Crazy weather!

This past weekend Kevin finished making the backyard an ice rink and Sammy and him went skating. Sam loved it- he did much better with a hockey stick in hand then when he just tries to skate. But then Monday and Tuesday it poured rain and was like 44 degrees F. All the snow melted, and the ice was a puddle. Sam was very sad when we told him no sledding or ice skating! Last night, Tuesday, I went to Holland to visit friends. It was pouring all night. I got home about 9:15PM and the temp was 43 degrees F and still raining- big puddles on the road. At 10:30 when I headed up to bed- the windows were covered in sleet, it was really windy, and the ice, grass, and streets were covered in snow! All within an hour! This morning, everything is closed, the roads are horrible so my mom stayed home and I am not working, and it is 7 degrees outside!!! BBBBRRRRRRR!!! But...I guess that means the ice is frozen again!

My computer!

I am sad because our Mac is on the fritz (AKA, Kevin hasn't had time to look at it and fix it). It is sad because that means I am downstairs on our big ole ancient rarely used PC...and since all our pictures are in iPhoto I can't even access them! I know, poor me. Seriously, it is just an annoyance.

What's been happening? Sam. He had father night at school last night and he had an okay time- he was super tired before even leaving and Kev said about halfway through he was just really cranky. Which was too bad because it sounded like a lot of fun! (Kevin took pictures--but again- no access to iPhoto!)

Today his class went to the zoo. My first thoughts were - zoo in winter?? But his teacher pointed out it is a lot of fun because the animals are very lively. Which makes sense, since every time we have gone in the summer they are always sleeping! Sam talked lots about the monkeys and tiger. He had a really good time!

Other stuff going on? Family coming over tonight, KEvin and I might get to go just the two of us tomorrow (yea!) and, obviously, I am READY FOR THIS BABY TO COME OUT!

Pregnancy

All right those of you who have been complaining there are no photos of Rachel...Sorry,but I really don't like my picture taken!


25 days before Sam arrived...



39 days before Josh arrived...



38 days before Baby #3!

Children's Museum

Last Thursday night we went to the Children's Museum for family night. We thought it was a fun thing to do with the boys before Kevin ditched us for a week to go to San Francisco. Sam's favorite thing: THe HUGE tinker toys. Kevin's favorite: Bubbles. Joshy: He loved the lincoln area because it had two rubber horses that he wanted to take home! He also loved the sand.

Sam's Camera - More Pictures

Prayers for friends and neighbors

Just a quick post here about some important issues happening in the lives of friends and neighbors. First, many of you know we have great neighbors who have lived there for more than 50 years. Roy has always been active in the yard (Even waking us with the snowblower at 6:30 AM). This past monday he had a stroke- now I do not know very many details. I am thinking (and praying) it was a small stroke because he is home already. However, he is obviously not out and about like we usually see him so pray that he recovers and can return to his normal activities.

Many of you also have heard about Kevin's coworker and friend, Michael, and how in the past month his 11 year old daughter was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer. Please pray for her and her family. I have posted the link to their webpage- they are the Haan Family.

Finally, continued prayers for Ellie and the Vedra's. Ellie has made progress that we are all very please about; you can continue to read about her as I still have the link to their webpage- Vedra Family.

Oh- and I never thought I would say this but I kind of miss the snow ! Shocking for me, but at least with a little snow on the ground the boys loved to go out and shovel. We did ride bikes the other days but wet dirty ground just isn't my thing...

Cute clothes and funny stuff

The boys got some really cute new Sunday outfits, from Mexx (or should I say the Mexx Store, ha ha), so I tried getting some pictures of them today. I asked Josh, "Were you the best dressed kid in nursery?" And without hesitation he said, "YES!" Below are a few pics I did get; Kevin and Josh are playing the new hot potato game and I loved how much Josh was enjoying that! Also, yesterday Sam was building, as usual, and he says, "Josh, we need to build a Target store. Then we can get cereal!" Truly he is my boy. He knows my favorite store because we always go there, and he knows they sell the cheapest cereal around!

Christmas(es) and New Years Highlights

We had some great Christmases. The boys were spoiled rotten, but had fun. Josh especially enjoyed opening presents. I had vowed to take more pictures, especially of adults. But I failed. Here are a few I did get.













Daddy's helpers!




The only picture I took on New Years Eve! But we had a lot of fun at the Martins. However, after 10 days in Ontario we were all ready to come home. Especially to our own beds!

Sam's New Camera

One of Sam's Christmas presents was the Kid Tough Fisher Price Camera. He loves it. He won't let me show him the correct way to take a picture, so most of his pictures aren't that great. But here are a few of his "first" pictures. (My favorites are the one of the beer bottle and the many pictures of "feet").