The Princess and the Pea

Family Pics :-)

Our church recently had pics taken to update our directory.  Here's the shots they got of us!  If you live in the GR area and are in need of a photographer, give Tabby a call - she's great!

First Snow!

First glimpse.

Getting out the snow gear.

Suiting up!

Worker bees.

Running errands.

Pretty tree. :-)

Massive snowball!

Cute little snow bear.

Crawler!

First tooth and other baby things

At Amber's recent 6 month checkup the Dr. asked if she had any teeth yet.  I said no, but after taking a peek in her mouth I saw her first tooth bud coming up!  Along with her first tooth, this little lady is so close to crawling - she gets up on all fours constantly and can move a little bit.  She's going to be our earliest crawler for sure!  We all find such joy in her being around.  She's got the sweetest smile and enough sass to liven things up.

She's a great sitter now.

Up on all fours.

Moving enough to get stuck.

Almost crawling.

You can just barely see her bottom left tooth.

 

My "Workers"

The first Saturday of every month Home Depot holds a kid's workshop. I had never taken the kids to one until this month. :-) And it wasn't just any ol' workshop - October is Fire Safety month so there was a fire truck and police car out front of the store for the kids to explore. After enjoying the rescue vehicles, we went inside and they got to assemble their own wooden fire trucks. They each received an orange "Home Depot" apron with their truck kit and then they began swinging away with hammers to their heart's content (poor Noah banged his pinky finger towards the end of assembly). Joy stopped by the face painting station on our way out and then we picked up some popcorn to go. When we got home they continued wearing their aprons and declared themselves to be "workers" as they stuffed their pockets with their toy tools. I'd say they had fun (and I admit I kinda did too)! ;-)

Fire truck assembly

Painting - how about "fire engine red" for a color choice ;-)

Jibber-Jabber

Amber's growing in leaps and bounds and we just love watching her move and groove!!  Within month 4(ish) she learned to roll over (mostly just from back to tummy) and has been more chit-chatty.  Now in month 5 she's been sitting up like a big girl and getting up on all fours (doesn't crawl yet, but I know it'll be soon enough)!  The first video clip was my attempt to video record her talking but she was camera shy - the second clip was from Scotty's attempt (success!) :-)  This so reminds me of when Joy was her age.

September Days

Blink.  Whew, that's how fast September flew by!  We've been keeping plenty busy and are thankful to God for the beautiful, memorable days.

Look who's 8 years old!

Look who's covered in blue frosting!

Story time with daddy.

Joy's first day of her first CC class.

Big sister being a big help.

Joy sharing her hair clips with her "friends."

Saturday morning free play in jammies.

Noah graduated to a "big boy" booster car seat.

Daddy keeping Amber warm in Joy's hoodie at the park.

Our 1 trip to Lake Michigan this year - COLD! ;-)

4 peas in a pod.

Little miss backwards scooter.

Micah's CC class - reviewing with a classmate.

Amber's first nap in the jumperoo - ha!

Sitting up at the table like a big girl!

CUTIE- PANTS!

Micah riding in a neighbor's Plymouth - very cool (and loud)!

Tool Time - reminds me of when M and J were that age!

First Days of School

We started school on Tuesday!  We created a "homeschool nook" in part of our unfinished basement.  The kids really enjoy having a place to go to school.  Joy even asked, as we were getting our school space all situated and set up over the last couple weeks, "Are other kids going to come to school here too?"  ;-)

Our "nook"

Day 1! (They decided to wear their matching Alaska shirts) :-)

Looking at our new school supplies.

Working on school books.

Starting his cursive book.

Little Lady :-)

Art time!