Saturday, April 25, 2009

Happy Birthday Hayden!

Well, I couldn't let the night go by without making a little post about my 6 year old. I am tired, we have had a big few days and have a big week ahead so this will be quick.

We had a small slumber party for Hayden on Friday night with his two best friends from his class. I wasn't sure about 6 year olds spending the night together, but they did awesome. They played on the trampoline, football, dress up, the wii, and more. They went strong playing until about 10:00, then they all flaked out within a 30 minute span and it was peaceful slumber from 10:30 to 7:00 am.

Here's a few pictures from the fun. I don't feel like going into a lot of detail and getting all emotional, so I'm not. I love him and he's definitely still a mamma's boy. I remember that full head of blonde hair, 9 lb 8 oz baby boy that came into our lives 6 years ago and I wouldn't trade him for the world. He's adjusted well to kindergarten, but still loves nothing more than to stay home ALL day in his pj's.

Isn't that cake cute? Austin's mom made it for him. So sweet!





Friday, April 24, 2009

Packing Thoughts ....


Evidently, Jordyn has a different idea than Matt when it comes to packing. Maybe we could just ship her back and forth for the next 6 months?

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Amsterdam in Pictures

Be prepared. It's a long slideshow, I know. We just had so many pictures I had a hard time picking and choosing.

The highlight and goal of our trip this time was to actually go into Amsterdam. Last year, we focused on Keukenhof and the flowers. I tried to get Matt and the kids to go back again to Keukenhof, but they weren't having it. I guess forcing them one time is punishment enough and they were good sports last year. Anyway, Amsterdam was fantastic!

When looking at the pictures, notice the bicycles everywhere. I'm talking... you can't imagine the number unless you are there. It's bikes, bikes, bikes.... thousands and thousands all over the city. We were told they have to fish out 10,000 or some crazy number a year out of the canals from people dumping them. There are "parking" garages of nothing but bikes on several levels. I can't even fathom how you begin to find your own in all that mess. I must say, we should take a hint in America to be more fit. However, many of them smoke too so I guess that ruins the "health" benefit.

Anyway, we visited the Anne Frank house which is what I was looking forward to the most. It had a really long line, but it moved very quickly. I really remember reading that book in school. It had such a huge impact on me. I'm not one to remember details and history, but for some reason that has always been in my head. I never dreamed I would actually get to stand in the rooms she wrote the diary in and touch the walls she was held captive in. It was amazing to think about. How sad... terribly, terribly sad. We got to climb up the tiny stairwells, behind the hidden bookcase... into the tiny rooms. The rooms were empty, as Otis had requested they be when they were taken away to the concentration camps. They still remain empty. We got to see the original diary that Anne had written at the end of the tour. I had talked a lot about it to Landen and really wanted him to read the book before we went. However, I never got it so he had to listen to the little bit of knowledge that I had. To my surprise, both he and Hayden were very intrigued with the whole thing. I know Hayden won't remember, but I sure hope Landen does. I tried to emphasize how this would be so important to them later on in their life and how fortunate they are to tour these things.

After that, we roamed around the city and took a canal cruise. That was fun and a nice break for the kids. The whole city is covered in canals and had so much personality. We never really made it to the "Red Light" district (not something you can see with 3 kids tagging along.) However, we did see a few questionable girls in windows off the beaten paths... I'll just leave it at that. Hayden asked why she was dressed like a "cheerleader." A cheerleader? Not quite what I would relate it to, but I guess that's all he could think of. It made for a lot of laughs between Matt and I.

We had good weather the first two days, but the third day was not so good. It was chilly and rainy so our plans to hang on the beach were changed. We ended up driving through The Haag and roaming the boardwalk. We ended up finding an aquarium to go to that was inside and the kids enjoyed that.

I won't get carried away here so you can see the pictures. Enjoy!






Monday, April 13, 2009

Last Easter Pics!

Ok, enough Easter pics already, right?  Grin and bear a few more, then we'll get back to Amsterdam.  Promise.  




(Norma - I tried uploading some video of them opening their baskets but finally gave up.  Our connection is just not good here and it kept cutting off.  After 4 hours, I quit...  Next time I'll use the VGA mode which should make it load faster.)





Landen helped stuff the eggs and hide them this year for the little ones.  It's nice to have a 10 year old around, yet sad he is already so grown up.




Saturday, April 11, 2009

German Kids Video

If you are interested, here's the video of the German children I mentioned in the last post.

Easter

I decided to delay my Amsterdam pictures in lieu of Easter pics.  I'll come back to Amsterdam after Easter is over.  I've got the slideshow ready, but haven't completed the post on it.

Anyway, we have had the most beautiful weather this past week.  It was so gorgeous yesterday that we even painted our easter eggs outside on the patio!  Landen was gone with a friend and did his after he got home, but I didn't get any pictures of him.  I forgot.  I did snap some of the little ones though.  Such a mess, but fun. 








This one is my favorite.  Hayden drew a lightsaber, along with the words "I am sorry the bad guys killed God. "  Guess that sums it up from a 5 year olds perspective.  I wish I could keep that egg forever and ever, but I'm guessing it won't smell to good in a week.  




I'm also including a picture of the German kids who march through the neighborhood over easter weekend with their noise makers.  It starts on Good Friday morning at 7:00am.  They march through the village with their instruments and then stop and say a little chant.  I haven't figured out the chant, but will ask one of my German neighbors when I see one.  Anyway, they come by at 7:00am, 12:00pm, and 7:00pm.  It's gone on for two days now and I assume it will end on Easter morning.  Good thing our kids are early birds or it would definitely wake us all up.  I may try to put some video up if it turned out...  I haven't looked at it yet to see if it turned out.



HAPPY EASTER!!  

Friday, April 10, 2009

Amsterdam in Pictures

Be prepared. It's a long slideshow, I know. We just had so many pictures I had a hard time picking and choosing.

The highlight and goal of our trip this time was to actually go into Amsterdam. Last year, we focused on Keukenhof and the flowers. I tried to get Matt and the kids to go back again to Keukenhof, but they weren't having it. I guess forcing them one time is punishment enough and they were good sports last year. Anyway, Amsterdam was fantastic!

When looking at the pictures, notice the bicycles everywhere. I'm talking... you can't imagine the number unless you are there. It's bikes, bikes, bikes.... thousands and thousands all over the city. We were told they have to fish out 10,000 or some crazy number a year out of the canals from people dumping them. There are "parking" garages of nothing but bikes on several levels. I can't even fathom how you begin to find your own in all that mess. I must say, we should take a hint in America to be more fit. However, many of them smoke too so I guess that ruins the "health" benefit.

Anyway, we visited the Anne Frank house which is what I was looking forward to the most. It had a really long line, but it moved very quickly. I really remember reading that book in school. It had such a huge impact on me. I'm not one to remember details and history, but for some reason that has always been in my head. I never dreamed I would actually get to stand in the rooms she wrote the diary in. It was amazing to think about. How sad... terribly, terribly sad. We got to time up the tiny stairwells, behind the hidden bookcase... into the tiny rooms. We got to see the original diary. I had talked a lot about it to Landen and really wanted him to read the book before we went. However, I never got it so he had to go off the info I gave him. To my surprise, both he and Hayden were very intrigued with the whole thing. I know Hayden won't remember, but I sure hope Landen does. I tried to emphasize how this would be so important to them later on in their life and how fortunate they are to tour these things.

After that, we roamed around the city and took a canal cruise. That was fun and a nice break for the kids. The whole city is covered in canals and had so much personality. We never really made it to the "Red Light" district (not something you can see with 3 kids tagging along.) However, we did see a few questionable girls in windows off the beaten paths... I'll just leave it at that. Hayden asked why she was dressed like a "cheerleader." A cheerleader? Not quite what I would relate it to, but I guess that's all he could think of. It made for a lot of laughs between Matt and I.

We had good weather the first two days, but the third day was not so good. It was chilly and rainy so our plans to hang on the beach were changed. We ended up driving through The Haag and roaming the boardwalk. We ended up finding an aquarium to go to that was inside and the kids enjoyed that.

I won't get carried away here so you can see the pictures. Enjoy!




Wednesday, April 8, 2009

What a Difference

What a difference a year makes. I couldn't resist taking the same jeans and coat that swallowed Jordyn last Spring. I can't believe this is the last time my parents saw her! She has grown so much (especially the hair!). Look at these....



We are back from our trip to Amsterdam. We didn't visit Keukenhof this year, but actually went into Amsterdam. I will blog more later about the trip when I have recuperated! Come back in a few days for LOTS of pictures. :-)

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Shout Out to My SIL's...

Happy Birthday to my sister in law, Shannon today.  I can't find a picture at the moment, but maybe I'll have time later.  I hope you have a wonderful day and I love you very much.  Can't wait to see you this summer and spend some time together.  You are one of the sweetest people I know.

Also, I'm getting a new sister in law today!  I'm so excited for Steve and Jill and really wish I could be there for you both today.  We are thinking about you and praying for you today and we hope it is a super special day for you and the kids.  Best of luck and we can't wait for some pictures.  We love you both!

Now, back to packing....