Weekend at Grandma Pep's

Mia and I escaped!!!

We left Friday evening after a horrible office day for me at school and took to the open freeways of Michigan. We were on our way to the U.P.. I plugged my destination in to our Tom Tom and off we went. We arrived a little after 9:00pm and all eyes were on Mia. What's new.
We chatted a bit, Mia had some cereal and then to bed. We had the whole king bed to ourselves. She literally had to be laying on me to fall asleep that night; one arm, both legs, nose to nose, back side, just her hand, one leg, cheek to cheek... then I abandoned her and took off to other other side and got some zzzz's. Saturday morning she warmed up to Grandpa Rick and he helped her get dressed.

I convinced Grandma Pep to make some of her famous Goats Milk soap. She made some lavender then some lemongrass bars of soap.

Mia layed down for a nap and Rick made some of his famous chocolate chip cookies and then the deer came in!

There were seven to the herd we saw and were able to witness the heirarchy while they fed outside the window of their house. How often is it you can introduce a new animal to your 19 month old by seeing them through an all glass wall only 4 yards away? It was magnificent! I think she learned more new words this weekend than she has in the last few months! We just layed on our tummies next to the windows and watched them come and go, boss each other around and eat the deer feed.

We just relaxed and talked and relaxed and laughed at Mia, then laughed at Mia some more. She is so funny to watch and take in. The sunset was nice and dinner was healthy and good! Mia went and got her boots and coat and brought them to me. So, we dressed and went outside for a super quick walk in the cold. We tried for too long to bring up a DVD and ate a big piece of apple pie before retiring to bed.

Sunday morning Mia modeled for Grandma Pep and got some cute pics!



Thank you Grandma Pep and Grandpa Rick! We love the serenity you provide us whenever we come to visit. Love you!

Montessori Children's House

I guess I haven't really posted any pic's of the school! Well, here it is, and we also have a new website www.mchkids.net so you will all have to check it out if you get a chance!! Enrollment time is upon us and if you or anyone you know is interested, pass the website info on and our OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for Saturday, FEBRUARY 6, from 11:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.. Hope to see you there!

Lonely Sports Weekend

This week Thursday - Sunday afternoon I played single parent to my three children. Eric has had to work the most insane hours. Ex: Friday, 8 AM - 6 PM then Friday 8 PM - Saturday 3 PM. My new duties included no working out, going to Hockey World, fitting new skates and a stick for Lucas, Saturday morning getting the kids all ready and heading out to a hockey tournament, dressing both boys and taping a stick for the first time, and then heading out to a birthday party to catch the last 40 minutes and wrestling all three to and at church today! I was really proud of myself! We sure did miss daddy though! I am here to announce to all those that were so worried... he is rested, fed and recovering nicely.

Mia hanging out ON me at the game.

Lucas on the bench waiting patiently to play.


Lucas in action... trying to score!


Elijah waiting and jumping out of his skin to play.


Elijah skating after the action.


Mia shooting baskets at the Birthday Party!

Some Family Christmas Time

My Grandma Pep and all her little Great Grand Babies... minus the newest edition that was sleeping...

The wise female generation of the Starkweather side; Grandma Pep, my mother Alisa, myself and Mia...

The Blanzy/Mika Crew that showed up for the party; Grandpa Jay, Aaron, Eric, Mia, myself, Grandma Alisa, Lucas, Elijah and my new sister-in-law Sonya...

Photo shoot with Grandpa Jeff of Mia...

Me and by beautiful daughter, who was sick, tired and starving at the time...

Christmas Day

Here are a few shots of our Christmas morning... or if you have a keen eye and attention to detail... the first picture is actually right after Santa placed all the gifts under the tree, forgot to fill the stockings and right before he munched on the cookies and milk placed by the tree... the kids at least sprinkled the reindeer food outside to attract the reindeer and Santa to our house... whew!!!

...yes, Lucas got an Easy Bake oven this year for Christmas! He was head over heals :)

Santa House 2009

This was our family's first year attending the Santa House downtown Midland. It was fun, cold and a long wait... almost 2 hours!! but, fun! They had a local church handing out hot cocoa and a trombone playing Christmas music outside which really set a nice holiday spirit for all those enduring the wait. The kids could go and play in the igloo they had or visit Santa's reindeer, Comit and Cupid and say "Hi!"

Once we got in, the Santa House had all kinds of toys for the children to play with while we waited in line for another 30 minutes to see Santa which was really nice! They really enjoyed themselves until it drew closer to see and actually talk with Santa. Elijah had to give himself a little pep talk because he still fears the man for some reason. They did finally get their chance to talk to the "helper" of Santa and tell him the 1 or 2 things they could think of for Christmas. It was great memories!

Little Miss Mia

What a hoot! Mia enjoyed her first active participant cooking experience with Mama in the kitchen! She got to wear her own apron and help me mix the cookie batter all while listening to Christmas music. She busted out some moves and I supposed instead of really "helping" I caught her shoving the Hershey Kisses in her mouth every time I took my eyes off her. I think I counted 10 by the time I was able to shove them in the oven! ... Needless to say, I didn't have to make lunch that afternoon!

First Hockey Game!

The end of the Fall Hockey season commenced with the Gladwin Jamboree, which was basically the boys first experience at a hockey game. It wasn't scored but the boys each scored one goal and were very aware of it!!! The top picture has Lucas to the left of the new just standing there... typical... and the middle picture has Elijah, #24 trying to score. The boys are in their Winter season now and loving the time we spend taking them to the outdoor ice rinks: Their cousins house or Fremont with Grandpa... who needs to get some skates of his own... Hockey runs deep in our family and over Christmas break got talking with my dad who informed me "Bapa" (My dad's dad,) played with a majority of the 1968-69 Red Wings team on a semi-pro team out of the Detroit area. This team included players such as Gordie Howe, Alex Delvecchio and Gary Bergman. We feel priveledged that the boys are so passionate thus far to play and to carry on the legacy!!

Outdoor rink in Freemont

Thanksgiving Program

The 1st grade at Adams Elementary traditionally does a Thanksgiving Program each year... which many of you know programs were a big part of my past... so, I have a soft spot in my heart for them and all the hard work that is put in to them by the students and staff especially!!! Here are a few pics of Elijah and his buddies during their performance... he was a turkey!

This picture we will cherish because our good friends from Japan will be returning shortly and will be greatly missed!!!

Mia at the Mall!

Yikes!! Has it really been that long??? Well, this holiday season has been very busy for our family between the 9 holiday parties and all... so, followers, I am back on the wagon... sorry!!!

I'm just going to do a bit of catching up the next week or so... here are some really cute pic's of Mia looking at herself in the mall... she knew for weeks where the display was and would want us to take her right there to look at the "baby!" ... until one day, they were gone! She seriously went 'round and 'round the display until we had to hall her away, only for them to be delivered to the school to go on display in the hallway! So, when I get around to that, that is where you can sneak a peak of my little bundle of girlie joy!