Team Met

Ummm...yeah

2012-01-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

Did I mention that Lillian is getting to be a toddler?

Portraits

2012-01-17T13:56:00.000-05:00

Nila got a scrapbook from Grandma for Christmas and she LOVES it. She immediatley stole all of the few photos I had printed out to fill it up. She also started doing portraits of people. Here she is telling us how she used the photos to copy off of.

Lillian and her babies

2012-01-17T13:53:00.000-05:00

Lilly is really starting to love her babies. She is carrying them around more and is very concerned about keeping their faces clean. I think we went thru a whole pack of wipes this way...

Books on tape

2012-01-17T13:51:00.000-05:00

Following in both her parents' footsteps - Nila just loves her books on tape. Although Jason and I don't have quight this elaborate of a setup whenever we listen to ours.

Snow fun

2012-01-17T13:45:00.000-05:00

Jason took Lillian and Jonas out to play in the snow on Saturday. Lillian loves to be outside and play in the snow.

A game

2012-01-17T13:34:00.000-05:00

Jonas and Lillian were playing on Saturday - pushing these designs back and forth under the bathroom door. It was so cute. After about ten minutes of this I hear Jonas yell..."Can you wipe my buns?!?!" I don't even want to imagine what the scene looked like in that bathroom.

Fun with a tissue box

2012-01-17T13:30:00.000-05:00

I am not sure what they were doing, but it is so nice to see them play together.

Silverware help

2012-01-17T13:25:00.000-05:00

Lillian loves to unload the silverware from the dishwasher. Today she pulled up a stool to rest while she unloaded. When she is putting it away she opens the drawer from the floor and then just chucks it over the side into the drawer. It is adorable. She also has a thing for drawers and likes them closed. She'll follow Jason around closing all the doors and drawers he has left open.

2012-01-17T13:22:00.000-05:00

Lillian is such a ham for the camera. Whenever we get the camera out she runs in front and plunks herself down for the photo and smiles. The older two could learn a thing or two from her.

Lilly paints

2012-01-17T13:16:00.000-05:00

The other morning I came up from the basement to see Lillian had helped herself to Jonas' paints. When I first rounded the corner she kept pointing to the paints and then knoding her head. She is really turning into a full on person. Getting so cute and cuddly. She also grew finally! I need to check her officially, but she is finally out of 18m clothes and into some 24m stuff and she just feels a lot more solid and heavy.

34

2012-01-17T13:12:00.000-05:00

Jason and I went out to dinner for my birthday the week before last. I hadn't planned on having a cake or anything and the kids were DEVISTATED! Nila started crying first thing in the morning when I told her. "What! No birthday party!" and then "Why didn't you tell me yesterday! I have to make you a crown! I have to make you a present!" Jonas was just dumbfounded. "How are you going to open presents? How can it be your birthday?"

So, I just HAD to make a cake for them to enjoy. Lillian ended up just loving it, smiling and clapping. We sang Happy Birthday three times because she was so much fun to watch.

Christmas Morning

2012-01-09T17:47:00.000-05:00

The camera was not out a lot Christmas morning, but it was awesome! The kids had so much fun and loved all their gifts. Nila got a new desk and both kids got sleeping bags. They have been sleeping in them on the floor for the last two weeks.

Christmas Eve

2012-01-09T15:08:00.001-05:00

We spent a very mellow Christmas Eve at home packing up BOTH cars to go over to my parents house. The kids were really good and after Mass ate a bit of dinner and then went right to bed. We should have known there was a catch, but the 3:30 wake up time came as a shock to us all the same. We tried to get the kids back to sleep, but Nila was wide awake the whole time until the rest of the house woke up at 6:30.

Christmas came a little early

2012-01-09T15:02:00.000-05:00

They rallied in order to open presents! The last two photos are of one of the presents that Nila made for Jonas. It is a snowy village. She drew three little people and then there is a snow (cheerio) backdrop for them to play on. I am amazed by her creativity!

Sick

2012-01-09T14:57:00.000-05:00

When Grandma and Grandpa came for a surprise visit we were super excited. The only snag was the EVERYONE got the stomach flu. Lillian and Jonas were sick for Jason's family party. Jonas had a raging fever that would not come down even with a double dose of medication and poor Lilly just wanted to be held the whole time. When we got home that night both Nila and Jonas were taking turns throwing up the whole night long. The only blessing is that they were so coordinated with noone needing the bathroom at the same time. We were all down for the count the next day with Jonas carrying his blanket, fire puppy, and bowl around with him if he ventured off the couch. It was a sad pathetic day so we had the Grandma & Grandpa Christmas early in order to cheer everyone up.

The Wizard Of Oz

2012-01-09T14:36:00.000-05:00

The kids LOVED the Wizard Of Oz. We read the book before hand so they would have some idea of the story. It actually is a lot different than the film. They haven't seen the film because they are total wimps and get scared at Kipper the Dog so they would never be able to watch the real film (that witch is seriously scary). Today Nila asked the librarian for other books about the wizard of oz and they had some more - I had no idea, but the author wrote a couple more titles about the land of Oz. We got one today and Nila cannot wait to read it!

Christmas Photo

2012-01-09T14:28:00.000-05:00

We took our Christmas photo just before we went to the annual children's production down at the Civic Theater. It was a brilliant idea from our babysitter Madalyn. Thank you Madalyn for thinking of it!! We were all dressed up to go anyways and we just put baby Lilly in her Christmas outfit and it was done. I think Lilly was a bit confused because we changed her out of pjs into a dress and then back into pjs in a matter of 15 minutes. That last photo is a test shot that Jason took as he was getting the lights and stuff ready. Don't you just love that outfit of Nila's?

Santa at Fredrick Meyer Gardens

2012-01-09T14:13:00.000-05:00

I know, this is totally old news, but I wanted to share photos of our holidays anyways. We were hit with a couple stomach bugs and crazy unknown fevers so we are just now catching up.

We went to FMG to see Santa again this year. The kids wanted a trampoline. We had known about this request for a while, but Jason veteoed it with the old "trips to the emergency room" line. The kids had a great time seeing the annual train exibit and also visiting the gardens at night. It was just beautiful as usual!

We've been sick

2011-12-31T07:54:00.000-05:00

Santa

2011-12-21T21:37:00.001-05:00

Teeth News

2011-12-04T23:16:00.000-05:00

Nila lost one of her front teeth, she was at school and they gave her a little box to keep it safe until she got home.

Daddy Does Toenails.

2011-12-04T23:11:00.002-05:00

Nila asked me to do her nails last weekend, we had to do some improvising to keep her toes from touching when they dried.

Nila Designs Clothing

2011-12-04T23:08:00.002-05:00

Nila drew up some clothing she wants Sarah to make for her. Can not wait to see how the real thing turns out.

Treasure Box

2011-11-19T22:01:00.002-05:00

My friend Nora got this treasure box for Nila when she was born, Nila loved it and now Jonas has taken it over. When he was still using his pacifier he would always keep them in here. There are always bits of many things hidden in this box.

2011-11-19T21:59:00.001-05:00

She goes to town when she cleans her face off.

Raking the leaves

2011-11-19T21:56:00.002-05:00

Chicago Day 2

2011-11-19T21:52:00.001-05:00

Chicago Day 2

2011-11-19T21:50:00.002-05:00

Chicago Day 2

2011-11-19T21:43:00.001-05:00

Lilly REALLY wanted to ride the horse.

Chicago Day 2

2011-11-19T21:39:00.001-05:00

Chicago Day 2

2011-11-19T21:37:00.001-05:00

This girl loves to swing

2011-11-19T21:32:00.001-05:00

Lilly loves to swing, if you try to take her out she swats your hands away. She could spend a day going back and forth.

Chicago

2011-11-19T21:29:00.001-05:00

Chicago

2011-11-19T21:24:00.001-05:00

We went to visit Aunti Lis in Chicago a couple of weeks ago. At the farm in the city.

The Candy Loot!

2011-11-02T13:06:00.001-04:00

Lillian trick or treating

2011-11-02T13:04:00.001-04:00

Lillian was SO SO excited to be dressed up like the big kids.

Dressed up for Halloween

2011-11-02T12:58:00.001-04:00

Nila was a peacock, Jonas a taco, and Lillian was a ballerina.

Pumpkin Carving

2011-11-02T12:56:00.001-04:00

Lillly is looking so like an actual toddler!

2011-11-02T12:55:00.001-04:00

2011-10-17T23:14:00.002-04:00

After pumpkins we went and got some awesome homemade donuts and cider. I don't know what it is about Kalamazoo and donuts - they are unbelievably good there. I am inspired to try and make some....or get one of those donut machines.

Pumpkins

2011-10-17T23:08:00.001-04:00

2011-10-12T13:04:00.001-04:00

They were actually crying because there is no snow yet. Seriously.

More Art

2011-10-12T13:01:00.002-04:00

Nila had Jason bring up the easel so she could "sketch". She is using the bat decoration as inspiration. Jonas and Lilly wanted in on the action too.

2011-10-12T12:59:00.001-04:00

Right next to mama...

Halloween Art

2011-10-12T12:57:00.001-04:00

She gave it to her teacher....I was heartbroken! It belongs on MY wall!

And the trees came down

2011-10-09T22:35:00.001-04:00

We had our two front trees cut down. It was so sad, but they were diseased and a serious hazard. The kids LOVED watching all the action from inside the house. The guys just dropped the tree so we were left with a bit of a mess to clean up. The kids loved it and played the whole evening out there. Lilly especially is all into doing circles and she made her own little obsticle course circuit and she would just go round and round.

Art Prize Saturday

2011-10-09T22:21:00.002-04:00

We took the kids down to see even more Art Prize on Saturday. It was so beautiful out. We watched a kid's show and then headed to the GRAM. Lilly totally loved one of the installations. She kept running through it. It was tough to drag her away. We also went to a really cool horse that Grandma Linda has seen earlier in the week.

Art Prize 2011

2011-09-30T14:33:00.001-04:00

Jason and Linda took the kids down to see Art Prize last weekend. (I stayed home and got a much needed nap.) The kids just love Art Prize. There is nothing cooler than hearing Nila yell "There's some more art" and running up to see it!

Grandma Linda is HERE!

2011-09-20T13:02:00.001-04:00

Grandma Linda arrived on Saturday! We have been having a great time already! The kids just love having her around to play with....and Jason and I love the extra help. She already has fixed the kitchen light and there is talk of installing a new kitchen faucet. Yeah!

Jonas and Linda are playing Spot It - pretty much the best game ever. I love it because adults and kids can play together and you don't have to beg people to remember their turn or only move forward one space. Currently Nila is the raining champ - she rocks this game.

2011-09-20T12:56:00.001-04:00

Lilly was doing some light reading yesterday.

All tuckered out!

2011-09-06T22:44:00.001-04:00

Four trips to two different schools today....we are exhausted!

Did you get me jumping off the stairs?

2011-09-06T14:24:00.001-04:00

Nila starts Kindergarten!

2011-09-06T14:17:00.001-04:00

I told her not to pose and she said "I can't help it, my body just does this."

Nila started afternoon kindergarten today! She was super excited and it was a LONG morning of waiting.

ND GAME

2011-09-05T21:35:00.001-04:00

The mini van RULES.

Boys - Noise with dirt on it.

"I got it" - Jonas says this all the time.

Dan playing horsey with the kids. If we kept points I think the kids won.

We did not go to the game but the kids watched a couple of plays through the tunnel. This was a great decision because they evacuated the stadium as we were driving home because of lightning strikes.

Jonas Preschool

2011-09-05T21:25:00.001-04:00

We took Jonas to his first day of preschool last week Thursday, the kid has never been more excited about anything in his life. The night before I told him that "Tomorrow is a preschool day." and he said "THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!" and gave me a big hug and a kiss. He is only going two days a week but would go seven if it was available.

Spin

2011-08-28T22:06:00.001-04:00

Nila loves all things that Spin and Jonas loves all things that make him fly. Every time we go to a playground Nila could spin on a tire-swing for a hour.

Ah the two oldest.

2011-08-28T22:04:00.001-04:00

Before leaving I told them that I wanted a photo together, after manhandling them around a bit and getting Nila to put her arm around Jonas things were not going good, I finally gave up after a couple of minutes and started to take some photos. I think their 17yr old and 15yr old personalities are shining through. (God Help Us)

More Beach

2011-08-28T22:00:00.002-04:00

One of the last days at the beach.

2011-08-28T21:57:00.003-04:00

Jonas getting ready for the Heisman.

I took Jonas and Nila over to the beach today, Jonas loves to jump in the waves but never closes his mouth because he is laughing so much and ends up swallowing a bunch of water. He did finally start to get the hang of it by the end of the day.

Sunflowers

2011-08-28T21:35:00.001-04:00

Sarah planted all these from seeds in the kids garden, they are in full force now, the bees love them.

Lillian in Pig Tails

2011-08-28T21:23:00.001-04:00

Nila Hits the Road.

2011-08-27T13:08:00.001-04:00

So with your first child you never really know what you are doing (how could you). Last weekend I was out with some of the other guys and kids on the street and all the kids are riding bikes and they think Jonas can ride without his training wheels. He says that he does and I take them off. He went about four houses without me touching him then slowed down and said "Daddy, I want put my training wheels back on."

So this weekend Nila said that she wanted to give it a try. I took Friday off work and Nila came into the kitchen with all her rollerblading pads on and said she was ready to go, we got ready and went outside, and she was off and ridding the first try. She could even use her brakes and stop without any issues, a half hour later we went around the block and a half hour after that she went around herself. I think she went around our block 15 times yesterday and about 10 times already today. She loves the freedom of the open sidewalk.

Lilly Loves Summer

2011-08-27T12:38:00.001-04:00

2011-08-22T21:54:00.002-04:00

Jonas kept telling me.. "Go when I say beep." "BEEP". He loved to fly high.

Nila kept saying she wanted to go, then would go, get freaked out and then come and ask to go again. Love the look on her face.

Lots of grand kids.

We had a great day with Aunts, Uncles and cousins.

2011-08-22T21:43:00.002-04:00

This Sunday we caught a couple laps of one of the many bike races that went past the end of our street.

Oh our beautiful children.

Flying

2011-08-21T23:03:00.001-04:00

Swing and Slid

2011-08-19T22:08:00.002-04:00

Our neighbor has a swing set in her back yard that she lets the kids use. Lilly is really starting to like the swings and the slides.

2011-08-17T15:18:00.001-04:00

I love this funny thing she does with her lips - half smile with a bit of mischief.

No walking, but man can she stand!

2011-08-17T15:15:00.001-04:00

Oh my - did you see those curls!

Books on tape

2011-08-17T14:52:00.001-04:00

I rounded the corner this morning to find this...two little kids totally involved while listening to a book on tape we just got from the library. Some days it is just so easy to love them.

Typical dinner...

2011-08-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

I haven't been cooking much this summer....mostly just sandwiches and quick food. I made eggs with goat cheese and chives over the weekend and Jason was so so happy. Onthe other hand, the kids love it when I don't cook much, more pancakes and oatmeal for dinner - GREAT!

On top of the world

2011-08-15T09:56:00.001-04:00

Lilly is still climbing up the stairs every chance she gets. She likes to sit at the top and dangle her feet...surveying her kingdom.

Oh my gosh! I knew it, a bobcat!!

2011-08-15T09:52:00.001-04:00

That is what Jonas said when he saw the bobcat on Friday night. Grandma and Grandpa are redoing their driveway and our cousin Troy brought over a bobcat to help with the work. Jonas was in heaven! Troy was so sweet and let each of the kids sit on his lap and drive it.

2011-08-11T06:40:00.004-04:00

2011-08-11T06:40:00.003-04:00

Back Yard

2011-08-11T06:24:00.002-04:00

Sarah planted sunflowers in the kids garden from seeds, they are kind of doing well.

Sandbox

2011-08-01T21:00:00.001-04:00

SOOO HOT, Jonas is melting.

Every jump should have a little spin.

Logo of one year

2011-07-31T21:37:00.006-04:00

Sarah has not liked this one since I put it up.

Sunset.

2011-07-31T21:24:00.001-04:00

Walk out to the Peir

2011-07-31T21:18:00.002-04:00

Jonas got to spend the night with Grandma and Papa so we took the girls over to Grand Haven for Pizza in the park and a walk out to see the sunset.

Nila saying that she is the Statue of Liberty.

Kids love to walk on these rocks.

On The Lake

2011-07-31T21:14:00.001-04:00

Our High School friend was in town this weekend visiting some friends down the street and had his boat, he took all the girls out for tube rides, Nila loves to tube. She kept pumping her thumb up and yelling "FASTER FASTER"

Lillian loves the beach.

2011-07-17T10:24:00.001-04:00

Jonas the Jumper

2011-07-14T21:34:00.001-04:00

2011-07-14T21:07:00.001-04:00

Beach...we love the beach!

Breakfast and Cherry Festival in TC

2011-07-14T21:04:00.001-04:00

Third annual Marika visit!

2011-07-14T21:00:00.002-04:00

We had our third annual Marika visit this weekend! We had an awesome time just hanging out. We have NO pictures of all of us together. That first picture is the best one we had....pretty lame! We made smoors around the fire Saturday night. For some reason I bought MAMMOTH marshmallows. They were so big you couldn't even make a smoore with them. The kids LOVED 'EM!

Matching PJs

2011-07-14T20:53:00.001-04:00

I made Nila a nightgown a few weeks back and with the left over scraps I pieced together a tank and shorts for Lillian. Jonas was all put out. He asked me to make him some pjs that matched Lillian too.

Our Lillian

2011-07-14T20:45:00.001-04:00

It's been a rough week with Lillian. She is getting the fourth molar and there has not been much sleep here at night. Lilly's personality is really starting to take hold and she definantly has an opinion about everything. She still has a bit of mommy obsession and holds on tight to me at all times. She cries if anyone tries to take her out of my arms and will even hit the kids if they try and sit in my lap. She thinks my lap is just for her. She has this strange of look of posession whenever she boots them out and takes her place. She also loves sand and water. She also has started to walk more and more. She uses our hands and is down to even one finger. Yesterday we were all outside and she stood up without any support from a crouch. She still skoots around on her bottom and is decently fast at it. She actually wore holes in some onsies and all of the bottoms of her pants and bloomers.

Lilly is a climber!

2011-07-14T20:36:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I was downstairs and came around the corner to find this...a little baby hanging out on the sixth step up. Up until this point Lilly has shown absolutley NO interest in the stairs. I guess it was all part of her plan. We have never had a climber before so this will be new for us. Today I was at my mom's and came out of the bathroom to find her standing on top of the Stokke chair reaching for the pictures on the wall. Hello - heart attack!!

POOL POOL POOL

2011-07-06T16:57:00.001-04:00

We had a wonderful time hanging out at the Willison's pool. Lovely weather and a great day all around. Jonas and Nila adored the water and were all tired out at the end of the day.

4th of July

2011-07-06T16:52:00.001-04:00

We hit the parade in Grandville - it was way better than the EGR one.

Sandbox

2011-07-05T22:36:00.001-04:00

The sandbox I built last year has become a neighborhood hot spot this week. We had a lot of the kids on our block that stayed home for the 4th in our back yard one night over the weekend. After the kids played with the pool and sand for 4 hours Lillian finally got her wish and got to hang out in the water for awhile. She loved every second.

Walk

2011-07-05T20:54:00.001-04:00

One day after a lot of rain and indoor time the kids really needed to get outside. Sarah had been on duty in the car ride and for a couple of days of me sleeping in (until 9am whoot whoot) so I took the kids for a walk before bed. I was carrying Lilly and Jonas wanted me to hold his hand after about half way. I asked Nila if she would hold Jonas's hand and they both thought it was a grand idea. Sometimes everyone gets along and life is good.

Tripp and Lilly

2011-07-05T14:22:00.001-04:00

Marika and Tripp stopped over for a visit. Tripp and Lilly played in the sandbox for a while together. They didn't talk much.

Muscles?

2011-07-05T14:17:00.001-04:00

Grandpa Ralph made us muscles and they were awesome! Both the kids tried them and really liked them. We showed them the trick of using the shell as a pincher to eat them with and they ate a whole bowl each.

Happy Birthday Lilly

2011-07-05T14:13:00.001-04:00

Grandma and Grandpa had an extra special birthday dinner for Lillian. The kids were so excited! Nila and Jonas were a bit putout that they had not been warned about this party and were both running around trying to find things to wrap up as gifts for Lillian.

2011-07-05T14:04:00.001-04:00

Grandma and Grandpa put in a new rock wall, deck and lawn. Grandma even made the kids a cool new swing. The kids loved it!

Garmet District

2011-07-05T14:00:00.002-04:00

Lilly helped pick out some new fabric from the Garmet District.

For dinner we found a great French restaurant on the Upper West Side. It was completely local and we had a wonderful time. We ate outside and Lilly played on the ground at our feet the whole dinner. She spent a considerable amount of time taking things in and out of the basket under the stroller. I am pretty sure she also was digging in the potted plant too. She did scoot over and try and say Hi to the table nextdoor, but they were horrified to find "a baby on the floor!". Seeing as Lilly is our third baby we just rolled with it and enjoyed our dinner. By the end of the night she was pretty exhausted. The bottom photo is her look just before she passes out on the table.

Gelato Break

2011-07-05T13:50:00.001-04:00

After wandering around SoHo we took a break and got some Gelato. Lilly had been riding on my back for four days straight and was kinda sick of being in the carrier. She loved the Gelato and we had a good time just playing with her. It is particularly special for us to have one on one with Lilly.

Central Park day 2

2011-07-05T13:46:00.001-04:00

Jason and I went back to the city to spend a day wandering around by ourselves. We drove in and spent the morning wandering around Cetral Park. Jason loves the park so every visit to the city is not complete without a visit.