Bad Blogger!

You must be an optimistic person if you're still checking our blog! I have actually been working and our internet service is spotty at night. Take those excuses and translate them to my truth: I have been exhausted at night! Last night I fell asleep at 8:30 on the couch while Gary had the Tiger's game BLARING and the lights all on. I woke up at 10:0-something with terrible neck pain, brushed my teeth, and went straight to bed underneath the pile of laundry he was folding on the bed, with the lights on. I passed out instantly and didn't wake up AT ALL until Frodo needed some attention at 4:30. The wild thing is that some of my students go to bed at 11:00 or later. Ahh, to be 8 again! Crazy kids!

We had an amazing weekend; so amazing that we kept forgetting to take pictures for the blog.

Friday afternoon, I left work early to get all prettied up for Gary's friend Jason's wedding. (Jason was in ours--he's the one with glasses who walked with Meredith.) It was a gorgeous wedding. The funniest part was when they were exchanging rings: the priest broke up the words for Jason to repeat like this:

Priest: Jennifer,
Groom: Jennifer,
Priest: (quickly) take this ring as a symbol of my love and fidelity
Groom: take this ring as a symbol of my love...(a look of "oh crap, I'm forgetting my vows and ruining the whole wedding" crosses his face)
Priest: and fidelity?
Congregation: (giggles quietly as Jason repeats)

Poor Jason. Jen did really well and didn't hammer out the word fidelity at all like I would have. The reception was a blast. Gary looked suprisingly great in his neon-turquoise-vested tux. I told him how nice he looked. Nothing in return, and I had gotten all dressed up and left work early to do my hair and make-up to go hang out with all of his college friends when all I could think about was that I was tired. In his defense, he was quite distracted by the open bar and his "wild" college buddies. I sat alone with his friends and heard the same three stories that he always tells me about his "crazy college days." They were even quoting movie lines.

Saturday afternoon we went to Ashley's Powder Puff game. It was CRAZY. I had no idea how huge this whole thing was. The whole thing wouldn't have even fit into my camera lens. She played really hard. Some of the other players got injured--we're talking bloody faces. Fortunately, Ashley only bore bruises. They have been practicing since early August and she missed her family vacation to Florida for practice, so I guess I should have expected it.

Then we hightailed it out of the Detroit area to make a late appearance at Angie and Brian's housewarming party in Holland. We had a blast, and, again, forgot to take pictures. Amber (from Georgia) is in Michigan this week for a wedding this Friday, so she was able to be there. We wish she lived in Michigan! Gary was SO sad when he found out that Mitch wasn't coming.

Sunday we drove home and went to Gary's parents to pick up the dogs. You should have heard his dad describe Frodo's 20 hour stay. Needless to say, he christened their new carpet in a puppy sort of way and cried endlessly all afternoon because he had to be tied up in their yard. He almost chewed through his leash! That dog is cute, but stubborn! They had Lucy, Breana and Craig's dog, on Saturday night while they were at a wedding nearby and babysitting three dogs makes them our heroes! Thank you for taking all of our dogs!! (We were told that they charge less for grandkids!)

We did get to see Ashley get picked up for her homecoming dance, though! Isn't she gorgeous! The guy seemed very nice, of course, and was very nervous! We heard she got home by 11:00, and Gary and I had joked to ourselves on Sunday night that we probably would be asleep by the time she got home...and we were.

We're working in the yard this weekend, and we'll post some photos of our progress. Sorry this post was boring!

It's a boy....AND a girl!!!!

Aunt Emily is ready to babysit (and to change diapers for the first time in her life).

Ethan William (top of photo)
5 lbs. 6 oz.
19 inches
6:48 p.m.
September 8, 2006

Audrey Angela (bottom of photo)
4 lbs. 14 oz.
18 inches
7:03 p.m.
September 8, 2006

Renee and Dan had the twins today!! She did a great job and the babies are absolutely gorgeous. Mommy, Daddy, and babies are all well. Their families filled the waiting room: Grandma Jo, Grandpa Gary, Aunt Emily, Aunt Breana, Uncle Craig, Grandma Melinda, Grandpa (oh my goodness, I forgot his name!), then Uncle Gary and Aunt Kim came right at the end. We were joined in their room by Aunt Ashley and Aunt Sarah (Dan's only sibling) once they head the babies were here. Ashley came straight from practice and still had grass hanging off of her socks.

Aunt Kim with Ethan--doesn't he look like Renee?

Uncle Gary, Ethan, and Daddy

Grandpa Gary said, "I've been waiting 9 months for this!" while he was posing for this shot.

"Can you believe they're ours?" Grandma Jo asked Aunt Ashley.

Aunt Breana waited all afternoon in the waiting room to hold this little one! (I think it's Audrey.)

We're going back tomorrow to see the new family again, and we'll have to get a photo of Uncle Craig--sorry we didn't have one of you. Craig bought new shoes--they're the same ones Gary has, so now they have matching brown Steve Madden shoes!

More Abby

I take it back, Abby looks like Brian. Check out his baby photo.

We spent the day at my parents. Gary and my dad took down a 40 feet tall ash tree and my mom and I went over to hold Abby.

Abby's Here!!!!!

Abigail Eve

September 1, 2006

around 5:40 p.m.

8 lbs. 1 oz.

19 inches

Sarah and Brian went to the hospital last night and Sarah was induced this morning. Brian called us and we all met at the hospital before visiting hours were over to meet Abby. She is adorable! She has a bit of blonde fuzz on her head and light, almost transparent eyebrows. She was only 3 hours old when we saw her, so we'll gather more details about her as we get to see her more. Abby looks a bit like her daddy, and a lot like her mommy. Sarah's mom said that Abby looks a lot like Sarah's baby photos. We are all SO excited to finally have her here. My parents are way older today because now they're grandparents! Jeff, Raquel, Gary, and I are happy to add "uncle" and "aunt" to our names, too. (Yes, Gary and I have nieces on his side of the family, but now we're Aunt Kim and Uncle Gary on both sides!) Sorry our photo is kind of bad; we didn't want to use the flash on her brand new little eyes!

My classroom is officially finished being set up--I was half-way home when Brian called me to tell me that Abby had been born. Gary took down our pine tree today with Ashley. Raquel asked if we're paying Ashley for all this work she's done for us! Tomorrow Gary has rented a stump grinder so we can finish up the yard. We have plans to see our families for some last of summer BBQs, and then it's back to work for me. I vow to keep up the blog while I'm teaching--I know there's been some doubt.

Renee is getting induced next Friday (September 8th). Ethan was 4 lbs. 9 oz. and Audrey was 4 lbs. 4 oz. at Renee's check-up last Monday. We can't wait to meet them, too!

Tomorrow is our 3 month anniversary--very exciting! We're celebrating by grinding stumps and then with tuna noodle casserole.

Here are Michelle's photos from Jeff and Raquel's wedding. Happy 1 week anniversary, guys!

I have to add this adorable photo that Amber sent of Nolan. Gary calls this Nolan's GQ shot.

We hope that you all have a fun, relaxing Labor Day weekend. What is everyone doing?