Calder Party of Ten

Friday, September 9, 2011

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Summer seems to have ended abruptly here in Michigan. Saturday, we had 95 degree weather and as the kids started school today (after the long weekend) the weather dipped down into the 60s. It is always hard to see the summer end and watch the kids go back to school, but I am excited for them as well. They have been feeling ready to see their friends again.

Carston is now in third grade. He has several friends in his new class which should be fun.

Jackson and Peyton started second grade today. They are in the same class again, which makes me feel better and should make life easier for all of us.

Grant and Benjamin both started school on Thursday. Benjamin started preschool and Grant is now an official Kindergartner!

Friday, May 20, 2011

We Have Some Exciting news!

We couldn't wait to tell you!

Today, after Shannon's 19 week ultrasound,
we announced to our kids

The gender of Calder Baby number 7

All of the kids have been praying for a little sister and are so thrilled that...

IT'S A GIRL!!!

Due October 12, 2011

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Labor Day Weekend---Saying Goodbye to Summer

Mark got Labor Day weekend off from work so we could explore Michigan a little bit. We really enjoyed the time together!

We started off the weekend visiting Spicer Orchards to do some raspberry and apple picking.

The weather was perfect with a nice cool breeze. The kids did most of the raspberry picking. They really got the hang of it and did a great job. It was calming to be out in the middle of the field with all of them occupied and content. Raspberry picking is going to become our new tradition!

We took a hayride to the apple orchard.

Picking apples was more difficult for the kids, but we enjoyed eating them straight off of the tree.

Especially, this little guy!

Port Huron's lighthouse was next on our list.

We finished off our long weekend with our favorite place in Michigan: Greenfield Village.

Riding in Model T Fords

and the train pulled around the village by the Edison Steam engine.

It was a fabulous weekend!

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Spirit Week at School

Hat Day

Luke had some spirit as well.

Crazy Hair Day was messier, but fun.

It took awhile to wash all of the gel out of the boys' hair. Peyton just had an upside-down do.
We've got spirit!!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

We started our day off with a visit from our own friendly Leprechaun. He hid little green buckets full of candy for the kids around the living/dining room. The buckets contained chocolates in green wrappers and green jelly beans etc. We left him some "gold" in exchange.

We love spinach smoothies at our house. So, it was only natural that we drink one for St. Patrick's Day. This smoothie is delicious and only contains spinach, pineapple, banana, ice and water. We started off our dinner by earning smoothie mustaches.

Dinner was green shepherd's pie, eaten on green plates.
We love to go all green for St. Patrick's Day!

We were even lucky enough (thank goodness I have an Irish name:)) to get Mark home in time for dinner, which is a rare treat around here! He not only got some green dinner, he also was able to go play basketball at the church after the kids went to bed.

Oh how I love the green smoothie mustache, it goes so well with everything.
We hope you had a very green St. Patrick's Day as well!!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Celebrating 3 Years with Benjamin

Benjamin turned three years old today.

We had our celebratory birthday breakfast of pancakes with pudding, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Then we went out to play. It was chilly, but we were excited about the sunshine.