Give me candy!

Isn't Halloween the best? I used to love dressing up and getting all that free candy!! Now I get to enjoy it vicariously through Gabe! :) He was the cutest little bear... I mean puppy this year! I honestly thought his costume was a bear until Halloween night when someone said "what a cute puppy!"... all of a sudden the long tail made sense! Haha, obviously I'm not too good at identifying animal suits! Either way, he was adorable. We have a tradition of meeting at Mel's so the Three Amigos can have their pictures taken together in costume. It was a little harder this year to get everyone to sit still, much less smile at the same time! Our busy bee Wesley was fascinated with the mouse on Dumbo's hat and Puppy Dog just wanted to get back to the toy box (but first tear off his costume)! Cannon, our little Dumbo, was the only one willing to pose for a photo shoot. Oh well, here are our best efforts!

More fun pictures from that night. We ended up at our house for dinner, treats and a scary vampire movie.. what a blast!

Someone is definitely done with pictures and just wants to be left alone to play!

Halloween snack

I was cleaning the kitchen this morning when I looked up to see Gabe picking the berries off my autumn garland and then proceeding to feed each one to Nali! Of course Nali was snarfing them as fast as they came (apparently she can't resist painted styrofoam balls). It was too funny to see my mischievous Gabe having a great time picking berries and feeding the dog...and see the dog devouring them like juicy steak bites!! Although I must say I wasn't too happy to see my fall decor being systematically destroyed and eaten by this sneaky tag team. Oh well, the joys of living with boys and a dog...

True courage

...is facing the horrifying reality of cancer full of faith and optimism. That's my Mom for you. Last month she was diagnosed with breast cancer... and despite being a very small area, it had apparently already progressed to invasive ductal carcinoma. I can't describe the terror I felt, much less my mom's! Needless to say, I could hardly bring myself to talk about it - and I certainly couldn't blog about it. Things are definitely looking up now so I feel more inclined to share. :) Now after 2 surgeries, she is "ready" to move on to radiation therapy. No chemotherapy - all the lymph nodes tested were negative for cancer so it is extremely unlikely that it spread to other parts of her body. What an answer to prayer! I don't think I have it in me to say more - I just feel so emotional and thankful. Honestly, I can't imagine life with out my Mom. She is truly the perfect mother for me, an inspiring example of womanhood, and a deeply cherished friend. I don't think I tell her enough (I know I don't) how much I love her and appreciate her. I know a large part of who I am today is from the understanding, love, and guidance she gave me throughout all those vital years of childhood and adolescence. I LOVE YOU MOM.... BIGGER THAN THE SKY!!!!! I also want to thank all the wonderful, kind, selfless, compassionate, friends and family that truly rallied around Mom in her time of need. The night we heard the bad news Dad was out of town so I immediately went to Mom so she wouldn't be alone. Well, someone was at the front door to give my mom a hug even before I arrived! I started crying then and have hardly stopped as I've witnessed the outpouring of support and love. Thank you everyone. You have no idea how much it meant to her... and to all of us. We love you!!

Scrub a dub dub, 2 boys in a tub!

Mel's little boys came over to play on Saturday and since Gabe had to take a bath anyway, I popped Cannon in to join the fun! Those two are so cute together! As I was taking a shower earlier, I had them both locked in the bathroom with me so I could keep an eye on them... it ended up being an extra long shower because I couldn't stop watching those two hooligans! They both wanted the same toys of course and since Gabe (as an only child) isn't used to anyone taking things from him but Cannon (with 4 older brothers) knows to make his claim fast and loud...it was quite the battle! At one point they were both crying and yelling, literally rolling on the ground, each with a strong grip on a big stuffed bunny! I was dying laughing!! Maybe I should have broken it up but I was in the shower and they eventually worked it out. I wish I could have gotten a picture - I'm sure they would have gotten a kick out of it someday! For the most part they play great together and Gabe always gets a big smile on his face when he sees his cousins Cannon or Wesley. However, the memory of an emotional wrestling match over a fluffy Easter bunny will always be a favorite of mine! Haha!

Uncle Jed came for a visit - unfortunately just a few days but we were so happy to see him! Even when Gabe and I went to Detroit to visit them in January (when baby Eliza was born) we hardly got to see Jed. He is a hard working medical student right now... even Erin hardly gets to see him! It was fun to catch up and hang out with him though. Erin gets to come for a nice long visit in November with Ben and Eliza... I am so excited to see my little sister!

The Ball Hog

Yes, that's my little munchkin! Notice how in every picture he as a ball in his arms - sometimes even two! Gabe's obsession with balls takes no vacation...
Gabe and I went on a little getaway last weekend with my parents and Mel's family to the Zermatt (in Midway) where my brother owns a town home. (Maybe the word "getaway" gives the wrong idea since Eric didn't come! :) We definitely missed him!!) It was so much fun hanging out, playing games, swimming, playing ball... and just enjoying each others company! It is gorgeous up there and we spent lots of time outside. Through it all Gabe had a ball clutched in his hand... I'm not joking! It was very difficult (bordering on traumatic) for him to have to watch the big boys throw the football back and forth! Poor little guy wanted that ball SO BAD! :) Luckily he had his Grandma there to play with him by the stream tossing leaves into the current...almost as good as throwing a ball! It was wonderful to have that one-on-one time with Grandma and Grandpa. And it was so fun for me to be able to just hang out with Mom and Melanie. Our lives are so busy (mostly theirs) that although we get to see each other a lot, it's rarely to play games and talk! What a relaxing and rejuvenating weekend!!

Gabe and Cannon swimming...yeah!

Brad's idea of fun at the pool!Connor and little Cannon...Bridger riding a bear! Is that not the cutest smile?!

Party on!

We had a surprise party for my Dad's 60th birthday...he loved it! We had dinner and cake and lots of fun! Mom put together a wonderful slide show on the computer of pictures starting with Dad as an infant... it was great. Mindy and Amy created an incredible scrapbook that everyone contributed to by writing up their favorite memories of Dad. I know he will treasure it - Dad is a very sentimental guy! We love you Dad!!

Body Worlds 3 Exhibit

This was quite the experience! I know some people are a little weirded out by the whole thing but I thought it was tastefully done for the most part. (Although the sound of a loud beating heart through the whole thing really creeped us out after awhile!) It was very informative and fascinating - especially seeing a smokers lung compared to a nonsmoker - it is positively BLACK! The highlight for me was seeing the different stages of the fetus (I read that they were initially preserved in the early 1900's and these scientists plasticized them recently). It sounds awfully morbid but for some reason it wasn't to me at the time. Unfortunately I've seen and gently handled deceased babies as early as 18 weeks so it wasn't shocking for me - it was actually quite peaceful. It was absolutely mind boggling to see a teensy 9 week old fetus with fingers and toes! I found it so humbling. That was just a small part though. Primarily the exhibit was focused on the heart and the cardiovascular system. Most of the full body exhibits were in motion - like balancing on a ball or throwing a spear. The lighting was fantastic - pitch dark with bright spotlights on each exhibit. It just made you want to whisper... so you can imagine how loud Gabe sounded yelling "BALL!" when he would see one! It was quite funny, actually! Luckily there were no stuffy people that got offended by his exuberance! Overall, it was a great experience...definitely worth $23 for both of us -luckily I had a free ticket for being a health care professional. (I'm not sure about paying almost $50 for both of us though!) It was great just to be downtown too. It brought back lots of good memories for Eric and I since we spent our first 18 months being married living right behind the Conference Center. Body Worlds was actually in the Leonardo by the library...I really miss that library, it is so cool!

HAPPY B-DAY OLD MAN!!

I mean, Dad! Heehee...he is 60 though! Wow, I can't believe it. My Dad, Johnn Kendall Sterzer, has to be the neatest guy on the earth (besides my own Eric, of course). :) Today he is turning the big six oh....so we took him to lunch to take some of the sting away. I'm just kidding - 60 isn't old at all! Especially for Dad who is still flying to Alaska to go tramping all over the wilds hunting and trekking through the mountains on his horse half the time...what a guy! I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad. Daddy-daughter dates are good ones - like the time when he took me (on his motorcycle) to Grannies for an ice cream cone and I sadly realized I liked his choice much better than mine... so of course he traded me! Or like all the times he would tell my little sisters and I exciting bed time stories about wild creatures and cowboys and Indians - complete with sound effects like the wind whistling through the trees. Or how he would happily join me to watch a sunset, even though I would drag him away at inopportune times. Or all the fun we had camping, fishing, hunting, sightseeing ,and hiking. My Dad truly taught me to love and respect the wildness of nature. He is always one to pause and appreciate the beauty around us. I still gather autumn leaves and carry my "possibles bag" with me in the mountains because of his influence. As fun as he was as a father, the most important thing he gave me was a solid foundation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a secure, loving environment to grow up in. I love both of my parents so much - words can never describe! Thanks Dad, for all that you have done for me... for all that you are! I love you!

Here we all are at lunch with our b-day boy! We were sad everyone couldn't come, but it was still a blast!

Denali the Dog

Denali is our American Bulldog. Yes, she is no longer "Eric's dog"... I can finally accept her as part of the family! Lest that seem cruel and unusual, I should explain... Eric has always wanted an American Bulldog and 2 years ago he ruthlessly talked me into it, even though I was violently allergic to her! It didn't help that we were working full time, living in a one bedroom apartment and I was soon to become pregnant. On the flip side, I love dogs and I have to admit that she was the cutest puppy I had ever seen in my life! Unfortunately that cuteness started to wane after about 2 days and once she got out of her pen and destroyed our apartment, it was altogether gone! (I'm not kidding about the destruction...it was complete, down to the lamp shades being eaten, my scrapbooks-turned-chewtoys and dog poo all over.) I could retell countless notorious stories of That Dog's antics! Needless to say, Denali and I have been down a long, hard road. Once she grew out of her spastic, wild puppyhood things started to look up for us. Now I have to admit that she is the sweetest dog...perfect for my little Gabe (who adores her right along with Eric) and perfect for our entire family. We have so much fun taking her hiking, horseback riding, rollerblading, camping...well, just about everywhere! So here is a post dedicated just to her...my little way of saying sorry for wishing she would just get run over by a big truck in the beginning and all the other hateful things I've thought about her in the past! :)

Nali loves Gabe...even though he used to twist and flap her ears and now chucks things at her all day!

Nali loves the mountains...but she is absolutely obsessed with Matt's horses! Luckily they all tolerate her infatuation with them!

She is such a lady...In case anyone wondered what those jowls looked like upside down. It's a scary sight!

"Na-yee"

...that is, Nali! Gabe is talking so much lately - we love it! One day I heard him saying over and over "Na-yee" and I looked over and he was patting Denali with a big smile on his face. I hadn't ever practiced her name with him - it was such a surprise! Since then I have been paying more attention to his baby chatter and I can pick up lots of words now! I can't believe it - my baby is talking! It must be with the first that everything is so darn exciting! :) His little words are SO cute though...I'm loving every day with him. He is such a little darling with a happy personality and sweet disposition. Eric and I are so blessed...we say that every day!