Mail and Sam

I don't know if all people are like me, or maybe it is an at home mom sort of thing...but I love getting the mail. Today we went for a long walk at were heading home at like 10:30 AM, and I saw the mailman on our street! My heart soared, and couldn't believe it! Mail is usually here around 3, but has been as late as 5:30. I think in our 4 years here the mail has never beem earlier then 1:00...until today. So first it was early. SEcond, he saw the letter I was mailing (sometimes they miss those) so someone can get their birthday card...well late. AND it was a GREAT mail day. I got Mothering magazine! There was also the normal ads flyer that I always quick glance through but is usually junk. TOday, it had an IKEA flyer in it!!! YEA! It is the little things that are important sometimes!




So, the picture is Sam trying out his new rollerblades. WE hope it will help with his ice skating. Yesterday we went to the doctor, and unlike a year ago, Sam was awesome. He weighs 42 lbs (with clothes) and is 41 inches (he was slouching a bit) his BMI is 17 (I know what it is, but don't really get it) and he is still in the 75th percentile. The doctor was very happy and said he seemed like a healthy normal 4 year old. (Although- Sam did tell him he plays the balloon game on the computer, which the doctor then felt the need to say a little something about too much screen time, thanks Sam!) AND, I am his mom so I have to say this- the nurse thought he seemed very smart for a 4 year old =)

Sammy's Contraption

Does anyone understand this picture? It looks like a pretty silly thing to me--a bike with grocery cart on one wheel and a hockey stick sticking out the back end...kinda wierd...

Sammy's 4th Birthday

Sammy had a great birthday weekend- and so did we! Thanks everyone!

Catch up!

Sorry it has been awhile- we have been really busy and the next several weeks- and month really- are just going to be even busier. Some things that have been happening: The Peter's family visited, and while it can be a little crazy with 8 kids running around, it was a lot of fun. Josh and Isaiah are like a month apart and they were so cute, especially when Josh would say, "No, Saiah". Also, we don't go swimming very much but over the past several weeks Sam has had several opportunities to swim, and he is doing great! It is so much fun now that he swims by himself! What's coming up in our lives: Busy at work, Sam's birthday, Sam starts preschool, and I start teaching ESL every M-TH night for about 6 weeks. BUSY!

great weekend at Kuipers Landing

Here are just a few pics- I hope to get more from some other people too!

Sam and Kara playing catch...(can you spot the ball??)

Kevin taking Josh for a little Kayak ride

Josh eating watermelon- Kara taught him how to spit the 'seeds'/ spit, it was sooo cute.

All the kids really enjoyed jumping/crawling on the mattresses in our room. We actually snapped a picture when all 5 kids were in there.

House looking good

Garage not quite done, but the house looks great. We are really happy with the colors.

In other news....

Bunk beds! We got a really great deal on this twin over full bed. We don't have a full mattress yet so we just have our other single on the floor. Sam loves it- yes that is him under the blankets. He also can't wait till we get a full mattress so he can sleep with Joshy- my boys are big cuddlers. It does make our nursery room a bit crowded...but then again, all our bedrooms are crowded.




We have been working hard with Joshy on his numbers and colors, but he doesn't seem to care whereas Sam loved learning. However, Josh does love to color- sidewalk chalk, crayons, markers....he loves to color and say MAKE! He also has learned the color pink, so I really liked this picture- pink crayon, ballerina picture, and his big truck next to him.


We have had lots of fun times at Meijer gardens, sometimes with other friends and sometimes just us. They really like to watch the fishy swim (which is ironic since Sam is still afraid of the fish STICKERS and now also the fake spiders...) but despite Sammy's fears we always have a lot of fun. Josh loves playing in the sand so it is always a real treat for him!

Ottawa and Chandra's wedding

Here are just a few pictures of Ottawa and Chandra's wedding. We had a great time- the first day we got to see Chandra's house and the rehearsal was a lot of fun....but we forgot our camera! Saturday we saw the changing of the guard and toured the parliament- I put a few pictures of that. Then of course we had the wedding which was also lots of fun and really beautiful. I had quite a few photos but here are a few! Oh- and the kids did great- Aunt Sarah said they were well behaved and it was fun. (She says they were well behaved! But yes, it was our boys she was taking care of....) Grandpa and Grandma also had lots of fun with the boys when they took them to a farm on sunday- that would have been fun to see, MOOO!

Conversation with Sam

Sam: Mommy, is today Sunday?
M: No, today is Tuesday. Sunday is when we go to church.
Sam: No, I think today is Sunday because the sun is out. So it is SUNday.

The House

Our big project is painting the house. My dad and KEvin have been working hard scrapping and prepping. Today, dad started painting. You can sort of see the color, but as soon as it is all done we will take some more pictures.

Fun weekend

We love the trampoline!




Here comes the ball grandpa!


Where'd it go??


CHEERS!

Sunday June 17 @ 2:38AM

Early this morning (or late last night...) I had woken up to go the bathroom when all of sudden I heard a load ROOOOARRRR! It even woke kevin up which is pretty amazing. SO I go in Sam's room and say, "Are you okay?" His response: "There was a big spider coming at me so I roared it away!"

Yea, it is kind of funny, although when I think about this two much I realize that:- it was probably from watching Toy Story (the scary toy kind of looks like a spider) AND instead of my child crying when he is scared he chooses to ROARRRR!

It's a great day to be alive...

More fun times at the gardens!

Haitcuts and twins ??

Josh- age 20 months after his haircut:



Sam age 24 months with his haircut:


Josh age 20 months before haircut:


Sam age 20 months: