We will miss you Ernie

This past Monday, we sadly had to put our beloved Ernie to sleep. Over the course of the past couple weeks we noticed that he wasn't the same. Two weeks ago we were at the the emergency vet on a Saturday night. After numerous tests, they were not quite sure what was wrong with him. The following day we went to our vet and after another round of tests and x-rays, they discovered Big Ern was suffering from congestive heart failure and fluid on his lungs and heart. The vet gave us hope that he could make a comeback with numerous meds. We were on board to do whatever it takes. A few days later we realized they were not working and we tossed and turned about what we should do. We took him back in on Monday and after another round of x-rays, the fluid had spread and we realized he wasn't going to come out of this ok.



I remember the day I got him. After calling on an ad in the paper titled, "Free Kittens", my mom and I drove to a home in the country outside of Holland where I fell in love with the little guy. Actually, they told me he was a "she" and that she was the runt. I named her Bella and after my first vet visit they asked what his name was?!?! I quickly changed it to Ernie and 11 years later, 23 pounds later (so much for the runt), I am writing about this fur ball that I miss so dearly.



May he always know how much I loved him. He was my first buddy/pal when I moved to GR and we had a lot of great years.



I love you Ern!

Alger Heights 5K

Yesterday was the 1st annual Alger Heights neighborhood 5k! My mom joined me and we walked, in the rain. When she showed up at 8:15 yesterday morning, it was pouring. She says, "You know, I wouldn't do this for just anyone!" Then she said it was to stop raining and we'd be fine. Sure enough, it did and we had a blast. I sure do have the greatest mom in the world! People dressed up in costumes and it was an overall great time. Looking forward to doing it again next year, although I'd like to run it. We finished in 50 minutes, not bad for walking. Jamey greeted us at the finish line and cheered us on through the finish line, it was so nice to see my hubby waiting for us at the end!

As for the rest of our Halloween, it was pretty typical. I've never been that big on Halloween itself. It was fun as a kid but now I'm just indifferent to the whole thing. We passed out candy and the classic trick or treater this year was a girl who came to the door, dressed up at least, but on her cell phone. She told ME to "hold on a sec" while she finished her story. I laughed and then she said trick or treat, I gave her a jolly rancher, yep, just one. Sorry folks, but that barely deserved that lil' ole piece of candy!

Here are a couple pictures from the 5K event yesterday!

Long lost love........

We recently went camping with our dear friends and I was reconnected with an old friend. Awhile back my Mom gave me a french press and somehow it got pushed to the back of the cupboard after time and replaced by something that makes more in a lot less time. What I forgot though was what a great cup of coffee this bugger makes. Alison brought hers camping and I was supposed to bring mine too but forgot it (urggg). So, we made lots of coffee for all the adults with hers and it rekindled my love for this simple little contraption. In case you're not familiar with them, here is a picture of mine. It sits out on my counter now, no longer neglected so it can be used daily by me and my other half (who by the way loves it too). It certainly doesn't replace a BFF, but it's there when you need it, warm, tasty and full of flavor.

Hello, my love!

Our campsite (Nichols Lake in Brohman, MI)

Group shot with my peeps

(Jamey, Beth, Seth, Clune, Kristin (Alison's sister), Alison and Sladen

Weekend.......part one!

This weekend Jamey's parents are in town with our niece, Taylor. So, yesterday we grabbed our other niece, Zoe and went to John Ball Park Zoo. I hadn't been there in awhile and was surprised at how much it had grown and all of the animals they had! Here are some pictures so you can pretend you were there with us from home! One last thing I'll say about the zoo!! It brought out one of my weird quirks.....(my thing with bad smells). Man, that place can curl a nose up....pure ripeness!!!

Walkin' in

Flamingos .......... the stinkiest of them all (I was a little worried when we walked in as this is the 1st exhibit...)

Spider Monkeys

Owl (whose eye turned out red in the picture). He didn't look too friendly.

Our nieces, Taylor and Zoe. It was nice they could re-connect since the wedding where they were flower girls together!

The girls with Uncle Jamey!

Bears just chillin' out in the water! "Can we get some snacks up in here?"

More chillin'

Umm yeah! They were spray painting kids hair. These two couldn't resist!

"He looks really lonely and sad," said a little boy. I nodded my head, agreed and quickly walked away!

Here are a few of his other friends

In line for the Camel ride

Off they go!

Good times

End of the ride.....how fun!

After the zoo we went back to Jim, Jan and Taylor's hotel so the girls could go swimming!

When we got home a baby bear was on our couch! J/K, it's just Big Ern!



Stay tuned for part deux after today's excursion!

Summer Vacation

We definitely started the summer out in style this year! The second week of June we spent our time in the Outer Banks, which is located in North Carolina. The following attendees were there; my Mom and Dad, Mark, Tash and Zoe, Jamey and I. We rented a house in Duck and had the most relaxing, fun filled time. The weather was great and although I spent the majority of my time in the pool, I managed to do a little sight seeing, fishing and shopping. And of course, we swam in the ocean, always a thrill. Here are some pictures of our trip!

The beautiful home we stayed in

The pool, oh the pool

More pool (If I had one I would never ask for anything ever again)!

Mark in the kitchen

A little hard to come home to after cooking and eating in this!

Little Miss Zoe in her new outfit (love the socks)!

Zoe and Tash on the swings

Dad in the top floor nook

Mark, Jamey and Dad visited the Wright Brother's memorial and museum

Jamey and Mark

Jamey with an Amber Jack (we opted not to keep these guys....they are kind of like carp)

Aww yeah, mahi mahi baby!

Dad and his mahi mahi

Jamey strapped in catching something

We came across hundreds of pilot whales, it was the coolest thing ever!

They were so amazing

A Navy tower in the middle of the Atlantic (approx. 30 miles offshore)

Mark and a massive Amber Jack

Mom's catch

Another for my Dad

Some pictures of our mahi mahi
Mom (who admitted the fishing trip was one of her most favorite experiences)

View from the front deck of the house


The walkway to the beach

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to the two most wonderful Mom's in the world!