My Baby's First 5K

Avery has some pretty awesome 6th grade teachers this year.  Mr. Swanson and Ms. Doran have been motivational, fun, and hard-working.  Most impressive is that they have inspired their students to join in the city's annual Dow Run/Walk.  The kids were expected to complete at least 1 mile in the run/walk, but given the option to run alongside their teachers in the 5K if they chose to.  Not normally a huge runner, Avery stepped up to the challenge.  She started out thinking she would just do the mile, but as she trained for it both during school and after, I think she got the running bug.  She ended up running alongside her teachers, and several of her buddies.  It was a great event, and we were so proud of her determination and example.

Some of the girls on the A-team

Northeast 6th grade A-team

She crosses the finish line!

So proud of Avery!!

Dow Diamond Art Show 2014

The girls have gotten some artistic genes, thanks to the Browns/Sheffields/Days/Oglesbys...they are both really talented, and have gotten some recognitions recently.  Midland Public schools had an Art show this past Spring, where both girls had several pieces selected to show.

It was nice to see their hard work pay off, and we are very proud of their creativity and skills.

Avery's infamous "Spider-Bat"

7th grade self-portrait

Portrait of Demi Lovato 3 ways...color, black ink, and pencil

And before I forget my other little artist, here are some of her recent masterpieces.

The day of memorials, 2014

I have a clever new friend.  The kind of friend who LOVES Pinterest, has a craft/decor/family fun blog, and creates other cutesy stuff that helps make fun events that much "funner".  She is always coming up with just that little something extra to make things really memorable and special.  She invited a couple of us gals over to make Memorial Day fun bags for our families...the kit included ice cream sandwiches dipped in sprinkles on a stick wrapped in wax paper, the makings of US flags with graham crackers, frosting and sprinkles, and edible firecrackers made from pretzel rods dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.  Plus, she added real sparklers and fun-pops for the family.  It was not only fun to get together for girl talk, but it was also fun to take our bags home and make some yummy edibles with the family for Memorial Day!  Thank you Julia, for helping to make fun memories for all of us! 

The Reunion of the SEESTERS, 2014 - Rocky Mountain Edition

I had been looking forward to this event for-like-ever, people.  It was going to be the grand-daddy of all fun times to be had...the pinnacle of GIRL'S NIGHT OUT times infinity.  HAHA!  It was grand, and did not disappoint.  I just wish it didn't have to end!  But isn't that true for lots of things?!?

I began my trip on Wednesday afternoon, driving down to Detroit to stay with my parents before our flight out on Thursday morning.  That was nice because I was able to go out with my parents for a belated birthday dinner, and spend some time with them all to myself.

The next morning, Amy, Erin, and I converged upon the Detroit airport for our flight to DENVER!  Melanie would meet us there, and Shauna would pick us all up at the airport in the giant, white party suburban!

She's so cute, isn't she?!?

That first day we made our way up to Breckenridge, stopping off to eat and shop at an outlet mall on the way.  When we got there we did a little sight-seeing, picked up some groceries, made ourselves some dinner, and took a snow-capped dip in the outside hot tubs.  (It was May, might I remind you?!?)

The chocolate shoppe, first item on our itinerary!!

Cutest condo at the resort!

So festive to have the snow falling on us as we relaxed in the outdoor hot-tubs, haha!

The next day, we enjoyed a day at the Mountain Sanctuary day spa.  It was glorious!  But I have to say we all came away feeling a little bruised and tender.  It was worth it though!  We picked up a pizza on the way home, and just stayed in watching movies and relaxing.  That night we got dressed up for a night on the town...but it started snowing again, so we decided to just grab dinner and go back to the resort.  We were able to watch a movie in one of the screening rooms, and had plenty of snacks and treats to make it extra fun.

At the Mountain Sanctuary Day Spa

2 Mediterranean pizzas, please.

Getting our fix at the Loaf 'n Jug with our pizzas

Ready for a night out!

Selfies in the snow!

Sisters!  Guess which one is oldest...nobody wanted to answer that question!

Movie Night...that grocery bag was FULL of snacks and treats, haha!!

Saturday morning, we took it easy making breakfast and sitting around talking.  It was so nice to be able to just catch up, share experiences, and grow closer.  This is what it's all about.  We spent some time after breakfast hot-tubbing and planning our parent's 50th anniversary party this summer.  After we got ready, we decided to do some more shopping, and packing up to go back to Denver.  We had to fly out early Sunday morning, so we decided to stay the night at the Pierson's house closer to the airport.

It was such a relaxing, and wonderful to spend time with my sisters.  The thing I came away with from our time together were these thoughts, "we are never alone...in our happiness, sadness, triumphs, and sorrows...someone is always going through something similar, and trying their best to do the best they can...we have so much to teach each other, and so much to give to support each other...no matter how much time or distance there is between us, we will always be one in spirit and heart."  They are the most amazing people that teach and inspire me to be a better person, wife, mother, and sister.  Thank you for making it happen, girls!  Can't wait for the next one!!

A Day for Mothers, 2014

This is becoming one of my favorite holidays, y'all.  What's better than waking up to treats, cards, gifts, extra love and hugs, and being pampered all day?!?  This year didn't disappoint!

Each one of the girls made something very special for me this year.  I'm grateful for each one of them.

Here are a few highlights from the day.

A cake pop bouquet made by Mark and the girls...this had 3 different types of cake: homemade chocolate doughnut holes, chocolate chip cookies, and yellow cake.  They were decorated in my favorite colors of turquoise and blues.  It was not only so cute, but delicious too!

Thanks to Chippewa preschool, I had many gifts from the 4 year old.

Melts my heart.

A flower bouquet in a mason jar, and a cute sign.

I love the poem, although not original, I know it's from the heart.