The Hoek's

We took a quick road trip to Nashville/Brentwood to see Brian Hoek get hitched! It was great to get away and catch up with so many old friends. TJ came along (he was just 4 weeks old), and we left the girls at my parents house for the weekend. I LOVE hanging out with the Byma's and the Hinderer's! (PS...Dan and Jen ignored the memo of what to wear...Blue pin stripes for the men, and turquoise for the women). Doesn't Theodore look like a little stud in his sweater vest??? I am loving little boy clothes!

October 16, 2010The ceremony was at Brian's parent's house. It was a beautiful 70 degree fall day in TN. Arron was a beautiful bride, and it was nice to finally meet who had finally stolen Brian's heart!

Daddy and TJThe "boyz"

Brian even took a turn holding him. TJ was a perfect little angel. He slept pretty much the entire time we were there (except for the getting up every 2 hours at night), and there and back in the car. He woke up to eat, and that was it.

A rare picture of just Jim and I

Our precious cargo (like this for the entire 10 hours there and back)

Fall preschool memories

I was able to go with Lucy on her first field trip to Koetsier's greenhouse. (have I mentioned I love maternity leave?) I loved to see Lucy with all of her friends and teachers whom she cannot stop talking about when she gets home! We love Ada Christian!
Lucy and Susan duck racing at Koetsiers

Mrs. Boot giving instructions to the class

The hayride

Daddy and Lucy at pumpkin carving night! The theme was Jesus loves me and you can't see the heart and cross on either side of the pumpkin, but they did such a good job!

Sleep, oh my, what is that anymore? Someone needs to tell TJ that 1.5 to 3 hours is not enough time inbetween feedings at night. That is especially true when I'm up with him for 45 minutes of that 1.5 hours. Needless to say this post is not about how I'm sleeping...because life does, and has not stopped because of it. I love being home....just will be thankful for the day that I feel almost rested. This little part is because I'm hoping to excuse anything that doesn't make sense, is spelled incorrectly, etc, etc from now until he's 5!

Grown up halloween

I can't believe Jim and I didn't get a picture together. If you ever wondered what Jim looked like with hair, here he is. I wish I got a picture of his face..the sunburned spring breaker!


and the winner is.....dubtee

The hosts: Matt and Lesley

all the girls

showing off her moves

The Ghents and Nagelkirks

Randoms

So the month of October is flying by....here are a few randoms that don't really go with any post...but some that I want to remember. Showing off their quilts that they all recieved in their church basket as newborns. I love them all, and they remind me of my grandma.


A nice suprise visit from Joseph and Aunt Jodie.

Lucy was so proud to be feeding TJ a bottle

What we do with naughty puppies and kitties at our house (thank you Courtney!)

And no the rollerskating cowboy is not a halloween costume, it's a weekly show at our house (at least it was until the rollerskating cowboy tried to make it down the front steps with her roller skates on--no injuries thankfully, just a little drama)

My first big outing

Saturday October 9, Klackles. TJ was 3 weeks old and I had a fall work party that I really wanted to go to, Jim had a football game that he couldn't miss=Stephanie and 3 kids at an orchard on steriods. As you can see we had a great time! My friend Rachel was a huge help, and I wouldn't have enjoyed myself so much if it hadn't been for her. We managed to ride out to pick apples and pumpkins, eat doughnuts and dinner, play outside, and even cook up some smores. And the most satisfying part was that we closed down the party....2 single moms and 6 kids!

Anna and Kady deciding what pumpkin looked the best

Kady was so proud of her bag of apples

Picking off the tree

Ready to go!

Lucy wasn't too excited about getting her picture taken all day long

The catepillar

Lucy had a new friend for about a week. If we ever were worried about her taking care of a pet our questions were answered. Lilly/Anita/the catepillar was fed 3 times a day, taken out for exercise, and taken out to be loved. Lucy worried about it being too cold for Lilly, her not having enough to play with, eat, etc. She was devastated when she lost Lilly in the grass last week. Good thing for mommy's fast hands...the bug box is now occupied by a dead grasshopper, which she has found to be an adequate replacement. (the best part about the whole deal was finding out how much Lucy is like her mother. She seemed deathly afraid to touch the catepillar with her bare hands, but I found her with dora gardening gloves on one day and she was suddenly so brave)

Freeze frame

Theodore's first 3 weeks have flown by in a blur. I try to take everything about their newness in....yet some gets missed in between all those late, sleepless nights. Here is what I can come up with, or captured in pictures:

The Kramers came to meet Theodore

Fun night at the Damstra's

Lucy loves (understatement) holding her brother...this time she wanted to do it lying down

Strong boy holding up his head

Little stud muffin

Kady also loves her "brudder", and is glad she is no longer "me no sick", so she can kiss and hold him (3 kids with pink eye starting Theodore's first week of life)

2 trips down to artprize with the family

Lucy and Kady's newest play place

Theodore's first hayride at Robinettes, 10 days old

Michigan's cheering section at our house!

Daddy's buddy

1st bath

all mommy's helpers, and 3 clean kids at the end!

checking out TJ

getting a new cousin already! Jillian Dattels, born 2 days after Theodore

I hope the video works, if not I'll repost it later....I wish I could bottle up all of Kady's words right now, and the way in which she says them all. She has this rhythm when she speaks that just makes everything much cuter!