Quad Night 6-29-06

Shane and I spent some time learning how to use his new quad. I'm having to learn the ropes with him on these things so I wasn't prepared when he hit the throttle and just about tossed me off the back. My heart about came out of my chest, and blurted a couple words I can't repeat. Shane's comment was " that's the throttle mama!" I am picturing trips to the ER but not for Shane for ME! The big quad is the snow plow for the driveway ( because we just get so much so here a snowblower isn't sufficent or at least that was the excuse). We took a ride on that too. I must be getting brave in my old age.


Here we go!
Note the mossy oak print helmet matches my pink shirt so well!















We're back. See where Shane's hands are..down to the side nowhere near the throttle....this is AFTER he nearly dumped me on the road.









Safely home after a trip around the house. He likes to bust thru the fence on the side... I leave it unlocked and it swings open fast when we hit it. Probably a very bad habit to start but it's fun to hear him scream YEAH Baby)

June 27th THE RUN

These picutres are specifically for Aunt Nicol's enjoyment, and per Shane's request so she and Uncle Mike could see him "running with mommy and hearing my music" On Monday Aunt Nicol talked to Shane on the phone telling him he could go running with me ( it was already after 8:30pm his bedtime--thanks alot!). Of course he thought that was just great because I had already said no. Tears came next ( and there were alot of them) which worked ( aka the guilt trip) because Tuesday night I gave in and said we could run a little ways together. He waited patiently for me to have a break from work, got his Batman socks on with his new CARS running shoes, his running shorts and shirt, and of course his CD player with Kenney Chesney When the Sun Goes Down playing. We put on our music, and he joined me for a run a little ways down the block and back, then he waited in the driveway for me to come back from my run, and chased me with his Big Wheel again up past his bedtime.

I would like to thank my favorite sister for placing the idea in his head. Just remember these things will come back around :)





Here we come! Notice his great foot form!


















We're getting our music ready. He's checking out my earpieces, and making sure I'm not listening to Kenny Chesney, his rules only one person listens to Kenny at a time? Not sure how he comes up with some of these things.


















And we're off down the block.

Nicol and Mike,
Here's the front yard after the flowers have bloomed, and the hanging flowers came back to life (oops).











The Stargazers are up! They bloomed while I was in Colorado. I can't normally maintain a plant however these have come back for the last 2 years even when I fail to water which happens ALOT.

Mike gives a little loving to his Mrs!















Smiling, drinks and Irish blood explains it all.
Look at how good Nicol's yard looks after her 700 cubic tons ( her personal quote of the amount she had to spread out) of wood chips. It did look very nice.

Graduation Party Celebration 6-24-06

Martin aka the Proud Dad, Mike, and Andy.

Colorado Trip 6-22-06 thru 6-26-06

Here are some of the pictures from my trip to Colorado Springs to celebrate Mikey's graduation from Colorado Technical University and to visit with my favorite sister NICOL. I arrived about 3 hours late 11pm Colorado time, 1am Michigan time,on the 22nd which started the next 4 days of very little to no sleep and lots of fun. Mike's graduation ceremony was very nice, and he is SO happy to be done! The party on the 24th went well, Nicol and I prepared and actually started to cook the food without MIke's help ( yes I know that is VERY scary but we did do it) then thankfully for all the guests, Mike's Dad, Martin stepped in to save the day and finish cooking. NICOL did very well with not too much stress, and although our "plan" of food at 4 and out the door at 9 didn't happen we had a great time and stayed up very early into the next morning. I met Mike's parents, absolutely wonderful people,(his Mom is so much fun!) and all of their friends were great.





Mike and Dave. We think they are flexing their muscles? Not quite sure, this was in the wee hours of the morning following the party. Boys will be boys!








Mike and his Mom. Still her little boy!
















YES she is actually COOKING on the grill by herself, and YES we did prepare those hamburgers and corn on our own. Scary I know, but no one got sick so we must be making progress.













The love birds on the evening of graduation.
Mike gradutated Summa Cum Lade with a 3.9 GPA. We are VERY proud of him.












Here he is! 6-23-06

BIG JUMP ( and yes if it looks like I am cringing at the thought of catching a flying 46 pounds I am!)















Practicing floating on his back in the hotel pool. He has a death grip on my arm to make sure I didn't let go:)

Cincinnati Zoo Trip June 9-10 2006

Smiling Shaner posing with Daddy and the Giraffe.




Feeding nectar to the Lorikeet. Imagine an enclosed area where about 30 or so birds are flying around landing on you to eat nectar out of a cup and guess what they do after they eat! Just ask Chris who had it all over the back of his shirt. ICK>













Taking a break near the Botanical Gardens













He LOVES to go to the Children's Zoo area where he can pet the dang goats while I stand there and they eat my shirt, shoe laces, shorts, etc.

DO DAH Parade/PreSchool Graduation June 3, 2006

Shane and his good friend Frankie with their graduation certificates. Way to go boys!












Shane in the parade wearing his mortar and scholary glasses like Arthur (a cartoon character)

















In action with his cheer.


















The Graduate with his diploma (look out Uncle Mike!)
Can you believe his cap wouldn't stay on his head even with the big White nugget he has?! :)


















June 3, 2006. The annual DO DAH Parade took place downtown. For those of you not familiar with Kalamazoo, its a crazy, silly, nonsense parade to kick off the summer festivites. Shane's Preschool Class took part in the parade with a theme of "We Promise to Do Our Best" which goes along with the famous Kalamazoo Promise ( free college for graduates of Kalamazoo Public Schools). The kids dressed in black t-shirts and colored motars, carried a ruler, book or calculator, his teacher led the way in a graduation robe with about 10 other parents walking. They did very well and received a TON of cheers when they came in front of the judges stand.

Family Swim Day for Shane's Swim Class

Swim Shane Swim. He loves the noodles.















Shane's last session of PIKE class included a family swim.









We are practicing getting ready to go under water. Shane's version consists of plugging his nose and sticking just a little bit of his face in the water.

Shane getting pumped for swim class.

Soccer June 06

HMMMM... Shane isn't quite sure what to do watch the ball, go after it, or show me his tummy for the picture.












HE SCORES!
SUPER SOCCER STAR SHANER
















He's off, down the field, dribbling. Notice no one else is around him....is it because of his lightning speed and agility or because 4 years old sometimes just like to stand and watch each other, or a water break?
He does really well, and has a great time, and its a hoot to watch.










Warming up with a run to Daddy. He uses the tongue hanging out to help with his speed :)

Memorial Day Weekend 2006

Shaner kicked back with his Tootsie Pop waiting for the soldiers in the parade. Yes he really sits like this all on his own and will tell you, "I'm just taking a break." He rides like this in his car seat too.

















Brand new SlipNSlide. I was actually able to assemble it without too many issues, however Shane was directing me from the picture on the box to help!
This is his first run. It took him a couple times to get the hang of it.















Here I am!












My attempt at taking our picture at the parade. I really need to work on my point and shoot skills.