Thursday, November 30, 2006

Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving we went up to Flint for dinner. Ashley was with us for a couple of days and kids (well Brendan anyway) just loved having her here. (Maddie is have separation problems).
We has all the traditional items: Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, cranberries (which Brendan did try, the face he made was priceless), fruit & nut bread....
And of course after dinner someone had to take a nap.Poor Maddie couldn't take all the excitement. And then there is dessert. Brendan loves to eat the coolwhip out of the can, well this year he also gave some to Grandpa and Grandma Andrews; their faces, shirts.And then there is play time with the kids. Maddie just thought that the dog was so funny and after the first time she grabbed the dog, the dog did not come back.We hope that you had a great Thanksgiving too.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

SUPERMAN!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Trick-Or-Treat

Here are Brendan, Daddy and Maddie just before we started our Trick-or-Treating. Brendan did our block with Maddie and our neighbor's nephew in about 45 minutes. Came home and mommy and Brendan went back out and did another block in less than half an hour. And boy did he get some candy.

Friday, November 03, 2006

Jack-O-Lantern

Brendan and Madelyn both helped to carve our pumpkins this year. Brendan helped scoop the yucks out of the inside and Madelyn helped by tearing up the newpaper and spilling the bowl of pumpkin yucks onto herself. It was a really funny evening. And of course they both got a bath while daddy carved the face on Brendan's and I did Madelyn's after their bath.
Brendan had Capt'in Jack Sparrow on his and Madelyn had a pirate skull and cross swords on her's. We didn't get a great photo of them but I might tonight. But her are the kiddies helping.

Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Cider Mill

Every year we go to a Cider Mill for fresh apple cider and donuts. This year was Maddies first trip and we even gave her a little bit of a donut. The weather was beautiful for a October Saturday and the Mill was hoppen'. I guess we weren't the only ones with the brilliant idea.

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Getting Ready

We are getting ready for all the Halloween activites that the kiddies have this year. On Friday my girls club is hosting a Halloween Spooktacular for the city, Saturday is Brian's friends get together, Sunday is free, Monday Brendan has a class Halloween party, Tuesday his school has a Halloween parade around the block, and of course Trick-or-Treating.
I am sure that I am missing a couple of things but I think that gives you an idea of how busy we are. I took the kiddies photo with my new 'Fall' background that I created this past week. Brendan is a Pirate and Maddie is a Butterfly. Here are their halloween pictures.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

Octoberfest

Berkley's New City Beautifiacation committee Hosted a Octoberfest tonight. After dinner we went to let Brendan and Maddie check it out. There was face painting, pumpkin painting, cider & doughnuts, candy, music, and games. One of the games was eating a doughnut off a string. Of course big mouth Brendan had to give that one a try. He did pretty good.And Papa Tatz was wondering why there weren't as many picture of Miss Maddie as there are of Mister Brendan, here is why. Everywhere we go, she takes a nap. I can only have so many napping pictures.But here is another one from our picnic at the Nature Center before Brendan's Storytime today. A little chilly for a picnic but Brendan wanted to eat outside.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Shhhhh! Were' Hunting Rabbit!

Brian and Brendan went rabbit hunting at a spot close to their fishing hole. Brendan was quiet and tried to sneak up and find some rabbits. Didn't happen. But both Brian and Brendan had a good time and Maddie & I waited and hung out in the car. (Brendan can only hunt for so long ya know!) anyway I got to knit for a whole hour! That soooo doesn't happen at home.
We were on the way up to Flint for Great-Grandpa Johnson's Birthday get-together and Brian has been itching to go and be the Great White Hunter Man. So we thought we would stop on the way up. Again Brendan did great and had a blast, Maddie napped and played with toys, mommy got to knit and daddy got to carry a gun in the woods. A good time all around. And of course here is a picture. :)

Monday, October 02, 2006

Spotting Deer

Brendan, Maddie and I went out to a Nature Center close to home last Thursday. We went on a little but long walk and we spotted two deer. Brendan was very quiet as we snuck up to get a close picture of them. There was a mom with her baby. They let us watch them for a couple of minutes before taking off again. A very cool experience for Brendan. Here is a picture that we got of them.
And one of the outdoor adventurer and baby.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Park

Brian always likes to do things with Brendan and mommy & Maddie don't want to be left out. So when he wanted to take Brendan to the park last night we just had to go too. Of course I thought that Maddie would take her after dinner nap on the way there and back. But I think that she knew where we were going. She really likes to swing right now. The whole time she has this big ol' smile on her whole face and her tongue sticking out half of the time as well.
Brendan likes to count to three and have us do an under dog (push him and then go under the swing) and he gets all giggle-ie when he gets to three. And of course I just have to tease him and either do it too early or too late. He never knows when I am going to do it. But of course he then has to tell me that I am doing it wrong. Oh well.

Thursday, September 21, 2006

Learning About Nature

Today I took Brendan and Madelyn to a local Nature Center because they were having a Pre-School Nature Program. While waiting for it to start Brendan got to pet a Snapping Turtle, he is really into Turtles right now. (Okay he is into anything that moves) Anyway, there were a couple stories about nature and then the kids got split up to go on a nature walk. We went with Mister Farmer who works at the center. He caught a grass hopper so the kids/and moms could feel the feet, he also caught a couple of butterfly's and showed us the long tongue and also the eyes. Brendan had a great time learning about nature and Maddie liked the bumpy stroller ride and trying to grab branches that came close enough.

Monday, September 18, 2006

It's A Pirate Party!

We had Brendan's Pirate Birthday Party on Sunday and what a good time. 8 Kids, 15 Adults all in our tiny little backyard. But what a blast. Pirate Boat cake, Treasure Chest Pinyata (spelling?) and Presents. What more could a 4 year old ask for.
Here are some pictures:
First we have Miss Maddie all dressed up for her brother's big day.Next is that pinyta, don't by the cheap ones they have taped sides that you can't bust open.That Pirate Ship Cake.And his presents, he got his big pirate boat that he has been wanting for about a year now.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Happy 4th Birthday Brendan!

Can you beleive that Brendan is now 4 years old. Time has just flown by.
To celebrate his birthday we took him out for pizza last night. But also he has been getting cards and packages the past couple of days and I think that is one of his favorite parts about his birthday.Of course Grandma and Papa Tatz all ways makes sure that his package gets here in time and Brendan was so excited about getting a big box. And he now has a new favorite shirt, and of course there was something in there for Maddie and he just as excited about that as well. Here is Brendan showing off his new duds.

Monday, September 11, 2006

First Day of School

Here is Brendan's First Day of School at his new Pre-School, also the school that he will probably go to for Elementary as well.
I woke him up as Brian was making his first day of school breakfast, cinnamon Rolls. And he had his snack in his Batman Lunch box inside his Pirate Backpack and he was set to go. This school is a lot closer than the one last year just over a block and a half. So on nice days Maddie and I can walk to go pick him up. (I don't think that Brendan will be up for that much walking at 8 o'clock in the morning). School starts at 8:15 and we get buzzed in at 8:13 to put his bag and coat in his very own locker (they don't have locks) and I sign him in to class and they start out on the circle rug. And then class gets out at 11:15, again parents being buzzed in at 11:13. He likes his teacher and her aid, and there are lots of kids in his class so he should enjoy this school year. Here are some photos.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Sittin' Pretty

Well Miss Maddie has mastered the art of sitting with no help. Boy, she doesn't know that she is just 5 months old. She is a very relaxed baby and on a very cute tight schedule. Here is a day in her live: wake up about 8ish, breakfast at 9, nap at 10, wake up about 11:30, lunch about 12:30 - 1 o'clock, nap at 2, wake up and snack at 4, dinner 5-6ish, nap at 6, wake up 7, eat and bed at 8 with a snack about 6 in the morning. Every day the same thing. It is kinda cute. Now Brendan on the other hand is just like me and will use every excuise in the book to try to stay up later past bed time.
But here is Miss Maddie sitting by herself. And playing with Brendan.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Treasure Hunting

We all went Treasure Hunting this past weekend at the Sterling Height Nature Center. They have bike trails, nature paths, baseball and soccer field and Brian even got to hold a snake in the Nature Center Building.
We went on our hunt, but first Brendan and Daddy had to figure out were to go.Madelyn had no problem with trusting their advice. She was happy just chewing on her seat strap. On our walk we spotted deer tracks and a couple of frogs. But the Treasure was located by Brendan in a thick part of the woods (see Mike this really does work out most of the time.).And Brendan got a frog toy as a trade item.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Today's "Customer"

This past week has been very busy for Brian and I in regards to our photo business. So there have been quite a number of people coming and going here. Well today while we were checking out something outside Brendan said that he wanted me to close the door. So I closed it and he knocked, I asked what can I do for you and he said that he was here for pictures. So I took him out to the studio and took some pictures. And this is one of the ones that I got.

Thursday, August 24, 2006

Woodward Dream Cruise

Well we had the Woodward Dream Cruise last weekend. Berkley has a parade of classic cars on Twelve Mile every year, some 400 cars long.

So we took the kiddies down with Jim & Sharon to watch. Brendan enjoyed it and Maddie of course took a nap about half way through. But here are some pictures for you all.


Thursday, August 17, 2006

Madelyn's First Camping Trip

Well, Miss Madelyn is an outdoors girl. We took her on her first camping trip this past weekend to Osetgo Lake State Park. We played on the beach, swam, and went on a canoe ride.

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Brendan's Birthday List

To make it easy on people here is Brendan's Birthday list that he made.

Brendan's Wish List

Playmobil can be found on-line at www.reallygreattoys.com

that is the web site for our toy store down the street. Or www.playmobil.com.

1. Playmobil Pirate Dungeon $19.99 (Target On-line)

2. Playmobil #3286 Pirate Ship $89.99 (He got this, but doesn’t know)

3. Playmobil #3127 Starter Set Pirates $16.99

4. Playmobil #7718 Treasure Island $25.99

5. Playmobil #7695 Float $4.99

6. Playmobil #3268 Knights Empire Castle $179.99

7. Playmobil #3372 Golden Knight $4.99

8. Playmobil #3315 Evil Knight $6.50

9. Playmobil #4436 Barbarian Knight $6.50

10. Playmobil #3174 Red Corsair $40.99

11. Playmobil #4616 Blue Knight $3.15

12. Playmobil #4646A Black Knight $3.15

13. Playmobil #7670 Green Dragon Leader $2.99

14. Playmobil #3137 Viking Starter Set $17.95

15. Playmobil #3345 Dastardly Dragon (Can’t find)

16. Playmobil #4625A Crusader $3.15

17. Playmobil #3319 Dragon Troops $11.50

18. Playmobil #4654 Angry Pirate (Can’t find)

19. Cat & Mouse Game $19.99

20. Buckaroo Game $16.19

21. 3D Slides & Ladders Game $14.99

22. Poppa’s Pizza Pile Game $16.99

23. Race to the Roof Game $19.99

24. Spin Master Toys Captain Bone’s Gold Game $19.99

25. Cranium Balloon Lagoon Game $19.99

26. Lion Sleeps Tonight Game $19.79

Clothing Size 4, needs pants and p.j.’s (size 6 for those)

Thursday, August 03, 2006

New Toy & Tummy Time

Miss Madelyn has a new toy to play with now, well Brendan too kind of. We bought her one of those ExerSaucer's. Brendan likes to get in her face and help to show her how it works. Madelyn can go to about half an hour in it twice a day. So it is a nice break for me because she only likes to be on her tummy for about 10 minutes at a time. But here are some new pictures of her in her new toy and also on her tummy.

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Heavy Duty

Okay now the fat jokes can really start. Miss Madelyn had her 4 month check-up appointment today and the girl is heavy duty. I was wondering why it was so hard to carry her in her car seat. Well the girl weights, get this, 16 pounds and 5 ounces. That is alot of baby. She has gained almost 10 whole pounds since she has been born. But you know we love her and all her little leg rolls.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Georgia

Here are some of the things that we did in Georgia:
1. Swimming in the pool2. Playing with his new toy from great-grandma Tatz.3. Get to drive Papa Tatz's boat.4. Sleep.