Touch a Truck

The kids and I met some friends at the local park for an event called "touch a truck". They had many different kinds of trucks, tracors, etc. that the kids were allowed to get in, honk the horns, and turn on the lights. It was very busy so they weren't able to get in a lot of the trucks, but they enjoyed seeing all of the different kinds.

Riley and her friend, Molly.

Lincoln in the semi-truck!

Lincoln and his buddy, Noah!

My sweet girls and my friend and neighbor, Katie's, pregnant belly. She was overdue when we went and since she was out on maternity leave before she had the baby I invited her along hoping the walking would help labor to being...but no such luck!

Our weekend in MI

As I said before, we went to Michigan for Jori's and Lincoln's birthday parties. There were just too many cute pictures from that weekend not to make a seperate blog post about our time there. Kasey and Micah came up for the whole day Saturday and Kolby and Britton came up on Friday and stayed the weekend to see the kids. It was nice for us all to be together, as it doesn't happen very often. We had a "surprise" dinner at Chili's for Jori's party and other than that I made the Buzz Lightyear cake (which was more trouble than it was worth--NEVER doing that again!) and alien cupcakes. We then headed down to St. Joe early Sunday morning to hang out with my Dad, Jamie and the girls at Kasey's house before Lincoln's party. It's always too short but hopefully we'll make it back soon.

Everyone helped make the frosting and cake/cupcakes for Lincoln's party the next day!!!

Kolby entertained the kids while we got to make the cake, which was more help than he probably realizes!

They kept kissing each other!

My kids love "Uncle KoKo", including Emmersyn!

Kasey and I bought matching shirts for Micah and Lincoln and of course my girls almost always have on matching clothes!

Emmersyn and the newly turned 16 year old. If you live in Kzoo, I suggest you stay off the road...

These two got into everything and made a lot of messes! (But had fun together doing it!)

***Oh and a BIG announcement by Kasey and Corey at Jori's party is that she's pregnant again!! YEAH! I'm so excited to be an aunt again!!! ***

Party in MI!

We went back to MI last weekend for my little sister, Jori's, surprise 16th birthday party and since we were going to already be there we just decided to have Lincoln's birthday there since it would be easier for everyone else. We had his party at Kasey's house (thanks, Kasey!). Lincoln had a great birthday and loved all the attention and gifts!

You are looking at what Emmersyn did the ENTIRE party. Someone would look at her and she screamed. Between her being sick, tired and teething, she was not a happy camper unless being in my arms 24/7!! It was so out of character for her, she's normally a very happy baby!

Happy Birthday, Lincoln!

I seriously cannot believe I'm writing this post. How in the world can Lincoln already be three? Some days I wonder how quickly it has gone and at other times he seems so much older. I don't know whether it's because he is doing so much stuff that older kids do (because he has Riley to keep up with) or what but seriously how the time has flown by!

Lincoln's birthday fell on Mother's Day this year, which was even more special for me! Emmersyn was sick (again! and I spent most of that morning with her in the Urgent Care) on his actual birthday and every year we try to do something "out of the ordinary" on their day. We had planned to take the kids to the zoo because that's what Lincoln said he wanted to do, however, since Emmersyn was sick I had to stay home with her. I have to admit as much as I missed spending that time with my little guy, it was a nice and quiet Mother's Day to myself, it was probably the best Mother's Day gift I could have gotten :).

Anyways, that Sunday morning they went to church, we decorated the house and Lincoln's door, ate donuts for breakfast and Ty took the kids to the zoo. Once they got home we opened his gifts from us and ate cupcakes for dessert. Here's his special day in pictures:

We also had a family birthday party for Lincoln in Michigan the week after his actual bithday. Stay tuned for those pictures...

Opening his gifts from Mommy and Dadddy!

Lincoln's new water table and sandbox!

I love this picture because he was just so excited for his birthday (Riley was excited for him too!!)

YUM!

Cousins!

We were so lucky to have Kasey and Micah come visit us last week for a few days and we had a great time. By the time we scheduled stuff around 4 kids' naps we didn't have a ton of time to see the town, however, Kasey and I did get out in the evenings while Ty watched the kids. We went to the indoor park here (which the kids and I visit frequently!) and they came to our playgroup before heading home. Here are a few pictures from our time together. It was fun to see my kids interact with their only cousin. I hope my kids love being with their cousins as much as I do when I'm with mine--no matter how much or how little I see them!


Poor Kasey had two kids the 3 days they were here. Riley was attached to her hip and lets just say when they left it wasn't pretty! Riley literally cried for hours after they left, she cried herself to sleep, and cried for Kasey when she woke up the next morning. It broke my heart to see her so upset, but we will be seeing them next weekend again...Riley just doesn't understand. She even asked Kasey if Corey could pick Micah up and she could live with us. Ha

Checking back in...

I know that I've kind of checked out of the blogging world and to be honest, it's because I'm getting burnt out on blogging. However, I also know that if I want to "remember" things about these years down the line I need to start writing them down again. So I am going to attempt to check back in and we'll see if I can keep it up. Three little ones have kept me busy so blogging has definitely taken a back seat.

Where to begin...lots of fun and new things have been going on in our lives.

Yesterday, after I had gotten Riley out of the bath tub, she pointed to her nipples and said "I need to cover these things up. Mom, can you go to the store and buy me a bra". I about died laughing and told her in 10 years I would. Oh the things that come out of this girl's mouth...Next year, most 4 year olds will be going to kindergarden, however, Riley will miss the cut off (which in IL is Sept. 1st) by mere weeks so she won't be going. Ty and I have also decided that we're not putting either her or Lincoln in preschool in the fall. Maybe I'm trying to keep them home as long as possible since I know once they start school our lives will change, but right now we feel it's best. I am also starting BSF in the fall and feel like preschool would just be ONE MORE THING to keep us even busier. Riley is still biting her nails and it drives me INSANE. All I keep picturing is one of my best childhood friend's hands. She bit her nails so bad and her nails were so short they'd bleed and I used to tell her that they looked like "Grandma hands". No offense, Katherine :), but I don't want Riley's hands to look like yours :)!!

Lincoln is doing great. We took his pacifiers away months ago and although he had no problem giving them up he has now given up naps--probaby for good. Riley takes naps more often than he does. The only plus is that he now goes to bed by 6:30. He is probably the sweetest little boy you'll find. He loves to cuddle and often says "Mommy, cuddle me". It also melts my heart when he comes up to me, with no reason at all, and says " I love you really, really much". He tells us all often how much he loves us and I love it! Lincoln also calls Riley and Emmersyn "sweetheart" probably more than he calls them by their first names! He and Riley have always gotten along so well, but for some reason lately they'vereally become best buds. They will be up in Riley's room for an hour or more sometimes playing Barbie's (which, of course, is his favorite thing to play) or building forts, etc. They play so nicely and I love watching their relationship grow, I pray they will be each other's best friend forever!

Emmersyn is a joy. I couldn't imagine life without her toothy smile. Even though she's a horrible sleeper and is why I'm so tired more days I love her to pieces. She is so much fun and just a sweet little thing. She's really getting around and is a very social baby. However, if you look her right in the eyes and talk to her while she's on my hip she'll smile but put her head on my shoulder like she's being shy. She has now figured out how to pull everything out of the kitchen drawers, thanks to her big cousin, Micah, who came to visit us last week. She loves doing it, but often gets her fingers pinched in the drawer. Emmersyn loves Riley and Lincoln and will let Riley hold her more than anyone else (other than me and Ty). She loves to sit on Riley's lap and Riley loves to read her books.

Ty really enjoys his job. He doesn't travel much and when he does it's mostly just day trips. He enjoys getting out of the office and meeting with clients. I am so proud of him and so thankful for him. I couldn't have married a better man who can put up with me better than he can. He always knows when I need a break and has no problem taking all of the kids out just so I can get an hour to myself. I love him and the kids are so lucky to have him as a dad!!

As far as myself, I am loving living in Illinois so far. I already feel very plugged into the community and feel like I've made some really good friends. The kids and I usually go out almost every day during the week whether it's a playdate, the park, kids museum, etc. It's not easy taking all three but it's worth getting out of the house for all of us. I'm doing MOPS, a playgroup, and I start BSF bible study in the fall. We haven't quite picked a church yet, but are deciding between two right now. I look forward to getting more involved in a church once we settle on one. On a completely different note, I am depressed that I still have 8 pounds to lose after having Emmersyn. I know it's not a lot, but geez will it ever come off??

That's what's going on in our lives as of right now. I'm going to try and keep this blog up better from now on...

He is Risen! (pt. 2)

We are so thankful for Easter. Sure it's fun to have a nice meal with family/friends, the Easter egg hunt is always a hit and I have a great excuse to match my kids' outfits. However, that is not what Easter is all about. We are so thankful for the sacrific Jesus made on the cross and for rising again on the third day. What an awesome gift He gave to us and I am thankful my sins have been forgiven!

Yes, we (for now) do the Easter Bunny (although, we don't really "push" it on the kids), but most importantly we remind them what Easter is really about. This year we bought "Resurection Eggs" to help the kids, visually, learn the true meaning of Easter. What a great tool those eggs are--it got them involved and kept their attention!!

We went to church in the morning, ate lunch, rested in the afternoon and then (since we aren't close enough to family) had two couples/families/friends over for dinner. One couple lives directly behind us and the other family are moving directly across from us which I'm thrilled about! We had such a great time fellowshiping with them. The kids all play great together and we've enjoyed getting closer with some great couples!

Easter Baskets:

Ty and the kids reading about the Easter Story:

Family pictures:

We were in such a hurry to get to church on time, Ty put his Bible on top of the van and forgot about it until a few blocks down the road when it came sliding down the window :). Good thing I was looking at pictures on the camera and had it out already:

The kids playing so well in Riley's room: