Labor Day Weekend

We did it! We had a wonderful Labor Day Weekend while squeezing 8 adults and 2 kids and 1 baby on my parents' boat. Many would call that crazy, but it was really just crazy fun!

enjoying a snack on the bow...

Despite the cold water temps, Claudia swam every day!

Can you see Baby Trey? He is adorable!

Claudia helped Papa clean the boat.

Jake and Nana snuggle in the sun.

Katie and Joe warm up on the swim deck (thanks to sun and a little wine)!

Claudia's First Day of Kindergarten

Claudia started school today! She has been counting down and was soooo excited! Although it was hard to see her go, her happiness did make it easier to say goodbye. After much thought, prayer, debate, etc, we decided to send her to Muskegon Christian. Her schedule is great - all day Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and home Tuesday and Thursday. We are so proud of our Kindergartener!

Jake Pees in the Potty!

No more explanation needed! It's day 7, and he's still doing great!

Tulip Time 2009!

We have a little tradition going with Aunt Meghan and Uncle Steve of seeing a Tulip Time Parade, running around Centennial Park (tiptoeing through the tulips), and riding a few rides at the carnival each year during Tulip Time. This year, we couldn't help but think of next year when their little baby will be joining us! Next year, we've also committed to finding Dutch costumes (or making them???) for the kids...we'll see how that goal turns out!

See what Jake was doing during the parade? Driving his dirtbike through the tulips, of course! (No tulips were harmed during the filming of these pictures.)

Claudia kept her Dutch hat on almost all day! Preschool this morning included!

The yellow tulips were our favorite this year.

Jake's version of Heaven.

Ooh! A video! I've never tried this before...fun! And Claudia was sure having fun on this roller coaster!

At the end of the day, the ferris wheel was the favorite part for Claudia. Jake first answered cotton candy, then switched it to the ferris wheel.

Spring Showers

I found these raincoats for about $2 at Target, and they've been inspiring us to get out and play...even in all this rain!

Okay, so you can't tell that Claudia was having fun in her raincoat, but she really was.

Finally! Some new pics!

Where does time go? I was doing so well with this blog for a while, and now it's been about 6 months since I've added anything!

Well here's a quick entry: I took an amateur photography class this spring and here are some of my favorite shots...

I love that boy's smile!

And of COURSE I was trying to focus the flag and have Claudia blurred!

Oh, the fun of a trampoline!

A Fairy Princess and a Pirate

Here are some pics from our fantastic Halloween. I say fantastic now that it's over. That last hour before trick-or-treating begins is always so stressful...at least in our house! I'm trying to get the kids to eat something, bribing Jake so I can get him into his outfit without him taking it off, and the biggest feat of all - attempting to take a picture of the kids that captures how adorable they are together. Whew! But so worth it - the kids had a great time.

We even got a picture with all the neighbors - all the kids smiling? no way. But at least they're all present! Well, almost all - where's Luke???


Our candy-hander-outers

And thank goodness the Tiesma kids came over earlier that day to help with the carving of our pumpkins or they probably wouldn't have gotten carved this year!