All you need is love...

Occasionally we'll turn on our TV to the music channels that we get and have a dance party. Tonight, was one such party! After the girls danced to the "beautiful music" (classical), we turned on the "Golden Oldies" channel to liven things up a bit. The Beatles song, "All you need is Love" came on. Hannah was just sitting down for a snack, so I didn't really think much about her listening to the song (since she wasn't dancing to it). Little did I know...

As she sat waiting for her snack, she suddenly said, quietly and with certainty, "They're right." 

I didn't quite get what she was saying, so I asked, "What?"

She said again with all sincerity, "They're right...All you need is love." 

I turned around so that she couldn't see me nearly burst out laughing. Then, Brian and I just stared at each other and shook out heads...what will this girl come up with next?!?!

 (click here to go to a YouTube video of The Beatles playing this classic song)

Ellie-Ballerina

Who says popsicles are only for summer? :O)

You're right Hannah, "All you need is love" and we love you!

Two little ballerinas watching Discovery Channel's Planet Earth (amazing show...watch it if you can! We recorded it from last night...I think it's going to be on again next Sunday night.) 

Merry Christmas!

Once again, it's hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone already. The weeks and days leading up to it are filled with so much activity, planning and traveling, that it's hard to sometimes remember what the true meaning is all about anyway. This year, with Hannah being older and more influenced by the advertising and other children she sees/talks to, we tried all the more to remind her (and Ellie & Sam) what Christmas is really about. She would be begging for toy after toy and I would say, "Now Hannah, you know Christmas is not about getting presents..." and as quickly as it would come out of my mouth, she would reply in her 16-year old sounding voice, "I KNOW Mom." I think she really does understand, but I also know it's hard for a 5 year old to contain the thrill of knowing what lies ahead on the big day! She's such a sweetheart! We thank God for His precious gift of Jesus...the best gift any 5 year old, 33 year old, 95 year old (and everything in between) can receive!

We were once again blessed with safe travels this holiday and wonderful days spent with both of our families. Our days in MI were filled with snow, snow and more snow, but that's okay. We stayed inside (except for one fabulous day...see pics) and baked, decorated a gingerbread house and played, played, played. Thankfully, Matt, Stacey and the kids were able to make it out Tues. for our Christmas celebration together. Thank you mom and dad for once again being great hosts! 

After waiting out yet another MI storm, we headed home Christmas Eve after the Smith Christmas party in Holland. It happened to be the best decision ever. The roads were clear and traffic was light. We got home a little late, but that's okay...we weren't stuck in the snow, driving on ice or sitting in hours of traffic. Thank you Lord for that bit of mercy! 

Christmas morning was perfect...relaxing, peaceful and a wonderful time with our family. The girls enjoyed opening their gifts and Sam watched on with just as much excitement. I'm sure next year will be a whole different story! We headed to Chicago, to Brian's parents around noon and spent the rest of the day with them and the Johaniks. The Smiths joined us in the evening for a wonderful meal. Thank you mom and dad for another fabulous day in the city...great company, yummy food and a relaxing day with family!

Enjoy the pics below...just a reminder that you can click on individual pictures on the page to enlarge them. :O) 

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Oh, a quick follow-up story to my last post about Santa...we were at the mall a few days after seeing Santa at Brian's office. Of course, Hannah saw the Santa at the mall and wanted to say Hello. Since there wasn't a line, I agreed. We walked up and she said right on his lap (as Ellie clung to the stroller seat. :O) After Santa asked, "What would you like for Christmas?" Hannah sat for a few seconds and said, "I'll have to think about it." Oh, too funny! What kid walks up to Santa without knowing what she wants?!?! :O) After thinking of a couple of things, she hopped off and then stood looking at him. Then, true to form, she asked him, "Is there only one Santa?" He, rather quickly, replied, "Yes, there is." To which she then asked, "Were you at my Daddy's work?" Again, Mall Santa, not skipping a beat, said, "Yes, I was." I looked at him and then looked at her hoping she wouldn't come up with anything else and I guess she was satisfied with his answer, because she seemed done and we walked away. I was waiting for her to continue the conversation with me, but she didn't do that either. Whew! :O) 

Santa

We had the pleasure of visiting with Santa at Brian's office Friday afternoon and I'll just say, he was met with certain mixed emotions from our children. As suspected, Hannah loved the guy! She was a bit disappointed, however, because he didn't ask her what she wanted for Christmas...he just smiled, gave her a candy cane and took a picture (it was a co-worker of Brian dressed up...). Ellie, on the other hand, was not impressed with his white beard and jolly laugh. She clung to Brian as we waited for our turn to pose with the man in the red suit and would have absolutely nothing to do with sitting on his lap. No way...not in a million years! Sam just seemed curious and he really liked his beard. It fit perfectly in his little hand...easy to tug!

Daddy, do NOT get any closer to that guy!!!

Sam is thinking, "What is all this white stuff?!" Hannah is just looking her lovely self. Ellie...still in Daddy's arms. ;O)

The picture below was taken with a Polaroid camera and then given to us, so I scanned it in...I just love how Ellie is checking out Santa! :O)

Happy Birthday Hannah!

On Tuesday we celebrated Hannah's "real" birthday.  After all of her other parties, it was getting hard to remember when the actual day really was

Her day started out with going to preschool, where she got to pass out her little birthday treat. Let me tell you, that alone is enough to make a girl feel loved and special! The kids loved her! ;O) After school, I told her she could choose a restaurant of her choice and we would meet Brian there...naturally, she chose, "Old McDonalds." Yes, that's right...she still calls it "Old McDonalds" after all these years! We enjoyed a nice lunch as a family and even cashed in some free ice cream cone coupons for an extra treat! As you can see, all 3 kids enjoyed the cold delight! (Sam's first taste of ice cream!)

That night, we had a nice, quiet dinner at home and instead of another cake, we made brownies and gave the birthday girl a star shaped birthday desert! It was a great day and a great celebration of our big girl...she is such a treasure and constant source of joy, laughter and love! We thank God for her!

Big Boy

Well, we did it! We finally took the plunge and got Sam's hair cut. I was really hesitant because he was just so cute with is shaggy/fluffy hair and he's my baby...but, alas, we decided it was time. He did really well sitting in the adorable little car chair, w/ the cape on, "watching" a Baby Einstein video. He didn't cry at all! I hope that is a sign for times to come, because I'm guessing this little guy is going to have his fair share of hair cuts! ;O)

Memories in the making...

We celebrated Hannah birthday this past week not once, but twice (and the real date isn't even until tomorrow!!)! We had Brian's family over on Tues. night to have a combined party for Hannah and Brian (his b-day was 11/29). 

Peter and Hannah - always ready to lend a helping hand. :O)

Hannah's new jewelry box from Grandma and Grandpa...I think she now has a new goal in life...to be the twirling ballerina in the box!

Jeremy and Ellie playing...yes, they really were! I know it looks like an attack, but there was laughter all around!

We then had Hannah's little princess party on Saturday morning. What a fun mix of friends...friends from church, friends from out-and-about and we were even blessed with friends from Michigan! My sister-in-law Stacey came with my niece Taylor and my dearest, oldest (not old as in age, but old as in we've been best friends since 6th grade!) friend Jane, came with her daughter Avery. :O) What a treat! 

Our guests arrived Friday night just in time for an authentic Chicago pizza dinner! As suspected, the girls all wanted to sleep in Hannah and Ellie's room that night and we thought it would be great...that is, if they actually went to sleep! About an hour and a half after we put them to bed, we finally had to lay down the law and separate them. It was already 10pm Eastern time and the MI girls were exhausted! 

Trying to wind-down with Rudolf...

"Go to sleep girls!"

Saturday morning started bright and early, but that's okay. The girls has a blast together. It was so fun watching the three of them playing so well...they would even include Ellie from time to time. :O)  The rest of the princesses arrived at 10am, ready for their craft, cake and present opening! What a great time with the little girls. Brian definitely felt outnumbered, but I know he enjoyed it!

The princesses having some sort of "pow-wow."

7 little princesses!

Taylor, Avery and Hannah

The party wrapped up at 11:30 am and by 12:30, the 6 of us were off to The Nutcracker at the Paramount Theater in Aurora, IL. What a sight! I took Hannah last year and was so excited to share the experience with Stacey, Taylor, Jane and Avery. The girls were adorable in their Christmas outfits and absolutely loved the performance (although they asked a lot of questions throughout!). :O) 

Okay, now I see it...Hannah really does look like me! 

Waiting for the ballerinas!

Aren't they gorgeous?!

Okay, I just realized I've written more details here than most of you really care about...sorry. It was just such a special weekend and I"m so thankful for opportunities like it to create lasting memories for myself and Hannah. 

Oh, I had to throw at least one picture of Sam in here...he's just so sweet and somehow he survived all those girls! ;O)

Mystery solved...

Shortly after my last post regarding Ellie's shenanigans in the bathroom, I discovered what had made the "clinking" noise...yeah, the toilet paper holder thingy. She had somehow gotten the toilet paper roll off of the holder and when I went back in later that afternoon, I discovered only the spring from the middle of the "tube" part, not the outer portion...clink, clink, clink...

2 year olds

I just came downstairs to find Ellie playing in the toilet water. Nice. It looked a little yellow (Hannah often forgets to flush), so I flushed it and heard, "clink, clink"...she wouldn't/couldn't tell me what was in there...I'm hoping it wasn't valuable. I do have my wedding ring on, so that's good... :O) 

I can't believe that I had forgotten what 2 year olds are capable of! I better keep a better eye on her!!!

p.s. Don't worry, I washed her hands...

I lied...

as you can see, we have not mastered staying clean...what was I thinking?

Thanksgiving in MI

As usual, we spent Thanksgiving in MI this year. It was a blessing to share the day with our both of our families in Holland. We also had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with Matt, Stacey, Luke and Taylor...it was soooooooooo fun and there was non stop action! I don't think the kids sat for more than 5 minutes at a time! While together, we celebrated Hannah and Taylor's 5th birthdays too. It's almost unbelievable that they are 5 already!

And, on top of that, we were able to see our dear friends from Hope College. Never a dull moment with that group!

We hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving too!

The kids sportin' their new Christmas jammies!

5 years old (on 12/9), going on 16!

Getting goofy!

Cousins

Our 5 year olds (Taylor's was 11/26)

Sammy boy doing his sit-ups...a new favorite pose for him!

"I like your hair Luke." :O)

Bath time...each grandchild has had a bath in Grandma's sink and now it was Sam's turn!

He enjoyed it!

All clean!

Papa and girls...

Papa and Ellie...

The women. (no, I'm not trying out a new hair-do, there was a plant conveniently right behind my head. :O)

Big Boy

Look who's sitting up now!!! Just one fun thing Sam mastered while we were in MI last week for Thanksgiving! Another milestone hit...keeping his face clean while eating baby food! ;O)