Briella is 6

 Briella has been excited for first grade for weeks and even though it was early, she was happy to head off to school Tuesday morning.  She came home telling me that her teacher was a nice lady and she thinks first grade will be fun.  Oh and she only has one naughty boy in her class this year . . .

We celebrated her 6th birthday with G & G P in town :)  I think Briella enjoyed the extra attention and excitement on her birthday.  Here is her purple sprinkle cake.  (Two cakes in 8 days is a bit much, but I'm off until March!!)  She brought party popcorn (with almond bark and sprinkles on it) for a birthday treat, she said everyone said thank you and they liked it, except A(the naughty boy)...

It is hard to imagine we have a 6 year old now!!  She is so happy to be 6, to have her own Polly Pockets and a watch!!  Briella is a blessing to our family, a great big sister and helper.  She loves her family and friends and is very thoughtful at times.  She loves her dolls (and now Pollys) and enjoys pushing Asher around in a stroller outside.  We enjoy listening to her read, watching her grow in kindness and understanding of God and His creation.

Asher Turns TWO

 Asher was excited to open his presents this year and has already had lots of fun building knocking down towers with his new foam blocks and love his little construction trucks from G & G Buys.  I 'braided' the edge of a fleece blanket and he is loving that as well.  This is possibly the best gift giving we've had--everything was exciting.  He said, "WOAH, woah, woah," many times!!

 He was with his rocket cake as well, especially the fire :)

We can't believe he is two already!!  We have enjoyed his enthusiasm for tucks and animals while driving down the road,  his effort to run to keep up with Gideon, and his motivation to learn to ride a 2 wheeler (!! yes, he wants to sit on the big bikes and after about a minute my back starts to hurt).  He is a generous hugger and recently added kissing to his skills.  He is on the quiet side and more laid back than his siblings.  We love our little guy!!
 
 

Easter/Spring Break/90th Birthday

 Here we are Easter morning in Kansas City.  We spent about 2.5 days in Kansas City.

 Monday we headed to Branson where the weather was not too delightful, but the kids wanted to swim.  We were able to swim at an indoor pool one day as well.

 The nice place we stayed had plenty of beds and tons of space. (Lots of clouds and rain, too)

 After 2.5 days in Branson we headed up to Hull, IA.  We visited my Grandma VM and celebrated Grandma M. 90th birthday!  Briella said "I have two really old grandmas."  (Note to Moms, I explained that the 'really old' grandmas we really her great-grandmas and the 'kind of old' ones are her garndmas ;))

Fun Filled Fourth Brithday

Gideon couldn't wait to turn four.  We started the day with a special birthday breakfast --donuts!!  After that he got to open his presents, a car carrier from Grandpa and Grandma Buys and a Bingo Game, Cars dominos, 2 hot wheels, and a paint book from us.

 

He got to run an errand with Dad and they stopped at the new Cabella's store in Grandville.  When the worker heard it was Gideon's birthday he game him a cool hat!  And there was some semi famous hunter there signing 5x7 pictures of him with a huge buck, so Gideon came home with two special souvenirs!

  

 Instead of a cake, we made a big birthday cookie to decorate.  Gideon has been talking about a tractor cake or a car cake for a long time . . . and I've been teasing him about a princess cake for just as long.  He was very concerned about getting frosting on the car, so I had to be careful, but overall it turned out pretty well :)

 

 Our big boy is 4!!  WOAH!  Gideon is lots of fun to be around, he has a ready smile for anyone :)  He loves being outside, playing cars/trucks, and throwing balls.  He has a caring heart and is growing in His love and understanding of God.  We are blessed by our big 4 year old!!

 

Asher is ONE!

 The past 12 months have gone very quickly and it is amazing to see how much he has grown!

 Asher got a new shirt from Grandma Buys and I made him a special crown for his birthday.  Briella and Gideon 'helped' me decorate Asher's cake.  It turned out pretty cute, too :)

 Asher enjoyed his new car carrier and his cake--what a fun night!

Upcoming Birthdays

 My baby is turning one next week and my firstborn will be 5 the following week!  It was time for a little photo shoot :)  We went to a nearby park so the kids could play while waiting.  I thought I would share a few of the cute ones that didn't make the cut to be printed . . . if only I was a little savvier with my camera and wiser about lighting . . . then they would all be wonderful!!  Enjoy.

 

Gideon is 3

Happy 4th Birthday Briella

My mom, Stephan, Briella, Gideon and I all worked on this special purse cake.  Briella was so proud of it, later I caught her sitting and staring at it :)  She got training wheels from G&G Buys and Monday she tried them out.  She is a little chicken, so it took some coaxing and practice pedaling on the smaller bike, but she is getting the hang of it. 

The first picture I successfully posted was Briella at 7 months!  Wow, it seems like a long time ago and yet it seems like yesterday.  We gave her a new dress which came with a dress for her doll, she was so excited!

4 years -- outtakes

 Briella's 4th birthday is about 11 days, but since we are getting ready for Baby P #3 we took pictures last night.  I decided to try the park close to our house, and as we drove up realized it was under  major construction or maybe major destruction . . .  We found a few nice places without the mud and equipment in the way.  Briella was so excited to wear her new outfit and take pictures, so I'm sharing a few cute ones that didn't make the cut to be printed.

Does she look ready to be a big sister to two?!?!  I can hardly believe four years ago we were waiting for her arrival and now she is growing up into a little girl.  She is pumped to be turning four, anxious for a purse cake, and very excited to be having a new baby in the house soon.