Tigers Baby!

Ok, so I am the first to admit that I have never really been that big of a baseball fan. Let me restate that. Until this past Saturday ( with the exception of one inning of a White Caps game 8 years ago) I have never been to a entire baseball game in my life, let alone screem for a professional team. :)

On Saturday, Tom, Jason, Johanna and myself packed up around noon and headed East for Detroit to see the Tigers play the Kansas City Royals. Maddie was at Grandma and Grandpa Hosfords for the weekend. When we arrived the weather, was lets just say less then stellar. :) Cold, rainy and just bla. That didn't stop the fun! :) Not with the four of us, that's for sure

The game started off...not so good. An hour and a half rain delay...thank God for beer. :) We were down 0-7 in the first inning. Yeah, not so good. We had AMAZING seats though ( thanks to Johanna's awesome ebay'n skills), right behind the catchers mound, 17 rows up. Of course we ate everything that you could possibly get at a baseball game, and if I listed it all you would probably get sick. My only "rule" was that I had to have peanuts and cracker jacks ( cheesy I know, but I don't care). Even with Johanna's signs for Carlos Guillen ( who gave her a wave and a nod) and all the screeming, the Tigers ended up losing a sad game that night.

We woke up on Sunday, ready to head out and starting talking...If the Tigers won THIS game they would clinch the AL Central. Something they have not done in 20 some years...and since we were already alllllll the way over there...we should GO. :) We walked to Comerica Park for the second day in a row and found the "nicest man" that just happen to be "selling" tickets outside the park. :) The signs for the day before we tossed as we didn't think we were going to another game so Johanna made her own...see picutures below...yuck. :)

We ended up getting great seats and sitting through a LONG game. We ALMOST won it...but I won't get into that. Grrr...12 innings later, another loss. But it was a great weekend, so much fun. I am now a true baseball fan. Not as big as Johanna, but I just might strive to get there someday.

Just Play'n

Maddie and I spent a lot of time outside today, just because it was a beautiful fall day. :) One of these shots I asked her where her Dada was, and she peeked around the house to see if he was home. :) So sweet.

Eric Clapton Concert...WOW...All I can say.

Well, no that's not all I can say...you all know me. :) On Thursday Jaime
(my wonderful Father-in-law) took "his girls" to the Eric Clapton concert at the Van Andle Arena. Gloria, Jaime, Tracy, Katie, Kellie and myself got to see one of the greatest. It was absolutely amazing!!! One of the best concerts I have ever had the opportunity to see, from awesome seats. There are always songs you wish were played, but when you are choosing from dozens of songs, not all can be played I guess. :) I called Tom ( who was pouting at home) when Wonderful Tonight came on...as it was our wedding song. :) He of course was happy, but I caught a bit of envy in his tone...not sure...:) Here a few shots from the night. I wish more had turned out from the show. Thank you too Jaime and Gloria for a wonderful night! I think even Gracie in her mama's belly enjoyed it. :)

Zoo Fun!!

Maddie had another great day at the zoo. This time she went with her Aunt K.K., Uncle Austin and Aunt Kellie. She always has such a wonderful time with her two Aunts and Uncle Austin is just the best. :) You can see here that Madilyn and Austin got a little tuckerd out after their long day. Thanks you guys for being such fantastic family!!

Such a big girl.

I just wanted to post about how much our little girl is growing up. Of course we call can see how big she is getting, but I'm speaking of how much she is changing on the inside. She is getting quite the little personality. She is talking up a storm lately. Words, from Mama, Dada of course to Duck (quack quack) to Papa and Geema (grandma). Nigh Nigh when she's ready for bed and bye bye and walking to the door when it's time to go somewhere. She is also feeling so much more...Crying when someone leaves like Grandma or my sister Liz and if someone's hurt she gets sad. Her continual growth is just amazing to us.

Way to go RAMS!

Congratulations Rockford Rams on a great victory Friday night. We had a great time watching the Rockford WHOOP Holland. :) Here is Maddie getting ready for her first Rockford football game of the season. She proudly wore # 49 on her cheek, in support for Brogin Bibler.

Long Time no See Ladies!!

This past weekend I was able to catch up with Erinn and Andrea, some friends that I have had for YEARS. How many, would date us....and we are getting older and older it seems. :) Ok, so it's been about...HOLY CRAP ( I just counted in my head) 18+ years. Geeesh ladies!! We have been through fights, dance routines, trips, and many laughs. We had drinks on Saturday night and then lunch at Blue Water on Sunday. It was so wonderful to see them and catch up. Maddie joined us for lunch on Sunday. Erinn is the blonde (a new and cute look by the way Erinn!) and Annie is the redhead. :) Love you ladies!!

Bristol or Bust!

Tom spent Thursday-Sunday in Tennessee going to the Bristol Nascar race. I don't know much about Nascar but by the sounds of it, this was a HUGE race...like 100,00 people huge. Yeah WOW. :) He went with his Dad, brother Dan, and friends Steve, Jason and Doug. By the looks of the pictures they had a great time and well...fit right in. Right Jay?? Yes, Jason would be the one with the Fu Manchu, which is a great look for you by the way. ;)

Binder Park Zoo

Maddie had quite the day today. My Mom, Sister Liz, and nieces Rebekah and Isabella took her the Binder Park Zoo. There she experienced something that not every kido does...she got a kiss from a giraffe. :) It looks like a REALLY cool zoo, and somewhere we are definitely going to have to visit again. Thanks Aunt Liz, Grandma, Bekah and Issy!!

Spending Time With GG. :)

On Sunday, my Mom, Maddie and myself went to Mt. Pleasant to visit my Grandmother. Madilyn calls her GG and said "HI GG" when we got there, that I think made my Grandma's day for sure. :) My cousins Ben and Laura stopped in with their two kids, Andrew and Catherine. The kids played in the back yard and wore themselves right out. Wore us out too! :) It was wonderful seeing my Grandma, she is such an inspiration to me. She will be turning 89 in October and she is still shopping!! :) Here are a couple cute pictures.

Another Little Hosford Girl on the Way....Gracelyn Rae Hosford

Well we found out last night that Dan and Tracy are expecting a baby GIRL. Gracelyn Rae Hosford will be her name. :) Maddie of course is excited beyond belief as we are. :) She is going to be one little love and we can't wait to meet her. Keep Tracy in your prayers as she continues in her pregnancy. We love you guys!!!

Good Times at the VanderJagt's

Last Friday, Tom, Maddie and I went up to our friend Dougs cottage for the evening and had a wonderful time. Maddie made some new friends and the adults had some great conversation. Thanks Doug and Dorothy for the invite and the hospitality. Here are a couple cute pics. The cute little blonde is Dylan...Another potential boyfriend for Maddie of course. :)

Just looking

Maddie has made the window in our dining room one of her favorite places in the house. She will walk up to the window and look out, talk to the trees or the neighbors. :) I loved this shot, and played with it in photoshop. :)

5 Months and counting....

Here is a great shot of Tracy, who is now 5 months along in her pregnancy. :) One more week and we all get to find out just what this little sweetie is. I'm putting my money on another little Hosford girl.... Any takers??

Tractor Time

Maddie road the trackor with Grandpa Hosford today. She wasn't sure what to make of it...Waving as they drove by. She thought she was something else up there. :)

Happy Birthday Aunt KK and Grandpa!!

We celebrated Katie and Jamie's birthday today at the Hosfords. Katie turned a YOUNG 24 and Jamie will be turning an OLD 51 on Wednesday. :) Of course Maddie reaped the benefits of the birthdays, as you will see...Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream. :) Grandpa always has the good stuff! :) Happy birthday to the both!!! We love you!

Weekend at the Hagers Cottage

This weekend we spent Saturday and Sunday at Ron and Nancy Harger's cottage in Petwater MI. It is absolutely beautiful. Jared, Brynne and baby Addy are in town for a couple of weeks visiting family and friends. Mike, Carrie and Garret Tenbrink along with Jeff, Tracy, Ava and Roman Hager were up for the weekend as well. We had our hands full with kids for sure! We commented on how different it is up there from 4 or 5 years ago. :) Better for sure. Here are a few great shot from the weekend. :)

Take a deep breath

Tom is now able to take a deep breath. He has finally completed his masters in the Educational Leadership program at GVSU. He has been working on completing his masters for the past three years and has accomplished it at last. :) He wrote his thesis on the necessity of having a athletic handbook at the middle school level. It is absolutely wonderful and I couldn't be more proud of this accomplishment. Great job tom, we are all very excited for you!!

Maddie's First Trip to the Zoo.

On Sunday Grandpa Hosford, Grandma Hosford, Aunt K.K., Uncle Austin and Tom and I took Madilyn to the John Ball Zoo for the first time. She loved it! She is big fan of the following: Ducks, Monkeys, Goats and Fish. She is NOT a fan of the rear end of the camels. :) Another really cool part was touching the stingrays. They felt like thick slimy velvet. Maddie reached in and wasn't afraid at all. Her favorite part was the floor to ceiling fish tank. She was able to walk up and be face to face with huge saltwater fish. She giggled so hard, it was priceless. Here a few great pics.

Gardening Time

It was time to get some weeds OUT of the yard. I feel like they are taking over!! :) So, we put on our gardening clothes and went to town. Aunt K.K. and Uncle Austin gave Madilyn this adorable gardening hat the other day and she LOVES it.