Separated at birth....

This is the story of our dog Jaxi...

When we found her, on the Internet, the people asked us which 2 we wanted look at..as we were meeting them in a GR parking lot.

We arrived on a Sunday evening in a Pets Supplies Plus Store parking lot

 to see two adorable puppies (aren't all puppies cute!)

We picked the one we wanted..before we left, they said it was a buy one get one free deal....hmmm!

If you know me I'm all about deals..=)!

We returned home home with 2 puppies.

I could quickly see everyone was wanting to keep both of them...ummm...no!

Our target date was by Wednesday to find a home for our other puppy.

We did!....the Iwaniw's...welcomed little Lucy!

Fast forward 2 1/2 years....

We know the Iwaniw's, which live a couple miles from us and Trent had her for a 3rd grade teacher this past year.  We have often talked about getting the 'sister's' together...and finally it happened! Last night Tyler & Alisha were going to their house for a bonfire and they took Jaxi to meet Lucy.  Not really a happy reunion, especially fro Lucy!  She wasn't real fond of Jaxi.  Jaxi is full energy dog.  Lucy is quite timid. Jaxi wanted to play with her and she wasn't having any of that!!!

Here is a picture of Lucy

and our Jaxi 

you can tell by Lucy's face how much she enjoyed the reunion 

here they are 'kind of' sitting together!

Lucy wasn't sad to see us go!

Groupon-We ♥ you...

This was my first Groupon purchase..

Some time back they had a offer to go to Berlin Raceway....

2 tickets, 2 hot dogs, 2 chips & 2 drinks for $15.

So, I purchased the deal, as did Tyler (for him and Alisha to go sometime!)

We called Dad & Linda Saturday to see if they were available..they were (good thing they are retired!)..so we headed out.  It was a beautiful night for a race.  We all enjoy picking a car at the start of the race and cheering for our driver.  I usually picked mine by the paint job or if the numbers on the side were glitzy!  I know...scientific huh!  Well we had a fun time and Alisha had never been to a race before so she got to experience that!  The A.D.D. in me likes Berlin.  The races are short, usually about 8 laps and you can see the whole track...bonus for me-it keeps my attention!

Here we are capturing the moment!

Tyler & Alisha after the race. 

so glad we get to have fun family times together!  

Thank you Groupon1

Next, I'm purchasing a massage/pedicure/facial package..I have to make sure those are just as good a deal!..right??  That's what I thought!!!

Ah Michigan.....

...this is why-  We.Love.You!

We love you for your beautiful beaches....your sparkling water and your pure sand!  

You are beautiful!

Summer seems to zingy by so fast these days!

We miss out on the lazy days of summer. 

So, I called up my friend Caryn and we set up a beach date!

Some sunny hi-lights!

digging in the sand 

Troy 

Troy burying Carson & Trent 

all buried... 

all seven kids..... Ben is in there, just behind Carson.  

Troy got out and then covered all six kids 

last picture to leave you with.... 

Trent and his rocks he collected! Apparently, he has a little of his Grandma Sharon in him!  

G-ma Sharon loved to collect rocks, I frequently recall hauling rocks home from vacations and beaches. 

 She loved beaches!  She loved the sun! She loved pictures of sunsets!  She loved driftwood!

She saw beauty in nature! 

Gerber....

...your more than baby food! 

You are a festival in Fremont!

A town was put on the map after a young entrepreneur put his dream in motion.

Back in 1927.....the factory in Fremont MI started manufacturing baby food.  

Interesting Fact....Gerber controls 86% of the baby food market.  Sadly, they have moved a lot of their manufacturing overseas.  Steve's grandma retired from Gerber

 after putting in 25 years (according to Steve...but his tone wasn't of real confidence!)

Back to the Festival.....

We attended the 10:30 parade with friends, the Wilson's....

Joel Tacey on stilts 

Trent giving Ronald McDonald a high five, minus Ronald McDonald...to quick on the shutter. 

Trent's street fair purchase...black Spider Man mask. 

Dakota volunteering at the Joel Tacey show 

holding the ball on his head... 

fun day in Fremont!

Blog-mercial

Another Blog-mercial coming at ya!!

On the heels of my birthday...I had some cash to spend.

I've never been happy with my blender...at least that's what Hamilton Beach calls it!

I put ice cream in it to make a smoothie..and it says "no thank you!!!!"

I mean come on...your a blender...aren't you?

Problem solved!

If this looks good to you....read on!!!

I did it!

I got the Ninja!

Let's just say...impressive!

Troy and I wasted no time..testing this baby out.

Right out of the box---we tried the ice!

We didn't have un-even clumps of ice...we had snow!!

It totally made snow cone quality ice!  

I think that is a pretty tall order for any blender.

Then Troy & I quickly moved to something more appealing.....

a Snickers Blizzard....YUMMO! 

it has blades at the bottom and about 1/2 way up..hence more even blending!

Mine also came with a smaller container for mixing small batches.

I purchased it at Pamida for $39 (on sale, of course, $10 of the regular price) 

I've also made Strawberry Smoothies...I have to say...pretty awesome!

You are suppose to be able to make salsa & dips (avocado...)..I have not tried that...so, you are on your own if you choose to purchase a Ninja!

The only thing I have noticed is it only has one on button..it's like a 'pulse' button..you can do quick bursts or hold it down.

This is a MUST for smoothie lovers!!

Einstein

He's a near Einstein!  Really, he is!

He's my Einstein!

This is how he came up with a 'fix' for my 

outside spigot..Unique huh!

Now we have to say...go turn on the door knob!

Summer Fun...

Sprinkler fun gone bad!  

It all started out as a sprinkler spraying on the trampoline.

Then it turned to making a mud puddle for the bikes.

Then it turned to body mud masks.

Trent and Jack...

Jack in his "mud shirt" 

all in good summer fun!  

A couple of years back this would have thrown me for a loop!

I would have been pretty upset....but in my old age, I have learned to roll with the 'things boys are made of'!!

These are the things boys live for...girls, not so much...at least not me!

I have always felt my boys have missed out by growing up in town.

I wish they would have had a woods to built a fort in 

I wished they would have had a creek to build a dam in

I wish they could have had a real tree fort.

But these kids didn't have that...so I guess they get mud puddles!