Back to School!

Okay so this morning was way too early for me. The alarm went off and I rolled over and asked Mike is it 6:00 or 6:15, hoping it was 6:00 so I could sleep another 15 minutes. But that wasn't the case, it was time to get up. Mike got Brendan up and gave him the breakfast of champions....fruit loops.

After getting Brendan dressed and his teeth burshed, we were off to the bus stop, which unfortunate for me is about 4 miles down the road. When we got there, no one else was around....'great, we missed the bus on the first day of school' was my thought but moments later we saw the bus and off he went. I still can't believe I was the one with the butterflys in my stomach and the tears in my eyes. Brendan didn't seem to be one bit scared or nervous.

So here I sitting and wondering how Brendan's day is going so far? Did he like the bus ride? What is he doing right now??? Does he like his teacher? How is his teacher doing....she's a newbie? I guess I will have to wait until the end of the day to find out all these answers.

I pray that God will bless Brendan in this school year, help him to learn what he needs to learn, have the ability to make new friends and continue to build friendship with his friends from last year, and I pray that he continues to love school as much as he did last year.

Happy 2nd Birthday Connor!!!!

A Review of the past Year.

Here are his favorite's right now:
'mo (elmo)
being a monkey and climbing onto everything
Pb & J
Playing with the broom
Combing his hair with daddy's hairbrush.
his blankie
the new computer from Aunt Kelli
playing...or maybe it's fighting with his brothers, he can stand his own ground.
'mo (this time it's cookie monster)
breakfast (every meal is breakfast to him)
Coooookies (he shares in the love of oreos with his daddy)
loves to swim and being near the water



Happy Birthday Connor!!!! Mommy & Daddy love you very much.

End of the Summer Fun

Dylan

What a handsome little guy!!!!

Yesterday my sister in law came over with her adorable little boy and I was able to get some photos of him at 6months old. He did great job!!! I just love his little smile.

the beginning of my two year old's birthday celebrations

Happy Birthday Mike!

We Love You!!!!

Thanks for being a great dad, husband and friend

My baby's no longer a baby

Where does the time go....I remember like it was just yesterday that Connor was born and in 9 days he's going to be two years old. Here are some pictures from his 2 year old photo shoot.

Nothing makes a little boy more rough and tough

than his mommy's sunglasses and a firetruck tattoo.

Our day at the Hill

We had so much fun today, swimming, playing and talking with other mommies. We went to "the Hill" for a playdate with friends from church. It was a beautiful day...the sun was out, it was warm, even the pool water was a great temperature. Thanks to Michelle and Katie for inviting us over.

The Olympics

While watching the olympics the other night, Brendan was showing us what "exercises" he could do. He's been doing lots of flipping off the couch, backward somersaucets with my help, cartwheels, and this. I hope everyone else is enjoying the olympics as much as our family. I really like watching the gymnastics, beach volleyball and swimming. What's your favorite?

God's ever lasting reminder

Sunday night, our family got to see a whole rainbow. That is the first time I have seen a complete rainbow and it was amazing!!! It was so close to the house that I couldn't even get the whole rainbow in one photo. And of course a picture doesn't do it any justice. God is so good!!!!

Riding the Waves

Last Friday night, we spent the night with my parents on their boat. We dropped the youngest three boys off by Mike's parents and head to Lake Mac for a boat ride. Brendan spent the night checking out every square of the boat and then looking through the binoculars at anything that looked interesting on the lake. We tried getting out on the big lake but the waves were too big, so we just went around Lake Mac instead. We had a wonderful night. Thanks Mom and Dad!!!!

County Fair

Last Thursday we took the boys to the Kent County Youth Fair. They loved walked thru the barns and barns of animals, petting them and having no fear if an animal might bite or kick them. I guess that what being a kid is all about. Anyway, after getting the barns, the boys were sooooo hungry, but getting food for 6 people that want different things is much a pain in the butt!! Well, we ended up having to get into 7 lines for our dinner and kinda ate in shifts, which meant Mike and I ate on the run. There was a plus side to my complaining, we did get free ice cream.

Then the rides, we can't forget the rides. Each of the boys got to pick one ride to go on, yes we are cheap...the rides are three bucks each. The twins even picked different rides which was a mistake, our Mr."I've got no fear", Austin started crying the second his ride began, he didn't even make it around the track once and the carnie left him off.

Tomatoes here, Tomatoes there, We've got Tomatoes Everywhere

I think I plant too many tomato plants this year. I started off with 24 plants, but ended up with 22 plants...two got stepped on, can you imagine that with four little sets of feet running around.



Well, anyway the tomatoes are starting to come. And so far I am excited to be making salsa. But ask me again at the end of the week or better yet next week.

In case any one is interested, here's my salsa recipe

8c chopped tomatoes

3 med onions, chopped

8-10 jalepano peppers (keep all the seeds for hot, remove seeds for mild)

1/2 c. vinegar

1-12oz can of tomato paste

1 tbls garlic powder

1 tbls black peppr

1 tbls salt

Bring to boil and then simmer for 60 to 90 minutes. Pour into pint size jar and seal.

ENJOY!!!!

While the twins are away, the others will play.

On Saturday the twins spent the day with Grandpa and Grandma Van Dam at the campgrounds. They had a day full of fun and are still talking about having pizza at Grandma's trailer. And the funny thing is Lucas didn't even eat any pizza that night.

Anyway, seeing how the twins were gone. We took this opportunity and did something special with Brendan; we went mini golfing. Brendan absolutely loved mini golfing in Florida and liked it even better when the twins gone.

Brendan getting ready to tee off

Connor making it hard for Daddy to tee off.

Connor taking his turn.

Brendan celebrating a hole in two!!!

Somebody's made that his ball was taken away for a picture.