January & February 2010

January is a boring month.  You have to admit you agree.  The end of the Holiday season brings boredom (birthday highlights aside), so not much happened.  And after all the fuss that occurs between Black Friday and New Years Day, not having much happen was a welcomed relief.

Ethan’s birthday falls in February, and this year he turned five.  He was very excited to make the half-decade mark, and we were left trying to find out where the past 60 months had gone.  In five years Ethan has grown into a full-blown little boy. He is a great big brother to both Lucas (fights not withstanding) and Alayna (he’s already honing his big brother protection skills).  He’s either skipping through the house, absorbed in a puzzle (he prefers the 500 piece kind, and is determined to conquer a 1000 piece soon), building something, or decorating his room with … well, with stuff.  He tried Karate this year and enjoyed it, but we’re not sure he’ll do it again.  He likes getting his picture taken as well as seeing other people have their picture taken; so much so that he feels compelled to join them in their picture.  We are very thankful that God has brought him into our lives.

March 2010

They say March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb, well ours was reversed.  The beginning of the month was uneventful, but the end had back-to-back birthday and anniversary.  Erin turned… well she had another birthday this year.  She is doing well, continuing her effort to transform the homemade bag industry one bag at a time… with a lot of time in between each one.  Raising three kids leaves little time for anything else, but she ceaselessly and tirelessly fills her orders for bags, right up to the last minute.  She enjoys being able to stay home with the children and wouldn’t trade that for anything.

We celebrated our seventh anniversary by having a nice quiet dinner at a local establishment (Easy Street Café – home of the best onion rings; Outback’s Bloomin’ Onion is awful by comparison).  Seven years isn’t all that long, but when a lot happens in such a timeframe, it can seem like quite awhile.  But its been a wonderful adventure.

April  & May 2010

Shortly after Easter, we made our first foray into the world of homeschooling by attending a homeschooling convention.  We had discussed homeschooling for a while, and so we felt it was important to investigate.  Taking Alayna along with us, we drove south to spend two nights and three days at the Millennium Hotel in downtown Cincinnati. It didn’t take long to quickly surmise that “home education” is quite a subculture.  However, we also discovered that it is much more mainstream than we thought (which was evidenced by the lack of blue jean jumpers, although they still reared their ugly head here and there – no offense to those who love them).  Not knowing what we didn’t know, it was hard to determine where to start with everything.  But start we did and by the end of the weekend we learned quite a lot and selected a curriculum to use for Kindergarten.

May saw the grass get greener, the air become warmer, and the flowers start blooming.  The dark and depressing days of winter were fully passed, and we tried to spend as much time as possible out of doors to recover.  Our landscaping was beautified, the bowling alleys visited, the house projects commenced, and the little white stick had two pink stripes on it.  Yes, two stripes, not one.  You know, those little sticks that tell you another life will be visiting you in nine months by showing two pink lines.  The ones that say, “Ready or not, here someone comes!”  Yeah, we had one of those in May.   This wasn’t intentional, but one’s intentions and God’s plans don’t always coincide.  After the shock (which lasted well into July) we accepted and embraced the idea fully.  We are thankful to have another little boy join the family.  Estimated Arrival:  January 2011.  Actual Arrival: TBA.

June & July 2010

Summer was here and Ethan finished preschool!  After two years of attendance, he graduated with full honors (he was fully honored by all the doting family members).  He loved Rainbow preschool, but was also ready to begin the new adventure of homeschooling in the fall.

We try to get at least one camping trip in each year and July was our month.  We met up with some friends in the lovely city of Ada, Ohio.  It was great to spend time with friends, especially those whom we don’t often get to see.

Summer also brought the call: “Go west young family.”  Okay, so that’s not how it goes, but the Vile family heard and answered it.  Literally.  We left the house and two days later, with 24 hours of car time logged, we arrived in Loveland Colorado – the home of Erin’s brother and his wife and family.  We greatly enjoyed our time with geographically-challenged family (I think that’s the PC way to put it).  The kids enjoyed playing with their cousins, riding on Uncle Ryan’s boat, visiting the Rodeo, climbing a mountain, and generally raising a ruckus.  It went by quickly, but was fun while it lasted.  Erin’s mom joined us for the long ride home.  I’m pretty sure next time she’ll fly.

August 2010

Alayna turned one in August.  We’ve had fun watching her grow, explore, and learn so much over the past year.  She went mobile by her birthday, starting to crawl; then switched from four limbs to two and started walking by Thanksgiving!  We like to see her make her way around the house (if you see the movie Pirates of the Caribbean, watch how Johnny Depp walks – that’s what she looks like).  Her personality is becoming clearer, and she’s already learned the art of getting what she wants with just a look…  yes folks, she’s a girl.

The boys love her, sometimes too much, which usually is occasion for one of her signature ear piercing shrieks (Dad calls it a banshee cry, but Mom refuses to entertain that term).  She’s a complete Daddy’s girl, and uses her Ninja Death-Grip to prevent anyone from stealing her away from him.   We love our little girl.

September 2010

This month marked the beginning of a new and immense adventure; a walk down an uncertain path.  The Vile Home Education School opened its doors and admitted a single student.  Erin started homeschooling Ethan.  The first few weeks were admittedly bumpy, as everyone was trying to adjust to this new way of life.  But once Ethan knew what to expect, and Erin adjusted to the routine, it was smooth sailing (well not without a few storms).  Ethan is learning a ton, already starting to read a few simple books!  He loves numbers and math is a breeze.  We’ve still got a lot to figure out in this area, but it’s going as well as can be expected!  We’re excited to see where this path leads.

October & November 2010

Fall was in full swing.  Leaves were changing colors and dropping off their branches – and the boys had fun helping Dad rake them up.  But colder and shorter days meant more time inside for the boys.  And considering that the two of them are still in the single digits and full of energy our house is… well, you’ve seen pictures of a mushroom cloud, right?  Lots of energy plus cramped small space equals large explosion; pretty much every night.  It’s fun, but a challenge to make it till 8:00pm.

Kevin had a birthday in October.  Each year goes by so quickly that it’s hard to keep track of the number, so we’ll just say it was another one.  He’s been working from home since May of 2008 and enjoying it.  The family is glad to have him around and will occasionally drop into his office (the back room – quietest place there is in a loud house).  And typically if one comes, the whole gang follows.  He does get work done though… somehow.

We had a chance to get away down to Hocking Hills, Ohio without the kids for a couple days.  It was a welcomed break – the calm before the storm – and we enjoyed some rest and relaxation.  The weather was nice and the landscape was beautiful, giving us opportunity to hike some beautiful trails.  Erin made it the first few miles or so, but then the reality of pregnancy set in and Kevin was forced to trek the last couple alone to retrieve the car and pick up the tired lady.  It was a fun time.

December 2010

Lucas turned four in December, and he certainly has grown up!  It was less than 12 months ago that he finished potty training, and just a few months ago he started preschool, what a whirlwind!  He loves going to Rainbow Preschool and does great.  He enjoys all kinds of sports, likes to mow the lawn with Dad (the whole thing), snuggling with his multitude of stuffed animals, and long walks by the beach – wait, was that Lucas?

Our little boy is a full of passion, the kind that manifests itself in large bursts of sound.  But we’re glad to see that he’s fully committed to things – either he completely likes them or hates them!  He likes his little sister and tries to be a helpful brother, although she’s not too sure about the nature of their relationship informing us all with her signature shriek.  He is a wonderful and irreplaceable addition to our family.  Thank God for little boys.

Well, that was our year in less than 1700 words, hopefully you made it the whole way, but we’ll forgive you if you skipped some!  We want to thank all our friends and family for all you mean to us; its great to have you all come along on the ride with us one day at a time!

May your Christmas be filled with love and joy as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and may the New Year bring many blessings. Would you let Christ be the center of this next year and allow Him to guide you in every step, for He wants our hearts and our lives!

With Love,
The Vile’s
- Kevin, Erin, Ethan, Lucas, Alayna and BABY!

Takin’ the Rhino out for a ride

Tractors in the barn the boys loved to sit on

Ethan used this trash can lid to block his face from the “hotness” of the fire

Sorry guys… this was the only shot I took by the fire…

Cookout with some dear friends!

Free spray park… how fun!

Ok… on to some fun memories… here’s our Labor Day:

Check out those lobster tails!

Lucas and Lexi enjoying the cookout

The kiddos

The Ladies

And the Gents

The whole gang

And the Core’s… we will miss you guys!

So after my brother and his family headed back to Colorado we headed up to Detroit for a very dear friends wedding. Kevin’s childhood buddy, Kris, FINALLY (hehe… just kidding Kris) got married to a great girl we all approve of (like it really matters if WE approve ), and totally love! The wedding was absolutely beautiful and we had a great weekend visiting family and friends.

So after making arrangements for the boys to head to grandma’s, I was off!

I arrived Thursday afternoon and spent the day chatting, watching their precious little boys and of course watching Grey Anatomy and Lost (can’t miss an episode). Then Friday we went to a yummy restaurant for lunch… Rumbie’s (I think)… Hawaiian food. Friday night we headed over to Scottsdale to our resort. Ate at a great Italian pizza place, Oregano’s and spent some time chatting over coffee and cookies. Saturday was a wonderful, relaxing day at the pool. I couldn’t get enough of the beautiful sunshine and warmth! I think they got really sick of me saying how much I loved the sun!!! (winter has been LONG in Ohio!) Saturday night we met up with some more college sisters (we were all in Omega Alpha Phi together). So fun to catch up on each other lives… just like old times. But we are all moms and apparently just can’t stay up late anymore… we were back to the hotel by 9:15! We did spend some time in the hot tub… but were in bed by 10:00… I guess no more partying for us. hehe

Sunday we met the Rob (Tiff’s man) & Josh (Jo’s man) and the little ones for lunch at Which Wich for lunch (yummy sandwiches). And then watched the kiddos play in a nearby fountain. Cuteness! Sunday evening we ordered in and watched Juno and Monday EARLY morning, I headed back home. What a FUN, FUN time away with the girls! We had a great time visiting, catching up, reminiscing and making great new memories. I just love getting together with old girlfriends and picking up where we left off 5 or 10 years ago. What a blessing. We can’t wait for our next get together!!!!
Enjoy the pics.

Jack (Jo’s oldest)

Elijah (Tiffani’s little one)

Jonas (Jo’s youngest… until July)

I am looking forward to a new year with new adventures and challenges. It’s pretty amazing how the years go by faster and faster… guess there’s no way to slow it down other than slow down yourself and try to enjoy every moment. I hope this year brings as many joys and blessings as 2007. God is good!

We had a great time watching chick flicks in the hotel and then watching the Food Network till our hearts content. On Saturday we hit the hotel’s continental “extended” breakfast (HA)… which didn’t really do much for any of us, and then we were off for a day to look for great deals and check people off our Christmas lists.

We first headed over to Bronner’s – the World’s Largest Christmas store… you can’t go to Frankenmuth and not go there. I was presently surprised by how NOT crowded it was!!! I guess we hit it at the right time. Once we got our Christmas fix in, we headed to the Outlets. We did pretty good but were wiped out by 4:00 and decided to head out. We stopped in Ann Arbor for dinner at Mongolian BBQ. It started snowing a little when we got there and by the time we got done with dinner the streets were covered in snow and from there I was white-knuckling it for 2 1/2 hr. home (should have only been 1 hr.). Needless to say were were all pretty exhausted when we finally got home.

It was a great trip though and it was so fun to get away with the ladies!

Jenny & Melissa

Roz

At Bronner’s

At Mongolian BBQ

Friday night we went to the Toledo Zoo’s Lights Before Christmas, which the kids really enjoyed. Saturday was a Holiday Parade downtown Bowling Green and then the BIG OSU vs. Michigan game… GO BUCKS! It was a cold couple of days so they got their taste of Ohio cold weather and I’m sure that was enough for them. It was a very nice visit and hopefully it won’t be another 5 years before we see each other again! Thanks for coming out guys! We love you!

Our boys, Ethan & Jack

Jack… what a cutie

Sweet Jonas

My boys

Ethan & Jack loved to draw on the easel

The babies

Jonas loved to carry around this little chair and sit down whenever he felt like it… so cute

At the Lights Before Christmas

Us Moms

The big boys watching the dancing lights

A little Cider and Cloves by the campfire

Baby Lucas at the Holiday Parade

Jo and the boys at the Holiday Parade

Kevin’s first year to experience BG’s parade

Bye friends, thanks for visiting!

Saturday, we were invited to a birthday / Halloween party which was absolutely insane! It was like walking into a Martha Stewart party! Everything down to the spider ice cubes and homemade eye ball buckeyes were decked out with Halloween decor. It was complete with a Mad Scientist show put on by the father of the birthday girls. Ethan had a great time and I’m sure it will be an annual event.

Sunday was a beautiful day filled with outside chores (raking leaves, mowing and filling our shed for the winter), making applesauce and sharing great conversation with great friends over dinner. And what a better end to great weekend than having warm, fresh out of the oven cookies DELIVERED to our door! YUM!!!!

Here are some pictures of downtown trick or treating. We’ll be going again on Halloween so I’m sure I’ll have more pics to share then.

We spent Saturday eating some great camp food made over the fire and took a walk down to the lake and enjoyed a few games of rings. And of course spending time with good friends is priceless. And we’re already planning our trip for next year… maybe we’ll be able to get in 2 trips.

The boys in the morning, brrrr….

Lucas… so cute

Our new tent… it was huge!!!! Enough room for 2 pack-n-plays and a queen air-matress!!!

Ethan helping Melissa (Ethan calls her “Issa”) wash dishes

Lucas content playing with his toys. He loved being outside.

Jens’ strategy to playing Rings

Ethan coloring in his tent

The fam

Jens & Melissa

Father & Son… sharing marshmellows

Marshmellow mustache

The gang: Jimmy, Marybeth, Vile’s, Melissa & Jens

GOOD TIMES!