Flip Video

Jon received a flip video camera from his students this year. Just trying to see how easy it is to upload them to a blog. Here is a video of my gma when he was trying out his new toy. Oh I love her :)

Christmas Parties...

Well, I can't believe Christmas is officially over. I don't know about everyone else, but for us it went by WAY too fast. Now, for starters, I was horrible at taking pictures this year so this is just a little taste of what our last three days have been like...

Wednesday Night: Christmas with Mom and Dad

I am pretty sure Diesel left with more gifts than anyone else :) As you will notice, all I took pictures of was him. Oops. Below is a picture with him and Jeff. We finally bought them a tug-o-war toy so they wont rip all the other ones. I am not sure who had more fun, Jeff or Diesel. :)

Grandma Barr bought him this Michigan toy. My mom bought him a toy, treats, and a pet massage thing... oh my!
We all had a great night. From my mom I got a bunch of gift cards for Jon and I to go on dates :) I got some clothes, a cricut cartridge, and some other goodies as well. Oh yeah, the cutest wine glass in the world. I will have to take a picture of that too. Jon and I also did our gifts that night for each other. Jon got me a digital camera and some other stuff. I got him 8 million things for hunting. Not very exciting but he loved them!


Thursday Afternoon: Scholma Christmas

My Lovely nieces and nephews (minus Grant)

They made a pyramid but it didn't last long :)

This Christmas turned out wonderful. We ate lunch, opened presents, and spent quality time with family. At this party I got a bottle of cool waters perfume. Thanks Shel :)

Thursday Night: Steenbergen Christmas

Jill and I

Cousins :)

Jon and I --- Love him!

Court and I with Gram and Gramps

This party too was a ton of fun. Dinner, gifts, and family time. At this party Julie had my name and I got a super cute bag, gift card to Hobby Lobby (for cricut supplies) and a gift card to Panera Bread.

Thursday Late Night: Cuzy Christmas Eve

We had a giant sleep over at our house. Since we no longer sleep and Gma and Gpa's we have the cuzys sleep at our house. We still wake up extra early though to head to their house. Only 1 pic from the night. Me and Brittners...

Friday Morning:

The alarm went off at 7A.M. I love getting to Grams really early in our jammies so it still feels like the good ole' days. As soon as we get there we open our stockings. After that we wait impatiently like little kids to open the rest of our presents. I got lots of good stuff :) Again, only 1 picture from today too. Oh man, my hubby and uncle with their matching cozy hoodies.

I also got one of Mom and Dad with their new North Face coats from us and Court but they didn't turn out the greatest. They are sure cute though. It's about time my Dad owned something styling :)

Anyways, Christmas is over and we are moving on to the year 2010! Can you believe it? World... you need to slow down. I'm so excited to see what is in store though!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

~Party posts will be up later :)

"An Angel said unto them, Be not afraid; For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2: 10-11

Lindhout Christmas

On Monday I celebrated Christmas with the Lindhouts. So fun! I had missed them so it was good to see them again. This Christmas was one of the best ones yet. The boys made me a list of things they REALLY wanted a couple weeks ago when I stayed at their house. It made me extra excited to give them their gifts because I knew they would LOVE them... and did they ever. I got the most ginormous hug ever from Lukie. The gift they gave me was awesome too and has a little story to go with it. (See under pictures below).

Me and Lukas with his Robot and Mountain Goat webkinz. Let me tell ya, that robot is the most annoying thing ever, and knowing their dad, it will probably be in the trash in a couple weeks but he just had to have it :) Also, he has a thing for mountain goats right now, so the webkinz was perfect. He named it Jake. Why? Who knows ;)

Me and Tyce with his Star Wars Legos. This was basically the only thing on his list. And this particular one was basically the only one I could afford. These things are a rip off. Well anyways, he already had this one so we went right away to Target to exchange it. Everywhere we went, they were totally picked over with the lego choices so he ended up with hockey cards and a catfish webkinz. He named his Copper. (After the rock)

Me and Noah with his tackle box filled with lures. This was my favorite gift to buy. This past summer the boys were obsessed with fishing. Every day they asked to go to Sandy Pines so they could fish. Noah showed me some lures that he wanted so we picked out a few to put inside. (The rest he will get for his birthday when it is closer to fishing season)

Me and the boys. Love them!!!

Lastly, me opening my presents. I got a very fuzzy pink North Face coat. I was shocked. The story to go with this is when Noah and I were shopping at Dick's for fishing lures I saw this coat. As we walked by it I stopped to take a look. I mentioned that I loved it and was going to tell Jonny I want it for Christmas. He remembered all weekend until his mom got home and then told her I wanted it. I thought that was so sweet. Look at his face in the picture... he looks so happy that he remembered and that he knew I really wanted it. This coat is a little bit different than the one we saw and he made sure to tell me. But this one is thicker than the other one so Cally thought I would like it better. This way I can wear it this time of year. I love it!!!! I also got an adorable hat and ear muffs, and super cute paper with my name on it for school. They sure spoil me!

I am now looking forward to all the other parties we have this weekend! Tomorrow we are having Christmas with my parents. Thursday is Jon's family and my Dad's family. Friday is my mom's side of the family. We will be very busy but I absolutely love all the festivities!

Grandma Great Christmas Party

The annual Grandma Great Christmas party was last Sunday. Yes, my Grandma Great has been gone for years now but I still call it her party. This is the party where all my moms Aunts and Uncles get together. Us cousins make it fun though. This year we all met at my house and crammed into my car and headed off. The car ride alone was hilarious. Overall the party turned out great and just about everyone made it!

Court and Britt in the way back of my car.

The Barr Cuzys. (plus the boyfriends)

Brittners and I

Me and CoCo

Gram and Me

Christmas Vacation....

... and I have 2 weeks off!!! I love my job!!!

ElfYourself

This caught my funny bone when I watched it on Kari's blog so I decided to make one too. I have been laughing all night :) Jon thinks I'm a dork but he likes it too. He even wants to show his students at school tomorrow! Everyone should make one and post it! It's hilarious... and so easy.
Okay, so this is not working, try seeing it from this link:

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/etoILJbFLLo4GAoq

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Just Because

Well, Our laptop crashed.. I got it booted up enough to at least attempt to retrieve my BILLIONS of pictures. While doing so, I found these old videos... Enjoy :)

Snowed In!

Today is snow day number 2 for me, and number 3 for Jon. Today is the kind of snow day that I don't like but is good for me. It's the kind that doesn't let me leave the house. I am such a Grandma driver in the snow anyway so when its blowing and slippery, I will stay home. Last Friday's snow day was perfect. I was at the Lindhouts so I was so excited to be home with them all day. We played outside for hours and then ventured to the mall for lunch and to make Christmas lists. It was so fun. (See pics on my facebook page, I am being a lazy blogger today.)
Anyways, as for today, ALL my presents are wrapped and waiting under the tree, and my house is super clean. I am just finishing the last couple loads of laundry and organizing my movies. Jon is out snowblowing and cleaning the garage. Deisel is out, in his doggie boots ;) playing in the snow. What a great day!!! However, I have run out of things to do and now I am going a bit crazy! I really should take the time to add pics. However, I think Jon and I might try to go to Target a little later, just to get out. :)

Happy Snow Everyone!!!

December???

Really? It's December aleady? I can't even believe it. Time sure flies!!! I just updates my facebook too... If it is December, I am ready to see some snow. Christmas music is one of my favorite things around the holidays and it is so much more enjoyable with some white fluffy stuff on the ground.

Also...

My Christmas cards as sealed and ready to be mailed out. So, time to post it on here.

I am so proud of my card this year!!!(and my parents) Hahahah I know it sounds cheesy but I made them on photoshop. With the help of Katie of course. So, here they are...

Our Ever-So-Busy Holiday Weekend

Well people, for starters our laptop crashed this week. Sad Day! We have a new desktop computer but sadly it does not yet have Internet. We used to "borrow" our neighbors. Shhh... ;) So, I am beyond lost without it. Anyways... now onto my fabulous long weekend...
And P.S. I am having some serious picture issues so you will only see a few...

Wednesday...

You all know Jon LOVES to hunt. Sadly he has yet to get a deer. Well, a lady at my school got a "few extra" and was so kind as to give Jon one. Made his day! So, Wednesday we spent the entire day cleaning and cutting up a deer. We now have lots of meat for HIM to eat :) I am not so sure I can eat that stuff. Beware, below are a few pictures of this lovely looking deer. Believe it or not it did not disgust me at all. I think after going through school as a science major I have dissected more than enough animals in my time. :)

Well, my full deer pics are M.I.A. so I guess these 2 will have to do...

Thursday...

Turkey Day it was! We started off at Jon's parents where we enjoyed a fabulous turkey lunch with his family. I made the nieces and nephews a cute little turkey treat. (see below). After lunch we went to my Aunt and Uncles where we enjoyed delicious desserts. And had a little family photo shoot. My uncle is getting into photography and just bought a backdrop and wanted to try it out. Later that night Matt and Lori came over and planned our attack for Black Friday. We pulled an all-nighter and headed to Walmart at 1 am. (You can wait inside there) :)

My turkey treat :)

Grandma and Grandpa with their grandkids and granddogs!

Friday...

We shopped, and shopped and shopped some more. Wow, did we ever buy a lot. We could not even see each other in my vehicle there was so much stuff piled up. So Fun!!! After shopping we went out for breakfast at Rainbow Grill. Delish...

After breakfast we went home and Lori wanted to play "show and tell" :) We shop so fast we don't even remember what we buy. We plugged in a movie a took a little cat nap. An hour later we headed out to get our Christmas tree. We found the perfect one, brought it home and decorated away. (Picture to come soon) Jon also put the lights up on the outside of the house. Thanks hunny, they look great :)

Matt and Jon waiting in line at 2 a.m.

On the way home... we couldn't even see out the window

Saturday...

Jon left bright and early with Matt to go hunting once again. What's new? So, I decide to go shopping again. My mom, her friend Janet, my Grandma and her friend Geneva all went shopping. We ventured out to Muskegon. I got almost all my Christmas shopping done. Very successful day. That night I hung out with Kari. Just some quality girl time. Chit Chatting about this and that... And of course we made a quick run to Target for a few cheap movies. Then off to bed. I was exhausted!

Sunday...

I tried another new church. Kentwood Community. This is where Court and Jeff go. It was a very good service. Great music. Church shopping is just so hard to do. I think Ada Bible still rates to the top, if it weren't so far away. Pretty much a lazy day, didn't do too much.

Well, there you have it. Sorry its quite a long post. Who knows when I will be able to post again. Or if I will have anything exciting to write about. I do get to have my little loves this weekend. Thursday-Sunday. However it is a jam packed, hockey filled weekend. I hope you all had a fabulous Thanksgiving weekend!

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things...

• Taking pictures of anything and everything
• Collecting the latest and greatest children’s books
• The feeling of clean sheets on the bed at night
• Holding little babies tight in my arms
• My incredible family and amazing friends
• Being able to work with kids everyday
• Getting letters/cards in the mail, Christmas time is the best!
• Vacations…I wish I could leave now and travel all over the world.
• Shopping, anywhere and everywhere!
• Looking through old pictures and taking a walk down memory lane
• Even better, watching old videos of us as kids
• Emailing, facebooking, and blogging. It’s a great way to stay connected
• Quiet walks on the beach while watching the sunset
• Making doughboys around the campfire
• Being outside alone and admiring all the remarkable things God gave us
• Driving through neighborhoods at night looking at Christmas lights
• Candy, candy, and even more candy
• Decorating for each and every holiday. I love being festive!
• Curling up on the couch with a snack, watching a movie
• A hot shower after being out in the cold
• Cuddling with my hubby at night
• Laughing so hard your eyes water and your stomach hurts
  

The list goes on and on, but as the title says…”these are a FEW of my favorite things”

What is a list of YOUR favorite things?

Traverse City

This weekend was girls weekend! Jon has been hunting and it was time for me to get away from home too. The Grand Valley girls got together and ventured up to Traverse City (Kari's Hometown). Love these girls, we can just be together and have a great time. We laughed all weekend! Here is a little of what our weekend consisted of...

Of course we HAD to go to Popkies... my all time favorite spot to buy colored popcorn!

Us "down state" girls were dying at the fact they put there Christmas Tree in the middle of the street. Cars just drive around it like its no big deal.

Smoothies from Juice Island.... delish!

Leelanau Wineries... I loved the look of this place.

Us with our wine

Me, Danielle, Kari and Diane

Tasting at Gill's Pier. We had so much fun! Free Wine... it doesn't get any better than that :)

Dee and Little Woody :)

Dinner at Bubba's

Of course we also can't make a trip to TC without getting Moomers ice cream. So funny, Danielle and I didn't like any of the flavors so Kari was nice enough to ask if they had any mint chip in the back... and they DID. Thanks to this dude, Jon! Danielle took his picture. :)

Enjoying our Mint Chocolate Chip

Such a fun weekend. We need to do it more often. Christmas break girls... its a must!!!

Frustrated....

Okay people... Right now I cannot stand my blog. It has issues beyond issues! The background never shows up, the friends list never updates, its ugly and it just drives me nuts! If you have noticed, I haven't blogged much lately and that is why. I really need to take the time to make this thing look cute. So bare with me the next, who know who long, while I try to update my blog. And yes, I currently have snowflakes as my background. (Although you probably can'y see it b/c it never shows up) But if its going to be this stinken cold it may as well snow. It makes my Christmas music so much more enjoyable!

Shop Till You Drop

Hurray, I am finally updating, but sorry, no pictures with this one. Jon and I have both been very busy. It's that time of year where school takes over, those dreadful parent/teacher conferences. Luckily I don't have to do these yet but Jon has been busy with last minutes papers to correct and report cards to fill out. He has also been hunting EVERY weekend, so I make plans for every second he is gone. This brings me to my post... Shopping!!! I seem to be very good at it lately. On Saturday I went on a bus trip with Erin. We went shopping at Great Lakes Mall in Auburn Hills. I had to be up at 5am, YIKES! We shopped at that one mall, ALL DAY. It is HUGE! Such fun! I got home around 1AM the next day and man was I tired. I bought some things but really not much at all. And I didn't get any Christmas presents. Bummer! I have really become a deal shopper which I never was in the past. I ended up with 2 new dress scarves ($5 each), 2 new shirts (one was $5 and one was $2), a pair of Aldo, brown, knee high dress boots for $30 regular $126! Yup Huge Deal :) and a pair of Privo shoes which I have been wanting for a really long time, which were $85 on sale for $50 Overall we had a great time. Oh one more thing, we played a little game on the way home on the bus about different things people bought. A couple questions were who spent the least and who spent the most. I thought this was crazy so I had to share... The person who spent the least, spent $32 (which we laughed about b/c is was $40 to even go on it.) And the person who spent the most spent $750! Holy Guacamole! Really? Anyways, hopefully a new update will be much sooner than this one.

Halloween

Well, I am feeling lazy so instead of writing, just enjoy a few pictures from Halloween.

Jon's bat pumpkin and my "normal" pumpkin.

Saturday morning J and Matt went up hunting, so Lori came over to help me hand out candy. (I love the fact that Matt is hunting now too, now I have someone to hang out with all weekend) :) Neither one of us had plans Saturday during the day, and you know that does not go over well with me. :) I decided we should make caramel apples. They are my FAVORITE treat ever and I have always wanted to make them, so we did. It was a lot of fun and for the first time ever, they didn't turn out too bad. (The second batch looked much more presentable. But they both tasted great.)

The preparation work for our apples

The finished product

Cupcakes... I love confetti cupcakes with the confetti frosting, I had a box in my house so these had to be made. It just might be the last time I get them. Gluten free diet starts soon! More on that later :(

SOME of the goodies we had that night. I made every bit of junk food I could that night, just in case I don't ever... get to eat it... again :(

The basket of candy. YUM! We had a huge variety from popcorn to airheads to chocolate to fruit snacks and even glow sticks. I love halloween and I love handing out yummy candy! Most of all I love hearing "Whoa, they have to best stuff ever!"

This is Mason... Courtney's friend Kelli's little boy. They came over for a visit on Halloween too. Is he not the cutest thing you have ever seen?!

He kept trying to look out the window for the trick-or-treaters but wasn't quite tall enough.

Love it <3

Lori and I enjoying our caramel apples!