Tuesday playdates

 I'm going to miss Tuesdays.  My sister and I have had almost the same exact maternity leave...third babies 2 days apart.  Now I'm gearing up for going back to work....So here are some of our memories: Love you Carrie!

 cookie making on the deck (you can see from above how excited the youngest two are!)

 Simon's sprinkles with a cookie on the side

 look at all those cheeks

 The best one of all six!

 My girls loving on the babies!

 Having fun and talking

our first playdate, and the only picture I got.  We spent the majority of the time in the basement because of tornado warnings...in October.  We were scared enough to get all six kids together for the first time....and then we had to keep them entertained in the unfinished part of my basement.  Awesome! 

A day of thanks!

 I'm thankful for the 2 newest Koops' additions this year, Emma Riley Engbers, and Theodore Jon

 I'm thankful for a big turkey and ham dinner with more sides than I could possibly fit on my plate.  I'm thankful for a mother-in-law who enjoys doing this whenever we come over!  I'm also thankful for a new baby that Jodie carries so well!

 I'm thankful for a Grandpa and Grandma who love spending time with their grandkids, and I'm thankful for naps and sleep....TJ has only been getting up one, sometimes two times a night. 

 I'm thankful for grandmas who read until you fall asleep

 I'm thankful for talks and bonding

 I'm thankful for creative minds, and bodies that have the ability to create such wonderful art!

 I'm thankful for washable paints!  I'm thankful for all the giggles and smiles that come with "nakie" painting!

 I'm thankful for clean-up time, and the many memories that these kids will have about our Thanksgiving holidays.  I'm thankful to have so many kids so close in age.

I'm thankful that we have a day that reminds us to stop.  be thankful.  God IS good!

2 months

 

 From 6 lb 12 oz to 12 lb 8 oz....all in a mere 2 months. 

Jesus' promise

 "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18-20)

 In baptism God now claims us in Christ marks us as his own people,
and seals our membership in God's covenant community, the church.
Baptism is the covenant sign that God frees us
from the power of sin and death,
uniting us with Jesus Christ in his death and resurrection.
By water and the Holy Spirit we are washed clean from sin.
God's grace in baptism calls us to give ourselves to him
in trust, love, and obedience.



Theodore was able to be baptized in the outfit that Jim's parents chose for him to be baptized in



 Our 3 beautiful miracles that God has entrusted to us

 Jim and I are so thankful to have wonderful family that have modeled God's promises and goodness, and support us and our children in our walks with God.

Yesterday Jim and I, along with the girls, stood in front of church and watched Theodore get baptized. We were blessed to have 3 rows filled with family and friends, and our church family be there to support us and promise to do the same for Theodore. I'm in awe that God is so great, and good. What a wonderful day!  We finished it off with a potluck lunch in the basement of our church.  It was the perfect place when I realized there were 14 kids under the age of 4 with us!  Oh yeah, keeping in CRC tradition ham on buns were served ....revamped for the new generation. 

Ghosts and Goblins

Well actually we had a skeleton, bee, witch, cow, and a dalmation. Our kids got a double dose of trick or treating this year. Since Halloween was on a Sunday each neighborhood decided when they were going to celebrate. Saturday night we went to the Damstra's, and Sunday night they came here. Each neighborhood seemed to be just perfect for our kids ages.
Lucy had asked and asked to be a witch this year, so it was pretty exciting when I picked her up from school one day with a witch costume hanging in the back. Kadence had helped me shop, and picked out her cow costume. TJ didn't care what he was, and I believe he slept through everything.
The witch was not complete without her "beauty marks"

Night 1: Getting ready to go around the Damstra's neighborhood. They all seemed very into it, and loved going from house to house.

again, TJ slept through it all, with his thumb, all snuggled up against Joe Westra. Could it be possible to have 3 thumb suckers??

Night 2 : attempt at a picture, at least all 4 of them are in the frame (my favorite part of Kady's costume were her cow buns...check them out!)

Lucy was still very into it....Kadence would have been content to eat all her candy as we went, only getting out of her stroller if her pumpkin had nothing left in it

What a life....Max and Ty enjoying some of their loot as well

Perfect fall weather

How could you not spend almost everyday outside this fall?

taking a family walk to the park

I love all the colors of the leaves, and the sounds they make as you walk through them

The girls and their makeup

The Saturday night before we met up with the Engbers and Gritters at Rivertown to let the kids play, and to eat some dinner.....the mall was crazy. We spent a little time at the tree house, on the carousel, and at the cars. All in all we survived, but decided that next time we'd choose some one's house and order some pizza!