Sam's Giggles...

Sam has been giggling for quite a while now and I finally remembered to capture it on video! Whether he's giving kisses, getting kisses, being tickled or even just looking around, Sam LOVES to giggle! We have never heard a baby giggle like this...it's sad to say, but he almost sounds like a little animal! A sweet, adorable, precious little baby animal. :o) Be sure to turn up the volume on your computer for this one...you won't want to miss it! 

Walla Walla on my mind...

On Oct. 15th, Brian, Sam and I headed to Walla Walla, WA to visit our dear friends Tim and Lyndsey Dykstra and their four sweet little ones. Hannah and Ellie were blessed with a trip to Grandma and Papa's in MI and then to Grandma and Grandpa in Chicago too!

We had a fabulous 4+ days with the Dykstras - learning more about Tim's job with the Army Corp of Engineers, getting to know Acacia, Eli, Kaiya and Hudson, trying fabulous recipes thanks to Lyndsey's cooking and spending hours and hours sharing new stories, reminiscing about old stories and connecting with two people that love us dearly (we love them too!). It was a trip we will never forget and although we were sad to not share it with the girls, we look forward to the day when we can reunite with our entire families all together!

Here is just a snip-it of our trip...

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Chicago Marathon 2008

On Oct. 12, we packed up the kids bright and early and headed down to the city to watch the Chicago Marathon. My mom-in-law Connie and her sister Chris were running in the race that morning. It was a beautiful, fall day for the 26.2 mile run. Sporting our "GO" blue t-shirts, those of us not running, did our best to cheer them on and on and on! 

The day was tough for most and taught us all many things...first and foremost in my mind...I NEVER want to run a marathon!!! I'll stick to triathlons and maybe a 5k here or there! I truly admire those who train and run 26 miles...but I also know it's not for me. :O)

I want to say GREAT JOB Mom and Chris! You are amazing women and we love you!

Okay, enjoy the pics!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Check out this great cause

I mentioned this family a while ago (here) and now a new campaign has been created to help the McNeil family. Please check out A Hundred for a Home here to find out more and how you can help.

Fall Fun

I love fall, as long as the sun is out and air isn't too cold. There are so many fun things to do in the fall and we're trying to cover them all! Here's what we've checked off so far:

Apple Picking - at Crane's Orchard in Fennville, MI (south of Holland) with Aunt Stacey and Taylor

Going to college football games - Brian saw the best U of MI game this season vs. Wisconsin and we visited Hope College last weekend - but they lost :O(

Visiting Family and Friends in MI

Taking a walk on the beach of Lake MI - we hardly ever get to enjoy beautiful, warm, fall walks!

Visiting the Morton Arboretum as much as possible - 3 times in the past two weeks! 

I'm sure there are many more adventures to come before the dreaded white stuff shows up...stay tuned! :O)

fyi - when you start this slide show, it may take a few seconds to load...don't fear, the pictures will appear! ;O)

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Clearly...

Hannah is a peach...she never ceases to amaze us with her spunk, energy, imagination and her incredible memory. For instance...

This past weekend we were in MI for Hope College's homecoming festivities and time with my family. The kids and I went apple picking on Friday with Stacey and Taylor and had a great time. The girls loved running through the orchard picking up sticks and other treasures (in addition to the bags full of apples we picked)! Ellie actually enjoyed the sticks more. She found a long branch to hold, that was even taller than she was! Hannah looked at her little sister carrying this branch and said, "Ellie, you look like Moses!" I almost dropped my apples at that one!

And THEN a couple of days later, we were taking a walk/bike ride around our neighborhood and after coming to a stop at an intersection, I told Hannah that she could go on b/c it was "clear." She added, "All clear...Claritin Clear." I thought I heard what she said, but couldn't really believe it, so I asked her, "What did you just say?" She turned around with a sheepish grin and said, "Claritin Clear." Yeah, as in the slogan from the allergy medicine commercials! YIKES! I laughed so hard and then immediately called Brian...and although it was so funny, it did make me a little nervous about what other things she picks up on from commercials. She doesn't watch a ton of TV, but obviously when she does, she's taking it ALL in. We love our DVR that allows us to pause TV if we are watching a sporting event and usually I feel like the commercials she might happen to see during one of her kid shows, should be okay...but, wow!!! This also proves the power of commercials and media...scary!