Eric's Madrigal

OOPS. Well I must have been busy. In early December Eric took part in a Madrigal Dinner put on by the Show Choir at his school. He was one of few with a speaking role! Jaime, Jackson, Jakob, Corey, Patti and I all attended at a family to show our support for Eric and he graciously reserved us a great table with a view!!

Please see the attached photos!! I can't believe I forgot to blog on this AWESOME event!!

Eric is really enjoying singing with the Show Choir, performing as well as competing.

He is about to play the LEAD (Fred) role in the Spring Musical at school "Kiss Me Kate"--which is HUGE as a Freshman to be cast as the lead. He was quite surprised himself!!! We are so proud and excited for him.

I am heading up a fundraiser for his show choir through Eye Candy, we have created "Kiss Me Kate" crystal designed shirts as well as various LHS shirts to sell and have joined forces with a local screen printer for Kiss Me Kate shirts for the men! I am hoping that this fundraiser will be a huge success for the Show Choir!!

Keep checking back, I will make certain to add pictures as well as write a "reveiw" for the Kiss Me Kate production. Many friends and family plan on attending--Eric is building up quite the fan club already!

xoxox

Mare

Spring Break 2008

Last week of March was Spring Break for Eric and Jakob and we took a Royal Caribbean Cruise to the Bahamas, mom and Traci joined us.

We had beautiful sunny skies and the weather was in the mid to low 80's the entire trip.

Traci and I seemed to like it better while docked, we both had a bit of Sea Sickness!!

The boys were able to rock climb, snorkel in the Ocean, swim in the pool on board the ship and take part in various activites on board for their specific age range.

All in all it was a good trip, however I don't think I will be cruising again anytime real soon!!

To everyone who assured me I would NOT feel the motion of the ocean while on the ship: LIARS!!

Be sure to see more pictures below!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

WOW! What a fabulous whirlwind we have had!! We have had a lot of fun together!! Christmas Eve was hosted at Jaime's house, she prepared a delicious Prime Rib Roast for everyone and we were blessed with great weather this Christmas and Traci and Mom were able to join us! Everyone got and gave lovely gifts this year, but the very best was us all being able to celebrate together.

I don't know if it's age, or the reflection of three Christmas' past without my father but I feel as if I have so very much to be thankful for. I am so grateful to have such a loving and supportive family, not only just loving and support--but a closeness--sometimes as my mom would say "too close" but at the end of the day--bickering and all I really wouldn't want it any other day. I am so proud to be so close with my sisters, mom and nephew Jack. Jack is my sister's (Jaime) only child--but with being so close with Eric and Jake he is far from an "only child"!

My boys are getting so big and they both strive to do well in school they are loving, respectful yet have strong minds as well as opinions of their own. I am so proud of them. Eric at 15 is so focused on what he wants out of life and in his future and every day does something to get him closer to his goal. His first semester as a High School Freshman has been a successful one, he pulled off straight A's in all honors classes which landed him on the High Honor Roll--again!! He is a true leader and has no problem voicing his opinions. Little Jake--well I say little but soon he too will be hovering over mom like Eric. Jakob also has his ideas of what he wants--at 10, they may be a little far fetched but we all have had our dreams! Jakob also has had a great school year so far, at the Ball Charter School they do not use "letter" grades until the 7th grade, but he is doing VERY well!! Like his brother they both have very creative minds and TALENT!!! Especially when it comes to music, they both sing quite well and love their instruments. Jakob is starting on a 5th grade co-ed volleyball team this Spring--his brother played on the same team in the 5th grade and Jake has been looking forward to it sine then!

I am also very grateful for those who have been "adopted" into my family over the years and they are my extraordinary fabulous friends, who I love and cherish. Without you--I would have lost my sanity years ago!!! Bless you all, for being there, loving me back and for reading my blog!!!

I hope you all feel as blessed as I do!!

Love,

Mare

Happy Thanksgiving!!

I hope everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving!! We definetly did, this is one for the records! I cooked and mom, Jaime and Patti all brought dishes as well. As you can see above, Traci with Eric at the dinner table and Traci, Jaime and I (hear no evil, see no evil and speak no evil--that's us!) had an extremely good time with Eric taking our pictures--see more below! We all ate a bit too much--and perhaps a bit to much of that delicious German wine mom brought back for us from Germany. (hmmm ya think?)
Just getting ready for Christmas now, I am far from done with Shopping but this year I actually know what everyone is getting ahead of time! That is officially a first for me! I am usually the one spending countless hours LOOKING for those perfect gifts.
Stay warm and safe! xoxoxo

JAKOB BREAKS AN ARM...no not a leg!

Every parent’s nightmare...that dreaded phone call from school....Yes that recently happened to me!! The child that will be the source of each and every one of my gray hairs-- fell off a zip-line at recess and broke his left arm. YES that is the hand he writes with too!!!!! Just wondering if anyone other than myself asked "why do they have ZIP LINES at recess????" Okay, great than it's not just me. My BESTEST friend Amy works at a school in our home town of Joliet where they also have Zip lines, and it seems to be the source of injury when not used properly....the kids seem to have more fun when pushed by another student--which as it happens is exactly how Jake was hurt! He did comfort me the next day by admitting he realized that the day prior was "almost as hard on me as it was for him..almost"!

I guess it has been awhile since I updated, sorry!!

My mom and Traci returned safely from their Germany trip, and they had a great time, but both seemed REALLY happy to be home. They toured A LOT while there--Switzerland, Paris etc. ...and yes they brought back some awesome gifts (and YUMMY chocolate!!)

Eric made the first quarter honor roll, and looks as if he will make second quarter. He really likes High School and all that entails. His Cross Country season has ended, he is well into the Scholastic Bowl season and he will be performing with his Show Choir at a Madrigal Dinner in December! He has been quite busy---and thank god no broken bones (I would like to age gracefully thank you!!)

I am starting to plan for Thanksgiving I get to cook for the family this year, very excited to have everyone here for the Holiday!!

Well, thank you once again by entertaining me and actually reading this!
Please have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!!

The New Ride

It's been a busy week or so. Last week Jaime and Jack were in Jessica's Wedding (Jessica is a long time friend of Jaime and is Jackson's godmother..see below for pictures).

We purchased a new vehicle a 2007 Dodge Nitro!! We needed some more space...and we have kept my 2005 Stratus for Eric to drive when he is 16...so for the meantime we are parking Corey's truck (with gas prices what they are) and he will drive the Stratus until Eric is in drivers training!

along?? (Amber is 3 weeks from giving birth!!)

Eric's Cross Country season is moving along nicely as well as Jakob's Steelers!! Corey has been extremely busy with work, so he is looking forward to the end of the football season -- we have about 3 more weeks!! We will be hosting an end of the season "tailgate" at our house for the team on Oct 21.

This weekend is Lanphier's Homecoming. Eric is still undecided whether or not he is going to go, however he is enjoying Spirit Week!! As a member of LEAP (basically the PTA of Lanphier) I am working a shift Homecoming -- which I am really looking forward to...I think my shift is in the parking lot though!! (LOL)

Three Sisters

Jaime sent this picture to me to use on the Family Blog. This was probably taken sometime in the very early 80's.