February Fun

On February 1 we finally had "the big one." We wait all winter for the biggest snow of the year...and we got it- more than 2 feet over night with gusting winds that caused 4-5 foot drifts against our houses...not only were all the schools closed, but almost all of the businesses, too...it took all the neighbors working together to dig the street out!! SO much fun!! The rest of the month was busy with many new happenings at Alan's school and lots of social activities for us...Alan and I got to have 3 date nights this month (no pictures to prove it)- but it was so fun to go to 2 surprise Birthday parties and to a Griffins game with the LA faculty and staff. Thanks to the family for babysitting...Great month of fun!

Ryan (our neighbor) and Alan jumping from the deck into the 4 foot drifts and white-washing each other
Another MagnaTile creation by Oak

Oak dressed as a dragon for a story time at a local bookstore

Snuggle time with Mommy

Mommy/daughter date night

Alan and Oak went to the West Michigan car show- and guess who was there? Doc Hudson!!

Family romantic Valentine's Day dinner- candlelight, heart-shaped baked spaghetti, flowers, homemade valentines, and lots of LOVE!!

During Alan's Mid-Winter break, we took a "stay-cation." We used bank points to stay 2 free nights at a local hotel with a pool and waterslide, we visited the Grand Rapids Public Museum, took a hike, and enjoyed some local yummy fare...it was a really nice "get-away!!"

The kids on an original GR trolley

Riding the carousel Enjoying the pool

Took a hike at one of our favorite spots in Ada

Isla loved the water-slide- this is her right after we came down!!

So cute in the kiddy pool

Daddy Bear!!

Oak as a self-photographer- not too shabby, huh?

January Moments

January was a GREAT time of slowing down (its often our only "slow" month of the year)...so, we savored it by spending countless nights and Saturdays together as a family...playing, dancing, laughing and goofing around. We are so thankful for the invaluable gifts of our family and time together. It makes me think of a song that I love to sing to my hubby, that is so true, "And even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey. Everything's gonna be alright...and in the mornin' when I rise, it brings a tear of joy to my eyes...and tell me everything's gonna be alright!" This month just felt like a deep, cleansing breath...aaaahhhhh!

Big sledding trip out to Johnson Park- the big hillIsla being goofy with balloon animals from Grampy
Isla decided she really wanted to start wearing panties instead of diapers- so one afternoon I put some of Oak's Thomas underwear on her- she didn't care that they were on the outside!

Riding in style at Toys R' Us while on a "date" with Grammy and Grampy

MagnaTile Creations- a wonderful Christmas gift from Grammy and Grampy- these tiles have been a daily play-time joy

Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle- Oak's first time and Mommy's first time in a LONG time

Isla and Daddy watched from the side

Oak and Isla have spent countless hours "creating" with scissors, "colors," glue, and paper on their new table just for them

Fun hat night during dance time

Isla wearing the Firewoman apparel at the Children's museum

Dress-up is so fun!

We bake A LOT in the winter- and the kiddos have come to enjoy the side-effects of getting to lick the utensils

Grammy joined us for a friend's birthday party at a gymnastics company- so much fun for the kids

Oak in the foam pit

They love each other and are so goofy together

One of Oak's personal creations

We built a house for Isla

Playground fun in our snowsuits

What a Wonderful Christmas...

Christmas-time was so wonderful this year. We enjoyed having Alan home for 14 whole days (Oak counted each day:), and just playing, reading, baking for family and friends, making gifts (and our own wrapping paper), painting (Alan has been doing a lot of painting the past few months- loves the creative outlet, and the kids really enjoy helping him), eating, playing in the snow, playing with family (Uncle Shaun and Aunt Mandie came for a visit),w atching movies...it was just a great break for all of us!!

It was also so very special to watch as Oak has begun to understand the real meaning behind the Christmas season. We really tried to emphasize in our nightly advent readings and in the daily activities of the season the story of Jesus' birth, his amazing gift of love for us and our response of serving the Lord by giving and sharing with all around us. He was so very sweet to think of who and what he wanted to make for family members and friends...and Isla, well, we think she just enjoyed the lights, music, and lots of yummy food (she's a hoot:) Thanks, Aunt Jan and Uncle Tiny...we love our new hats!! Aren't they soooo cute??!!

Christmas cookie decorating on Christmas Eve- a tradition

She is definitely his daughter- aren't they beautiful!!

We tried so hard to get a good Christmas picture...these are just a few of the silly ones and the last one, as most of you know, was the one we landed on...so hilarious...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, 2010

The kids waiting to do our Pre-present opening, Christmas Eve family talk and reading

Uncle Tim, Aunt Libbie and Teddie looking so nice

Thanks, Granna and Papa, for the blocks and new computer- we love our new toys!!

Snuggling with Uncle Shaun

Playing Scrabble- lots of game-playing this holiday season

Let's kiss and hug Teddie

Alan won the "Big Boys" trophy this year- a new one in the family fantasy sports feud- you can ask him about it:)

Grammy made and bought us dress up clothes- so much fun!!! Christmas Day Snow Play

Grammy ready to give the big push, Oak on his new "snowmobile" from Uncle Shaun and Aunt Mandie (thanks!!), and Mandie with Isla and her sister, Tara- racing down the "big" hill The kids helping Alan paint one quiet afternoon over break