SHERWOOD FOREST

New Pics

2010-02-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Here's some new photos of Nathan. He's grown up so quickly- already 3 months old! He's a great baby- loves to smile & laugh. There's also a photo of our sweet Lo who just turned 3- going on 13! She is all about princesses & insists you either call her Mary (because she is Baby Jesus' mom- stemming from a Christmas program at church) or princess. She has a very fun and dramatic personality. Isaac is doing great in preschool and is very grown up now too since starting school. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful children!

Nathan

2009-12-05T07:39:00.000-08:00

We welcomed Nathan Michael into this world on November 10 at 3:58 am. He was 8.0 lbs & 20 inches. Isaac & Lauren have been great with him; very involved and attentive. Nathan has been a blessing to our family & it's hard to imagine what life was like without him. God is good!

Long time!

2009-08-16T18:15:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been a really long time since I've updated the photos- we've had a few months of computer issues but it's fixed now- so here's a bunch of stuff to catch up on.

Camping: We had our first camping experience as a family the end of May. The first night was TERRIBLE but it did get better. The kids loved it & overall, I'd have to say, it was fun!

Gymnastics: The kids finished off their gymnastics class in the beginning of the summer with a special program and metal ceremony. They both really enjoyed the class & Lo relished in the attention of the metal ceremony- Isaac, not so much!

Pool: This summer the kids have really enjoyed the pool. Lo has become incredibly brave. She does what she says are cannonballs (jumping) & goes down the big slide by herself. Isaac is a little less daring but still enjoys the water. It's been a great summer!

Wedding!!

2009-05-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

David's niece, Heather & her fiance James, were married in Grand Rapids a few weeks ago. They asked the kids to be a part of their wedding. Lo was flower girl & Isaac was ring bearer. They did fantastic. They walked down the aisle together. Lo had a basketfull of flower petals & just before going down the aisle, I told her to make sure she didn't throw them all in one spot- so she instead she made sure she only picked out one of the hundreds in the basket each time she went to drop a flower. When she was at the front of the church, the aisle proudly display only 4 flower petals- but she was very proud of herself! They had so much fun at the reception. The ran around outside (the place was open to the outside in the back), clinked their glasses for Heather & James to kiss, and danced their hearts out! They made it to 11:00pm! The wedding, reception, bride, groom & the weather was beautiful. It was a very fun night. Thanks for letting us be a part of it, Heather & James!

Lo loved getting her picture taken with the "big girls"!

Why don't they sit still when I want to take pictures of them?

Lo getting her hair done before the ceremony. She loved it!

Isaac & Lo dancing the night away . . . . yes, they were the only ones on the dance floor . . . it was still early!

In her own world, dancing to her own music!

My princess

My boys

My angels

FLORIDA

2009-04-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a wonderful week in Florida. The kids had a great time- they loved the beach and the pool. They hunted for shells, found crabs, made sand castles, ate out, played at parks, got sunburned, jumped waves, bonded with their cousin Gavin & loved every minute of Florida. David got to golf quite a few times & I got to lay out in the sun and read. It was a great week.

Too adorable! Will they always be best of friends???

They found a crab- thankfully, it was dead!

Cousin Gavin- isn't he precious?

According to Isaac, the BEST park in the world!

What a sight to wake up to every morning!

Great weekend

2009-03-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

David & I flew out to Colorado to go skiing in Steamboat with my brother and sister-in-law. We had a great time- it was so nice to be outside and the weather was beautiful. The skiing was great too- once I got over my 3 year old temper-tantrum mid-moutain when I had decided I had fallen enough and just wanted a snowmobile to pick me up instead of having to ski another 1/2 hour down the mountain!

The kids got to spend a great weekend with Grandpa and Grandma and were even treated to a fun night at Chuckie Cheese! Thank goodness for grandparents who take them there cause David & I sure wouldn't have! They also got to meet their new nephew, Gavin, for the first time. As depicted below, our little Lo was a tad jealous!

It was a fantastic weekend all around. Miss you, Andrew & Heather! Thanks for a wonderful visit and sorry again for my baby-like attitude- I really did enjoy the skiing the last two days! And thanks, Grandpa & Grandma, for taking such good care of the kids. They always have so much fun with you and we never worry about them when they're with you!

She's 2!

2009-01-27T12:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday, Lo! I can't believe my baby is 2 already! She's a challenge and a joy all at the same time. She's emotional and loving, has a temper and snuggles. She takes care of her babies and hits her brother, she throws her food and shares her fruit snacks. She's our Lauren! Here's to her 2nd birthday . . . .

Our beauty....

Look how excited she is, pointing at her ice cream being delivered by a train!

Blowing out her candle at the restaurant.

Opening her present- a new dollhouse!

Snow, sledding & more

2009-01-17T18:46:00.000-08:00

We had our first real big snow here (I know, those of you from Michigan are crying boo hoo for us!) so we decided to bundle the kids up and put them to work. Isaac loved helping shovel- Lo on the other hand, was not to thrilled! She was very upset that she could not hold the shovel properly through her mittened hands. Needless to say, I got to go back inside with her- oh shoot, I couldn't help shovel!
We also took the kids sledding for the first time (Isaac has only gone down a snow drift in our driveway on the top of a plastic trash lid last year). They loved it. It was a little bit too cold for them so it didn't last long but we hope to go again soon.
I also included some pictures of Lo & Isaac with Lo's Christmas present from Aunt Heather. She made Lo a ton of necklaces and bracelets and got her dress up hats, shoes, purses, etc- the best gift ever for this little girl who has been bombarded with fire trucks and baseballs and diggers and blocks- all things boy.
Okay- and I had to include a picture of my new nephew- Gavin John, born on Jan. 3rd. He's doing great, as are mommy and daddy (Julie & Jason). I have yet to see him but can't wait!

Christmas

2009-01-08T12:30:00.001-08:00

We had a great Christmas season. It was very busy with a lot of traveling but we survived and no one was sick this year! Here are a couple of pictures from Christmas.

Lo after she realized there were no more presents for her!

The kids with their new dinosaur banks

The family on Christmas Day

Isaac & Lo posing for a Christmas picture

The kids got a trampoline for Christmas- Isaac can jump quite high!

Lo can too!

The kids with their Colorado shirts from Aunt Heather & Uncle Andrew

Christmas at the Penninsula

2008-12-15T13:25:00.000-08:00

A dear friend invited the kids and I to the Penninsula in Chicago. They had lunch for the kids (champagne for the adults!), then story time and coloring with Mrs Claus and finally, cookie decorating! Santa came at the end and each child got to sit and talk to him. Isaac, of course, wanted a fire truck and Lo would not go anywhere near him. Mrs Claus held her pretty much the entire time. When Mrs Claus put her down (after seriously holding her for 20 minutes!) to pick up another child- she had a breakdown of disasterious proportions and we had to leave ASAP. It was very fun though (and very high class!).

Lo being held by Mrs Claus

Mrs Claus telling the kids a story

Isaac & Lo next to the lobby tree

Isaac & his girlfriend, Keelin.

The food the kids were served- I wanted to eat it- how cute!

Isaac & Santa

The kids making Christmas cookies- Lo is eating the candy that should be going on her cookie!

Decorating . . . .

The decorating table-

Stuck

2008-12-11T12:27:00.000-08:00

So we put up our Christmas tree a few nights ago. We bought new ornaments since our other ones broke in the move to Munster. The new ornaments came in a plastic container & the kids thought it was funny to wear them on their heads. But what was funnier was when Isaac got one really stuck on his head! Check out the picture- they're hillarious!

Really, Dad, you can't get this thing off me?

Don't get to close to my ear, okay?

Pull, Dad! Pull!

Gymnastics!

2008-11-20T11:17:00.001-08:00

The pike position . . . kind of . . .

Tada . . .

I know, I look so cute in my leotard!

What they call the "butterfly position".

Hiding from the "butterfly catcher" (aka stretching!)

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So- as you can see, the kids started gymnastics a few weeks ago. For the most part they really like it. There is not much that they do right- neither can jump very good, do a somersault, swing on the bars, etc- but they have fun and that's all that counts, right? :) It's quite a workout for me- keeping track of both of them and helping them do all the tricks. A better description would be me helping Isaac while Lo goes off to another class to see what they're doing; then me running to bring Lo back while Isaac goes off to another part of the gym to see what else he can try!

Great Grandma

2008-11-11T12:10:00.001-08:00

My grandma came to visit this weekend with her daugthers (my aunts and mom). She's such a special lady and she has taught me so much. She knows what it means to "walk in the light" and I only hope that someday my grandkids can say the same about me. Thank you, Grandma, for being such a great witness. My kids loved spending time with her and so did I. I wish we lived closer but am thankful for every chance that I get to spend with her.

Halloween

2008-11-04T13:21:00.001-08:00

The kids chowing down on candy after trick-or-treating.

Miss Lo the Ladybug!

Srgt. Isaac Sherwood- watch out- he's a tough one!

Aaww- they are too cute!

Nothing gets by this cop . . . . !

Fall Day

2008-10-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

David & I took the kids to a place called Bengtson's Pumkin Farm in Homer Glen, IL. We had so much fun. We rode a hay ride (minus the hay) to a pumkin patch, watched a potbelly pig race, did a haunted barn (which the kids LOVED- we actually went in it 4 times and even I thought it was scary), rode a couple of kiddy rides, fed animals in the petting zoo, rode ponies, ate funnel cakes and took lots of pictures. It was a really great day as a family and we're blessed to have it as a memory. Enjoy the pictures!

2008-10-28T13:15:00.001-07:00

Lo on her first pony ride - she was a natural.

Isaac rode solo and seemed to enjoy himself as well!

Feeding the goats carrot slices. Isaac wasn't afraid at all- he would have fed them his fingers!

Lo fed the goats about 3 carrots- then one licked her fingers and she was done!

Happy Halloween! (I had to put this one it- it's hillarious!)

2008-10-28T12:55:00.000-07:00

The kids & I on a frog ride.

They love pumpkins!

Do his kids look like him? I still can't tell!

Lo holding on for dear life. She's not too sure of the animals that are bigger than her.

Isaac & Lo watching a dancing chicken show- how cute are they?

The Terrible Two . . . .

2008-10-28T12:46:00.001-07:00

So I was putting the laundry away and the kids were playing upstairs in the loft. After a few minutes - it grew quiet so I went to check on them. I found them both in the guest room shower, fully clothed, with the water on- having the time of their lifes! My first instinct was to yell at them but then I just took a step back and laughed! It's only going to get better from here . . . . ha ha ha!

Colorado

2008-10-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

Aunt Julie & Isaac on the shuttle bus to pick up the rental car.

Uncle Andrew & Isaac taking a walk in Fort Collins, CO.

Aunt Heather & Lo taking a walk too.

Eating fudge in Estes Park- can you tell who doesn't like it?

Watching the elk bugle in Rocky Mountain National Park. It was really cool. It's mating season so the males make these crazy bugling noses. Lo enjoyed it and kept calling them all babies- Isaac, well, he preferred to play with the rocks at the side of the road.

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The kids, myself and my sister Julie flew out to Colorado two weekends ago to visit my brother and sister-in-law. We had a great trip. The kids did wonderful on the plane and traveling in general. We took a Lincoln Town car (with a driver) to Midway, got on the plane, landed in Denver, took the tram to get our baggage, boarded a shuttle bus to the rental car and then drove an hour to my brother's house- and out of all of that, Isaac's favorite part was the shuttle bus! We don't have many pictures since I thought my camera was broken (but really it just needed to be charged) but we did get a couple. Thanks, Andrew & Heather for a really great time. We miss you already!

Baptism

2008-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Isaac & Lauren were baptized together on Sunday. It was a really special day for all of us. They did great- no crying, no trying to put their hands in the water, no telling the pastor "no"! My cousin sang a song called "Made to Praise" and it was beautiful. Praise be to God!

My fireman

2008-10-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

We attended an open house at the fire station up the street. Isaac wore his firecoat there because - if we were going to a firestation- there could be a fire he might have to fight on the way. He got to go for a ride in the ladder company fire truck and he was so excited! He also got to spray a fire hose. Seriously, it might have been a better day than his "happy birthday"!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

2008-10-06T13:46:00.000-07:00

Isaac showing us that he is 3!

Isaac & Lo riding the train after the birthday dinner.

Isaac way too excited about his big present! I hope it wasn't a disapointment!

Isaac turned 3 on October 2! He was so excited all day and definately understood what a birthday was this year. It was so cute to hear him tell everyone that it was his "happy birthday"! We celebrated by taking him (& Lo) to a restaurant that delivers your food by train, has a big toy train in the middle and has train rides after you eat. It was great. He's growing up so fast. Happy Birthday, little man - we love you!

Pie in the face

2008-10-06T13:36:00.000-07:00

So I've always wanted to throw a pie in someone's face . . . . and I chose David. We had a left-over pie that no one wanted to eat so I had the brilliant idea to put in in David's face. He's such a great guy- he was coming up the deck to tell me what a great weekend it had been and plop- I stuck a pie right in his face as he was talking! It worked out great except for the fact that I didn't think about the retalliation. David picked up the remaining pie and promptly smooshed into my face- even better than I did to him. But still- it was so fun and I now get to say that I have thrown a pie in someone's face- my husband's!

Fishing

2008-09-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

We all went fishing yesterday. Although Lo had no string, hook or bait, she thought it was too fun. Isaac & David tried their hardest, but in the end, none of us caught anything.

Lincoln Park Zoo

2008-08-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

I am lucky enough to live by a great friend who loves my kids as much as I love hers- and the even cooler part is that our kids adore each other. We all headed out to the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago yesterday and despite most of the animals being asleep, had a great time. The kids had the most fun just running around- the animals were totally secondary- but Anne & I enjoyed watching the ones that were actually awake (the polar bear and the giraffe). We had a fun day and the pictures turned out great.

2008-08-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

Emma, Eddie, Andy, Isaac & Lo in front of the zoo entrance.

The kids riding hippos in the African Safari.
My husband's look-a-like . . . . just kidding David! (He'll probably never read this anyway!)
The kids in a tree tunnel.
The kids & I in the flower gardens- one of the prettiest places in all of Chicago, in my opinion!

Andy, Isaac & Lo fascinated by . . . . something . . . . .
Eddie, Lo & Isaac watching the polar bear watch them.
The kids pose for a picture- can you believe they really sat & let us take their picture- I can't!
The two coolest dudes I've ever met . . . .

Uncle Jason & Aunt Julie

2008-08-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

We had a very special visit from my sister & brother-in-law this past week. They are expecting a baby on Christmas day and we just found it that it's a boy! Congrats to them- boys are so much easier! We had a great visit. We all went to the Michigan City zoo and beach on Monday. The kids loved hanging out with Aunt Julie & Uncle Jason and especially with Cooper. They left on Thursday and we were all very sad to see them go. The house was quiet and lonely after they left and Lo still asks for Cooper every time she gets up. Although he's a great dog and we loved having him here- I'm not quite ready to take that step- sorry kids, no dog for us! Thanks for visiting guys- we miss you!

2008-08-15T13:51:00.001-07:00

Our family at the beach.
Uncle Jason & Isaac taking a walk with their dogs!
Lo loves Cooper and every now and then, Cooper loved her too!

What perfect form!
Wind . . . take me away!
Uncle Jason and Isaac chillin' out.
Aunt Julie & Lo taking a break with the Munster FD.
Jason, Julie and baby boy Griffen!

Community Pool

2008-08-07T15:05:00.000-07:00

Lauren going down the slide. Despite what it looks like, she did love it!
The two of them taking a break for a short minute.
Follow or chase the leader- I'm not sure which!
Isaac running through the water spouts.
All done- boy that was fun!

I know, I know. We have our own pool - but we decided to check out the Munster Community Pool anyway. It was great for small kids- a walk in pool with sprinklers and water spouts and the perfect slide that they could go up and down by themselves. They had a blast and we had fun watching them!

Best Friends

2008-08-05T12:34:00.001-07:00

Fun Times

2008-07-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

David was golfing up north this weekend, leaving the kids and I to have our own fun - and we did! Saturday morning we went out for our usual breakfast (mickey mouse pancakes) at the restaurant by our house. Then we headed off to the the Porter County Fair where we toured the barnyard, rode some rides and sweltered in the 90 degree heat. Lo got to play with the babysitter all by herself on Saturday night while Isaac & I went to "crash fest" at the local speedway. Isaac had the time of his life. We arrived at 6:30 and the races/crashes didn't end until 9:30, yet Isaac didn't sit down for even a minute! He was mesmerized- he loved when the cars crashed or broke down- that meant the tow truck or forklift was coming out to take care of the problem. We had a great weekend together - but of course, we still missed daddy and we're glad he's home!

2008-07-28T12:00:00.000-07:00

Isaac & I at crash fest.

Trailer crashes!

Lo & Dora waiting for pancakes at the restaurant.

Not so sure about the pig- neither wanted to get out of their stroller!

How can he not like milk?

Oink! Oink!

As you can see, Lo is not in any of the animal pictures- she was a tad scared!

The kids loved the rides- especially this little train.

Summer Days

2008-07-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

My mom and I took the kids to the beach last weekend. They had a great time as did we. They loved digging in the sand and "getting buried". Lauren wasn't too sure about walking into the lake but Isaac would have walked in right over his head had we not been watching him! It was a great day. Thanks Mom/Grandma/Baca for coming with us!

New York

2008-07-15T13:19:00.001-07:00

David & I in Battery Park, looking over the river at the city.
The view over Central Park from our hotel room.
David & I in Little Italy.

David & I spent this past weekend in New York together while my parents (well, mainly my mom!) watched the kids. We had a great weekend and from what I hear, the kids had a great time with Grandma too! It was nice to get away although New York is far from "relaxing". We walked constantly, biked 15+ miles through and around Central Park and ate some of the best food of our lives. There was minimal shopping done (to my dismay) but I still had a great time. Maybe someday we'll go back with the kids so they can see what real city life is like! Thanks, Mom, for taking care of our babies while we were gone!

4th of July

2008-07-05T13:10:00.001-07:00

For those of you who know Lauren- there couldn't be a better shirt to describe her!
The kids grabbing candy at the Munster Parade. They got WAY TOO MUCH!

Our small fireworks display on the driveway-Isaac kept asking, "where are the ones that go in the sky?" Thank goodness we had one of those- but no worries, the rest of the neighborhood picked up where we left off! It was a very fun day and night!

Touch a Truck

2008-06-30T12:26:00.001-07:00

Trying on the firefighter geer . . .
"Operating" an excavator . . .
He looks like a natural . . . .
This is the best day ever!

Isaac & I got to go to a park up the street for "Touch a Truck" day. There were lots of trucks for us to see, touch and pretend to drive. He had so much fun and it was really nice to spend some time alone with him while Lauren enjoyed a day with her 10 year old friend, Emma!

Priceless . . . . .

2008-06-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Catching some sun

2008-06-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

The weather has been beautiful lately and the kids have been spending some time in the pool. For the most part, they enjoy it, although Lauren seems to do much better when there are multiple children swimming than when it is just her, Isaac and myself- I guess we're a little boring to her. Isaac loves the water and will swim all around the pool (with his floaty on). They love to be in rafts too and just float around in the sun. Little do they know- with SPF 50, they won't be getting much of a tan!

Cutler Day Parade

2008-06-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

Lo getting her face painted- balloons.
Isaac is getting a "doggy face."
Isaac on a train ride- Lo tried, but apparantly 19 lbs isn't enough to ground one when going over large bumps (basically she almost fell off & I had to rescue her).
Isaac riding the mechanical swing.

The kids and Aunt Julie waiting for the parade to begin.
Isaac is his glory watching the fire trucks and waving.
Someone handed out flags and the kids waived them constantly. It was very patriotic!
Lo also sported many a political advertisement by way of stickers!

FIRE!

2008-06-18T11:40:00.001-07:00

Well, we've been having a lot of fires over at the Sherwood house- it seems like 100+ per day. Good thing we have Isaac & Lo! They are fantastic firefighters. Isaac stays in contact with the chief on his walkie-talkie so that he knows just where each fire is. It's so fun to watch the two of them play together! This is what people must have meant when they said life would get easier when they got older!

First-time blogger!

2008-06-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

It's official- I am now a blogger! This is for all the family and friends far away that don't get a chance to see the kids grow up from day to day. Here is a typical breakfast at the Sherwood house- if it's sunny in the kitchen, we need our glasses on and you can't have your glasses on without giving eachother "high fives". Who needs to actually eat when you can have this much fun!