Oops

So much for that whole "I'm gonna keep this blog more updated" theory. I had you going there for a while didn't I?? HA! Okay, okay so I'm not the world's best blogger. I tend to get too busy throughout the day and remember too late that I never did post anything. Oh well. We are gearing up for our Thanksgiving trip which I am very much looking forward to. I cannot wait to see my family and the kids are bouncing off the walls with excitement!

I absolutely love this time of year. The cooler weather, the yummy food, the anticipation of Christmas, the shopping, the time with family. Love it. I don't understand why we need a specific day to be thankful, though. I mean, really?? Just one day? Shouldn't we be thankful every day? When I stop and count my blessings, I am so overwhelmed I don't even know where to begin. I try to make sure I thank God every single day for what He has given me. An amazing husband, two gorgeous kids, a roof over my head, good health, wonderful family, food in my belly, the list goes on and on. There is nothing wrong with having a specific day to reflect on all we have to be thankful for, not only as individuals but as a country. I mean, it gives me another reason to get together with extended family and eat a slice of my uncle's to-die-for chocolate cheesecake! But I want to make sure the Lord knows how thankful I am every day. Because without His blessings, I would have nothing.

Back By Popular Demand!

Maybe popular demand is a bit of an exaggeration. Okay, okay, it's a total exaggeration. But I have been asked by a couple people where we've been these past six months and I aim to please, so I will do my best to get back in the blogging world! :) I felt like I was repeating myself a lot between the blog and facebook and I just could not decide whether or not I wanted to keep the blog, so I just sort of put it on the back burner and forgot about it for a while (six months, but who's counting??).

I want to try and do more blogging about topics or things that are on my mind in addition to just posting pictures of our adorable children--which I know you all love seeing! For now I will try to summarize the past six months with a picture a month. This may be hard. Hmmm....we'll see how it goes. :)

MAY

My amazing husband and I celebrated eight years of marriage! It's hard to believe it has been eight years. He is my best friend and the time has simply flown by. Also in May we attended the Tulip Festival in Holland (a yearly tradition), went to the Indy zoo with my family, and enjoyed Memorial weekend in northern Michigan at my in-law's cabin.

JUNE

June included the third annual Athearn family camp out, where all of Jonathan's family camps in his parents' backyard. It also included a trip to Indiana, just the kids and me. They enjoyed a week at Meemaw and Papaw's eating at the Chocolate Moose, going to Greenville to get maid-rites, and helping Meemaw water her flowers and Papaw wash his new van.

JULY

July is birthday month in this family! Luke turned four on the 9th, I turned the big 3-0 (gasp!) on the 10th, and Addie turned 2 on the 29th. Busy month, I know! Between all the birthday parties, we managed to get to the beach a few times, enjoy the 4th of July at Big Long Lake in Indiana, and Jonathan and I participated in the first ever Grand Rapids Urban Adventure Race. (Think of The Amazing Race with biking and running--so incredibly fun!!!) Also in July, Jonathan and I were able to take a kid free mini-vacation to Southern Indiana. We checked out some caves and Spring Mill State Park in 100 degree weather--and had a blast doing it!! :)

AUGUST

In August the kids got new bunk beds and we took a week long vacation up north. Jonathan and I also got to take a two day mini-vacation away from our vacation to the upper peninsula. And yes, it was kid free! Don't hate--we just have awesome parents who are willing to take our kids for a few days! :) We saw so many beautiful things--including Pictures Rocks National Park. A-maz-ing! It's a definite must see!!

SEPTEMBER

September was full of fun things like Labor Day, the zoo, Celebration on the Grand, the county fair, and Art Prize. But the biggest thing was my sister's wedding!! It was a gorgeous day and she looked absolutely stunning. Luke and Addie were in the wedding and did a good job--better than we hoped! :)

OCTOBER

October was full of football games, pumpkin patches, apple orchards, parks, and candy! We had some gorgeous weather and were able to get out and enjoy it! The kids had a blast trick or treating this year--the first time they have ever gotten into it like this! Luke was a police officer and Addie was Snow White.

So there you have it! The last six months in a nutshell! Hopefully I will do better with the blogging and keep you more updated. That's all for now though! :)