning of bumper bowling!  The kids had a great time.  They each bowled two games and even avoided getting their fingers smashed playing with the big bowling balls. Super fun morning for both me and Makenna!

~ Makenna and Kaitlyn ~

~ Playing with the Bowling Balls ~

~ That smile sums up the morning ~

~ Makenna got a STRIKE!! ~

Nothing fancy just NINE ...

Justin’s 9^th birthday went by with a flash this year.  I feel horrible as this was the first time since he was born that I have not planned a big celebration and special party for him.  We simply were too dang busy.  Between sports, work and school schedules nothing fell into place.   I did promise him we would make it up to him.  Now I just need to figure out when and how.   We did spoil him with a few presents and celebrated the night of his birthday with an apple pie. 

~ Justin with his present from Makenna ~

Party for SIX ...

We celebrated New Years Eve at Darren and Audrey’s house this year.  It was just a small group of us … 6 adults and 7 kids but OH what a night!   Dinner, board games, dance party and poker!

~ Playing Battleship girls vs. boys ... the ships weren't the only think sinking  ... notice Darren's glasses ~  

~ Dwight, Justin and Makenna trying to hang with Audrey the Dance Party Queen ~

~ Our family Celebrating the start of 2012 ~

 ~ Grayson and Makenna ~

 ~ One of my dearest friends ... Audrey and I ~

~ Justin making some NOISE ~

 ~ Tonya and Jack ~

~ Oh NO ... Darren breaking out his Christmas gift ... played poker until 3am ... we all had our glasses looking like Darren's ~