big fan

This past weekend, Heather and I drove to Gaylord, Michigan to attend the Big Ticket Festival. We had a great time. We got to see Matthew West, David Crowder Band, Leeland, Barlow Girl, Fireflight and our favorite boys, Needtobreathe.


l-r Bo, Joe, Emily, Seth, Bear (Needtobreathe)

As you can see, we had our pictures taken with them. The best part was when I got my umbrella case signed by all of them and mentioned that we've seen them four times. (Bear had asked the audience who had seen them before and Heather and I screamed and there was one other person who also screamed, so Bear said, "that's what I thought, no ones knows us." I had to let them know at the signing that we did know who they are.) Bo then said, "I thought you looked familiar." *sigh* We've met them before as you can read about here. It's nice to be recognized. Especially because we consider them to be big stars...

Check them out if you aren't familiar with their stuff. Visit their website where you can listen to snippets from their newest album. Their Shine On video on YouTube is amazing. I'll let you know when we'll be seeing them again. Because we won't be letting too many days pass without a Needtobreathe concert. Not when we're their biggest fans!

Downhere for free!

Check this out, Downhere is giving away their album "Wide Eyed and Mystified" for free! Here's the link

http://www.downhere.com/splash/

Go and check it out. I downloaded it, and added it to my iTunes, only to discover I have their self-titled album from 2001. I have no idea how we got it. I don't remember ever borrowing it and I'm pretty sure we don't own the actual c.d. Oh well, we do indeed have it.

I'm listening to them right now. Spread the word, share the love!

Welcome Summer... someday

I know that as soon as it gets hot outside I'll be complaining. But in the meantime, doesn't Memorial Day weekend usually mean slightly warmer weather? Surely it does... But it's only 49 degrees here this morning. The high for today is only supposed to reach the low 60's. Brr! It's time for ice cream and drives in the 'Vette, which is nice when it is this cold since it tends to run HOT! I digress. Ice cream. My favorite summer time, or anytime, activity. I am not going to ask what flavors of ice cream you like (although, feel free to share. Mine is peppermint, or chocolate monster -pieces of fudge and peanut butter in chocolate ice cream). But rather, I'm curious to know; what kind of cone do you prefer? I'm a fan of sugar cones. When I'm in the mood, I like a waffle cone, but sometimes, some places make them too sweet.... My opinion on a cake cone is that it is best served with pudding (a camp treat). So, let me hear it. Which is your favorite??

The end of last week

We went back to Meijer Gardens on Thursday morning. We saw the butterflies again. Here is Skylar modeling the shirt that she had bought on Monday. We didn't go outside because it was cold!

After that we went to the scrap book store and bought our supplies so that we could both create our memories of the week! She did a great job on her scrap book! (she's wearing the shirt that she bought at the zoo)

Then we went to Krispy Kreme and got two fresh donuts because the HOT sign was on, and bought a couple to take home with us. Yummy! Later that night, we went to Bill's old high school, East Kentwood, and went swimming. What fun!

Both Felix and Juliette finally got used to Skylar on Thursday! This last Monday they wandered around the house looking for her. They miss her! On Monday night, Felix went and jumped up on the bed that Skylar slept in, like he was waiting for her to come to bed.

Friday night we went to a hockey game. (it's not a scarf around her neck -it's her Webkinz. A tiger snake, named Snicker. We bought it Wednesday night)

The Grand Rapids Griffins are the farm team for the Red Wings. It was their second to last game of the season. They won!

But not without several broken sticks!

On Saturday, we went to Jersey Junction and ate ice cream! Skylar tried the "play dough" flavor. It's blue moon with colored chunks of cookie dough. Her mouth was blue when she was finished! We didn't mind that it was chilly outside!

That was the rest of the week. We'll hopefully have her back for a week this summer.

Spring Break 2

Skylar is visiting Auntie Em and Uncle Bill during her spring break. We are having a great time. We have been very busy! Here are some of the things we've done.

We went to Meijer Gardens on Monday. It was the perfect day, weather-wise. It was warm, sunny and just a little breezy. We saw the butterflies inside, but spent more time outside. We visited the Children's Garden. Skylar pretended to kiss the mouse.

Skylar learned what a sun dial is and she decided she would become one!

Watch out for the horse! It's about to crush Skylar!!! This is not a small horse...

And of course, she rolled down the hill. Here she goes...

And here she is at the bottom.

Then we went back home and made a kite! It was windy enough that it flew really well! (this kite was so easy to make. We made it out of regular paper, a streamer, yarn, and a bamboo stick. That was the most difficult part, cutting the bamboo skewer!)

Then, after taco dinner with Heather O., we went to Naked Plates and painted pottery!



We went to the John Ball Zoo on Tuesday. We saw Spider Monkeys, a tiger, penguins, and farm animals. We stopped to pet the goats, cows and sheep. Skylar got tackled by one of the goats. They had a scavenger hunt going on, Skylar found all the clues and won a tattoo!

Here is the tiger, checking her out. I bet he thinks she looks tasty!

Here's the goat trying to tackle her.

On Wednesday, we went to the Grand Rapids Public Museum. Skylar learned how the original "computers" (her words) worked, the old printing press. She hoped on a bicycle for a ride.

And we rode the Carousel.

Thursday, we went back to Meijer Gardens, and we are planning on going swimming, as soon as I finish this blog. Look for more to come!!