Easter 2011...

Not your traditional Easter!

There were no bonnets, frilly dresses or suits! 

There was an Easter Egg Hunt, Dirt, Prime Rib & Quad riding!

We went to G-pa & G-ma's house around 3 for an evening meal.

The Easter Egg hunt was first....

Tyler & Alisha....you never out grow an Easter Egg Hunt!

Trent, Tyler & Alisha

Troy, Madison & Trent

Tyler & Alisha showing off there eggs!

Trent and his eggs 

and a dirty face..it was a muddy quad ride!

Trent opening his eggs

We did celebrate the meaning of Easter..in a traditional way!  

We celebrated a risen Saviour.  

A Saviour that came to earth and died for our sins and rose on the third day.

Thank You Jesus!

More Walls...

So I have had this purchased for a long time...just now got it up!

We put this up over our bed. 

 I would have included our headboard in the picture but it is really ugly...I mean really! 

I didn't want to take away from the wall decor!  I saw this at Hobby Lobby sometime back and couldn't wait till it went on sale so I could get it.

Once I purchased it I had to wait for Steve to put it on the wall.  

I could have done it but it would have been all squehawed!

I not real good with eyeing things!

So here is the finished product!

Bragging Again!

Brag them up when you can! 

Tyler's Senior Prom 2011

His last prom!

TYLER & ALISHA

  

so adorably cute!

Prom was held at English Hills Terrace.

Pictures taken at the Rockford Dam.

You two look adorable together!

Bragging....

Brag them up when you can!

Troy was recently honored for his efforts in a program for high school students.

 The program was developed by the Kent County Sheriff to bring awareness to distracted drivers.  22 schools participated in the program. There were 4 categories...merchandise, posters, audio & video. A total of 82 kids participated....

Troy and his friend Tyler drew up a prototype of a trinket with a saying on it to spur you on to not be distracted while you are driving...mainly texting!  They didn't get first but they did receive a 2nd.  Great job guys! 

here is a group shot 

two other girls from Kent City also attended 

Troy and his award! 

Here he is with the Kent County Under Sheriff! 

On the way out, they tried out the back seat of the cruiser..they better never be back there again!!! 

I tried to get the officer to close the door.

Great job Troy & Tyler so proud of you!

Gadget Queen

I might consider myself a gadget queen??

I like things that I think might make my life easier...some of them work...some not so much!  

Because grill season is upon us, I thought I would let you know about a gadget that has worked for me!

A Hamburger Press is the featured item....

My mom use to have a Tupperware one..so this isn't a new idea.  

I like this one much better!

Here's the reasons I like it:

*the 'right' size burger

* makes an even patty to grill--no thick middles and burnt edges!

*pre-make patties for vacation

I line mine with saran wrap (under the patty and over the patty)

IT WORKS GREAT!!!

The other great feature...they are under $3 at Bed Bath Beyond and you can use a coupon for even more savings!

Go get one...NOW...Hurry...Go!

Chicago 2011...

For Spring Break we wanted to take a quick trip to Chicago.  We went last year and purchased a year membership to Shedd Aquarium and we wanted to get on more entrance out of it. So, the thrifty people we are we went for a Sunday/Monday combo.  Early in the week, when we checked the weather in the windy city, they were calling for rain both days. Oh stink!  We headed out anyway, as those were the only days we could go.  We left early Sunday morning and decide to head to the zoo first.  The weather report had changed and it was going to be unusually warm...which it was...it turned out to be 70! (back home it was all of 35-with hail, snow, sleet and rain!)  

Lincoln Park Zoo is a free zoo, right on Lake Michigan.  It's an amazing zoo!  I think we were there about 5 hours....AND it never even rained a drop. 

what?? brothers being kind to each other? what?

this is a giraffe exhibit..so they weren't feeling like getting their picture taken.  Steve did get one Ostrich in. 

I don't remember what this was but he had such a homely look! 

A monkey and her baby.  

She was swinging all over with that baby hanging on her front 

and of course the Gorillas were entertaining 

Bengal Tiger! He was pacing back and forth in front of the Plexiglas.  

Linda and I were praying that glass didn't break because he was CLOSE!! 

After the zoo, we headed to Millennium Park.  Last year we parked in a parking garage so it cost about $20 to go to the park for 1+ hours.  This year we found a parking spot on the street...here are the "country folk" trying to figure out how to get a parking pass. 

about three blocks later we arrived at "The Bean" actually called the Cloud Gate. 

a little jumping...Tyler you rock! 

Then to dinner at the two story McDonalds.  Trent spotted this last year and wanted to go..so we told him we would try and squeeze it in this year! 

Enjoying our meal and they were HAPPY! 

On Monday we were up and packing up for a day at the Shedd.... 

waiting for the Whale/Dolphin show to start. 

I'll leave you with one last picture.  Dad & Linda in front of the Shedd...So glad we could take them with us!  Memories were made!!! We all had a great time! (and NO Rain either day!) 

heading home around 4 we made a quick (or to some, long) stop at Cabela's.  The only thing we left with was...a light jacket for Linda and a fleece for me.   

A GREAT TRIP!