Personalized Santa Video

For those of you with kids, here is a link to their very own personalized Santa video.

Be sure to download a picture of your child(ren) when prompted . . . . . . . it is very cool! Kyle and Clara loved the videos they received from Santa and were amazed by how much he knew about them.
Enjoy! :)

Happy Birthday Kyle

Happy Birthday to Kyle today! He turned seven years old. It seems like only yesterday that we brought him home from the hospital. Time sure flies when you're having fun (and getting older)! Ha, ha. :) Here are a few random photos from his younger years.

Kyle's birthday present this year was a new set of Legos (the crawler crane). We gave it to him this morning and he was so excited he literally jumped into Craig's arms. It was very sweet! We are very lucky to have such a happy, healthy boy.

Santa Parade

On Friday evening - after clearing out the 12 inches of newly fallen snow - we went to the Coopersville Santa Parade with our friends (and neighbors) Eric, Jen, and their daughter Kasey. A great time was had by all as we watched the parade go through Main Street. Even Kyle and I got in on the action as we walked with his Cub Scout pack before bailing part way through so we could watch the rest with everyone else. Following the parade, we went to the new middle school and had hot chocolate and cookies with Santa!

Don't BEE Afraid!

Last weekend, when the weather was still nice, Craig and Kyle went outside to do some 'yard work.' One of the things we needed to do before the snow came was dig around the bottom of our pine trees so they could get some more water. They were looking a little dry around the bottom. Anyway, a little while later I heard a knock at our deck door. I went to see who it was and there was Kyle holding a shovel full of bumblees!!!! I kid you not! The bumblebees were humming and flapping their wings, but strangely, they were not moving. The boys thought it was pretty cool. I did not. It was one of the freakiest (for lack of a better word) things I have ever seen! Apparently, Craig and Kyle uncovered a nest of about 100 bumblebees that were hibernating while digging around one of the pine trees. Who knew bumblebees hibernated! Kyle was so intrigued that he asked if he could take some to school for show and tell! Now there's a scene out of a movie for you. Don't worry, he won't be taking bumblebees to school anytime soon. Here are a few photos for you.

ArtPrize 2010

We have written previously about how Kyle enjoys art. A few weeks back, he won Honorable Mention in a "Drug Free" poster contest at school and a few days ago he brought home the following items! We are so proud of how well he does. Perhaps we have a future ArtPrize contestant?

Chili and Corn Bread

This morning I made a big batch of chili in the crock pot. It is making our house smell very good. We can't wait to eat it tonight with some warm corn bread - yummy! For those of you who enjoy chili, here is the recipe.

Slow-Cooked Chili
-1 lb. lean ground beef (I use sirloin)
-1/2 lb. bulk Italian pork sausage
-1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
-1 can (28 oz) whole tomatoes, undrained
-1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
-1 tsp. sugar
-1 to 1.5 tsp. ground cumin
-2 tsp. chili powder
-1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
-1 can (15 oz) spicy chili beans, undrained (I sometimes use mild chili beans)
-1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans, drained, rinsed

1. In skillet, cook beef, sausage and onion over medium-high heat until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.
2. In slow cooker, mix beef mixture and remaining ingredients. Break up tomatoes with spoon.
3. Cover; cook on low heat setting 7 to 8 hours. Top individual servings with sour cream and green onions, if desired.

Art Prize - Part 2

Well, we are still here!  Between work, soccer, Cub Scouts, gymnastics, etc. . . . . . . . we haven't had much time for blogging lately.  Anyway, I wanted to share the remainder of our Art Prize photos before the competition is officially over.  The final results were announced this week, but the art is still on display in Grand Rapids.  I hope you enjoy our photos as much as we appreciated having all of the beautiful art in the city.  We are looking forward to Art Prize 2010!!!

The table and chairs was one of my favorites!

I was suprised this one didn't make the top ten.  The water

spun the wheel around and there was an animated horse running.

This was in front of the Gerald R. Ford museum (not part of Art Prize).

Another one by the Gerarld R. Ford Museum (not part of Art Prize).

Finally - one of Clara!

Craig and Clara at the GVSU Pew Campus.

The kids enjoyed the art.

It was a great day!