4 Months!

In the last couple weeks, the twins have really started to notice each other...they love checking one another out and passing smiles back and forth, even when they're supposed to be eating!  I can hardly believe they're 4 months already, except that they're getting SO big!  Asher loves rolling over onto his stomach now, but Geneva is content on her back as long as she has her thumb handy.  And, of course, this mommy thinks they are angels for sleeping 12 hours through the night for the last month or so!  We are so blessed.

 

Still Thankful

I know I don't put enough comments on this blog....when it comes time to write something, it seems that all the words leave my brain...and the pictures usually say a thousand words anyway. But I wanted to say today that I am thankful every minute for my three beautiful children and for my hard-working and supportive husband. I am even thankful when Sydney pees on her Dora panties or poops on the lawn instead of the toilet, when she voices her strong little opinion about dinner or what she wants to do, and when 3 hours have flown by and the twins want to eat AGAIN. Things can get crazy around here -- when the dishes are undone, toys are strewn all over the floor, my coffee is cold again, laundry (clean and dirty) is piling up around me, dinner needs to be thought about and made, my take-home work is leaving me confused and causing me guilt for not working on it, and all I really feel like doing is swimming in the pool with Sydney -- but I do feel blessed in so many ways and am so thankful for this life God has given me and for the people I share it with.  Much love to you all!

Big Fish Lake

Another year, a few more kids, and another vacation with our good friends the VandenBosches, Marcusses, and Morrises.  This year we decided to keep it somewhat close-to-home (rather than 8 adults flying with 8 children!) and rented a cottage on Big Fish Lake in Marcellus, Michigan.  Truth be told, I needed a vacation after that vacation, but we had a wonderful time just being together.  The weather cooperated, the kids played and got to know one another better, and the adults did all they could to keep the kids at bay and stay sane!

Anna & Sydney practicing their skills:

Sydney, Madi & Elizabeth sucking on Dum-Dums:

Sydney, Anna, Madi & Will on a wagon ride:

Dance party!

A little child labor while the guys play bags in the background

Running through the sprinkler

The girls having their morning "coffee" while watching a bit of cartoons

The twins were quite popular...

And just a couple more photos of my beautiful kids:

Fun with Bubbles

Twins: 3 Months

Tante Karinne's Visit

My sister Karinne was here this past weekend to meet the twins and visit with the family...she is the last of our scheduled visitors, I think!  We had a great time celebrating Sydney's birthday, hitting the beach at Grand Haven, swimming in the "blue pool" (as Sydney calls it), and camping out in the back yard!  Miss her already.

Syd's Birthday Celebrations

We celebrated Sydney's 2nd birthday a few days early by having a small pool party/BBQ with friends and by eating purple dinosaur cake...what else, right?  After showing her several cake ideas online she became attached to the dinosaur, and every time we talked about her upcoming party she always mentioned the dinosaur cake so of course we had to go with that one!

Then on Sydney's true birthday, we surprised her with a big easel for drawing, painting, etc.  I'm pretty sure she thought it was cool...except that we forgot to buy the paper, paint, and chalk for it.  Oops.

And after Tante Karinne's arrival that morning, some swimming, and pizza with dip-dip for dinner, we celebrated again with some cupcakes - YUM!  Sydney made sure she got TWO cupcakes since it was her second birthday.  Good thing she really only wants the frosting anyway.

Had to put the bib on for chocolate frosting!

I couldn't resist including this photo of the kids on Sydney's birthday....Geneva's face is just hilarious!  Oh, and the twins were rooting for the Netherlands in World Cup Soccer that day too!

Sydney also had her 2-year well child appointment this week.  Our little girl weighs a whopping 25.2 pounds (35th percentile - we are moving up!) and is just shy of 3 feet tall (93rd percentile).  Her large head is in the 85th percentile.  Syd's pediatrician is always raving about how she talks like a 3-4 year old....yes, we know she's a little smarty pants, and we love it.  Even when she's sassy...which she is often lately!

Father's Day

I know this post is a week late, but we just wanted to let the world know what a wonderful dad and husband we have! We love you, Dan!

O, Canada

This past weekend we took a spur-of-the-moment trip to Canada (the twins' first one) to visit with the grandparents and to test the kids' summer traveling skills. Everything went smoothly, of course...our kids are so well behaved! The U.S. border, on the other hand, could use a talking to...but, anyway. We had a wonderful time, despite the distance!

OmaLinda and the twins (Opa, where are you?):

Grandpa and Geneva:

Nana and Asher:

GG (or should that be GiGi?) and the kids:

And on Saturday, while the twins did this...

...Sydney did this:

Nana, don't you have a bigger swimming pool?

Thanks (for letting me swim in great-great-Grandma's laundry tub)!

But the water's a bit chilly!