Make a Smilebox slideshow

It is hard to believe that our little guy is one. He has been walking since he was 10 1/2 months. He steals our heart with his silly faces, hugs, and the way he touches your finger in true "ET" fashion (think ET phone home). He brings an air of sweetness and love to our family. Now don't get me wrong, our house is a zoo these days. But these phases and stages the kids are in are so great and they won't last long so I am dedicated to enjoying EVERYTHING that goes with them....the noise, the perpetual mess, the innocence, the funny things they say, the trials and tribulations of potty training, the semi-sleepless nights, and the general business of being a parent of a 5, 3, and 1 year old! Can you believe that Carter turns 3 on Friday??? wow life is flying by at warp speed and one morning I will wake up and realize this baby stage wasn't so crazy after all. If I blink...or sleep too much, I might miss something so I am trying really hard to enjoy ALL of this!

I have tons more pictures to add from our fun last few days. I managed to snap 99 pictures alone at the butterfly gardens. I was feeling a bit frazzled at times to click and keep track of the kiddos (thankfully, Grandpa and Grandma were there to help since they wouldn't let me take the stroller in). Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine. It sure beats the snow flurries from yesterday.

Christian Turns One

On Friday, my baby turned one. Sniff. Sniff. tear. It doesn't seem remotely possible that our little guy came into the world at 1:27 just one year ago. I can't remember life without him (well kind of). He is such a precious little fellow. We just love him so much. The last few days have been filled with laughter, joy, and lots of wonderful memories. Mom and Dad Moorlag came to visit last Wednesday and boy, have we been busy! There will be MANY pictures to post on all our fun events. I just had to take a minute to put together a quick slideshow of the party day. Uncle Mike, Sarah, and Josie all made the trip up from Indy and Uncle Evan came home from Illinois. It was so good to see everyone! We are so blessed with such loving and involved family and friends. Oh, I am filled with such an array of emotions as my baby turns one. The overwhelming feeling is joy and blessings!

so much fun

Wow! Grandma and Grandpa arrived on Wednesday afternoon and from the time they walked in door the kids had oodles of things planned. Elle and Gram made a batch of cookies. Then we trotted over to the Heyboer's farm to see the gasp....new baby goats. Elle was on cloud nine when Aunt Kel asked her if she wanted to bottle feed Rosemary. The answer was a resounding YES!
On Thursday we floated over to the Fredick Meijer Gardens for a date with the butterflies. FUN! I have more pics to add this is just a quick preliminary set. We better rest up, cause Christian is turning one and we'll have lots of celebrating to do!

St. Patty's day pizza picnic

It was the most gorgeous spring day; sunny, 70 degrees, and we had no plans but to enjoy it! From the moment we pulled into the driveway Carter hit the sandbox. He never came in until 2:30. Ella played out there with him building all sorts of beautiful things. Christian and went out and moosey-ed around. It was great. Scott is swamped at work and we figured we would let him work late and head to the park. He couldn't bare it too long. He ended up coming out to hang with us...and he brought pizza. What fun?? We had a grand time swinging on the playset, exploring, and we even met up with some friends from Ella's Sunday school class. I was exhausted running from potential accident to potential accident for the boys. I am sad to say that Christian is more reserved in personality than Carter (THANK GOD!) but the kid is still adventuresome. He was into climbing and crawling and sliding. Thankfully, we made it home and all the kids collapsed into bed. I was mighty tuckered out myself!

The day was filled with laughter and joy. But here were a couple cute....and convicting things that happened that didn't tie into the pictures.

Christian is loving his books right now and is learning all the animal sounds. He would open his farm book, point to the cows and pigs only which in turn is his way of getting me to make their sound. Since my windows were wide open the neighbors might think that there are cows and pigs living in our house. But every noise I had to make was worth it because Christian would give out the loudest deep belly laugh which was motivation enough for me to do it all day long.

After playing outside polishing rocks, digging in the sand castle and throwing an endless number of sticks into the small pond next to our turn around Carter came inside for a much needed snack. As he was sitting on the bar stool playing dominoes, eating his Greek yogurt and granola that little stinker fell fast asleep....on the bar stool....curled up like the family cat. (see below)If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I wouldn't believe it. So I took some pictures for proof. He was exhausted.

After I put Christian down I thought I would sneak out to enjoy my In Style magazine, that I've had for a week and gasp.......haven't cracked open not even once since we have been so busy. As I finally sat in the chair, in the sun, facing my kiddos in the sandbox, Ella looks at me and says, "great idea mom, I think I'll read with you too." She goes in; get's her water bottle to match mine, puts on her sunglasses...like mine then takes her shoes off....like me and sits next to me in the lounge chair. Here we sit side by side in matching shades, bare feet, sipping our water. However, I've chosen junk food for my brain aka trashy magazine while my 5 year old pulls out the Bible. I am sitting there contemplating my "must have new spring clothes" and she leans over and requests, "mom could you read me these words....the ones here in red....yep the words that came out of Jesus' mouth." Talk about loving that girl?!?!!

Chilling out with dad on this windy but beautiful St. Patrick's day.

This little guy LOVED the tunnel. We actually couldn't keep him out of here. In here he would call "ee-www-aa". So sweet he loves his big sis so much.

Big guy walking uphill on his own!

It was so windy, Christian almost fell over.

Checking out the wood chips.........is mom going to let me have this???
My adventuresome boys. I was feeling rather ADHD trying to keep track of my 3 on this playground FULL of children.

Earlier in the day, Carter was busy playing dominoes and having a snack at the counter...it got quiet ...really quiet and I turned around to find this peaceful yet unlikely scenario. Carter curled up on the bar stool---sound asleep! It never woke him to move him from the bar stool to the couch. He just needed a cat nap between his full speed adventures.

Happy day and a sleep filled night! Lovely.

Bunnies & Bubbles- the promise of spring

Today was a beautiful sunny Saturday! We were able to hop over to our friend's the Heyboer's to check out their newest editions to the family...two adorable bunnies named Thumper and Flower. Ella and Carter couldn't have been more tickled. They had so much fun as you can see from the pictures. Justin and Kelly are starting on a new adventure of expanding their farm. Check out their new plans at www.wildwoodfamilyfarms.com We are so blessed by their friendship and look forward to all the possibilities their new adventures will entail. Here are a few shots from our time there this afternoon. Carter and Thumper!


Ella and Flower

Smooches for the bunny

"so 'tool' mom!"

Chasing the goats Jack and Jill!

Brooke (3), Carter (2 3/4), Ella ( 5 1/2) and Luke 6

They just grow up so fast. Before we know it Christian and Colton will be running out there with them! YIKES!

Elmer Fud.....double yikes! And yes we did get him to say (with perfect annuciation..." where are 'd-ose waskaly wabbits??"

Elle checking it all out

Who let this kid play with the "G-U-N???"

Christian checking out Ella with all her giggles

Couldn't get the boys to stand by each other in their matching fleeces. But here is Christian hobbling around in the barn in his tennis shoes.

Back at home enjoying bubbles. Ahhh, the promise of warmer weather.

Life is Good

In a nutshell.....I haven't been good about blogging lately. Life has been good and healthy and busy and well everything else. I haven't even been good about taking pictures lately and Scott and I just recommitted ourselves to snapping more pics since the kids are in such great stages. We have been spending time at the Y, reading tons of books, going here there and everywhere. We are desperately seeking spring. Monday was nice so we were out walking and exploring. The last two days have been rainy and cold. Tomorrow we are heading to the Y for some indoor fun. Here are a few updated pictures of each of the kids with a short summary of what they are up to.

ELLA

On the heels of a bit of a whiny, stinky attitude stint, Ella has come around in true "ella fashion". She is sweeter than sweet and just so helpful. Things she loves: cleaning for me: dusting, picking up, and new exciting job of cleaning the bathrooms sinks with vinegar water. Who knew I would have such a little domestic gal on my hands. I am enjoying it now, for all it's worth. Ella shocks me continually, she is so determined. Just as it was with giving up sucking her thumb and bear-she can do anything she sets her mind to. She told me about a week or so ago that she thought it would be a good idea to stop biting her nails. Mind you, I made no suggestion of this. I just happen to nonchalantly say, "sounds like a good idea." Hasn't bitten a nail since then. They are long now and I want to cut them but she is very proud of her accomplishment. Ha! I hope giving up other things will always this easy for her.

Another amazing thing to see in her is her blossoming ability in reading. She is just coming along so well and is over the top excited about it! She is checking out her own reading books at the library and during her library time at school. We took her to Barnes and Noble to pick out a special book she can read on her own. She just sat there on the floor in the beginning reader section and just read books all on her own for a long time. Ahhh, my heart is over joyed that she is just diving right in!
CARTER

Famous Carter quotes from this week:

As Scott and I are busy talking at the dinner table, sort of ignoring his requests because he is interrupting, Carter screams, "God??? Are you there??? I want some more carrots....please???"

In the van the other morning, "oh no Mom!" Me, "what seems to be the trouble?" Carter so very concerned, "look the moon is broken~!" How do you explain a half moon to an almost three year old???

This kid has also managed to memorize 8 Bible verses in the past 2 1/2 weeks. It is adorable!

Carter loves books:Thomas books are the current obsession. He makes me read the same books over and over and over and I BETTER not miss a word or attempt to shorten the story. He doesn't buy it! He is into coloring. He wants nothing to do with writing his name. He draws 'whales' all the time. He is also into drawing treasure maps. His stage is so fun. I can hardly believe he is turning 3 in less than a month! Where does the time go?? Oh yes, how can I forget this lovely new art he has developed of pestering Ella. If anyone can do it with a look or one word.....it is him! All he has to say is "Potty!" and Elle is in near hysterics! YIKES! I can't wait til they are 13, 11, and 9! Not!

CHRISTIAN

How fast time flies. It seems like just weeks ago we brought this guy home from the hospital and here I am planning his first birthday party in two weeks. He is so precious. He has a grand total of 5 teeth....working on the sixth one as we speak. He is practically running around the house. He is losing the 'hands raised in the air wobbling-here and there'. He is a great eater, happy, ball of sweetness. He licks our faces to give kisses. Is very serious in a matter of fact way. Never cried or cracked a smile during his hair cut 2 weekends ago. He loves to climb up and down the stairs and play shape sorter. He has no desire in using the baby signs but who would need it if all the people in the house were doting on him?? His vocab includes: mama, dada, baba, and ball. He still loves to play around the toilet and rip tons of toilet paper off the roll. Oh yes, unfortunately I haven't been able to discourage him from Gus' food either. My stomach churns every time I think of my baby touching that stuff let alone crunching it. AHHH!

I am so sad he is growing up so fast. Can you believe we are done with formula?? I can't. I told Scott once he is out of diapers we could be rich. No...that must be after daycare costs! He is so cute that I'm not even complaining that this little stinker is back to waking up in the night. What in the world??? Where is my hard fast rule of letting the bugger cry it out? He just wants a little warm milk around 3ish. I can almost do it in my sleep. What I won't do for a little extra snuggle time with my babe!?? Gotta enjoy it while I can, right???

The Funnies

Kids say the darndest things! I just thought I would pass on a few of the apparently serious yet highly funny things our kiddos have been saying the last few days.

Sunday night after being in bed for 15 minutes or so Carter comes upstairs crying. Me, "what's wrong buddy?" Carter," I broke my dresser." I go down to examine the situation, Carter had pulled the bottom drawer out too far and it was off track. I fix it. Carter, " thanks mom, you're a super hero. Now will you put these (socks) on my hands??" me: "why?" "I will be Batman while I am sleeping????" The kid has never seen Batman, but it was adorable nonetheless. Me:"Goodnight Batman." Carter,"I'm not Batman MOM, I'm Carter Henry!" I went to check on him right before I went to bed and sure enough there he laid with paci in mouth and white socks on his hands snuggling Mac! Priceless.


We are trying to be more consistent with reading from the Bible. So tonight during dessert I read the story of Noah and the ark. Ella has heard this story many times and loves it! We had the Fisher Price ark out today so I thought it would be fitting to tie it all together. As we are getting to the part about the rainbow I say to Ella. "And what do we think of every time we see a rainbow?" The correct answer is-God's promise that he will never flood the earth again (which she knows...or so I thought??) Tonight Ella's response was, "well it's important that we find the pot of gold on the other end???" W-H-A-T??? Where did she learn that?


Oh yes, another FABulous new trick of Carter's: at random moments throughout the day he just says, "potty". Which in turn sets off a chain reaction. because Ella screams, "mom, Carter is saying potty words again!" Which makes Carter say, "mom Ella said potty,too!" It was so bad that today on the way back from the Y I put Carter in the seat behind me as to seperate the Potty talk because I just couldn't take it anymore! As we walk into the Health Food store Ella turns to Carter and saysin a sassy tone, "don't say potty, just be sweet!~" Carter's response, "o-TAY Ella!"

There were more things I had intended to post, however they are escaping me at this point and I really need to work on report cards.