Toby Mac Surprise!

One of the things Bryan and I love to do most is surprise our kids. Most of the time, it turns out perfectly. (Sometimes not. Does anyone remember the surprise Bryan gave the kids and it resulted in Carson needing 5 stitches to his head??) Luckily, this surprise was perfetto (PERFECT)!! The kids LOVE Toby Mac. They have all of his CD's and have given a few lip-synced concerts to any and all unsuspecting family members that will listen. We tailgated in the parking lot and had 8th row seats at Pine Knob (yes, I still call it that). We even ran into some people we knew. Carson managed to stay awake until the last 20 minutes. Gracie was on her seat jammin all night and Mason was in his glory. That teary eyed lump-0-happiness was in my throat. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Sushi, Subway and chocolate milk were on the menu for our little tailgating party.

Pure excitement!

Ally and Cassidy Gear (Andy and Brad Geer's middle and youngest) were there with big sister Jess.

Do you remember Mandisa from American Idol a few years back? She was very full-figured on Idol and she talked about her journey on stage. She was one of the opener's for Toby.

Toby Mac.

Toby changed his outfit and donned a blue cap in celebration of the Detroit Lion's win that day. Another neat thing about this is that Jason Hanson, the Lion's kicker, sat right beside us.

Starting School

I'm playing catch up with my postings. This is the first day of school. Gracie in 6th grade. Mason in 3rd and Carson in 1st. This is Carson's first time going to school all day. What will I do with myself? :) I'm sure I'll find something!

Mom's celebrating the end of summer.

Jessica, Lauren and Gracie.

Labor Day Weekend in Lewiston, MI

This year, the kids made Indian 'costumes' and had a treasure hunt. Chloe Allen and Gracie.

"Owl-Eye" Mason.

"Crazy Horse" Gracie.

"Boctus"???? Carson.

All the cousins.

Maddie Allen, Jack Shrader, Mason and Braden Shrader.

Amanda Dreher Allen and me.

Bret, Bryan, Brad, mom and dad.

Amanda, me and Rachel making friendship bracelets.

Dad and Bryan.

Jack Shrader and Mason.

Bryan and his first AXE print ad:) (Really just bathing in the lake).

Gracie, Brooke Allen and Maddie Allen.

Rachel and me.

Jack, Will and Mason.

Gracie and Chloe.

Great Grandma Allen.

Mom and Dad.

It poured down rain on our first night and the kids loved it!

End of the Summer Fun Stuff

Lunch with the girls. Jenny Lintemuth Reed and Me

Gracie and Annie.

Waiting for our friends to join us at The Tap Room in Okemos for lunch.

Doing one of most favorite things to do in the summer: eat breakfast on the deck. Bryan frying up some sausage with Gracie and Mason.

Mason ready to dig in.

Hot tubbing in the backyard with Peyton Saigh, Carson, Mason and Ashton Saigh.

Gracie and Marci doing a nightly ritual: reading in bed.

At the Rolling Hills water park. Mason, Gracie, Jessica Dingman, Lauren Parrell and Carson.

Enjoying an "ice cream social" with friends. Nick Dingman, Conner Parrell, Carson and Mason.

Lauren Parrell, Gracie, Olivia and Jessica Dingman.

Heather brought me flowers that matched my outfit! (Jackie Dingman, me, Heather Parrell)