Saturday Afternoon at Lake Michigan

We spent Saturday afternoon hiking the dunes along Lake Michigan near Grand Haven with the Alderinks.  It felt great to be outside on such a beautiful day!

 

 

 

 

Spring 2009

Frederick Meijer Gardens

We spent a Sunday afternoon at FMG checking out the butterflies that they bring in every year.  Sydney was surprisingly interested in the flowers and in following the flights of the butterflies around the greenhouse!

 

 

 

 

January 2009

Mom's first day back at work - January 5, 2009.  I am working as an accounting intern at CDV Associates in Grand Rapids.  So far I am only committed to work through tax season, but we will see where that takes me afterward!  I am excited to be using my degrees and to be learning more about accounting....only sad to have to leave Sydney two days per week!

Hmmm, can't seem to get this one rotated, but we couldn't resist sharing that teeny little bum!  Our little monkey is a combination of super active and great metabolism, so she is staying pretty tiny still.  We are hoping solid foods help with the weight gain a bit.

Getting her first taste of rice cereal, and LOVING it!

Another one we couldn't resist - LOVE those cheeks!

Although it was short-lived, we had to get Sydney out in the snow at least once this winter.  She wasn't too impressed...  Dan thought the excursion was somewhat unnecessary, but we won't be living in this type of weather forever, and a Michigan winter is part of every year of life -- even the first!

Someone is NOT happy about being stuck in her crib.  After a couple weeks of disagreeing on taking naps and going to bed, Sydney and her parents have finally made a deal that seems to be working - Mom & Dad say "go to bed" and she does!  Kids learn so quickly... thank goodness!

We purchased a beautiful piano from Dan's Aunt Maria & Uncle John this month -- As you can see, Sydney is already on her way to being a prodigy:

Helping Daddy celebrate his 30th BIRTHDAY!

Christmas - 6 months old

This year we spent Christmas with Grandpa and Nana at their house in Nelles Corner.  We enjoyed spending time with them and also with Great Grandpa Schweyer, Uncle Jon and Auntie Renee, and Uncle Fred and Auntie Sarah.  Not much snow to play outside in, but we had a wonderful Christmas!

An early Christmas gift - TWO TEETH!

Sedona

December began with a family trip to beautiful Sedona, Arizona.  We spent the week with Dan's family in an amazing home called the Sedona Lighthouse.  The amenities were wonderful and the time together was even better.  We were even able to visit with my parents while they vacationed in Sedona as well.

Taking in her first view of the Grand Canyon:

Month 5

Sydney started out November by learning to roll over from her back to her stomach.  I think the key was finding her feet and then she couldn't help herself from grabbing them and inevitably rolling!

Sydney loves the new sock monkey that Oma Linda made for her - just like the one her daddy had when he was little.  Oo-oo-oo-oo-aah-aah-aah-aah!!!

This fall, Sydney and I enjoyed our last few walks among the changing leaves before the snow flies.  For Halloween, she dressed up in her fairy costume from Bali as a makeshift Tinkerbell to Mom and Dad's Peter Pan and Wendy. 

Enjoying some TV-time with Daddy:

Month 4

Sydney's Baptism was celebrated on October 19th.  We were blessed to have many friends and family members join us for this special event, including all the out-of-town grandparents!  Sydney was even able to wear the beautiful baptism gown sewn by Oma Linda and worn by Auntie Sarah.

We took a road trip to Pella, Iowa to visit with friends Frank, Mindi & Madeline VandenBosch over the long Columbus Day weekend.  

Sydney celebrated 100 days of life on October 2!  She is getting so strong -- loving to stand up on her strong legs and looking all around when on her tummy.



In late September, Sydney visited with her cousins Ella and Ethan who were visiting from Winnipeg.