big news!

We are happy to announce that we are expecting a baby GIRL! Based on how I was feeling both Ryan and I were convinced we would be having a boy. So it was a surprise to us when we found out we would be having another girl. But what a nice surprise.  God is good!  Now to choose a name...

Fall!

Fall has been fabulous! Cool mornings, warm & sunny afternoons...life is good!

Blowing a dandelion can be so much fun:

This past Saturday we headed over to Robinette's for fresh donuts, apple cider, and other fall activities

Andrew wanted to try out their big jumping pillow.  He had so much fun!

Sylvia chose to go on a hayride with her Dada

Back at home it was time to cheer on the Michigan Wolverines and rake leaves.

Today we went to Grandma Linda & Grandpa Kendell's home to celebrate birthdays.  Our nephew, Aiden, decided to have a family lemonade stand for charity.  Such a sweet idea!

Andrew had the most fun playing in the cornfield behind their house.  On our way home, he asked when he could go back and play in the corn maze :)

Andrew with one of his favorite cousins, Kelsey

catch up complete!

                                              

Sylvia loves snugs, especially from her Dada

 

Playing hide-and-seek with these kids is a hoot.  Can you find them in these next 3 pictures?

Sylvia's new face:  the stink eye!

Andrew loves his tricycle!  He tried the training wheels on a bigger bike but he did not like that at all!  We'll try again next summer :)

18 weeks pregnant with baby #3!!!

almost there...

We had more visitors in August: my friend, Joy, and her family come to GR once a year for a few weeks. We always have such a good time!

Here we are waiting for their company at the downtown market:

Sylvia trying to hula-hoop

Andrew may have a slight crush on this girl, Megan :)

Another day, we spent some time at Meijer Gardens.  Everyone is looking for fish or turtles in the pond below

Andrew's first day of preschool at Grand Rapids Christian Elementary.   We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful school just a few blocks away.  Andrew goes there 3 mornings a week, and most mornings we are even able to walk there.  So spoiled!

Andrew by his locker.  A few tears were shed by him and me soon after I took this picture :(

When Andrew is at school, I get some good one-on-one time with this sweet girl!

summer catch up continued...

In July, we thought we would try blueberry picking. I have fond memories of picking blueberries as a kids so I was thrilled when Grandma Huizinga suggested we take Andrew and Sylvia out. Andrew had a blast! Sylvia more enjoyed wandering around and checking out everyone's buckets:

We also visited the Grand Rapids Public Museum with my sister, Sara, and her family.  The theme was games and Legos so we figured we couldn't go wrong.  Here is Sylvia playing with 'spinnies.'

Grandpa Huizinga showing the kids how to play dominoes.

A gigantic Connect 4

Building with Legos, of course

And finally going for a ride on the carousel

Another event we like to attend is the Kent County Youth Fair in Lowell.  The kids had the most fun on this tractor/playground.