I have another blog where I post crafty things I make. It’s my way of motivating myself (I can’t let down my public!) and organizing tutorials and links to things I would like to create.

So when I actually do create these things, sometimes I need someone to model them for me. I usually make things as gifts for other people that I don’t see that often, so I need some help from those around me to show off my projects.

Logan (sometimes with a little coersion) has been very helpful. I made this bag for my sister and I wanted to see it hanging from the shoulder. I’ve modeled things before and had him take photos of me, but that usually comes with a lot of yelling about staying on task.

The only way to get him to model this was to slip it on his shoulder while he was checking out his sunflower plants. I think my distraction worked.

This isn’t the first time my little boys have modeled the traditionally more girly item.

And it won’t be the last.

We drove to the Berkshires in Massachusettes for a quick Memorial weekend.  We stayed only two nights, but it was well worth the three hour drive. 

On the way to the resort, we stopped to see a Thomas the Tank Engine exhibit in North Creek, NY.  Even though the event drew in what seemed like half a million kids, it was outside so it didn’t get overcrowded like other kids’ events do.

Logan complained a little about how slow the train was moving (and the fact that we traveled in one direction for half of the 25 minute ride and then simply reversed to get back to the station), but the temperature was great and a slight breeze helped make the day all the more pleasant. 

All the boys did well on the train.

Our record of Thomas . . .

After the exciting train ride, we decided to take a trip to the top of Gore Mountain, which was right down the road, in a gondala.  I’m not sure how high we went (maybe because I refused to look down), but it was a good 15 minute ride to the top.

The temperature wasn’t too bad at the top, but the bugs were not only plentiful and annoying but apparently very hungry.  My sister took the bulk of the bites with at least five while the rest of us got away with just two or three.  Lucky Trenton, however, got away unscathed (thank goodness).

When we finally got the resort, we swam the energy out of the boys.  Logan was able to swim mostly by himself, aided only by a swim vest attached to his chest and a noodle that may as well have been sewn to his armpits.

Trent wouldn’t go in the water unless I was with him which didn’t happen the first day because I forgot my swimsuit.  But a quick trip to the local Target solved that problem and but once we went in the water, he nearly fell asleep and expressed his displeasure when it was time to get out.

A little miniature golfing . . .

some lost balls . . .

and gorgeous views of unending hills and trees . . .

made this a very memorable (and exhausting) vacation.

If you want to see more photos of our trip, click here.

Well, I’m more like the saving grace for this poor, neglected blog.  My name is Michelle and I am Tim’s wife.  I have decided to collaborate with Tim on this blog (after receiving his permission, of course) because I wanted a place to share not just photos of the family life but also the stories that go along with them.  A photo sharing account just can’t tell the stories like we can, and the stories are so important when you live 8-10 hours from family.

I hope I will do this little blog justice.  Please bare with me as I make some changes to help this blog more closely match our (my) style.

I received an invite to go skiing with a friend “up north”.  Now, being a Michigander when someone says “up north” I think of……you know of Cadillac, where it is a little hilly, but no mountains.  I soon found out that New York’s “up north” is actually the Adirondack Mountains.  Skiing was awesome, and I rode in my first ever Gondola, which is better that a chair lift, because you don’t have worry about falling on your rear as you get out.  The gondola ride was good 15 minutes to the peak, and skiing down the mountain took a good 20-30 minutes.  That is very different for me, being used to Timber  Ridge where you fly down the hill in like 5 minutes. My muscles were burning by the time I got to the bottom of the mountain.   Here are a couple pictures of the mountain, mind you it was with  my cell phone and not very good quality, but it still shows the beauty.  I did not know New York could look like that, and it was very relaxing being in those surroundings.

If anyone has interest in visiting this area, I strongly recommend it.  It is in the Adirondack Mountains, and called Gore Mountain.

You know those priceless moments that you never want to forget?  Well, I had one that I will never forget on Christmas morning.  I woke up to Logan getting out of bed, opening his bedroom door, and watching him go straight downstairs to see if Santa had come.  Then I heard him sprint up the stairs…….DADDY, DADDY, DADDY, and then sprint into our room….DADDY, DADDY, DADDY…..Santa brought us presents!!!  The smile on his face………PRICELESS!  Watching him open his first present, and it being the Buzz Lightyear that he had asked him for, brought a tear to my eye.  He hasn’t put Buzz down all weekend, and if that would have been all Santa brought he would have been happy.  Santa, you not only made a 3 and a half-year old boy smile from ear to ear, you made me smile…..and tear up.  Thank you, I will never forget it!  Merry Christmas all!

It is that time of the year again…..Thanksgiving!  One of my favorite holidays, mainly because of the food, but more importantly it makes me feel very grateful for all of wonderful things in my life.  There are so many things to be thankful for, but most importantly my wife Michelle, and my two boys Logan, and Trenton.  Today I was sitting on the couch, and Logan came up to me and said, “Daddy, you are my favorite friend!”  Wow, tear to my eye, and one of those priceless memories. 

Thanksgiving also brings that wonderful tradition of Lions football, as I know all of you Michiganders keep near and dear to your heart.  I have read numerous articles lately about how the Lions shouldn’t get to play on Thanksgiving anymore because of their recent history.  I say NO WAY, how can you take something away that has been a Thanksgiving tradition for so long.  I know they haven’t been the best team in recent years, or decades, but they are always our team…..Detroit’s team, Michigan’s Team.  It is our one time a year to show the nation…..Detroit, and hopefully soon, the Lions will be back on top, and all of those doubters will be eating their words.  I will be a Lions fan through thick and tin, and I definitely see a light at the end of the tunnel.  Go Lions!!!

Lastly Thanksgiving brings us that lovely white fluffy stuff called snow.  Not sure I am ready for it, but it is in the forecast for the weekend.  I guess it is time to prepare for it.  I still vow to move south someday, but will take what I get for now.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING ALL!!!

Sorry it has been so long.  I always want to blog more, but either I can’t find the time, or I have nothing interesting to say.  Neither are really good excuses, but I vow to be a better blogger.  Ha!

Here is what is new!  Trenton has learned to crawl!  He loves being mobile, and follows big brother Logan around everywhere.  We had to dust off the old gates to block the stairs, and make sure all small toys were off the floor.  Logan has a little difficulty getting used to someone else getting attention too, but he loves being a big brother.  Soon enough Trenton will be walking and then it will be a whole different battle. 

This summer has been filled with lots of activities to keep me busy too.   I kept myself busy with softball and soccer.  I also enjoyed a couple camping trips.  The first being with all the guys back home in Michigan.  There were a total of  8 of us, and it was a lot of fun reminiscing on old times, while drinking cold ones around the camp fire.  I then got my first taste of the Adirondack mountains on a camping trip with a couple friends here.  There is nothing like the great outdoors!  No phone, TV, computer, or other luxuries we enjoy daily.

I also enjoyed my 6th anniversary with my beautiful wife Michelle.  I can’t believe it has been 6 years.  Time sure does fly by the older you get.  She surprised me by taking me to see One Sweet World, a Dave Mathews Tribute Band.  We don’t get out much without the kids, as we have a very hard time finding sitters.  So, it was very much enjoyed by the both of us.

Here are a few new pictures of the boys.  I hope your summers are going as well as ours!  Till next time……

 

 

 

Sorry it has been a while, but we have been back and forth to Michigan quite a bit lately.  Our most recent trip included a mini-vacation to Niagara Falls.  Here is a photo of Logan enjoying the water park at our hotel.

 

In honor of recent memorial day celebrations, I recently read this article of a hero from my home town that i went to school with. 

http://www.lakeorionreview.com/Articles-i-2009-05-27-229382.113121_A_soaring_tribute_for_a_fallen_hero.html

A very cool tradition.  Please say a prayer for all of the fallen hero’s past and present.  They are the ones who have paved the way for us to live the way we do.  Happy (belated) Memorial Day!

A very exciting time for the Smith house as Logan has begun his toilet training experience.  It is a time mom and dad never thought would come, but it just clicked for him the other day.  He still has a few accidents here and there, but the process has begun.  How fast they grow!