Big Star Lake

We recently spent a long weekend up at a cottage on the lake with Stephan's sister and brother and their families. We didn't have the greatest weather, but the one nice day (Monday) we did get the suits out and Briella had a ton of fun with Addy in the sand. Addy taught her to make sand cookies :)
Briella also bonded with their dog Sammy. Saturday afternoon she was bonding with his tail and he took her for a ride. Her forehead met the corner of the end table, it wasn't pretty. She got quite a bruise, but it healed quickly . . .

BOYS

Brian and Caleb, Stephan and Gideon (B&S are 17 months apart, their sons are 6 weeks apart). It was so fun to meet Caleb and have the boys 'play' together.

(I'm noticing this snake and realizing that in the future there could be a lot of trouble with these two. . . I wonder if they'll play tricks on their sister(s?) and cousins with snakes . . . we'll see

PS:To the anonymous impatient family member, our computer has been down and we have been busy with family in town, sorry for the delay. If all goes well I might be able to post again tonight :) Do you think it's funny that your initials are PS (+ W), but the PS part is what is funny to me write now . . . oh my a lame MrHoekema joke, I better stop!

Picture this (Because I don't have a picture of this)

Sunday morning services:
When Stephan walks to the front of the sanctuary to collect, Briella can hardly sit still, she must point and say "DADDY." As he gets closer with the basket, I hand her the envelope and tell her daddy will give her the basket and she can put it in the basket. (Lots of excitement, smiles to anyone around, points to daddy, nearly jumps from pew) The much anticipated basket comes near, envelope is inserted, I receive the "YEAH I DID IT" smile (lots of wrinkles around the nose/eyes). Collecting, round 2, Briella starts walking toward the aisle (she has figured out a quicker way to get the envelope in the basket), I whisper, "Briella, come here!" She thankfully obeys. (I'm holding Gideon, by the way, adding to the difficulty of the situation). Before Stephan arrives with the basket, the envelope falls over the back of the pew and no one is sitting behind us, so I send Briella to go get it, then daddy arrives, the envelope goes in, 2 for 2! Yeah Briella!! (In the midst of all this a few elderly couples across the row are smiling knowingly, all the while encouraging my little social bug to keep performing).

Although not quite as cute, and not exactly flattering to ALL of us:
Briella is eating breakfast as the first loud thunder erupts: "WOOOAH" smiles and clapping follow. Later, loud gas from a parent; "WOOOAH" smiles and clapping follow. Thanks Briella for the encouragement and support.

Briella was not so happy trying to climb onto the couch, she starts that frustrated crying, whiny stuff and I look over and notice that since her cute jean capris are tight enough to stay on her little butt, they do not allow her knees to bend and she cannot climb onto the couch! (If it's not one problem, it's another, poor girl)

Recently . . .

Mindy got these matching dresses for Tessa and Briella--aren't they cute :)



Stephan and I were the master and mistress of ceremonies Friday night for our friends Bill and Michelle from church. It was a beautiful day and I enjoy weddings because they remind me of our wedding and the joy of being married in the Lord.


I'm just wondering ?!?!?
A. Did anyone notice my big toe in the previous post?
B. Is there another time when being a mistress is not scandalous or just when dealing with MOC and weddings !?!?
C. If I ask more questions will there be more comments . . .

4 months old

Our precious 4 month old is doing well . . . he loves to turn over in bed, smiles at almost any face he sees, and even laughs at his sister.
We went to Binder Park Zoo on Friday with my parents and Mindy's family. The highlight was getting up close and personal with the giraffes. Briella now knows what the giraffes do so I might post a video of that later . . . it was a beautiful day for the zoo. Other than Gideon pooping through his outfit in the first 20 minutes, the kids were great. (This very prepared mom took extra clothes along . . . but left them in the van . . .)
The giraffe is not eating Briella'a back as her face might suggest . . .

Small joys . . . reasons to smile

So here are a few things that bring a smile to my face:



They came out with a few flavors, I am loving the strawberry-apple, I think I saw cherry limeade and maybe one more.

There is nothing like the comfort of my pillow at bedtime . . . mmm . . .


A sleeping baby is always precious!

Happy Birthday Dad

Dad turns 60 today!!! Happy Birthday dad :)
I thought I'd post a few pictures of dad with a few of his favorite things . . .

Grandkids

his Harley

For some pictures of the earlier years, check these out!

(Disclaimer: this is my first attempt at a link, so I apologize if it doesn't work)

Cockadoodledoo

Briella knows lots of animals sounds, she is picking them up from a few books we read frequently. Her rooster is just adorable, so I thought I'd attempt to post a video for your listening pleasure :)