Happy Memorial Weekend!

Hope all of you have a safe and wonderful holiday! We are just going to hang out this weekend and probably BBQ some good food. Pete has all of next week off so we will be in Traverse City next Wed through Sunday. My brother and his family will be in Traverse City next weekend as well so it will be nice to see little Dianne.

A few pics from Tuesday.

How about a normal smile, Peter?

Please try to smile normal Peter!

Peter, quit goofing off.

Everyone thinks she is older than 1 because of all of that beautiful long and thick hair!

Kiersten's Taking Steps!

Kiersten has finally taken actual steps...2-3 at a time before falling. Peter and Kiersten are on the same schedule, both waiting until they were 13mths. Peter was running by 14mths so I expect Kiersten to do the same. Of course, Kiersten has been scaling and climbing the furniture for several months now. She can climb up and down the stairs. She even stood without help, but it wasn't until yesterday(during the Pistons game) that she finally took that step forward. Honestly, life gets even crazier when kids finally learn to walk, they get into more things.

Cavaliers Who???

DETROIT BASKETBALL!!! That's all I've got to say.

Just a few pics from this week.

Here are a few pictures from Wednesday, the only real nice day we've had in almost 2 weeks. We just went to a neighboring school to play. Kiersten loves this little car. It was Peter's and as much as we would have loved to have purchase the pink version, it made more sense to recycle it and use if for Kiersten.

Acting goofy together as usual.

We went to the mall tonight and hopped onto this carousel.

What school district do I choose?

I have a huge dilemma that Pete & I need to work out over the weekend. Does Peter go to Waterford School District or West Bloomfield? WIth pre-school, it doesn't matter where he goes b/c we pay for it anyway. Haviland & Burt (Waterford, are both Blue Ribbon Exemplary schools) are much cheaper and is our school district. West Bloomfield is a even better school district and real close by, but for the same program will cost $600-700 more per year. Its a little hard to pay that when I'm not working.

Do I pay more for a better school district or can I settle for a good school? With kindergarten, we are going to put him on the list to get into West Bloomfield schools for sure. I never thought it would be this hard. What does a parent do?!!! I have scheduled meetings at 2 schools to check them out.

I have very mixed feelings about a Plea Bargain.

Would a plea bargain help a 17yr old who was irresponsible(drinking & driving, suspended/no license, stoled his mom's car, has a warrant out in CA) and due to his actions killed 3 people? Would there be any lesson learned here? It will be interesting to see what the plea deal would be..

Attorney 'anticipates' teen will offer a plea in crash that killed 3
17-year-old faces variety of felonies from tragedy
BY IAN C. STOREY
istorey@record-eagle.com
Record-Eagle file photo/Jan-Michael Stump Defense attorney Jeffrey Slocombe addresses Judge Thomas Phillips during the arraignment of his client, Justin Jason Nguyen, 17, of Traverse City, in 86th District Court on May 1.


TRAVERSE CITY — A Traverse City teen could accept a plea deal this week for his behind-the-wheel role in an April crash that killed three teenage friends.
Justin Jason Nguyen, 17, faces a variety of felonies and misdemeanors stemming from an April 27 crash on South Airport Road. Authorities said Nguyen lost control of a 1995 Mazda, sped across three lanes and crashed into a delivery truck.
The crash killed passengers Phougheune Siphengphet and Davy Koumliene, both 16, and Dath Keovongkoth, 17, all of whom attended Traverse City high schools.
A female traveling in the car, Bao Hang Nguyen, 17, received minor injuries.
A day after the crash, Justin Nguyen was charged with three felony counts of causing death while operating a car without a license; three misdemeanor counts of negligent homicide; and one count of being a minor driving with a blood-alcohol content below the legal limit of 0.08.
The felony counts are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Alan Schneider on Tuesday acknowledged ongoing negotiations with defense attorney Jeffrey Slocombe.
Slocombe said plea details are still being worked out, but he expects an agreement.
"The offer is not set in stone, but I anticipate that if all goes well we will enter a plea," he said. "(Nguyen) wants to put this to a close for the families, as well as himself."
Schneider said he wouldn't publicly reveal deal specifics until a hearing Friday in 13th Circuit Court.
"We could reach an agreement on Friday, but I can't say what the defendant is going to do," he said.
Schneider said additional charges won't result from an investigation into whether Nguyen was racing another vehicle just before the crash unfolded.
"I don't think the sheriff is pursuing it any further based on the evidence," he said. "There has been someone identified and talked to, but at this point we have no evidence to assign any culpability to the other driver.
"Some witnesses have said it was an out-and-out drag race, but we don't have evidence that tells us that is what it was," he said.

Bye Bye Trees

"The Emerald Ash Borer belongs to a group of insects known as metallic wood-boring beetles. Adults are dark metallic green in color, 1/2 inch in length and 1/16 inch wide, and are only present from mid May until late July. Larvae are creamy white in color and are found under the bark.
The borer's host range is limited to species of ash trees (identified by their distinctive leaves, which are located directly across from each other on the leaf stem, and bark). In Michigan, most ash tree are white, black or green. Emerald Ash Borer does not attack mountain ash, which is not related to white, black, or green ash trees.
Usually their presence goes undetected until the trees show symptoms of infestation – typically the upper third of a tree will die back first, followed by the rest the next year. This is often followed by a large number of shoots or sprouts arising below the dead portions of the trunk.
The adult beetles typically make a D-shaped exit hole when they emerge. Tissue produced by the tree in response to larval feeding may also cause vertical splits to occur in the bark. Distinct S-shaped tunnels may also be apparent under the bark.
The Emerald Ash Borer belongs to a group of insects known as metallic wood-boring beetles." http://www.michigan.gov/mda

Thanks to these beetles, we have to cut down the only 2 trees we have on our property due to the Qurantine. However, we do know now that these trees are not healthy and need to go. They're just nice, big old trees and it is very costly!

My Mother's Day

My mother's day started out sleeping in, breakfast in bed (kinda) and waking up to flowers, cards and a beautiful picture frame. I also got a cake and my favorite ice cream for dessert for after dinner. We went shopping for the entire afternoon and I got a few items from Express. I happy to say that I am back in a size 0. It took over a year this time to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. We just had lunch at the mall. After that, we went through our old neighborhood and showed Peter where daddy & mommy lived before he came. We also went house hunting b/c we want to move at some point. Dinner was deep dish pizza from Buddy's that Pete picked up & brought home. By the time we were done driving around, it was getting late and we knew Kiersten couldn't sit through a whole meal at at restaurant. I had wanted a picnic, but we were rained out all last week and today is finally a rainless day. I had a fabulous day and its crazy to think that this is my 5th Mother's Day, my 2nd with both kids already!

I have to get a pic of the kids and I to replace the one in the frame (its one of those pics that come in the frame. The frame says, "From my first breath, your love has kept me safe, warmed my heart and nurtured my soal and I thank you Mother."

Pete tried to write Happy Mother's Day on the cake, but quickly ran out of room so it became Happy Mom's Day. The thought was sweet and the cake was good. This was supposed to be a surprise, but Peter David had already told me the secret.

I also got this homemade card that Pete made for me. You can click on the picture to enlarge it if you want to read it.

Trying to catch the perfect picture!

We made homemade Mother's Day, Grandma's Day & Auntie's Day Cards. I tried all day last Tuesday to take pictures of the kids. Sometimes its an endless struggle, but we got a few good ones. Now I have to work on Father's Day, Grandpa's Day & Uncle's Day pictures.

'Peter, you're a goofy big brother'
At the Zoo Polar Bear Exhibit
At the Zoo

Almost Mother's Day!

We had a great day today despite the heavy (at times), constant wind and rain. We went to visit my friend Linda Wilson, who died 5/17/05, at Riverview Cemetary in Plymouth, MI. I thought about her so much this past year since her death and I always felt bad that although I went to her funeral service, I couldn't go to her burial. I got her information and we set off to look for her. It took us about 30minutes and Pete actually found her. It was nice to see where she was laid to rest.

Then off to St. Hedwig Cemetary in Dearborn Heights, MI where Pete's mom, grandmother and grandfather are buried. Pete's mom & grandmother are right next to each other. Pete's grandfather (maternal) died back in 1976 so Pete never got to meet him. We went and got flowers (purple roses and white tulips as well as yellow irises) for them and said a prayer. Peter really enjoys the visits and says he has so much fun. We're glad that he enjoys visiting, bringing flowers and talking to his grandmother, great-grandmother and great-grandfather.

We're going to go back to see all of them when the weather is better.

Anyway, the kids (I) made homemade Grandma's and an Auntie's Day card and we sent those out on Wednesday! The kids got their bathing suits and sunglasses today so we're hoping to get in the water as soon as we can.

Tomorrow we're going to church and then head to the mall for some shopping and lunch. Since I am so 'picky/' I get to pick out a few things that I want/need and where to eat that is kid friendly. I'm hoping I'll get lucky and get a nice homemade Mother's Day card like last year too!

Happy Mother's Day!!!! Enjoy your day everyone!

What is wrong with me?

I woke up at 6am yesterday and was immediately sick. My trips to the bathroom caused me to feel so tired since I couldn't keep anything in. Pete came home around 2:30 yesterday to help me with the kids and that was so great since he can't really afford to with his workload. I feel better today, but I'm not 100% yet. This recruiter has been harassing me since I spoke with his Wed. I told him I would be interested in a phone interview, but he won't stop trying to call me or email me. With the email, he has been pretty short with me since I didn't call him back yesterday due to the fact he knew I was sick. When people act that way, I have to wonder what is so sepcial about the job. Since he is a recruiter, he is trying to make a comission. I almost feel like bailing out, most people understand that 24hrs to return a call is professional and acceptable. Being rude to me b/c I didn't return a call as soon as he wanted me to is plain rude.

A few pics from Kiersten's B-day Week & Easter

Kiersten checking out the view.
Posing for the camera.
What are you doing Kiersten?
Opps, did mommy surprise you?
Pictures with the 2 kids are a challenge. When one is ready, the other is goofing off or crawling away. These were taken after church on Easter Sunday.

Kiersten and Peter sharing a birthday cupcake on Kiersten's actual birthday.

Toronto Trip 5/4 - 5/7

Pete & I decided to take a short vacation. We wanted something within driving distance and something other than Chicago (we're going to Chicago 4th of July anyway). I have been to Toronto when I was 12 & 14 and Pete has never been so Toronto it was. Toronto was to celebrate our '1st' wedding anniversary and the end of a tough semester at U of M for Pete. With the unexpcted 3 deaths 12 days ago, I guess it was of a more reason to go and try to relax. I apologize for any spelling mistakes and bad grammar, I'm tired tonight and it has taken me over 90minutes to do all of this.We crossed at Port Huron/Sarnia. It was a decent drive expect for most of it was the smell of all the farms. Other than that it took us 3 1/2 hrs and we had planned to spend the afternoon at the Toronto Zoo (I think it is bigger than Brookfield Zoo in Chicago) since we couldn't check into our hotel until 4p.m. My allergies have been acting up, but I have never had my eyes swell. I woke up Thursday morning with my left eye all swelled up and it was painful. It got worse as the day progress so we stopped at a Walk In Clinic and spent about 2 hours. The receptionist asked if I had insurance and like a dummy, I gave her my BCBS card and of course they didn't accept it, they have the national insurance. Thank goodness we didn't go to the hospital, we would have spent ALL day there. Anyway, I got check out, was determine it was due to allergies and got antibiotic drops for my eyes. I looked like I got stung on my left eye so I was tired from the drive and upset that my eye was ally funky, but I was determined to have a good trip. Our first stop was the Toronto Zoo.
Hanging out at indoor exhibit.
A baby organgatan with his mommy. He is only 3 mths old and already eating celery (or perhaps just playing with it)
I thought this was sweet how the mama O was looking at this little girl like she knew this was also a baby( I believe she knew).
They have an awesome elephant exhibit (all the exhibits are huge for each animal) and they had 6 elephants that we could count.

This big girl actually came over to us, rumbuled(is that a word?) at us & that was our hint we should leave.
Another part of the Zoo - Me just acting goofy, I was so tired from my claritin I had to take.
This is what I call a (grizzly) bear hug. Hopefully they will make a lot of babies.
On Friday, our first stop was the CN Tower. We had a very expensive lunch at the CN Tower's 360 Restaurant, one of the world's tallest buildings. Since the restaurants rotates, I thought I night get sick, but it wasn't so bad. I love rollercoasters, not ferris wheels. The elevator ride up made me light headed.
A few pictures from our table.
A view from the bottom of the tower.

The glass viewing level at the CN Tower
The Stanley Cup! We thought it might be traveling, but here it is. Awesome to see the Detroit Red Wings on there! Next year, lets not win the Presidents' Cup since or be in the top 5, we always do better when we have a good and not great regular season.

Me Posing with Gordie Howe. Gordie and his wife did some very local (I mean VERY local, poor editing) commericals in Traverse City and they have a restaurant there as well.
The the very first Stanley Cup. This thing is secured inside an old bank vault, I couldn't believe the security. Gotta love China Town. We always try to go to China Town in every major city we're in because that is where we buy souvenirs for the family. Can't beat those 5 for $10 t-shirts.

On Saturday afternoon, we decided to go to the Royal Ontario Museum. While we were outside eating a quick lunch (a hotdog from a vendor), there was a PRO-Marijuana and anti Steven Harper/President Bush parade. It was very interesting, something I don't see everyday and while I do not agree with them, I do support free speech (within limits-hehe) Here is one more picture near the end of out short trip. Saturday evening, we caught up with Pete's friend, Amy. She works for Daimlerchrysler in Canada and had an MBA class with Pete. We met her boyfriend who sings all sorts of music in a few different bands. We had dinner with them and later met up with them at the lounge he was singing at. We were warned that this was an older crowd (4os+). While it was a little different at first, we all got up and danced. It gives Pete & I hope that we can still have fun at any age!!! We had fun, but it was time to get back home. I was missing my babies tremendously even thouough I spoke with them every night!