Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Sleeping Beauties

Andrew conked out on the couch, so Anika wanted to crawl up next to him and get her picture taken.

Scout's adjustment

Scout has had adifficult time adjusting to the new house. Mostly, I think because she misses her chain link fence that allowed her to keep tabs on the neighborhood and see what was going on. She is slowly adjusting, but she sure loves to stay close to us.

Spring?

I heard someone say recently, I can't wait until March when spring is here:-) Apparently, spring is right around the corner here in Ripon and we sure are enjoying some warmer days. The beautiful temps and quiet street had us out riding our trikes!


Monday, February 18, 2008

New & Old Friends

Tonight we enjoyed dinner with a college/seminary friend and his family. Dave & Jen Vander Meulen and their daughters, Ella and Delia had us over for a wonderful evening. Ella is 2 1/2. Anika had a great time with her and her princess dress-ups. Delia is just 7 months so she didn't get into the playing as much. Andrew terrorized their dog, Lily -- and pretty much the rest of us too:-) It was nice to make new friends and keep the old!!!!

Friday, February 08, 2008

Lloyd's Installation Service

We had such an incredible Sunday for Lloyd's installation. We had a wonderful worship service, a great meal together as a church family, and of course an amazing football game to watch:-). My parents were here for the event as well as all of Lloyd's immediate family.
The Sunday school students played the hand bells to call us to worship. It was so neat!Auntie Christine and Nathaniel get a little bit of candy.Anika poses with Auntie Rachel.Our family on the special day!
Andrew makes a great first impression by attempting to chug the ranch dressing - who was watching that kid anyway?Anika and Mommy enjoy some lunch.Lloyd was blessed to be joined by Pastor Jim Boer of Faith Church in Holland, MI (His long time mentor and friend) and Pastor Al Helder the interim pastor who is passing the reins to Lloyd.



Thursday, February 07, 2008

Blocks!

Andrew received these blocks as a Christmas present from Nana but we waited until we were in the new house before we assembled them. Boy, are they a hit! Anika will stack them as high as she can before Andrew comes plowing into them. (They have been a source of laughter and tears. You can see Andrew in the background of the first picture trying desperately to run full force at the blocks.) They have given lots of delight to young and old. Even the "young-at-heart" among us have gotten into the game of how high, how sturdy, how elaborate, how. . . we can make a tower.
Note: In the following pictures, Andrew is taking a nap:-)




Lil Helper

Andrew can't be left out and when he saw grandpa under the sink, he naturally assumed he would be a welcome helper. (Without that diaper, he would be sporting some serious "plumber's crack!")


Good friends!

Before we left, my dearest friends - Candace, Dana, Hester, and Linda - surprised me with a good-bye kidnapping. We hung out, laughed, cried, and they gave me the most beautiful quilt. Linda just sent the pictures so I'm getting it up on the blog. What amazing people! (The quilt now graces my bed in the new house.)


The New House

For those who care, I'm posting some pictures of the new house. (Warning: There are tons of pictures here so feel free to skip this post!)

Entry:
(We need to get a table for the Bible - this moving box is serving a double purpose as furniture!)

Guest Half Bath:

Guest Room/Office: Living Room/Dining Room:

Kitchen/Family Room:

Master Suite:
Kid's Bathroom:
Anika's Bedroom:
Andrew's Bedroom:
Nursery: