Happy Thanksgiving!

This year we were blessed to have Grandpa and Grandma Rogers come to our home for Thanksgiving. Matt and Grandpa went up north to start on the cabin so we didn't hold Thanksgiving until Sunday. It was really enjoyable to have them for the holiday. I think this is the first time they were able spend it with us in our home. Grandpa, thanks for much for all the hard work you put into the cabin while you were here. Grandma, thanks for all the fun memories you created with the kids making candy with them. We have been very blessed this year with all that we have been able to accomplish.

Family Fall Picture

I love this time of year and because of that, I make sure we take an annual family picture, much to the chagrin of my family. I know when they are older and they look back in their scrapbooks they will appreciate it and will be glad I kept up the tradition. I also know that all pictures are not created equal, especially when there are 8 people in them. At least it was taken, right?!

Labor Day Vacation

We had a lot of fun this past Labor Day. We did have work to do with the Cabin, but we also played a lot too! Our friends, the Wright's, came to spend a few days with us and we had fun with them to, as always. It is great to have friends that everyone in the family gets along.

Washington, D.C. Trip!

We had a wonderful time in D.C. We stayed in a hotel in Alexandria, VA and rode the subway into D.C. for the 3 days we were there. We were amazed at how clean the subway stations and subways were. People were very polite to us and the kids. There was so much to see there, I think we only touched the tip of the iceberg. We all want to go again.

Subway station in Alexandria, VA

One could spend all day in just one of the Smithsonian's. We went through the ones that interested the kids first. They had just seen the movie, "Night at the Museum, Battle at the Smithsonian", so they were really excited to find the different artifacts they used in the movie and where they would have shot different movie scenes. Actually, our family loves the movies, "National Treasure", so after we toured the Capitol Building we walked through a tunnel that connected us to the Library of Congress. The kids asked the security guard if the movie was filmed there and she told us, "yes" and showed us where they did the filming. The kids thought that was really cool. We walked the National Mall and saw both the Washington and Lincoln Memorials. The were spectacular! There was a really cool feeling when you were in the Lincoln Memorial. On one wall is written the Gettysburg Address and the other had his Second Inaugural Address. It was a sight to see. By the time we had gotten that far, it was dusk, which was my plan, because I wanted some pictures at night. (This not a picture I took, since I was having an issue with my camera at the time, GRR!)
On our last day there, we went to the National Archives. This is were the Constitution and Declaration of Independence are stored, along with many other documents and Presidential artifacts. This was a really fun to place to see as well. Again, the kids asked them what part, if any, of the movie, "National Treaure" was filmed there. If you have seen the movie, the part where Ben Gates purchases a copy of the Declarartion was shot at the Archives. The shots of the Declaration itself was a set since all the film lighting can't be on the document. The guards were very strict about NO Flash Photograhy. "If I see a flash from a camera, your camera is bye bye". This is what we heard a guard say many times while we were standing in line. We were plenty nervous about when it was our turn to take the picture that the camera wouldn't mess up and use the flash.

For those of you who are planning a trip to D.C., here is some food for thought. No pun intended. When visiting the Capitol Building, you can NOT have food or drink of any kind. Not even gum. We were not aware of this and had our tickets for the morning time frame. When we left the hotel, we had packed our food for the day in a backpack that Matt and I would take turns carrying. Well, long story short, when we arrived at the Capitol and started to go through security, we were stopped immediately and after discussing our options, Matt and Danny ran our food to Union Station to lock it up in a locker. It was a very humid day and they wouldn't even allow water bottles so everything was taken to Union Station. It was amazing to see the food they had people throwing in the huge trash bin and the water bottles, baby bottles, everything that could hold liquid. (Those darn terrorists!) Anyway, after our tour, Matt quickly left to go back to the station to unlock our food. We then had to eat all of our lunch at 10:30 in the morning since we were told none of the museums would let you in with food. UGH! So much for trying to save a little dough. When we entered the first Smithsonian, we asked the guards if we could have a few snacks in our pack. "Oh yeah, as long as you don't open the bag in here and start eating them, you'll be fine." Talk about frustration with the communication between buildings. So moral of the story is, Don't plan on taking any type of food with you when you tour the Capitol, but you can take it in with you (just not eat it) in the other buildings. Side note: The National Archives will let you carry a backpack of food in, put you cannot have anything in your mouth, (i.e. gum, candy, etc.) Despite all the hooplah on the food, we had a very enjoyable time. We will just remember the lessons learned. =)

Lunch on the grounds of the Capitol Building

When we left our hotel to start the trip home, we wanted to go see the Washington, D.C. temple. What a beautiful sight! This was a great way to end our trip. We spent a little time at the Visitor Center and visited with the missionaries there and they took a picture of the kids with the temple in the background and then it was time to head back home to Michigan. We had so much fun on our trip and are looking forward to doing it again.

Cedar Point

We had the wonderful opportunity to go with a group to Cedar Point in Ohio. At church we were asked if we would like to ride on a tour bus to Cedar Point. After we discussed it, we decided it would be a lot of fun to do this with a group and the bonus would be to not to drive there and back. The kids had TONS of fun and we hope to make this a yearly tradition. Here are some fun pictures of the kids.

Becky & Preston's Wedding

This past weekend I flew to Utah for my big sister's wedding. It was a whirlwind of a trip. Before I left for Utah, Tom and Michele came in to stay with us for Tom's sons graduation from law school. We also celebrated Aaron's 9th & Danny's 12th birthday with them. Aaron's celebration was late and Danny's early, but that's how it rolls sometimes in the Rogers' household. I felt bad leaving them with my family while I went away. But life happens and the weekend went well.

My sister, Becky, married a great guy and has three children, 2 boys and a girl. Little Mackenzie, age 5, has about everyone wrapped around her little finger. She is so adorable. The boys were still wondering who I was, but was very accepting of me. I wish their family all the happiness in the world.

When I got back home, I was able to spend Monday with Tom and Michele before they flew out that evening. Of course it included lunch at Logan's Roadhouse. One of our favorites! It was fun seeing them again and seeing that Clarissa and Abby had not forgotten who they were. Actually, Abby went right to Michele without missing a beat.

It was a busy weekend, but it was a fun weekend!

Caleb's Family Party

Today we celebrated Caleb's birthday as a family. For many birthdays now we have decided to celebrate the kids birthdays on Sunday after church and dinner. This way their birthday tends to stretch out a little longer. Especially when we have the friend party on Saturday. Caleb is always to excited about anything he gets. His eyes say a thousdand words. Happy Birthday,Tiger!

Merry Christmas!!

Today was a great day! The kids were very agreeable and we all enjoyed each other. They definitely were spoiled by Santa, their parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles! It was a lot of fun watching the girls open their gifts and seeing their faces. They all got everything they wanted plus the things we felt were needed. This morning when we woke up Clarissa, we mentioned Santa had come and she quickly said, "Santa is downstairs?" It was so cute for her to think he was still at our home.

Later in the day we had the opportunity to have dinner with Tom and Michele. They took a much needed break from packing to enjoy the kids. We can't believe that they will be gone in less than a week. We sure have enjoyed all the time with them.

Family Fall Pictures

We tried so hard this year to get some good family pictures outside. It seemed like nature was against us. Either it was raining or we had the sun against us. We developed a couple of these, but they didn't turn out so well, but we thought we'd post them anyway. Maybe next year. =)

Happy Anniversary!!

Then . . . 1995


Now . . . 2008


I can hardly believe it has been 13 years since I married my sweetheart. Over those few years, we have only moved 3 times, lived in 3 states, had 6 kids and have become best friends. I couldn't have asked for a better man. He has supported me in all that I do and we have grown in more ways than I can count. I am so glad that I will have many more year to grow together with him. There isn't anything like having your best friend as your husband. I'm not saying that our life is perfect, but we're working on it. I am grateful for all he does for me and I can honestly say I love him more now than I did back then. Happy 13th Honey!