Fall Fun

Chili

I have never been crazy about my standard chili recipe. It really lacked something...but I could never figure out what. Thanks to my darling cousin Katie, chili has been saved! I made her recipe tonight and it was fantastic. Check out her blog at http://thefallhouse.blogspot.com/

A traitor amongst us...

All in all, I think I am a good mom. But somewhere along the line I went wrong. Really wrong. My 7 year old son seems to think that he is a Michigan fan. Not so long ago were the days that the ultimate insults slung in our house were "You're a stinky Michigan fan" followed by gasps and giggles. But now, the mud flies both ways. Well, he's only 7...there's hope yet?!!

Stinky Michigan Fan!

Brothers divided

Harvest Stompede

A few weekends ago, I went with my girlfriends and my sister for our second annual Harvest Stompede. We did 1o vineyards in 7 hours...and lived to tell the story. Here are a few highlight pictures.

Ciccone

They made an amazing Cherry Peach Port. Mmmm...

Black Star Farms

Cheese...all I can say is cheese!

Good Neighbor Organic

45 North

Peach wine...really peachy wine!

A good time was had by all

Last night my cousin Heather got married. Their original wedding date was set for a Saturday in October but Xavier (the groom) is in the Air Force and got deployment orders for Iraq a couple of weeks ago. In true Ferguson fashion, Aunt Donna, Heather, and Katie pulled everything together and moved the wedding date up 6 weeks. Since it became a Friday night wedding with a late starting reception, we decided it best to leave the kids at home and enjoy some much needed adult time....though today I felt like a child. Apparently giving myself the permission to be irresponsible (no kids and we had a DD) was my first mistake. Note to self....not 21 anymore. We had a ball with all the cousins and friends we enjoyed childhood with. At the reception, we had lots of pitchers, lots of laughs, lots of memories, and lots of dancing (or something that resembled dancing). Since the "night was still young" we decided to continue our reunion tour at a local bar...and stay for last call. I think it is safe to day that my days of keg beer and last calls are over...for now.

Mark and I as "grown ups"

The Lewli's

Reunion

Katie, Mandy, Allie, Kristen, Heather, Jamie, and Beth

Allie, Mandy and Kate...a few sheets to the wind

The guys feeling gooooood

I think it is safe to say a good time was had by all. We wish Heather and Xavier a long and wonderful life together.

Prayers to Xavier. Be safe and God speed.

Freshly sharpened pencils...

So I've always been a little nerdy when it comes to the first day of school. I love nothing more than new school clothes (fall clothes are the best) and school supplies. The more I think about it now, I think what I really like is the clean slate. A fresh start. And routine.

After the summer we had, I think we are all ready for the clean slate and routine. So, while it is sad to say goodbye to summer, play dates, neighborhood gatherings, and bonfires I am more than ready to welcome football games, hayrides, and EARLY BEDTIMES. Let's face it. I'm whooped!

Sam, Jack and Justin

Proud Kindergartener

Sam and Jack trying to humor me...not working

Gabe getting ready to ride the bus home

Sam at Kindergarten Begindergarten

Festival on the Bay

Again, I know it has been too long but it has been a busy summer. We had a great family weekend...yes, I got a Saturday off. Petoskey had their 6th Annual Festival on the Bay. We went twice and had a ball. There was a Kid's area filled with fun things to do, Jack and Mark went on the Jiiman (a 25 person canoe), we watched the sand castle artists, and heard lots of great music. It was a ball...and cheap!

Sam took this picture...and Jack added his own touch.

Jack and Mark on the Jiiman...
or as Mark put it " a canoe full of people who have never canoed before"

Sam by the amazing sandcastle

Molly after her haircut with Aunt Katie today.

Embarassment to blogging

OK...this is exactly why I was never successful keeping a journal of any kind. I have no dedication. But here are a few recent pictures of from the busy month of July.

Great Grandpa's visit

Playdate with the twins

Parade fun

Busy...busy...busy

We have had a busy couple of weeks since school let out.

Sam turned five this past week...complete with Slip-N-Slides.

Jack lost his other top front tooth...all he wants for summer is his 2 front teeth.

Molly got on the potty training wagon...thank God for small favors.

And of course...Fathers Day! Mark and his buddy Keith got on a tractor and doubled our lawn! We have enough room for stadium lights and bleechers now. Bring on the nieghborhood ball games. But of course, we found time for bonfires and s'mores. Mark is back to work 6 days a week and my store is starting to get busy. As always, summer is going to go fast!

Random pictures from the last month

Laura and I at the Papa Lou's pizza eating contest.

~FUNNY STORY~

PAST:Laura's mom and my mom are cousins and they grew up on the same road in Saginaw. PRESENT: Laura lives in my subdivision and teaches at Jack (and now Sam's) school. Talk about small world. I had never met the girl. Such a shame...she's great!

I see bonfires and wine in our future!

And, YES, I chopped my hair.

Sam, Molly, and Kailyn...can you say "hams"?

Molly and Marley just relaxing

I believe the song goes "Jack and Kailyn sitting in a tree..."
She calls him her "Boyfriend"
His response "Oh brother"


The Lewli's
Sam, Gabe, Jack, Molly, and Megan


Molly and Kenzie in the "bath-a-tub"

Sam and Kailyn sharing a seat at the bonfire

Ya-Ya and Molly at soccer

Mandy (pre-hair cut) and Ya-Ya

Sisters...it's a beautiful thing

Matt, Mark and I at the Habitat for Humanity auction

Matt's first volunteer experience.

His exact words were

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

Jack on Mark's tree stand in our back yard...yes, in our backyard.

Molly...sassy pants. That says it all.

The girl does like to accessorize!

Well, I haven't kept up great but there is us in a nutshell. I'll have more pics of t-ball and Sam's birthday hopefully in the next week or so...I hope!

You might be a redneck if...

...Your son answers to Fred Bear.

...Your son uses the Little Tikes playhouse as a deer blind.

...Your son remarkably resembles Ted Nugent Jr.

Future Class of 2021

Today Sammy hit a major milestone...he completed preschool and never has to go back. Thank goodness. This guy has been ready for Kindergarten for a year now. So, it's off to Kid's Camp for the summer and then to Kindergarten in the fall. Scary to think ahead to 2021 though. If he's 2021, that'd make Molly 2024. Eek!