Can snow really be this beautiful?

If you know me, you know that I love sun, the beach and a nice lounge chair by the pool. I have never been a fan of winter, to me you only get days that look like this for maybe 6 hours and then everything starts to get slushy and that winter dream turns into just another cold day. I was home with the kids today and I was so excited to snap some pics. For my warm weather friends be jealous, because today is one of those days where Michigan can leave you speechless.

Drive me to Oakwood

Our summer house is coming along beautifully and truthfully, I think I almost cried on Saturday when we went there. I have always heard about places that take your breath away or somewhere that your feet feel so deeply planted in the ground that years can go by and you feel as if they were minutes. I just feel that way when I step on this piece of property. As I stood on the deck looking out into the water all I could think of is my little monkeys running through the yard laughing as I sat surrounded by friends and family. With me now firmly in my 30's I just want to stop and breathe, hear the quiet and just love life! May can't come soon enough but once it gets here I want to stop time immediately...

Swimming in the Winter

Well its that time of year when we act like it's summer and we swim inside in the nice warm rec center in Saline. With us being surrounded by water this summer we wanted to make sure that Cam and Cait's swimming skills were brushed up on. As you can tell they are having a blast :-)

Pinewood Derby 2010

Cam had a super fabulous day this past weekend...as it was Pinewood Derby Day! We started Cub Scouts in the Fall of 2009 and Cam has just enjoyed every minute of it...but the Derby definitely seems like his favorite thing so far. Tony and Cam spent the last two weeks getting his car in to tip top shape for the big race. 40 kids came together on Saturday to see who had the fastest car. Cam's car did very well and we took away some good pointers for next year...and of course I got some great pics :-) He also was presented with his first patch as he completed some of his coursework along with receiving the award for Most Original Design. They did a ceremony that included painting the boys faces with colors that symbolized achievements and the true meaning of The Pack. Both sets of Grandparents were there and loved seeing how happy he was.

Cait has her own Papparazzi!

Well, I got this fabulous new camera for Christmas and it has transformed me into this new person. I take 50 pictures just to get the right angle, smile, or glance and I delete the other 49. I was in true form last weekend as Cait's friend Anna turned 5 and we celebrated at Jungle Java. As my frustration started to grow over trying to catch the kids when they came off the slide or as they ran by...I decided I need to go inside the structure and be one with them :-) It was such a blast to play and pose with them. I loved watching Cait as Anna was opening her presents, I could see that she wanted to be the one opening presents. It is amazing to see an emotion like envy or jealousy at such a young age. If you know me you know how much I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY, we celebrate it for a whole month. I believe that your birthday is the one special day that is all about you. As I get older I am not scared of them, I still feel excited like I did when I was 5 years old. Only now instead of a Barbie...I would really like some BCBG or Jessica Simpson shoes. As we left Jungle Java...Cait turned to me and said "Mommy, when is my birthday? I looked at her and said baby your birthday is only two months away...let's start planning now!" The smile she gave me will be one burned into my soul as at that moment we were one...two girls who love their birthday and can't wait for it to come :-)

Winter Wonderland on Oakwood

Well Tony and I decided to plunge into the pits of debt and buy our own piece of property on Lake LeAnn. We have been sharing a house with his mom and dad since 1999 and we found this little piece of heaven on the 4th of July. The house was a disaster and needed some major renovations... but the view completes me. Everytime I look out onto the lake, I feel this sense of calm as if I found the missing piece to an unfinished puzzle. The house should be finished in May and I plan on spending every waking minute at our new house this summer. Summer of 2010 will bring many pictures and lots of blogging. Most of those pictures will be with me holding a margarita and my toes in the water!

Grandpa Colpaert turns 65!

On January 6th, my dad turned the BIG 65 and he has stated that it will be the last time he celebrates his birthday. So next year on January 6th we will be eating cake and giving him money towards his golf membership just because he is a great Dad and not because it's his birthday. I envisioned this great cake with a whipped cream center and a hot fudge topping that ran off the sides...I ended up with the cake that I made pictured here, Brian of course mocked my cake (he has been knocking me off my pedestal...ever since I put myself up there)but it was made with my own two hands out of love I said. Who cares if the cake resembled the leaning Tower of Pisa...it was in perfect position to blow out the candles. That is the greatest thing about my Dad he loves me no matter what and I totally could have brought just a slice of cake that I bought at the local Gas Station and he would have loved it. As you can tell here my Dad is going for the Santa Claus look in 2010...I think it keeps his face warm in the winter. Happy Birthday Daddy, I have a glass of Applewood White in honor of you as it is your favorite wine from our favorite place!