tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80757217208217454412024-03-05T21:06:03.023-08:00The VeldmansThe Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.comBlogger323125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-16716851998858499652015-09-08T13:02:00.001-07:002015-09-08T13:02:49.026-07:00Good-bye Summer :(I can't believe that summer is gone! We had so much fun this summer. The kids are finally at and age where we can all go out and do stuff together. We spent a lot of time outside at the park, the soccer field, the pool, and the lake. We were even able to squeeze in a trip to Minnehaha Falls a couple of weeks ago (pictures to come in the next post hopefully. I was too lazy to download the pictures from my phone). <br />
<br />
Today was a big day at the Veldman household. Grant went off to daycare by himself today as Ava prepared to board the bus to kindergarten. I was a little worried how Grant would do without his big sister telling him what to do or where to go. But Nate said that he did his usual routine and went off to play. Thank goodness! He's starting 3 yr old preschool this year. I pray for his teacher Ms. Maddie. What a group she has! <br />
<br />
Ava came skipping into our bedroom this morning just giggling with delight. She was so excited to start kindergarten. I can't imagine how hard it would be to send your kid off if he/she wasn't excited. There were a few tears shed on the way to the bus stop (by me of course), but overall I did well. Ava did great! :) I'm anxious for her to arrive home so that I can hear all about her day. I'm sure that she'll be exhausted, as she's taken a nap every day of her life up until today. Could be a cranky first couple of weeks here. <br />
<br />
It's been so long since I last updated that I'll let the pictures tell the story of the past month. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17jSJO2jQ8o19Y9acyFZrkM8WCCa_mwLNaQetsT3Xayxl5scpnmpLq9w4py14NHyPS4O7egKZOQ-6BQZkg7xO8H_D-HMLmwuEmRATbH9Lqb1myKfSOFNwRVO_zqgiYjwuNmxAEv2ktlA/s1600/DSC_0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17jSJO2jQ8o19Y9acyFZrkM8WCCa_mwLNaQetsT3Xayxl5scpnmpLq9w4py14NHyPS4O7egKZOQ-6BQZkg7xO8H_D-HMLmwuEmRATbH9Lqb1myKfSOFNwRVO_zqgiYjwuNmxAEv2ktlA/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava finished up her soccer season at the end of August. She absolutely loved it. Grandma & Grandpa Becker and uncle Rick were able to make it to her last game to watch.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2HIqKbiUiKHR5ondXkzOCtzqIZ2Ph3Al-tMlO5zEcDqD5xuA5vEH8LbNB5gB2UAuSE3tbvt37FffyNSif7PFioLJr0EstDzCYazXSSprrkDeFvbk_0k3vqFvgK2Mtl4Q74qTCnbkQdE/s1600/DSC_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2HIqKbiUiKHR5ondXkzOCtzqIZ2Ph3Al-tMlO5zEcDqD5xuA5vEH8LbNB5gB2UAuSE3tbvt37FffyNSif7PFioLJr0EstDzCYazXSSprrkDeFvbk_0k3vqFvgK2Mtl4Q74qTCnbkQdE/s320/DSC_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSTeYHy5JflnwRTxYkavTUIBw7EgdWua6jyD0JEkNInUmfb7KwjGp_fulnR4l5dTmECRoNRAvNGjmNNdYyepJuKjyT1qFCyYS1_EINqnS5oxHB-ZhVuT6dgu9qSmIUmhiVqL_ZGf-eEk/s1600/DSC_0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwSTeYHy5JflnwRTxYkavTUIBw7EgdWua6jyD0JEkNInUmfb7KwjGp_fulnR4l5dTmECRoNRAvNGjmNNdYyepJuKjyT1qFCyYS1_EINqnS5oxHB-ZhVuT6dgu9qSmIUmhiVqL_ZGf-eEk/s320/DSC_0106.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2doUtwH8xk81hiBPTj1gDrYMxbbwA5t0aAqi6BXEN_jlZIjcsFm-W75UgDaL3ilXSQWDUB08mDtzK1lefs3J4iGNqRsiMvRD6hpaK_I6HfeguAnVzAnimDSoNB_4FeNNxAFnmL8RD_XA/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2doUtwH8xk81hiBPTj1gDrYMxbbwA5t0aAqi6BXEN_jlZIjcsFm-W75UgDaL3ilXSQWDUB08mDtzK1lefs3J4iGNqRsiMvRD6hpaK_I6HfeguAnVzAnimDSoNB_4FeNNxAFnmL8RD_XA/s320/DSC_0107.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava's team with their coach (who was amazing) and their medals<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDvns97ult7e7wxBzoGNiSbHtyIHASC-TYFqMp-QwUjqEEMFRC7ZaNLzunSxjsC3iEDlUteQDHtP6wZ-1f7P6xbu_GdJ3XxoTO47hlNqzbxWR1-yJfHV0sbuuytA24O11X-9hZFn_dvk/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDvns97ult7e7wxBzoGNiSbHtyIHASC-TYFqMp-QwUjqEEMFRC7ZaNLzunSxjsC3iEDlUteQDHtP6wZ-1f7P6xbu_GdJ3XxoTO47hlNqzbxWR1-yJfHV0sbuuytA24O11X-9hZFn_dvk/s320/DSC_0114.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The boys left for the cabin super early on Friday, so Grandma hung back and went up with us.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzQOhF5YmyhLatNHO2EZsHHJYuNE4LBePiNumcGJXsKZfplLLatJ5t_d4WursocXnohyphenhyphen6iN0jWWR7idM0oQPHLRCnbdPO4lywfRzhDSmA7KUBMtgYytxmEQxZG9X1yLwzHpwIE-P2N-M/s1600/DSC_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzQOhF5YmyhLatNHO2EZsHHJYuNE4LBePiNumcGJXsKZfplLLatJ5t_d4WursocXnohyphenhyphen6iN0jWWR7idM0oQPHLRCnbdPO4lywfRzhDSmA7KUBMtgYytxmEQxZG9X1yLwzHpwIE-P2N-M/s320/DSC_0116.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
Both of the kids LOVE our tomato plant, but Grant just devours those things. Thankfully he's learned that we "only eat the red ones, not the green ones"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDmqe2XSbP8ajuE0kzFEKK6J-4TlZWir4M4vsXJ4u5UlEsUW83w-IvJ8yR8jcDmfy3DpFpW3RTPPKj9y4JbiSjskEReby28OHm_xOTjPFDT6bbngw6cd9-scWIVwovmEercO9bGofEaQ/s1600/DSC_0127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDmqe2XSbP8ajuE0kzFEKK6J-4TlZWir4M4vsXJ4u5UlEsUW83w-IvJ8yR8jcDmfy3DpFpW3RTPPKj9y4JbiSjskEReby28OHm_xOTjPFDT6bbngw6cd9-scWIVwovmEercO9bGofEaQ/s320/DSC_0127.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
There are always plenty of stories and snuggles when Grandma is around...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglKTB_qG8c2xN2xSzM2Gr_0fRpVzrHW48L03kaq84_yLYFfGtdZrhGHLMN_utDaY_3-O34aYJ9QbKPk-xI4WMmHc3eSJYQKhW3iVUDoZGv5DmpSt_alkzkGtai0trvC9UtkhUvsPhyphenhypheniE/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglKTB_qG8c2xN2xSzM2Gr_0fRpVzrHW48L03kaq84_yLYFfGtdZrhGHLMN_utDaY_3-O34aYJ9QbKPk-xI4WMmHc3eSJYQKhW3iVUDoZGv5DmpSt_alkzkGtai0trvC9UtkhUvsPhyphenhypheniE/s320/DSC_0129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
and Grandpa is always good for a good laugh.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNYW2O0VB6CSxa4dprFLZkeXxDtkvmghHkouunDqbPWritIymz3ZA5gL0ZGa17HCSUs6Kp8WRUmE9ktJBcIGdel-oU3_i7o69pxNFEFsuMSrleAKVV1gwY1HduxCmnniNOWLydyIYd3g/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlNYW2O0VB6CSxa4dprFLZkeXxDtkvmghHkouunDqbPWritIymz3ZA5gL0ZGa17HCSUs6Kp8WRUmE9ktJBcIGdel-oU3_i7o69pxNFEFsuMSrleAKVV1gwY1HduxCmnniNOWLydyIYd3g/s320/DSC_0135.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Uncle Rick even red stories to Grant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGGEoggUn7oYlZPFhebb8q9kc8skEn7OwBJTHimtiJQdepYbQpLK2R2-e6EzJGiZJ_zrdiX48cCLTQrp76ImM4wzU6jR43VCh3Skn0RSj0Ai2bf16r-zMxOFnMQZ9f5OPRKvPiUTyw94/s1600/DSC_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGGEoggUn7oYlZPFhebb8q9kc8skEn7OwBJTHimtiJQdepYbQpLK2R2-e6EzJGiZJ_zrdiX48cCLTQrp76ImM4wzU6jR43VCh3Skn0RSj0Ai2bf16r-zMxOFnMQZ9f5OPRKvPiUTyw94/s320/DSC_0146.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
It finally stopped raining long enough to make smores<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aNe38TuqXguzUB1uoqgraBVMWKJNLaQ_t4IRz9LGssxJBDnrn_pA-j8uyxrtG8ySUgzbHC9fxudGsGusRu5P-b6kL-pKFq62RJJwIXrXjHofn_OdAsgSJ0J3J0SbKM3j7vhhSk47Les/s1600/DSC_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aNe38TuqXguzUB1uoqgraBVMWKJNLaQ_t4IRz9LGssxJBDnrn_pA-j8uyxrtG8ySUgzbHC9fxudGsGusRu5P-b6kL-pKFq62RJJwIXrXjHofn_OdAsgSJ0J3J0SbKM3j7vhhSk47Les/s320/DSC_0763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We got to spend a weekend at the cabin with some of our amazing neighbors. We had beautiful (hot) weather and a great time. Ava loved riding in the tube with her BFF Avery.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMAPDuujK0VCejn0qSNDRBSFy3D4J18qHKQs7AugsJZvEommMz2lEHYE7meHtQR7KqEpdkXgU4RnPE4LN9prdRVDPuIvHteADC4Bb3-O6lSMxx6P4e34EB54kyWqKheEtpD0IoJlaj4A/s1600/DSC_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMAPDuujK0VCejn0qSNDRBSFy3D4J18qHKQs7AugsJZvEommMz2lEHYE7meHtQR7KqEpdkXgU4RnPE4LN9prdRVDPuIvHteADC4Bb3-O6lSMxx6P4e34EB54kyWqKheEtpD0IoJlaj4A/s320/DSC_0806.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids (by next summer there will be 3 more...CRAZY!) Let me clarify that none of them will be ours. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0_zTPenBse3UNLfEeS7Ctb16C3VjbEPTIePim_GNz8FP1KTNIbnTyMfenO79xIxGS04tcsgYTuPErdIZoh-AudCmawhFDLkc38NKJIttCAqI4sP6lMoF4n7pQvvuTmZflRy1m3IEyi4/s1600/DSC_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0_zTPenBse3UNLfEeS7Ctb16C3VjbEPTIePim_GNz8FP1KTNIbnTyMfenO79xIxGS04tcsgYTuPErdIZoh-AudCmawhFDLkc38NKJIttCAqI4sP6lMoF4n7pQvvuTmZflRy1m3IEyi4/s320/DSC_0810.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZec7ZqOugyGh-nKcK1bbhvD_JykyN1vztSTC88PqnPU3o3fYtum1DLaYrG0oecgQc0UPTpq4RXkIsV02ibOpHIIoHNAv8k627Puem4Z-C_jd9-BHlIrVpdQpsep9H-rwcTHM9JWOwAs/s1600/DSC_0826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZec7ZqOugyGh-nKcK1bbhvD_JykyN1vztSTC88PqnPU3o3fYtum1DLaYrG0oecgQc0UPTpq4RXkIsV02ibOpHIIoHNAv8k627Puem4Z-C_jd9-BHlIrVpdQpsep9H-rwcTHM9JWOwAs/s320/DSC_0826.JPG" width="206" /></a></div>
Grant loving his smores<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwQJ7U4PkRfEctr3Vk1mwIbhOo_-rWGXd3Q3fmPvZ4p-JH500p8gw-FCv8YbZ6fhJZvAZM0VTWC9UMYN_oJWEvdyUbnKPoYOPxxpRfAgZxlSJoXpIJwtWQVRiY-YwBMFOmDQlXXTiWQQ/s1600/DSC_0235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwQJ7U4PkRfEctr3Vk1mwIbhOo_-rWGXd3Q3fmPvZ4p-JH500p8gw-FCv8YbZ6fhJZvAZM0VTWC9UMYN_oJWEvdyUbnKPoYOPxxpRfAgZxlSJoXpIJwtWQVRiY-YwBMFOmDQlXXTiWQQ/s320/DSC_0235.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This past weekend we went back to Grandma & Grandpa's to visit everybody. We got to go to Sauerkraut Days in Blairstown where the kids collected 8 pounds of candy. It was ridiculous! It was so hot so we headed out after the parade and go to go and meet our cousin Baby Jackson who was born last month. He's so cute!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsR9yU_1QMpFqSYM3KSMrFw0PeNL-nxTA8KqYv-tLoCioeWZLb8yqGVEx14weZFxXYnbEhCUzdsyd5AaDzHpeiQyI7tFwAysh7lNFpMBv-4ed8KS-PhxRuthvuvfPq1XBmK5Uql1jkfN4/s1600/DSC_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsR9yU_1QMpFqSYM3KSMrFw0PeNL-nxTA8KqYv-tLoCioeWZLb8yqGVEx14weZFxXYnbEhCUzdsyd5AaDzHpeiQyI7tFwAysh7lNFpMBv-4ed8KS-PhxRuthvuvfPq1XBmK5Uql1jkfN4/s320/DSC_0256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0fI9X2UusmI7U23lhC_aIF_rEkscZghiSPAtRpRPbmbnMiCGS9Oc9rA8xesJqRA1IDywx3ZDSGEruSttt1M5WDEFIsO8QtHD0b_3dCwz-Mk55zRC3dEpqyqwSseDg0kXbDsMwxXVB7Y/s1600/DSC_0272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0fI9X2UusmI7U23lhC_aIF_rEkscZghiSPAtRpRPbmbnMiCGS9Oc9rA8xesJqRA1IDywx3ZDSGEruSttt1M5WDEFIsO8QtHD0b_3dCwz-Mk55zRC3dEpqyqwSseDg0kXbDsMwxXVB7Y/s320/DSC_0272.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Sunday we went do to Uncle Brent & Aunt Lisa's campsite to hang out for the day and go out on Aunt Moe Moe's boat. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins and the rest of the family. Unfortunately that night Grant got sick and threw up for 2 hours. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa who were up with him the whole time while Mommy & Daddy slept through it all upstairs. (perhaps they will rethink wanting the grandkids to sleep on their bedroom floor after that episode). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58pR8HqKdwwYigUPweaFNyfQOdvdjvhlZHGEHkpsOq-Z0uSMCOrJEb2gR9WP5pgOV-qp2aDNrCxq1i4GdDQwaWFj-LCBrkJSWF1SagYN9mvZkknIBCFhMMRH3kohJ7peJH0KERhVrR1g/s1600/DSC_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58pR8HqKdwwYigUPweaFNyfQOdvdjvhlZHGEHkpsOq-Z0uSMCOrJEb2gR9WP5pgOV-qp2aDNrCxq1i4GdDQwaWFj-LCBrkJSWF1SagYN9mvZkknIBCFhMMRH3kohJ7peJH0KERhVrR1g/s320/DSC_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant always loves to drive the boat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlNjieTF7GGlMeyS4ipA1DL47DOg8CIZmo0gPANbf5j0etOWZIo6KJQe8yG2DnIhDHDmFxGzPGEng3SSRxYxt26mNEkeoafk76sDodGBsBXYD7d2TrHdcuED7uv-gH-F8XXaJ204orH4/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlNjieTF7GGlMeyS4ipA1DL47DOg8CIZmo0gPANbf5j0etOWZIo6KJQe8yG2DnIhDHDmFxGzPGEng3SSRxYxt26mNEkeoafk76sDodGBsBXYD7d2TrHdcuED7uv-gH-F8XXaJ204orH4/s320/DSC_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Daddy, Ava, & Reece tubing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ojdgt8LQDpyHLRxLfSzGDh5YFBayPcPrgwrhtuNM9h0WWZeTN1Z7wgjojVSJhzapi_DK9BfxQOj0noYmCXPfaiNmNJGjo2XS6w-AbcOepNnSuQkNVojZWHlsBREcyZEcwjVeezyMTAE/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ojdgt8LQDpyHLRxLfSzGDh5YFBayPcPrgwrhtuNM9h0WWZeTN1Z7wgjojVSJhzapi_DK9BfxQOj0noYmCXPfaiNmNJGjo2XS6w-AbcOepNnSuQkNVojZWHlsBREcyZEcwjVeezyMTAE/s320/DSC_0302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava wanted to give Daddy "knuckles"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL-mrr1T7f4bIAKvPRlNLfIrlnASwPzj2j7Dhc-kfDTU6OwMIFhkXhxtfehyAldM59uhsjCK-TEHGqsR8H4SZIep5VlYxrwGWcvdtN2zYw44noeiGHzdcYio_tDjmoVb1j1PWzIFIOYQ/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL-mrr1T7f4bIAKvPRlNLfIrlnASwPzj2j7Dhc-kfDTU6OwMIFhkXhxtfehyAldM59uhsjCK-TEHGqsR8H4SZIep5VlYxrwGWcvdtN2zYw44noeiGHzdcYio_tDjmoVb1j1PWzIFIOYQ/s320/DSC_0304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
She finally succeeded.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLlHI0X6LDC6n-YjumFbqkPaQ9FuriTdcca4yaSb5u9sFa27k82KGIXQl3KINjCWXXEp94eK0xtf2v8NM6Dx-ZjnT6h4HdZE6ILp2zXhvXbRqVudnkqI1umq7of9km2Icftoud4RObKA/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifLlHI0X6LDC6n-YjumFbqkPaQ9FuriTdcca4yaSb5u9sFa27k82KGIXQl3KINjCWXXEp94eK0xtf2v8NM6Dx-ZjnT6h4HdZE6ILp2zXhvXbRqVudnkqI1umq7of9km2Icftoud4RObKA/s320/DSC_0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Cousins tangled up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv9dbs0V2oxDBxSXHNbZ7_m2p4H6C30vTNIB2pQ_xEORn_0G52AQX7fSiHG9dRmiXUJncb7J3wc35axA_EAthyphenhyphenOXuu53vbC0KiWHxpNn7o5DtxLNY5Cl24QBsOQwTStJh1JiE4T6pwK8/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQv9dbs0V2oxDBxSXHNbZ7_m2p4H6C30vTNIB2pQ_xEORn_0G52AQX7fSiHG9dRmiXUJncb7J3wc35axA_EAthyphenhyphenOXuu53vbC0KiWHxpNn7o5DtxLNY5Cl24QBsOQwTStJh1JiE4T6pwK8/s320/DSC_0328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma even got out on the tube with the kids.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U5a3-I3XYwge2Y2uJhKyvW-kZGFeVkGj2t3sIHaGpnX3VYtj8qGRR5Hc-yN-dQwwFqM7eYtddR_eWOkaAQZwM6yEYB4Yl_V_a7HKX-MWZA7WlVRWY3HWxg5Lityc_6e0_hERf2ZUdRM/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0U5a3-I3XYwge2Y2uJhKyvW-kZGFeVkGj2t3sIHaGpnX3VYtj8qGRR5Hc-yN-dQwwFqM7eYtddR_eWOkaAQZwM6yEYB4Yl_V_a7HKX-MWZA7WlVRWY3HWxg5Lityc_6e0_hERf2ZUdRM/s320/DSC_0339.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS25VyXTtng9x0FpBq8sov8RCorxymPAql3xG9dK34InLJVlJ_8in77Ln9sGzr0Zu4Mv6Ui3_e5mNQbSohvJwOd22Uh2hVj8Rhl38rul-CuhZRVooveKHb5W6-yzADy2KWtgJDUQ_WeS0/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS25VyXTtng9x0FpBq8sov8RCorxymPAql3xG9dK34InLJVlJ_8in77Ln9sGzr0Zu4Mv6Ui3_e5mNQbSohvJwOd22Uh2hVj8Rhl38rul-CuhZRVooveKHb5W6-yzADy2KWtgJDUQ_WeS0/s320/DSC_0346.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Cooling off with a Mr. Freezy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rNICyCVBoryhRw8BlcLziVv5S49mEIs7nOSy28q9sEMBfXtUg_XJywtpLZPb_0gcfeRTcxktjlAevM4nnBe1Ot85aJ2c1JTzRAZeXt41JUpGG83_MNK1evKTRZ_6Y9w8qB7K5-3w2rI/s1600/DSC_0829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rNICyCVBoryhRw8BlcLziVv5S49mEIs7nOSy28q9sEMBfXtUg_XJywtpLZPb_0gcfeRTcxktjlAevM4nnBe1Ot85aJ2c1JTzRAZeXt41JUpGG83_MNK1evKTRZ_6Y9w8qB7K5-3w2rI/s320/DSC_0829.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
First day of 3 yr old preschool<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADNv06JUsM8wh0F-0q598Pdilvx0kCQ_8UrphN2w7slw6DBGe3jAmoXGhgEyRwz78UH6ZAgwMBwVvAMtPEhiolOag4ynt4Ghr43VrH_ncMKWJRaHSnw9O6r6tnfyR0P7ebrr2MzCNBCI/s1600/DSC_0832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgADNv06JUsM8wh0F-0q598Pdilvx0kCQ_8UrphN2w7slw6DBGe3jAmoXGhgEyRwz78UH6ZAgwMBwVvAMtPEhiolOag4ynt4Ghr43VrH_ncMKWJRaHSnw9O6r6tnfyR0P7ebrr2MzCNBCI/s320/DSC_0832.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX5ot0TgauB7K9UeMQCzlz5OvFDQfsE69cZlDi2CCzzqgs8pLLU6xR6YE3Yj5kqpxI7CmbTDvyJgOPOiTY2G0-qz05-1vQvAMgcwvhMP9-sXNOQLAz9fNO7i3pRkxGaHimQNUi3fersA/s1600/DSC_0838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAX5ot0TgauB7K9UeMQCzlz5OvFDQfsE69cZlDi2CCzzqgs8pLLU6xR6YE3Yj5kqpxI7CmbTDvyJgOPOiTY2G0-qz05-1vQvAMgcwvhMP9-sXNOQLAz9fNO7i3pRkxGaHimQNUi3fersA/s320/DSC_0838.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTTYuMDPkYuYZYK7GSMmE6L2locffAh8b40mQtCD6lvllWb52iHDNZNAeH3kbu6NyGuUcdiX0YnUrN8gWXX4LWzNA-6FhgxoDTOp_-NE9UK6H9H73kp5PrB1PC9_iTncFns_5K3u4xQs/s1600/DSC_0843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTTYuMDPkYuYZYK7GSMmE6L2locffAh8b40mQtCD6lvllWb52iHDNZNAeH3kbu6NyGuUcdiX0YnUrN8gWXX4LWzNA-6FhgxoDTOp_-NE9UK6H9H73kp5PrB1PC9_iTncFns_5K3u4xQs/s320/DSC_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
First day of school<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ebtDSgX5sGFpPyRTzdaH4YWZHpEgohyphenhyphenILmkoNEr_GniW1p_9_pVt-yO0YGq4RLpZPjsPFdUDAZ8Lp0czwcyVntBmJHh2gUHTIKfeOz4qSvdDWWHQLnQPwAg1LwgpFHFHAj6nMakfdM0/s1600/DSC_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ebtDSgX5sGFpPyRTzdaH4YWZHpEgohyphenhyphenILmkoNEr_GniW1p_9_pVt-yO0YGq4RLpZPjsPFdUDAZ8Lp0czwcyVntBmJHh2gUHTIKfeOz4qSvdDWWHQLnQPwAg1LwgpFHFHAj6nMakfdM0/s320/DSC_0849.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
Oops, got the date wrong on Ava's. That should be the 8th. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyYIuuP_5quTH5mIOi62Xgy74bz1CApA4P0SZZ34_LhteLo4mPy_vuZF5tXoeIXIa7VxUQvdkFXb4TFhoV05TOYWTidPAjJeCQGDvwX6AagkWj8wh4Uz6j2rrrRUN9K3uqSai9hPcb40/s1600/DSC_0859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxyYIuuP_5quTH5mIOi62Xgy74bz1CApA4P0SZZ34_LhteLo4mPy_vuZF5tXoeIXIa7VxUQvdkFXb4TFhoV05TOYWTidPAjJeCQGDvwX6AagkWj8wh4Uz6j2rrrRUN9K3uqSai9hPcb40/s320/DSC_0859.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn5sjvnAz_wmn6tsXmJWvSgSbG8PE3YQGMraeOD0fUw1BAeOtFn47v1RD96ePwHZnKW7SNWTWMJyDqXO1gzpF0crhlhpjM6sTLs8drwh3UJeFAZYVlfvnVcTtcaxBAc0NgQuOWveONfo/s1600/DSC_0866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDn5sjvnAz_wmn6tsXmJWvSgSbG8PE3YQGMraeOD0fUw1BAeOtFn47v1RD96ePwHZnKW7SNWTWMJyDqXO1gzpF0crhlhpjM6sTLs8drwh3UJeFAZYVlfvnVcTtcaxBAc0NgQuOWveONfo/s320/DSC_0866.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
Avery & Ava getting ready to get on the bus. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWjEZyT2czDcdWxBaz8kRHzrQ98sUaxdJXNqSag6jK_qYxxtafEov1xJfxAkVisu73yWT00ups-EQVv7lXhs-21SHmvpb8rjwtxpTKgt_TbUOY-fW20gPR9thvq2aH416cjoUOH-I1BU/s1600/DSC_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWjEZyT2czDcdWxBaz8kRHzrQ98sUaxdJXNqSag6jK_qYxxtafEov1xJfxAkVisu73yWT00ups-EQVv7lXhs-21SHmvpb8rjwtxpTKgt_TbUOY-fW20gPR9thvq2aH416cjoUOH-I1BU/s320/DSC_0869.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Our bus stop. Love that our neighborhood is filled with kids.The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-75193513486432861172015-07-31T10:53:00.002-07:002015-07-31T10:53:50.850-07:00A few things going onSo yeah, we've had a few things going on. Soccer continues to keep us busy two nights a week, and then swimming lessons one night a week. Our weekends have been filled with neighborhood parties/birthday parties and a trip to the cabin. Before we know it the week is over and we're starting over again on Monday. The pictures below will highlight some of the fun that we've had. <br />
<br />
Something not so fun is that Nate made a trip to the hospital 2 1/2 weeks ago. He texted me on Monday July 13th and told me that his stomach hurt and wanted advice. I gave him the same advice that any good medical professional would have...go poop! After responding that he was still in pain, I told him to go to the clinic if it wasn't tolerable. I'll be honest, I thought he was over reacting and had a stomach bug (like most men do). That was until I talked to him on his way home. He sounded horrible. The next call I got was from the clinic Dr. He told me that he was going to give him IV fluids, some morphine, get a scan, and send him via ambulance to my hospital. An ambulance...really? I volunteered to go pick him up (like any nurse would), but was told that due to his pain an ambulance would probably be better. So, I patiently waited by the ambulance bay doors and greeted him as he rolled in. After a quick CT scan it was determined that he had a hot appy. Surgery that night. Great, we had a plan! Not so great...there were 3 surgeries in front of him and it was already 6:30 in the evening. He finally went in to surgery just after midnight, and was settled back into his room after recovery around 2:15 am. He was discharged that evening and has had a great recovery (minus the fact that he hasn't been able to swim or play golf). We were supposed to leave that Saturday to go to the cabin for vacation for the week. We cut the week short at Tuesday and came home since Nate couldn't be in the water. We'll make up those days later in August.<br />
<br />
So, I apologize for the lack of updates. I know, I always have an excuse...but this one was pretty good don't you think? <br />
<br />
As for the kids...<br />
Ava: She's loving soccer more and more, and has become pretty good. She's become quite aggressive and really gets in there to get the ball. It's fun to watch. She's now growing her bangs out (akward hair styles while we wait for them to grow) and thinks that she looks 16 when they are pulled back. Sometimes she talks like she's 16. We went and got school supplies last night, picked out a backpack, and I dropped her bus transportation form off at the school this morning. This kindergarten thing is getting real! <br />
<br />
Grant: Oh Grant, where to begin. He continues to find ways to challenge me each and every day. Just when I want to kill him he comes up and says, "I need a hug". His favorite phrase this week is "poopy butt". He thinks he's hilarious...I do not! Speaking of poop, he's doing better with the potty training. Am I ready to put him in underwear and take him out to Target? Absolutely not! However, I feel like we're taking baby steps towards being diaper free (hopefully by the age 12). He hasn't been to the Dr. recently (thankfully), but I feel like he's packed on the pounds this summer. He's very active, but that kid can put away his food. I wouldn't be surprised if he weighs the same as Ava since she refuses to eat almost any mean or anything that's not bread or fruit. <br />
<br />
I think that's all I have for now. Have a fabulous weekend!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4lvAv21gNtqUVo8GOE66xLOraJqs0-bohHxWcnBaNvhiuelOIGzyVsJjcP24wW-Y5Vm6Q3uX4mg5bAN7D3y17RsLDecRvUIj3hX1hig3mRu38rsn6g-EtPhkki6Ehh8MEUL2abTXxT4/s1600/0712151757d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4lvAv21gNtqUVo8GOE66xLOraJqs0-bohHxWcnBaNvhiuelOIGzyVsJjcP24wW-Y5Vm6Q3uX4mg5bAN7D3y17RsLDecRvUIj3hX1hig3mRu38rsn6g-EtPhkki6Ehh8MEUL2abTXxT4/s320/0712151757d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We had a girls day out in July. We went to see The Little Mermaid at Stages Theater with Mema and the neighbors. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCqTAZdIeeq3ZJ0Ka9fFUq5Ms51O1SHHTX5PfPf1BMVjw2qRlT6E83zNv61KCyhX69hp9gZt4DOCpH1jsK_eFRWvKlEF7v459ExFkz8a2c-gRVpbTFvxeCFcw62Sjna8DMFshT9TxRr0/s1600/0712151758d-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCqTAZdIeeq3ZJ0Ka9fFUq5Ms51O1SHHTX5PfPf1BMVjw2qRlT6E83zNv61KCyhX69hp9gZt4DOCpH1jsK_eFRWvKlEF7v459ExFkz8a2c-gRVpbTFvxeCFcw62Sjna8DMFshT9TxRr0/s320/0712151758d-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XTj5r_EaMNISQ2lN28-mQQazttwTdv-jZh2R4oYyGWD0ByRb1fVr9tPv_BwdBpFVSCQXNW4-U9uYja6CLvODIWn2JT0JjE0fY4XVM1KDrQTmQJ-rAHV4csBJSdAtLuyzUpdZQy046Yc/s1600/0715151744e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XTj5r_EaMNISQ2lN28-mQQazttwTdv-jZh2R4oYyGWD0ByRb1fVr9tPv_BwdBpFVSCQXNW4-U9uYja6CLvODIWn2JT0JjE0fY4XVM1KDrQTmQJ-rAHV4csBJSdAtLuyzUpdZQy046Yc/s320/0715151744e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava's soccer team (minus 1)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJYU6XazHjZXSTl_taW5XGLEV1ti1SegqjutDLjrPon2E9hJ8Db9x7eH7cyh_W-9a-ZyaTtJrxL4jemHmJgu10oU5NcDR4H9jHaAmQzIh06_WzKQMtODrK6Hq8ANWhzBPHBJ6TjufgvE/s1600/0717151851c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJYU6XazHjZXSTl_taW5XGLEV1ti1SegqjutDLjrPon2E9hJ8Db9x7eH7cyh_W-9a-ZyaTtJrxL4jemHmJgu10oU5NcDR4H9jHaAmQzIh06_WzKQMtODrK6Hq8ANWhzBPHBJ6TjufgvE/s320/0717151851c.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
To kick off vacation we went out to the Yogurt Lab for some delicious fro-yo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1AEFlZNg0vZF5fWEz6L4qFAUorIsZREbHoHBQXDJaR0OuGp3J8kn6ijZvr0Wl2TMFIL9HmQ-NKP_vCyAwHhe2chklxbf4iPPA8HJqFfeOTAuDnuWPFqiysE5_Gr_kjyWisnkFZuuEE/s1600/0718150957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQ1AEFlZNg0vZF5fWEz6L4qFAUorIsZREbHoHBQXDJaR0OuGp3J8kn6ijZvr0Wl2TMFIL9HmQ-NKP_vCyAwHhe2chklxbf4iPPA8HJqFfeOTAuDnuWPFqiysE5_Gr_kjyWisnkFZuuEE/s320/0718150957.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
We then followed up the frozen yogurt with donuts on the way to the cabin the next morning (this could have contributed to Grant packing on the pounds)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPhWI7Ej9C7OpnJkw-uGnEqup68MF3Dullxj-rnnurjJiA-ZOX52BoX7S04FmSjFbpV2fpwp33uo62gUAbasY5YeAd5NA1JzFTORKjiTVUXe7FXfotYdM0y1ywVCgdgedCKCGEriyEYI/s1600/0719151203c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbPhWI7Ej9C7OpnJkw-uGnEqup68MF3Dullxj-rnnurjJiA-ZOX52BoX7S04FmSjFbpV2fpwp33uo62gUAbasY5YeAd5NA1JzFTORKjiTVUXe7FXfotYdM0y1ywVCgdgedCKCGEriyEYI/s320/0719151203c.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Ava Loved driving around her jetski that she got for Christmas from the Strittmatters.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeEJpP80DY-pqMVpAN6F5_-RvFYnGKsXOlj8JAYBR_UkhamG-c9Nw5WkekqjDYsS9eIJkchUA1sGFqhltfDmAXw_WOD9LB_hC73VXiS3AGhR1yVKlQhpyRS8HONXbc3HMNg8GnIMFx28/s1600/DSC_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeEJpP80DY-pqMVpAN6F5_-RvFYnGKsXOlj8JAYBR_UkhamG-c9Nw5WkekqjDYsS9eIJkchUA1sGFqhltfDmAXw_WOD9LB_hC73VXiS3AGhR1yVKlQhpyRS8HONXbc3HMNg8GnIMFx28/s320/DSC_0721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Watching fireworks on the dock. Grant went in after the first one. He was not impressed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwJh1mzcJ-d-2tE3F0ZidrGwWaWnYvth2jIBEwoCWah0dJKHSOojYv1L9nmMQ-WprpZk68qCo4d7_CpUO-PD6vuS6BI_BgiZ7kWWvi9_2qFVuWCEVM4wZy8fIJnh0MPUMKwVQlwQETNA/s1600/DSC_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwJh1mzcJ-d-2tE3F0ZidrGwWaWnYvth2jIBEwoCWah0dJKHSOojYv1L9nmMQ-WprpZk68qCo4d7_CpUO-PD6vuS6BI_BgiZ7kWWvi9_2qFVuWCEVM4wZy8fIJnh0MPUMKwVQlwQETNA/s320/DSC_0722.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOgXveJlgIDyraUj7j0bDKH7N2V0oMJfwDaQmE_UaVJSqcEpGc5hh9365FUid9VbikAWRk7e9SdhyphenhyphenyJJW_LkUrgfK_n-3UmOHtRCYKhrtaQNNyaLAJAGUiX0rNdrqERV2DBrC5JrsLyY/s1600/DSC_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOgXveJlgIDyraUj7j0bDKH7N2V0oMJfwDaQmE_UaVJSqcEpGc5hh9365FUid9VbikAWRk7e9SdhyphenhyphenyJJW_LkUrgfK_n-3UmOHtRCYKhrtaQNNyaLAJAGUiX0rNdrqERV2DBrC5JrsLyY/s320/DSC_0729.JPG" width="205" /></a></div>
Ready to go out on the water.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7nO_ow9N3FR9xBqbdehkTJncwq-U1er_Mz5-HHPj1NOaEuObfggEE2ReH-d0pTz4_GpQmlMOXDDVKpOWOnlm0BwVelT4aDM1RREpxy2ca5LQbTAvRSICMKScG26799nfsCuWHh9RQM/s1600/DSC_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDB7nO_ow9N3FR9xBqbdehkTJncwq-U1er_Mz5-HHPj1NOaEuObfggEE2ReH-d0pTz4_GpQmlMOXDDVKpOWOnlm0BwVelT4aDM1RREpxy2ca5LQbTAvRSICMKScG26799nfsCuWHh9RQM/s320/DSC_0735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant giving the jetski a try. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIy-6jZ8zJidgEKhb6MeSpbc0vnd65pnIJf7N4-eEyI3z4I6VZhxfiegtrtd2rXwmq-taurDUe3s90vLenJR_aoZNg2HU3ALH4X2WzKhmGPyjP7zJAJ4kk6mGnnqi5M25tsBEgTx2Pqo/s1600/DSC_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIy-6jZ8zJidgEKhb6MeSpbc0vnd65pnIJf7N4-eEyI3z4I6VZhxfiegtrtd2rXwmq-taurDUe3s90vLenJR_aoZNg2HU3ALH4X2WzKhmGPyjP7zJAJ4kk6mGnnqi5M25tsBEgTx2Pqo/s320/DSC_0739.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A little bed made up to watch a movie.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEKxTR6BI2a9PQy-_88n1w_r0JDAMOrGWcLlTJxpL0ymE-GEqt5UcIWCYmXfEzCvlrZXkIqEYOGZcr6x1yqZVtPheLBMMCTok8n8bttpB4xbkn74MKftV9PfFvJBNQdOFtExhXJrNkCE/s1600/0728151844b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEKxTR6BI2a9PQy-_88n1w_r0JDAMOrGWcLlTJxpL0ymE-GEqt5UcIWCYmXfEzCvlrZXkIqEYOGZcr6x1yqZVtPheLBMMCTok8n8bttpB4xbkn74MKftV9PfFvJBNQdOFtExhXJrNkCE/s320/0728151844b.jpg" width="175" /></a></div>
Soccer timeThe Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-67811154868873482882015-07-05T06:35:00.001-07:002015-07-05T06:35:47.122-07:00Where is the summer going?!?I can not believe that it's already July! I feel like the summer is racing by, and July is going to fly by even quicker with all of the activities that we have planned. We're having a wonderful 4th of July weekend. I had to work yesterday so we decided that we would spend the 4th of July weekend at home...the first time this has ever happened that we're home as a family on the 4th. It's been wonderful! Nate had Friday off work with the kids so they came up and surprised me at work for lunch. What a nice surprise to break up the day! Yesterday was packed with fun (a little too much fun for Grant who hit his breaking point at 9 last night). We started the day off with a parade (which had no candy so we left early and went and got ice cream instead). We spent the afternoon at our neighbor's playing in the water with a lot of friends, and then headed over to another neighbor's for a party. Ava was a trooper and lasted until almost 11:00 last night. She loved the fireworks, and running around with all of the other kids in the neighborhood. We are so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people in our neighborhood! This afternoon we'll head out to another party. Our neighbor boy is turning 4, so we're heading to a pool and pizza party. Should be another great (and hot) day!<br />
<br />
Other than this weekend we continue to stay busy with work, swim lessons, play dates, and visits from out of state friends. Things will get even busier starting this week, as Ava starts soccer. So that leaves us with a schedule of Monday:Nate softball, Tues: Ava Soccer, Wed: swim lessons, Thurs: Ava soccer, Fri: breathe and look forward to the weekend! I can't tell you how nice it is to have the weekends off to enjoy time with family and friends. <br />
<br />
I'll leave you with some pictures so that I can go get breakfast for the kids. Hope that you're all having a great 4th of July weekend!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcnxBjdwwbo5eGzGXt0bVVXo3qNFNRPq2zVcyo1msJXUdbPlPvrGhIVpYWBTQCHMiyVfcl4H8YuOLCrazzb7VxOi_KvbKFoc0B3i6B_Vhd7y-D0H5Vzryx425SvsfTkaru2BYFImPPKI/s1600/0624151820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcnxBjdwwbo5eGzGXt0bVVXo3qNFNRPq2zVcyo1msJXUdbPlPvrGhIVpYWBTQCHMiyVfcl4H8YuOLCrazzb7VxOi_KvbKFoc0B3i6B_Vhd7y-D0H5Vzryx425SvsfTkaru2BYFImPPKI/s320/0624151820.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
The kids are absolutely loving swim lessons. We couldn't be happier with our choice to switch them to the swim school.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIEkdI4UacAA-FyP8mIVkJ_4M8WsxHvfGB3ipARAZZBjOEO-Jk3IWynANhQTwO50SnuK6oE9YHv_UzkAOQ7YV3LYsC7M-BO4WXr_gyBmGRQQQnouFplDvCGrooH8JjHFvJWARfeHEhUw/s1600/0624151834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIEkdI4UacAA-FyP8mIVkJ_4M8WsxHvfGB3ipARAZZBjOEO-Jk3IWynANhQTwO50SnuK6oE9YHv_UzkAOQ7YV3LYsC7M-BO4WXr_gyBmGRQQQnouFplDvCGrooH8JjHFvJWARfeHEhUw/s320/0624151834.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2VKhZl6dzrVYQnSeaR4HqVtk2hR6IJLUuVlH_7JagqZp7ZssznkedugZ3G1nNLt07wpLWwJ91eTRSJ62Q1KIvg3ZLVIHuRG25MNIWpXdkPmdAySj5zH5ktoguFgE_Z3yln0-a8pnkaI/s1600/0627151211b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2VKhZl6dzrVYQnSeaR4HqVtk2hR6IJLUuVlH_7JagqZp7ZssznkedugZ3G1nNLt07wpLWwJ91eTRSJ62Q1KIvg3ZLVIHuRG25MNIWpXdkPmdAySj5zH5ktoguFgE_Z3yln0-a8pnkaI/s320/0627151211b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Enjoying our first boat ride of the season<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjjynJitOm44CFMjCGL1Vd_bLJT__ESFy0opJttRBTSgNjNhftxKTZxxtMm5UukLYrckP8AHegMIKFqrdYBM0i6OeFDMjLpixPfLVBMmCGDWTOgBhdqfuGNNUhActAyuGZRMK6d0rT6c/s1600/0627151211d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjjynJitOm44CFMjCGL1Vd_bLJT__ESFy0opJttRBTSgNjNhftxKTZxxtMm5UukLYrckP8AHegMIKFqrdYBM0i6OeFDMjLpixPfLVBMmCGDWTOgBhdqfuGNNUhActAyuGZRMK6d0rT6c/s320/0627151211d.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtf_yoyQk28n6q93ISoH6qOCHHzNUBjIlsotlCSUM-qoDRJCw15Ux3oyizhmlbiIZbt3vzjW1mQ2heqwziA4NL6-p8iwaugvUNedFQ85SkJg_1KF-IkJf7w8vqI0E7_ZpmAzQNY4wS6I/s1600/0628151032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtf_yoyQk28n6q93ISoH6qOCHHzNUBjIlsotlCSUM-qoDRJCw15Ux3oyizhmlbiIZbt3vzjW1mQ2heqwziA4NL6-p8iwaugvUNedFQ85SkJg_1KF-IkJf7w8vqI0E7_ZpmAzQNY4wS6I/s320/0628151032.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Enjoying a little popcorn snack on the boat<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FSs7X1E3-ayurhiMtIdV1ACL0iI6YVljl5_PcoMVSlK7a6ibPx59s0K4WdEPUE-9aW5FFuP5BH5ij3JSy2_3LhyphenhyphenwXKKEoFJ9qp51lWL5-bpfb4NSNUh9SrEhVZ4HH-JMaBVv2_NX0XI/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3FSs7X1E3-ayurhiMtIdV1ACL0iI6YVljl5_PcoMVSlK7a6ibPx59s0K4WdEPUE-9aW5FFuP5BH5ij3JSy2_3LhyphenhyphenwXKKEoFJ9qp51lWL5-bpfb4NSNUh9SrEhVZ4HH-JMaBVv2_NX0XI/s320/DSC_0683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
This is what happens before dinner when you don't take a nap during the day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUAqE-E4zkp_yb7-x2W7AgPrrQ-DpYuhg8V-G44GZmt3nqp9U5hIbelWQKcJoqW0L9bDa0PHVRXGKyBGCCvX-De4eE7In65YhP_gSpu4ye_qIbRjgMAN6YrN2W46OPllR_vvB9sviPrc/s1600/DSC_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUAqE-E4zkp_yb7-x2W7AgPrrQ-DpYuhg8V-G44GZmt3nqp9U5hIbelWQKcJoqW0L9bDa0PHVRXGKyBGCCvX-De4eE7In65YhP_gSpu4ye_qIbRjgMAN6YrN2W46OPllR_vvB9sviPrc/s320/DSC_0688.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
Captain Grant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3NPOUkIWG4s-EursH9KKEu3LLKfbPkgFHGDPKDzMqv8VkFCZ5XLJuQOzjl2yhj-1hn5cvJEGkaRKEcf6dt_qlE3jeWR-mbK-Q6jSyQscRE9NsBZvSffo0OoDm1RoViLrbw_w7NWNPxY/s1600/DSC_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3NPOUkIWG4s-EursH9KKEu3LLKfbPkgFHGDPKDzMqv8VkFCZ5XLJuQOzjl2yhj-1hn5cvJEGkaRKEcf6dt_qlE3jeWR-mbK-Q6jSyQscRE9NsBZvSffo0OoDm1RoViLrbw_w7NWNPxY/s320/DSC_0691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5vWFgaKypOnIxA5A_Kcqt9qi5u3rPbVtbLcq7fwOM6HXKJJ7s3H1PMyAW8r-ZQJuNWTajLrFTy1BMH6GmIBiQcK67faspb6wD8gMGEbnlreIfqt7eSVZr91Vj1jB4hR_hog6gvwRU7Y/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5vWFgaKypOnIxA5A_Kcqt9qi5u3rPbVtbLcq7fwOM6HXKJJ7s3H1PMyAW8r-ZQJuNWTajLrFTy1BMH6GmIBiQcK67faspb6wD8gMGEbnlreIfqt7eSVZr91Vj1jB4hR_hog6gvwRU7Y/s320/DSC_0693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Di2_Hos2YdA76sBqRyvhYcPeMYA4PCZ_2lsgdEd5YdBKKBndbynPvNGyvQjXXz7cYpalpv-ODHT-hsSBkmj5gVOKViTj6YyLn68whz2fphxpl3_pJbGbu42nvXKODyaCm_-ScgyOPr0/s1600/DSC_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Di2_Hos2YdA76sBqRyvhYcPeMYA4PCZ_2lsgdEd5YdBKKBndbynPvNGyvQjXXz7cYpalpv-ODHT-hsSBkmj5gVOKViTj6YyLn68whz2fphxpl3_pJbGbu42nvXKODyaCm_-ScgyOPr0/s320/DSC_0698.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Jumping in! Ava had a great time swimming in the lake with Daddy.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMLXGtOXdhYGvX6Q-Ym6b_M98waTLF_eWhnORbEoj24_K47ZK0ewoOP5okDRkwc02K26WPfSn2o-uUkMEMVG6i9hYaE8uK_1pK6RxW9Cuk1IQr0uG8RI9zBk7HPLoOTd1vOCD7JL1Rc8/s1600/DSC_0706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMLXGtOXdhYGvX6Q-Ym6b_M98waTLF_eWhnORbEoj24_K47ZK0ewoOP5okDRkwc02K26WPfSn2o-uUkMEMVG6i9hYaE8uK_1pK6RxW9Cuk1IQr0uG8RI9zBk7HPLoOTd1vOCD7JL1Rc8/s320/DSC_0706.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
"Fishing"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ2RZg9DvJ1fwrtPwMgOI90ykcDgU6d0VALk34U-KL58spVmfxHvNareOXTy1-ytrwcc0D2wkQ7pXWC0q7gxq2pS10g2CLXJcz76EUApZWwRfg3xf2GmONl6OtdVjRTnNcqkbOiZEuyc/s1600/DSC_0713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQ2RZg9DvJ1fwrtPwMgOI90ykcDgU6d0VALk34U-KL58spVmfxHvNareOXTy1-ytrwcc0D2wkQ7pXWC0q7gxq2pS10g2CLXJcz76EUApZWwRfg3xf2GmONl6OtdVjRTnNcqkbOiZEuyc/s320/DSC_0713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2taRP0ubkwdtHmRum-Qrm6CKmVXEZ9gVofUIuuGt1bISM30IXC8mDLyHHA3JPVeivEnM1OBcCW2eskqsODg-kgQQsFcMrXAn9emKCtp7tJxoXAyDDKqMUcO_i2KtjYuVeQwCxxXYmN8/s1600/DSC_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW2taRP0ubkwdtHmRum-Qrm6CKmVXEZ9gVofUIuuGt1bISM30IXC8mDLyHHA3JPVeivEnM1OBcCW2eskqsODg-kgQQsFcMrXAn9emKCtp7tJxoXAyDDKqMUcO_i2KtjYuVeQwCxxXYmN8/s320/DSC_0716.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A morning on the dock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9rdibo66rvYjKZxFkGqhsWw2EB33nMAn0ONFV6RDbzt3i3e7O-nbCJtu_c16ilUhrsJdpZSPjFO7hu-iQd_78DzBey2T-Z1bT3wey9ICe2P0Mzprcia57aHZox80LTlNV71OuwQ7Ag8/s1600/0630150936b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9rdibo66rvYjKZxFkGqhsWw2EB33nMAn0ONFV6RDbzt3i3e7O-nbCJtu_c16ilUhrsJdpZSPjFO7hu-iQd_78DzBey2T-Z1bT3wey9ICe2P0Mzprcia57aHZox80LTlNV71OuwQ7Ag8/s320/0630150936b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant had his first dentist appointment. I was a bit worried since he doesn't usually do super well with new situations. We went to a new pediatric dentist and it was great! He climbed right up into the chair, picked out a show to watch on the screen that's attached to the light, put on the sunglasses and headphones and was ready for his exam. So glad we decided on the pediatric dentist. A great experience for everybody! Of course Ava did great too. The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-79518754851103645072015-06-14T19:28:00.003-07:002015-06-14T19:28:40.874-07:00We love summer!I forgot how much I love summer and being able to be outside the with the kids. Have I mentioned before that I also love our neighborhood? There isn't a day that goes by that we don't have an invite to hang out with some little one at the park, or just hanging out riding bikes, etc. Although I wish that we had family closer, many of our neighbors have become like family.<br />
<br />
Like I said, we have really enjoyed being outside. A few weekends ago Mema & Boppa came down to hang out with us for the day. We all went to Pahl's Market (the local nursery) and picked out lot of pretty flowers, and a bush to replace the one that the rabbits ate. They helped us plant everything, and gave me a little tutorial on how not to kill all of my flowers this year. I'm glad to report that they are still holding strong and look quite lovely. We had a great day, and were able to end the day with dinner on the deck and some delicious dessert.<br />
<br />
The following weekend we were supposed to head up to the cabin. There were some last minute changes in plans and Nate went up by himself while I stayed home with the kids. We got to meet up with a friend at the zoo, and enjoyed the afternoon outside with our neighbor friends. Nate cut the trip short and returned home late Saturday evening. Sunday we got to celebrate Ava's BFF's birthday with a party at her house (Avery).<br />
<br />
This past week was a big one for Ava. On Monday she graduated from preschool!!! Mema & Boppa joined us for the graduation ceremony and celebration (Uncle Wes attempted, but got stuck in traffic from hell). Ava sang her little heart out at the program like she always does. We had dinner at "school", and the completed the night with a giant bouncy house and balls outside. Thank you Mema & Boppa for coming to celebrate. Ava was so glad that you came!<br />
<br />
This weekend Uncle Brent, Aunt Lisa, & cousin Reece came to visit. Reece spent the weekend with us, while Brent & Lisa went to celebrate their anniversary. We had a great time with him, and are so glad that he came. Saturday we got to celebrate our friend Tyce's birthday with is Superman party. The kids had a great time, and Reece found a new pen pal (one of our neighbors). This morning we headed off to the donut shop to get some donuts for our "donut picnic" at the zoo. What a great way to start the day! So, after donuts we took Reece to the zoo before his parents arrived at our house for lunch. It was such a beautiful day today that after nap we were able to go and enjoy some swimming at the pool in our neighborhood. <br />
<br />
It will be another busy week. Tomorrow morning Grant will not follow his normal routine. He will no longer be going into the toddler room. As of tomorrow he is in the preschool room. One going into preschool and one going into kindergarten. How did they get so big?!? We'll see what he picks up in this room. Hopefully all good stuff, including being potty trained! <br />
<br />
We're hoping to go and watch Nate play softball tomorrow evening, and have a little picnic outside (usually the kids sit still if they're eating). Wednesday both of the kids start swimming lessons. We are trying a new place near our house, and this will be the first time that Grant has done swimming lessons. Then Friday we have Auntie Lisa P and her family coming to visit for the evening. I can not wait to see Nick & Sadie. I haven't seen them since visiting KC earlier this year after Sadie was born. <br />
<br />
I have plenty of pictures to share with you. Some of them are older, I just forgot to get them off of my phone earlier. Hope you all have a great week!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-iIz5Df0_ovfMwJLPzilOMTqAIq8Xb79KhOVDhv7BSNQpihHl0gT1IYbL2coWnDQghsnPYrnCM008X80XG2O5CFzv5MYf0tUMP-4e6favsPWspA8y0zsWwnM4ujlIPsfy7h_W8_Q6Ig/s1600/0510150836a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-iIz5Df0_ovfMwJLPzilOMTqAIq8Xb79KhOVDhv7BSNQpihHl0gT1IYbL2coWnDQghsnPYrnCM008X80XG2O5CFzv5MYf0tUMP-4e6favsPWspA8y0zsWwnM4ujlIPsfy7h_W8_Q6Ig/s320/0510150836a.jpg" width="172" /></a></div>
Grant is always practicing his swing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sL4jQD9DAN5ibIywUhJycvQbsIfg6-ytH0t0LTtz43u177WUv4tSf4EFVzbnj7vHhZbZp3sqJ6fjFXGH3Q_HuFW0cy86cbS8PNEk1HBFeNgF489CaZG3K5wHOg9untjem92TaWclrbk/s1600/0511151817a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7sL4jQD9DAN5ibIywUhJycvQbsIfg6-ytH0t0LTtz43u177WUv4tSf4EFVzbnj7vHhZbZp3sqJ6fjFXGH3Q_HuFW0cy86cbS8PNEk1HBFeNgF489CaZG3K5wHOg9untjem92TaWclrbk/s320/0511151817a.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ava & her BFF Avery taking their first ride on the school bus during the open house last month</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dq0FdmHmxwFKt53Rl4HyVX5pzdq4yIpdSjnrGqyjWwm-vv5zQk_JIbI1uBGLSyMsnaVChyhOiUtFMMG5kaZ6Hw0G8YY1TMutWBlzTwnpNm6_ZIJ8chJSKihOjZZ78-FAQmMU65LQBsM/s1600/0515151151a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6dq0FdmHmxwFKt53Rl4HyVX5pzdq4yIpdSjnrGqyjWwm-vv5zQk_JIbI1uBGLSyMsnaVChyhOiUtFMMG5kaZ6Hw0G8YY1TMutWBlzTwnpNm6_ZIJ8chJSKihOjZZ78-FAQmMU65LQBsM/s320/0515151151a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids playing at the bookstore when my mom was here visitng last month<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHffngqt5HT92sDVoUHR4bLkjSkrbE4OM6-7JEoh2TkLC0XhKIHIgRuOZvRzyaMOcxhCc9ohaA1G5mWo9rF7OZ_ZNCq15VPFll9_qq5QvEvRELwE0gxoaJvYO3LACC2gnCgiNU_OeCpY/s1600/0529151606c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHffngqt5HT92sDVoUHR4bLkjSkrbE4OM6-7JEoh2TkLC0XhKIHIgRuOZvRzyaMOcxhCc9ohaA1G5mWo9rF7OZ_ZNCq15VPFll9_qq5QvEvRELwE0gxoaJvYO3LACC2gnCgiNU_OeCpY/s320/0529151606c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
While Daddy was at the cabin we decided to make cookie bars. What good helpers I have.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVrtzW2LccqePp3P-DcRydnAYif491zijLZsklYm4slKKFt1j-KKl4xV9KYw0mTi1lienxdNmnX6afG-AxZssBag2CnzGf4qXnipDfGrKJsmZ3fVW-ZWsn3j7_8wRhYRocUJo0QKa2lM/s1600/0530151026a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVrtzW2LccqePp3P-DcRydnAYif491zijLZsklYm4slKKFt1j-KKl4xV9KYw0mTi1lienxdNmnX6afG-AxZssBag2CnzGf4qXnipDfGrKJsmZ3fVW-ZWsn3j7_8wRhYRocUJo0QKa2lM/s320/0530151026a.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Another trip to the zoo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6AWZuOrpAf55bnOoQIR9_XYmQ666fndYmx5laX8DRZOh-p_FRu4mev5woTv18h-bQckG9QRC46rSgDdpguZ6L9sjBPImPbwbLxnSkHUtyZg8XCaOGih7MnPJW01tqlRhbcfnuG5O_pk/s1600/0530151037c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6AWZuOrpAf55bnOoQIR9_XYmQ666fndYmx5laX8DRZOh-p_FRu4mev5woTv18h-bQckG9QRC46rSgDdpguZ6L9sjBPImPbwbLxnSkHUtyZg8XCaOGih7MnPJW01tqlRhbcfnuG5O_pk/s320/0530151037c.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Another chicken picture that cracks me up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptHNgZIrmMZDW_vGCr9V6ageWWjLnBmrLhUD8CVG2xUfgR_URinEsv3usKUukW30-p8g8BeAf2tdpEXIiuldEEaBA5GDXSP2TS5QD86eso2cbyw8_CQAPTlYmAJ8p7u4ns9L1ClD-ZfE/s1600/0609151208a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptHNgZIrmMZDW_vGCr9V6ageWWjLnBmrLhUD8CVG2xUfgR_URinEsv3usKUukW30-p8g8BeAf2tdpEXIiuldEEaBA5GDXSP2TS5QD86eso2cbyw8_CQAPTlYmAJ8p7u4ns9L1ClD-ZfE/s320/0609151208a.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Hanging at the pool on my day off. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZzDwxPlZjHGOVBFl_ZMaitVR3ZP_lI8dFyf8V2VmQOux-Ta20Io-zhd7TxUxeqHF_BPxJFQdmvhlOCW1idVtBfQY0dnrkIxqTlpvP3ozFhqCLS11izzaFpurclmi-bAR3qWu0vUY5Uk/s1600/0609151214c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZzDwxPlZjHGOVBFl_ZMaitVR3ZP_lI8dFyf8V2VmQOux-Ta20Io-zhd7TxUxeqHF_BPxJFQdmvhlOCW1idVtBfQY0dnrkIxqTlpvP3ozFhqCLS11izzaFpurclmi-bAR3qWu0vUY5Uk/s320/0609151214c.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Ava & Avery<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsauwVZtrDMMcZTBGE1N24O7sIA_EQsLe_9XdqE6IAuwfIi1kPJb9wMXfYmUUXQmAhDy8JNtJXRkWr7zxgaosy5YpI1lg1DNUkIOlJ9oHysrv6K-H9K5uS-9_XYEDhkiMWdW5klW0ui4/s1600/0609151620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizsauwVZtrDMMcZTBGE1N24O7sIA_EQsLe_9XdqE6IAuwfIi1kPJb9wMXfYmUUXQmAhDy8JNtJXRkWr7zxgaosy5YpI1lg1DNUkIOlJ9oHysrv6K-H9K5uS-9_XYEDhkiMWdW5klW0ui4/s320/0609151620.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>
My strong man<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXySBc6xtZPbdNmo2QN9pVrUqnq91lZ7kXiWANx7I4OK32lxf2KYYQxrs0Oox5zeAh05YAuyzlvvODMbBY3nQzJ4vuhF3wmdcrMRq-HI5jXFvAEZ3O48j56BZDfEd43DI2gU3DNUXXDHc/s1600/0614150856a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXySBc6xtZPbdNmo2QN9pVrUqnq91lZ7kXiWANx7I4OK32lxf2KYYQxrs0Oox5zeAh05YAuyzlvvODMbBY3nQzJ4vuhF3wmdcrMRq-HI5jXFvAEZ3O48j56BZDfEd43DI2gU3DNUXXDHc/s320/0614150856a.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Our donut picnic this morning outside of the zoo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcl5o_bohW1vYjKaBwcip_9wPJKiujrrgPUBi8RDDAkxgU83ZStK44TbjZxFZFZvsw9pT9k9oJxQw3l4gQu3jbJkcsmSr2DhN9mSxDUbM6HxznLspk0SqOq-iSgYQBAnMX9u_IrZwpLQ/s1600/0614150900b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcl5o_bohW1vYjKaBwcip_9wPJKiujrrgPUBi8RDDAkxgU83ZStK44TbjZxFZFZvsw9pT9k9oJxQw3l4gQu3jbJkcsmSr2DhN9mSxDUbM6HxznLspk0SqOq-iSgYQBAnMX9u_IrZwpLQ/s320/0614150900b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Somebody was loving his donut<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9cSM5XWTb36oK3N5v6AlH-btqR4QzXMKu2doxE4N7kjthy3JlaR5U-YPmLnSO-_bt1M6EMpJ6g1haZkE6xa54lL4equIyPds2iIEZrUvuAc-IPZukAw0hjBi1vbdHWW7D8yt7_3EQVg/s1600/0614151037b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9cSM5XWTb36oK3N5v6AlH-btqR4QzXMKu2doxE4N7kjthy3JlaR5U-YPmLnSO-_bt1M6EMpJ6g1haZkE6xa54lL4equIyPds2iIEZrUvuAc-IPZukAw0hjBi1vbdHWW7D8yt7_3EQVg/s320/0614151037b.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Watching the reptile show<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzpLi5OVEiFUfft2LB5dA3Ji7jyEjrQkBYSCe98IlSXw5SY2Ru0Xj5sbNuxuDf4hk6sFP4j7MUpvdBtt3nRy9OjvAouLSv2ihyFwqLRpRX9It8pRogJqkBF4kZ0Qq1mHo6F3m2qJGV34/s1600/0614151038a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzpLi5OVEiFUfft2LB5dA3Ji7jyEjrQkBYSCe98IlSXw5SY2Ru0Xj5sbNuxuDf4hk6sFP4j7MUpvdBtt3nRy9OjvAouLSv2ihyFwqLRpRX9It8pRogJqkBF4kZ0Qq1mHo6F3m2qJGV34/s320/0614151038a.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
Ava & Daddy<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUewJk-mh21kPzdsCWIHTJ_FklKpe4qeN96cYcBSr7AqVxS8UDCX-WUvLsBiHYPQRNmVpu29_gMRCm2Oy-Vi_iNCBnJxif1fsw-58T7IwVRjQ3Tqv-hCZN35b03ePpCewYi9Vmd-eUHZU/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUewJk-mh21kPzdsCWIHTJ_FklKpe4qeN96cYcBSr7AqVxS8UDCX-WUvLsBiHYPQRNmVpu29_gMRCm2Oy-Vi_iNCBnJxif1fsw-58T7IwVRjQ3Tqv-hCZN35b03ePpCewYi9Vmd-eUHZU/s320/DSC_0679.JPG" width="211" /></a></div>
Boppa, Ava, & Mema at graduation<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNf2lhLh4hvZQxDBBkNTAA4zEmVa0SqZKq76IVL4E8aA_StmIeCFjUJrqukRh2ati9-CP-oxiuaS8HM3zqVnaUhLTFxLdnWLwDyt7X_X2HfvS7130DirGaNN_WCryyZ1eZapDmaxnz9M/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnNf2lhLh4hvZQxDBBkNTAA4zEmVa0SqZKq76IVL4E8aA_StmIeCFjUJrqukRh2ati9-CP-oxiuaS8HM3zqVnaUhLTFxLdnWLwDyt7X_X2HfvS7130DirGaNN_WCryyZ1eZapDmaxnz9M/s320/DSC_0676.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
More graduation night pictures<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQxqFZajKdryGWiNccGDtJNhjDTjeoJhG6S4nuCKChSIOqcbFWM3q-bfwSzgI8dzHHVWZsPmEuunoGT_ZE0ylnVY0XRjBEEv4iov-hHvaJuxKe64Skd3q2lklbcQaeEWk-1JS-r6RX-c/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQxqFZajKdryGWiNccGDtJNhjDTjeoJhG6S4nuCKChSIOqcbFWM3q-bfwSzgI8dzHHVWZsPmEuunoGT_ZE0ylnVY0XRjBEEv4iov-hHvaJuxKe64Skd3q2lklbcQaeEWk-1JS-r6RX-c/s320/DSC_0680.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCqvSaO5pke-xPwzntqpbUamb-QU9CVDeCGe1Wq9m-MyxC0Zg97o3s8CX03HMUavrF4Q-kPq9-QBU6k-vX-8QbEMuocHToaa9yOnu_Q7wHBb6L-YoYotBQYXn5FAvCi9-BMooBCgSFh0/s1600/DSC_0661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCqvSaO5pke-xPwzntqpbUamb-QU9CVDeCGe1Wq9m-MyxC0Zg97o3s8CX03HMUavrF4Q-kPq9-QBU6k-vX-8QbEMuocHToaa9yOnu_Q7wHBb6L-YoYotBQYXn5FAvCi9-BMooBCgSFh0/s320/DSC_0661.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Planting flowers <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNdbDDXL81o4EPIplrwGsRkgY0JpjIE0IgBhwtmS1Og9xu9z4xTZzadHWO9VFi8Ce7Np67tAKBQhgNjzcnltY57x_0OEuXCY0TV2Po5UUjJaanGpXH8SlPHcGmULSWSqlDtz0vV5lqf0/s1600/DSC_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNdbDDXL81o4EPIplrwGsRkgY0JpjIE0IgBhwtmS1Og9xu9z4xTZzadHWO9VFi8Ce7Np67tAKBQhgNjzcnltY57x_0OEuXCY0TV2Po5UUjJaanGpXH8SlPHcGmULSWSqlDtz0vV5lqf0/s320/DSC_0658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ9ot6eNfpPg49_3VSguQBmsY1A7LWKInSEPNvy082h3AxEcf2zcOd1zGSl5Jec4Tn0_YiD9MPI6Hq9IhdxTQ8ZaVCjXLNKPv4QxZnn5egTdJ4CImrNagZ6ybittieobBuQwDRqNnWDo/s1600/DSC_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQ9ot6eNfpPg49_3VSguQBmsY1A7LWKInSEPNvy082h3AxEcf2zcOd1zGSl5Jec4Tn0_YiD9MPI6Hq9IhdxTQ8ZaVCjXLNKPv4QxZnn5egTdJ4CImrNagZ6ybittieobBuQwDRqNnWDo/s320/DSC_0674.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-75523697350699822692015-05-21T11:59:00.000-07:002015-05-21T11:59:02.646-07:00Late is better than neverI know that it's been awhile since the last update. We've had a few things going on that have been consuming more time than I was expecting. First and foremost, my new job. Everybody keeps asking if I like it. Well, I don't not like it. :) In all honesty, I don't feel like I have a good grasp on everything that it entails, and how I'm going to manage my time to get everything done that needs to be done. My orientation has been very fragmented due to the fact that I work only 4 days/week, and that I have had a lot of meetings off site for new leadership stuff. My manager and preceptor are off tomorrow, meaning I'm on my own. I'll find out if I sink or swim. :) Due to all of the meetings and everything, I've been putting in a lot of 10 hour days, or closes to 10 hr days. I'm assuming that the time commitment will decrease once I figure out my own system. <br />
<br />
So, let's go back a couple of weeks ago...Mother's Day weekend. I have to say it was probably my most enjoyable yet. Saturday morning Ava had her dance recital. Boppa stayed home with Grant (win-win situation for both of them), while Daddy, Mema, and I went to watch Ava. It was a 2 hr show, but I actually really enjoyed it all. Ava did a great job, and everybody loved watching the little ones up there. I have to say that I surprised myself, when the tears started streaming down my face when she was up there. What?!? Why was I crying? I'm still not exactly sure, but it was emotional for some reason. Perhaps a feeling of pride watching her succeed at something that she worked hard on, maybe a feeling of sadness that she's growing up so quickly, perhaps they were tears of happiness knowing that she is able to enjoy the things that she loves, and gratefulness knowing that we currently have the ability to provide her with those opportunities. Most likely, it's a combination of all the above. Or, maybe all of that is complete crap and I was just a hormonal woman that day? No matter the reason, I enjoyed the show, shed a few tears, and am grateful to have our Wednesday evenings back until next fall. Nate and I asked her if she wanted to do dance next year. She replied, "yes, because I want to get ribbons and flowers" meaning she liked the flowers we gave her after recital. I could get some pretty darn nice bouquets delivered monthly for what we pay for dance. We'll have to come back to that discussion as registration opens up. <br />
<br />
After the recital we had lunch together and then Mema and I went to the dreaded MOA to look for some work clothes for me. We were very successful and had a great time. I came home with a great new work wardrobe, and felt so much better. Thanks Mema for helping me spend my money. When we got home Uncle Wes and Aunt Janna were here playing with the kids. We all enjoyed a nice low key dinner out on the deck together. What a great day!<br />
<br />
Sunday was kind of cold and rainy. We went to church that morning and then stayed in for the rest of the day. We watched a movie and just relaxed. It truly was a great weekend!<br />
<br />
The following week started out good until Wednesday hit. I woke up not feeling well, but decided I had to go into work since I had so many meetings that day. By mid-morning I was dying. I had chills, body aches, sore throat, etc. I decided to leave after my big meeting that afternoon and went straight to the clinic. Mind you, I have never had a fever in my life (I know, crazy right). I got there and it was 102.3. They swabbed my throat and shockingly enough it came back negative for strep. I was told I had a virus and to take Ibuprofen and go home. So, I stopped and bought Ibuprofen because since I don't ever get sick I don't even have that in our house. The next 30 hours were spent in my bedroom shaking with chills, waking up in a pool of sweat, decreased appetite, body aches that I have never experienced, fevers up to 103, etc. I was miserable. <br />
<br />
Thursday afternoon Nate left for his golf trip up north with the guys. I was SO grateful that my mom was going to arrive late Thursday night. I knew that I could take care of the kids 1 night by myself if I had to, but I knew I couldn't do much more than that. I just felt bad that she was coming up to see us, and was going to end up taking care of all of us. Friday morning the clinic called me back to tell me that my strep send out came back positive. Not shocking! I picked up my antibiotics that morning and within 24 hours I felt like a new person. Needless to say, I was grateful that my mom came up, and was also grateful now that I could enjoy some time with her as well. <br />
<br />
I can't believe that this week is almost over already. Nothing too exciting this week. Long work days and spending any time outside that we can. We're looking forward to spending the long weekend at home this year. We're hoping to maybe plant a few flowers and just relax. Wishing you all a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepUysCk7YVs3GKGiNDg1woUWUdY6WKClq90k3z1hxbuvpIsr1PQUcAQHsvk9V2TE-FqeN5wbKnGhACICzvFCbvESdc-SUG7P2FLNUD1OWk7c5BmvKqimJ7TjzzhspHvd5CtoPHCb8ExI/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepUysCk7YVs3GKGiNDg1woUWUdY6WKClq90k3z1hxbuvpIsr1PQUcAQHsvk9V2TE-FqeN5wbKnGhACICzvFCbvESdc-SUG7P2FLNUD1OWk7c5BmvKqimJ7TjzzhspHvd5CtoPHCb8ExI/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
Grant & Grandma before our trip to the MOA.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3meJ29eMEyKolfLj6tIOrJmtTtbstlehCMEAkYX5meeiRdtC7Bkjapycdn_FjecXXi4Z-uQFEsF4UDrsDinYCUMEOelyGmzZovdk3qEUL2WuuPJGwOma1p2_CPW3jqvL3KSjNZPHSfSo/s1600/DSC_0069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3meJ29eMEyKolfLj6tIOrJmtTtbstlehCMEAkYX5meeiRdtC7Bkjapycdn_FjecXXi4Z-uQFEsF4UDrsDinYCUMEOelyGmzZovdk3qEUL2WuuPJGwOma1p2_CPW3jqvL3KSjNZPHSfSo/s320/DSC_0069.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Ava has mastered climbing the new rock by herself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1ctUQZm3q_IU2TJRm_5pb6hFovWelt2jh14g4hpp81xQuzshtpV_rr8OC6wSzttW377_Lsg-seOU_1z48Y8525Ct_bQIm9FIOho3h2rQiDKSEvMXKcrvslPzaLvTQZ3GiufcnBkdB-8/s1600/DSC_0071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC1ctUQZm3q_IU2TJRm_5pb6hFovWelt2jh14g4hpp81xQuzshtpV_rr8OC6wSzttW377_Lsg-seOU_1z48Y8525Ct_bQIm9FIOho3h2rQiDKSEvMXKcrvslPzaLvTQZ3GiufcnBkdB-8/s320/DSC_0071.JPG" width="206" /></a></div>
"I'm going to play basketball when I get bigger". I'm told this at least twice a day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS42q-RIdIU4x9qGtdh11WZ3aeVSXui7DF6upaR6phoBqV3XYs6aa6AdW4Igsr1pvrXE1HuHTJc7Z6lvOqFovL4mBboryPV5gUsuvmOjwEsga1MmtD7TmEsdrCqTa8mggApi8sUjEKPQ/s1600/DSC_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS42q-RIdIU4x9qGtdh11WZ3aeVSXui7DF6upaR6phoBqV3XYs6aa6AdW4Igsr1pvrXE1HuHTJc7Z6lvOqFovL4mBboryPV5gUsuvmOjwEsga1MmtD7TmEsdrCqTa8mggApi8sUjEKPQ/s320/DSC_0093.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava has become much braver this year. She can scale this thing pretty quickly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q5rUHCVSKW65PslcWF5mBvNgPLvipCRrQS93m7Iz-kTVXUgfK912WAoaPxTNnH7EYiBlf9NyiZy5OZEeDSz3h2NJZnKujf1rgIfOwKr8dLIASkMDL2_GFYpRVNYp5dW9zxzOJ3e3vK4/s1600/DSC_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q5rUHCVSKW65PslcWF5mBvNgPLvipCRrQS93m7Iz-kTVXUgfK912WAoaPxTNnH7EYiBlf9NyiZy5OZEeDSz3h2NJZnKujf1rgIfOwKr8dLIASkMDL2_GFYpRVNYp5dW9zxzOJ3e3vK4/s320/DSC_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Our typical afternoon here in suburbia<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG231MO7igavFpqHuYo6sHnxbRtM4HqdyQdz0EnsBWzhnA-fEt1cF6xdrLFp3HjFdzFaHABEJmvoGhGaN9_AiZ-c0PkfiNjFmEKdKM7XRxWBMeVOh5QztRTIySSbJr5WSrvLhNvITTXDQ/s1600/DSC_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG231MO7igavFpqHuYo6sHnxbRtM4HqdyQdz0EnsBWzhnA-fEt1cF6xdrLFp3HjFdzFaHABEJmvoGhGaN9_AiZ-c0PkfiNjFmEKdKM7XRxWBMeVOh5QztRTIySSbJr5WSrvLhNvITTXDQ/s320/DSC_0100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava showing Grandma how she can ride without training wheels<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb7RrzT6UkK2lFtTQXQH4keR7gZ8bXGf-5LyMi1yhwbTFoE2wMD5X9Vpqwrr8-zLNM7vOSramjp2mq2UcdK3xekV-klWKA_Qw8I7dzehISiQm8T43LxpmHbkPynZn40AsLY3MQVz6vQo/s1600/DSC_0108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcb7RrzT6UkK2lFtTQXQH4keR7gZ8bXGf-5LyMi1yhwbTFoE2wMD5X9Vpqwrr8-zLNM7vOSramjp2mq2UcdK3xekV-klWKA_Qw8I7dzehISiQm8T43LxpmHbkPynZn40AsLY3MQVz6vQo/s320/DSC_0108.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
Granting "riding" (walking) his bike.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD9P-3kwJBVvCDVQWinMKWsD5w8JVWzaMxxCOHXmtMwht3vhLQAn-IM9Jyqmyn9TgXAfufdTpKda5fvk9IzhbU9jyTCmTQWIDAoFsz28_wSAE7Nz18nicCjEBklz8pWAcTuqMutpxG6Y/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQD9P-3kwJBVvCDVQWinMKWsD5w8JVWzaMxxCOHXmtMwht3vhLQAn-IM9Jyqmyn9TgXAfufdTpKda5fvk9IzhbU9jyTCmTQWIDAoFsz28_wSAE7Nz18nicCjEBklz8pWAcTuqMutpxG6Y/s320/DSC_0111.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Digging in the rocks while wearing his helmet. You can never be too safe.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqRYUos5qbS9M7vmSkFRIdKUqDClAvxhyc5-6yudYMjWcikfRwLtBeCTFx1riwNnSEizFteGMewuAkLVmI3pVZKDPCbNQurbNyiIv-RUQF2AHu21FZN9eylxKk3UmL7Ns5uWb_ZKQDdQ/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqRYUos5qbS9M7vmSkFRIdKUqDClAvxhyc5-6yudYMjWcikfRwLtBeCTFx1riwNnSEizFteGMewuAkLVmI3pVZKDPCbNQurbNyiIv-RUQF2AHu21FZN9eylxKk3UmL7Ns5uWb_ZKQDdQ/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Getting ready to head off to church Saturday evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LaQLcFMgt1sOj7XVelyuEDPimxK4nqoqUaNePMOULcjUzXPWvOPqNqgKd6T3dVtPnSBNKWQ2N3VUT51xZ8SQiFTawi61NWvl4D19nPHaRt4oX9VgffKMke_YLKdkuG-TwNapsnQ8xi0/s1600/DSC_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LaQLcFMgt1sOj7XVelyuEDPimxK4nqoqUaNePMOULcjUzXPWvOPqNqgKd6T3dVtPnSBNKWQ2N3VUT51xZ8SQiFTawi61NWvl4D19nPHaRt4oX9VgffKMke_YLKdkuG-TwNapsnQ8xi0/s320/DSC_0117.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Cute!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rLAJanUu-MZVamhAsACxrA6lHnQ1YFMKaDNYOChxjFBRhqWmQ3OmWIinQLeSoxCedht3aWDA5aEQfVPJEst0933d53DiZ9DVd_4QhKg1xlFuT888FbsvVfq3xrjhb3NYEM03XYwE0ZQ/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6rLAJanUu-MZVamhAsACxrA6lHnQ1YFMKaDNYOChxjFBRhqWmQ3OmWIinQLeSoxCedht3aWDA5aEQfVPJEst0933d53DiZ9DVd_4QhKg1xlFuT888FbsvVfq3xrjhb3NYEM03XYwE0ZQ/s320/DSC_0622.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
All ready for the recital<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mQ6H_iQm2bk4gS94eTc7cIWxera-oVf89gbh8rbeHRWLqbdM8FFTDEVQAWCsSfIDrktVvdGkbk9NbytFdW0rSu9EKSj8ETJLZw-eWLBS1lHa1m3hsfQGJBJFpJFlHoa1pHi0lRj5OQU/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mQ6H_iQm2bk4gS94eTc7cIWxera-oVf89gbh8rbeHRWLqbdM8FFTDEVQAWCsSfIDrktVvdGkbk9NbytFdW0rSu9EKSj8ETJLZw-eWLBS1lHa1m3hsfQGJBJFpJFlHoa1pHi0lRj5OQU/s320/DSC_0627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's blurry, but it's the only picture we have of the three of us. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6JDjenrpS5u1MAik-uubL9odue_I88cny6ozYHJeOrZ9Olnd86DvLNUSIxoWtxXucjZVEuJTFzkBsJMtavilPYlTMeqcGJaoqXId4REeS5uLVpCP25fqyJDRCXI4EWXWXwH7vUmC3iQ/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6JDjenrpS5u1MAik-uubL9odue_I88cny6ozYHJeOrZ9Olnd86DvLNUSIxoWtxXucjZVEuJTFzkBsJMtavilPYlTMeqcGJaoqXId4REeS5uLVpCP25fqyJDRCXI4EWXWXwH7vUmC3iQ/s320/DSC_0630.JPG" width="185" /></a></div>
I mastered the bun, and it stayed in for the whole show!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrfgZkkXk5bgacZ2Cwwt4y8J5eb5RJq-vSYzpcaTc4jNv4H6jbO-Zw9vZHy5q74YP0GkVebhfJTLoGsGR9JUIxiUJWE6OK4AJV2YY-yKy8gYhT6aPkN-sdur9pm5wxhr_nf1ZyPeDekY/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrfgZkkXk5bgacZ2Cwwt4y8J5eb5RJq-vSYzpcaTc4jNv4H6jbO-Zw9vZHy5q74YP0GkVebhfJTLoGsGR9JUIxiUJWE6OK4AJV2YY-yKy8gYhT6aPkN-sdur9pm5wxhr_nf1ZyPeDekY/s320/DSC_0631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava & Mema<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH67uR9vaM86KZw5UnZiotpzjvLihkiv-pdelqwRrnN8R4mZ2EsXSc5gbtMMiCVwjW0AJcB4KgcztACGv22j6lGc0J1e9BU95etikVTgqtFB0z2NogLB_fIU9otppykTaIXx5ZYHeusIY/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH67uR9vaM86KZw5UnZiotpzjvLihkiv-pdelqwRrnN8R4mZ2EsXSc5gbtMMiCVwjW0AJcB4KgcztACGv22j6lGc0J1e9BU95etikVTgqtFB0z2NogLB_fIU9otppykTaIXx5ZYHeusIY/s320/DSC_0639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Mother's Day 2015<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwII0Tasuiq48Ut1mPcjtguGWinOhXKayDB_Ha4IZwab2GaWFvPpxJ2kKtOg5ZCrgG27j4SBMaZNPw0-kcbYealyfj5tOxGk5RLja27d7hI6MoBgquNP75Q4BWh-2L68seAmYPDI6__s/s1600/DSC_0651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwII0Tasuiq48Ut1mPcjtguGWinOhXKayDB_Ha4IZwab2GaWFvPpxJ2kKtOg5ZCrgG27j4SBMaZNPw0-kcbYealyfj5tOxGk5RLja27d7hI6MoBgquNP75Q4BWh-2L68seAmYPDI6__s/s320/DSC_0651.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
Daddy & AvaThe Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-23820970687742109742015-05-03T12:29:00.001-07:002015-05-03T12:29:23.367-07:00Loving this weatherWe are loving these nice warm days! Daddy might not like them as much as we do, since most afternoons after work we can be found at the park rather than in the kitchen preparing dinner for when Daddy gets home. Needless to say, dinners have been a bit later and perhaps thrown together last minute. We've been too busy soaking in the sunshine to worry about dinner and baths being on time. <br />
<br />
Last weekend we were able to enjoy some family time in IA helping cousin Reece celebrate his birthday. Unfortunately it rained all day Saturday so his soccer game was cancelled and we were stuck inside all day. Mommy & Daddy did get to enjoy the evening outside with Uncle Brent & Aunt Lisa relaxing in the hot tube after bedtime though. Sunday morning we decided to leave early and stop in Hollandale to see the Veldmans. We got to see so many people, and meet sweet Ellison for the first time. She is the sweetest little thing, not making a peep the whole time we were there. I loved getting my little baby fix, and the kids loved riding on the golf cart with Aunt Susan. <br />
<br />
This past week I realized that this summer is going to be a bit crazy with schedules. Nate has softball on Monday evenings, Ava will have soccer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I signed the kids up for swim lessons on Wednesday nights. Aren't our kids too young to be this busy? I finally bit the bullet and signed the kids up at the swim school near our house. The lessons come with a pretty price tag, but I'm hoping that it's worth it. I needed to get Grant into lessons, and I can't be with him in the water while Ava is at the community ed lessons. So, we're going to give it a shot. <br />
<br />
Some of you may not know, but I'm going to be starting a new job on Monday. The position is a "patient care supervisor". I'm not sure why they call it this, as I don't do patient care. Essentially, it's an assistant manager to these nurses and PCAs in the float pool. I am very excited to start the position. I'm ready for a change, and will enjoy not working weekends anymore. However, Thursday was my last day on the floor doing patient care. I was much more emotional about it than I thought I would be. I have been taking care of patients at the bedside for the past 11 1/2 years. I have worked along side some of the most amazing nurses, experiencing situations that I never imagined. I have depended on them to help me in a crisis, have cried with them during tragedy, and laughed with them in situations where we wanted to cry but decided that laughter truly is the best medicine sometimes. They celebrated with me when I got married and had my children. These nurses that I work with are not just coworkers, they are my second family. I will still see them, but in a different situation. I will no longer be in the trenches, but instead in an office. I will no longer be reassuring the scared patient, hugging the crying family member, assessing, medicating, and educating the patients. This I will truly miss. As physically, emotionally, and cognitively draining as this job is, I will indeed miss it. So, after reading that I'm starting to wonder why I took a new job. :) In all honesty, I'm ready for a change. I want to see "the other side" to get a better understanding of why things are the way they are in the hospital. I'm excited to help guide and encourage new nurses that are joining the float pool. And I'm hoping that I can help make/change policies that will help the bedside staff and the patients alike. So, wish me luck as I put on my heels instead of my Dansko clogs Monday morning!<br />
<br />
Another big development yesterday...Ava not only tried to ride her bike for the first time without training wheels yesterday, but she succeeded! I asked Nate to take the training wheels off before he ran to the store with Grant. I held onto Ava's seat while we went down the block and back. By the time we got back to the house I was starting to let go. Within 5 minutes she was riding down the street by herself. She was almost crying before hand because she was so scared. She was elated when she realized she was doing it herself. What a proud moment for all of us. :) She's still a bit unsteady at times, and has to work on starting by herself. I'm anticipating some scrapped knees this summer, but am so excited for her. She's growing up so quickly!<br />
<br />
What can I tell you about Grant.? Well, he continues to do pretty good with potty training. Some days are better than others (some days he has no accidents at school). I'm not pushing it because I don't want to go through what I did with Ava. If he's not potty trained in a few months then I guess I'll push it since I know he's capable of knowing when he has to go. His latest shenanigans happened Thursday at school. I picked him up from school and had to sign an incident report. This isn't the first one for Grant. It's usually because he's running and hits heads with somebody or falls. That day is was, "Grant was looking at family pictures with all of us and then punched his friend in the eye". What?!? Whose kid just punches another kid in the face for no reason?!? When I asked him about it he said he punched Marcus in the eyeball and then gave him a kiss. Oh good, I'm glad you gave him a kiss. That makes it ok to punch your friends in the face. Geez!!! <br />
<br />
I think that about sums it up. It's just me and the kids for a few days since Nate is in WI for work. Thankfully Boppa is coming over tonight so he can take the kids to daycare on Monday morning. They will start going full time this week since my new job is 4 days a week. Wishing you all a wonderful week!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEMI2SaJX9nmSa6zmNUZPQ2LL_Akq4W4uURI_TUuNqWTM3A-SljjsIOPtG1vEqzGdvi-AOWKiZe7CKRqg5qKh10d8LmbrLdKxWGxkhvFPWm4ecMgUl5ewiCQdqsxAtJZoKj_kreqzPvA/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTEMI2SaJX9nmSa6zmNUZPQ2LL_Akq4W4uURI_TUuNqWTM3A-SljjsIOPtG1vEqzGdvi-AOWKiZe7CKRqg5qKh10d8LmbrLdKxWGxkhvFPWm4ecMgUl5ewiCQdqsxAtJZoKj_kreqzPvA/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Cousin Andrew & Grant (they are only a week apart in age)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbdnKVGx0q6NqjR_yhp7d-SsU5MaWE9ng4PYhSyR7J3hxq8U2mDVNAgocTS5KDX_wazd9kQvBXwCI1xYF3dhs9UL4CDuUuPFYG8MNCx9-i5M13aiK0PN15h2wQp_gfpOdna-IJ_8Vdi0/s1600/IMG_0861+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmbdnKVGx0q6NqjR_yhp7d-SsU5MaWE9ng4PYhSyR7J3hxq8U2mDVNAgocTS5KDX_wazd9kQvBXwCI1xYF3dhs9UL4CDuUuPFYG8MNCx9-i5M13aiK0PN15h2wQp_gfpOdna-IJ_8Vdi0/s1600/IMG_0861+(1).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6VMxg1pQfeVO4wvGOpZPNJ3TwFqMF8yNS3mH3QWpu4lWF3_EfSGn6FAkykSerI9HRtQ3QBnC54U6Vj4bDkxQhOngRqfl43olytUGOpWM71-GnXcE_59MAhLZUPwSEpa3dZBepzBPKTs/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6VMxg1pQfeVO4wvGOpZPNJ3TwFqMF8yNS3mH3QWpu4lWF3_EfSGn6FAkykSerI9HRtQ3QBnC54U6Vj4bDkxQhOngRqfl43olytUGOpWM71-GnXcE_59MAhLZUPwSEpa3dZBepzBPKTs/s1600/IMG_0856.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Thanks for lunch Aunt Carolyn & Uncle Rick!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbcvhkKoxiEpAB2zvl-ZWaVjfOj4m1BdBsmajZFpEU-srw0Gp42rttexiee8UCjUexHeiQr8Qfno4synywXDNF1YCd_QkUWJCI_anRyBe-gxm803rc8v6elyWfnaaTWWyzIsr1VcFWaQ/s1600/0502151047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjbcvhkKoxiEpAB2zvl-ZWaVjfOj4m1BdBsmajZFpEU-srw0Gp42rttexiee8UCjUexHeiQr8Qfno4synywXDNF1YCd_QkUWJCI_anRyBe-gxm803rc8v6elyWfnaaTWWyzIsr1VcFWaQ/s1600/0502151047.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
The kids planted grass in their little bunny vases at Easter time. Here they are trimming them up. I seem to kill everything else, glad I can at least make grass grow.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXNAgLK2_-zfyCBiMQd6WWfjMdtdNz-VUB7DqpMJ3JApfNUX-nV4eiqGzUrRVK-NrKhpdJY-YSEpAjP5gSZ_bM1I67yPm_g3tGLuVsJR9w5wfCxKWrj30FrCi6iU2tk6q7LKsZ7-s794/s1600/0502151101c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXNAgLK2_-zfyCBiMQd6WWfjMdtdNz-VUB7DqpMJ3JApfNUX-nV4eiqGzUrRVK-NrKhpdJY-YSEpAjP5gSZ_bM1I67yPm_g3tGLuVsJR9w5wfCxKWrj30FrCi6iU2tk6q7LKsZ7-s794/s1600/0502151101c.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAEJqbQWdkoJSLqA3dDG4zjI5gkTPXN8fJoK5V1GnHY0gOQGIF2vkzcUFv2Uc8KMJME02BZ6ZZ_IwuCdqguBvsnFylFlS_L45z13tzgZw6mHQMpSCcXUMDCS3JRWqLQkZD0IGC5efFz8/s1600/0502151105b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeAEJqbQWdkoJSLqA3dDG4zjI5gkTPXN8fJoK5V1GnHY0gOQGIF2vkzcUFv2Uc8KMJME02BZ6ZZ_IwuCdqguBvsnFylFlS_L45z13tzgZw6mHQMpSCcXUMDCS3JRWqLQkZD0IGC5efFz8/s1600/0502151105b.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
I can not tell you how much Grant loves "driving" the car. It's always interesting starting the car up the next morning with the blinker, wiper,and emergency break on with the radio cranked up.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0ZYG6iES_rSMkM5GeYTaFQ9XvrW8T-6bbIKGYet66AMvPK0IkvSu4mvedY_M4SOUURBni4Kr8aHj8VRFd7w_JQCYeyxFuIjgN6EAE6cNi73tMbwqOPZiBxS-uqS5S6cefdEQBlqKGck/s1600/0502151611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0ZYG6iES_rSMkM5GeYTaFQ9XvrW8T-6bbIKGYet66AMvPK0IkvSu4mvedY_M4SOUURBni4Kr8aHj8VRFd7w_JQCYeyxFuIjgN6EAE6cNi73tMbwqOPZiBxS-uqS5S6cefdEQBlqKGck/s1600/0502151611.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Grant has been having hives on and off since Wednesday. I ended up taking him to urgent care (there is nothing urgent about that place) yesterday evening because a friend PA of mine thought it could be a rebound reaction and go to his throat. Thank God for our amazing neighbors who took Ava while we waited for 2 hours to find out that I should just continue giving him benadryl which I was already doing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApe2wU70fhVqNf1-TgMdo9eIB9DtEyhpE-GgJPRzMfFZcTBrO2vurwhhlxLv6yr_sx9AkMBgHwOldb93079Kpcf6NAErIwyJDHJ1oMr4PT28jJJUiQi5RlSkC9I7-fsuMRg7fI7D1J6A/s1600/0503150832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApe2wU70fhVqNf1-TgMdo9eIB9DtEyhpE-GgJPRzMfFZcTBrO2vurwhhlxLv6yr_sx9AkMBgHwOldb93079Kpcf6NAErIwyJDHJ1oMr4PT28jJJUiQi5RlSkC9I7-fsuMRg7fI7D1J6A/s1600/0503150832.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
My sweet babes heading off to church this morning. The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-52567973611566402152015-04-14T19:16:00.000-07:002015-04-14T19:16:23.761-07:00A beautiful weekendI was so fortunate to have this past weekend off work, and be able to enjoy some time outside with my family. The sun was out and the temps were up, and we soaked it all in. Saturday morning we took the kids to the park near our house. This is after Grant escaped the house and attempted to walk to the park by himself. One of the scariest 1 1/2 minutes of my life when I came downstairs and realized that he was not in the house. I then noticed the garage door open, and went to the garage to get him. It was then that I noticed that Nate had left the big garage door open since he wouldn't be gone long. I ran to the front of the house searching the streets and yard and yelling his name. I got no response. I ran inside to get my shoes and tell Ava to stay inside. I then ran to the back of the house, which is where I saw this messy haired little boy in his pjs and snow boots on the wrong feet, walking down the path about 3 houses down. I ran to him and asked him what he was doing. His response, "I going to the park". Duh, where else would he be going besides across the street to the park near the lake?!? My goodness!!! We had a little chat about not going outside with mommy or daddy. <br />
<br />
Anyway, we spent the morning at the park, and then down by the lake throwing rocks. That was obviously Nate's idea...it involved mud. After nap we packed up and headed to Minneapolis for the Gopher spring game. Ava enjoyed running up and down the stairs, and eating. Grant on the other hand Loved playing catch, kicking the ball, and watching the game. Our little man even made it on TV on the Big Ten Network. He was in heaven there. By the time we got home that night, they were both disasters and ready for bed. <br />
<br />
Sunday was another beautiful and low key day. We went to church that morning, and spent another afternoon at the park with many of our neighbor friends. We couldn't ask for better neighbors! Monday morning the kids and I headed to the zoo with some of our neighbor friends. They enjoyed seeing the baby farm animals. I think feeding the goats was definitely the highlight though.<br />
<br />
Grant continues to recover from his surgery. He has been good during the daytime hours for a couple of days now. He still needs his ibuprofen at night, or he wakes up crying. Poor little man. That adenoidectomy kicked our butt. At least the fevers are now gone, and I think that his breath may be improving at least a little bit. Hopefully we can get back to restful nights where I don't have to get up twice a night with these kiddos. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxrLip7p0nD9dBIVEdrNPJlHbl7u1RDd1bteSGtCr_nQCjbmJAp1A7mbqp-e3buOaGUOOtMzwtaTgh_NEkgx6ZubMUo5CB7iSN75WmMPPTAgLs2SIpd-F2bftnpEwzKnqj2C8nfcs-ck/s1600/0411151103b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisxrLip7p0nD9dBIVEdrNPJlHbl7u1RDd1bteSGtCr_nQCjbmJAp1A7mbqp-e3buOaGUOOtMzwtaTgh_NEkgx6ZubMUo5CB7iSN75WmMPPTAgLs2SIpd-F2bftnpEwzKnqj2C8nfcs-ck/s1600/0411151103b.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Throwing rocks into the lake </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFaxGpZivCbOcx1t-nfjgVvoYpGtkLs1pGC1nEoyRkFXh2bGoh3td8Hc8Qa1CeWQCJQ8oCyJCWGSAx7aV-KlroQawsJpkep2W1wFbGrZzAzy5BKnRQQ8ZPFyk0qMPDVoVWQt5L-pzuE8/s1600/PART951428787989364952015041195152151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFaxGpZivCbOcx1t-nfjgVvoYpGtkLs1pGC1nEoyRkFXh2bGoh3td8Hc8Qa1CeWQCJQ8oCyJCWGSAx7aV-KlroQawsJpkep2W1wFbGrZzAzy5BKnRQQ8ZPFyk0qMPDVoVWQt5L-pzuE8/s1600/PART951428787989364952015041195152151.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Down on the field at the Gopher spring game </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp_3FBIL71HS-LYiXSycBtOvtWogDABATgA5Kur9rG3-fxUJTycvSARJSd7yDeuHqFsW6uSkPN0VPpl8iKWXOXGXBhegNhvLUGcXKZyOkLpGwK8ztRjHQlynP8dNfFMVpNt4S9hY3iBM/s1600/PART951428788019035952015041195151143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp_3FBIL71HS-LYiXSycBtOvtWogDABATgA5Kur9rG3-fxUJTycvSARJSd7yDeuHqFsW6uSkPN0VPpl8iKWXOXGXBhegNhvLUGcXKZyOkLpGwK8ztRjHQlynP8dNfFMVpNt4S9hY3iBM/s1600/PART951428788019035952015041195151143.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grant, Boppa, & Goldy </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZV2HrCne_K1iW34yuqLIwSmuIftl90VooMiPK_bKHhYVqnbyyhR081WdC7j1yyUCSHKHPWp2wWFCFMRJCiPaDwKaCicstoufInBfCqZ0yO9MueWtrHAUl49nUwZgNItzRSsz6toqG1c/s1600/PART_1428787863043_20150411_155150_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZV2HrCne_K1iW34yuqLIwSmuIftl90VooMiPK_bKHhYVqnbyyhR081WdC7j1yyUCSHKHPWp2wWFCFMRJCiPaDwKaCicstoufInBfCqZ0yO9MueWtrHAUl49nUwZgNItzRSsz6toqG1c/s1600/PART_1428787863043_20150411_155150_2.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Daddy & Grant</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu66-g-u-zp5hhzLHLmyeipbDP08Jqnpwd3V6wVeXnYWcxUuwqRooGOdOTQNwjQ88J9hB68SHEW-BiQjd6hahIiVBILqpcM-lVmA1f1W28cbsfTE8_Q60C3xPjGLvaygqkRjIxuwK3wkw/s1600/0412151652a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu66-g-u-zp5hhzLHLmyeipbDP08Jqnpwd3V6wVeXnYWcxUuwqRooGOdOTQNwjQ88J9hB68SHEW-BiQjd6hahIiVBILqpcM-lVmA1f1W28cbsfTE8_Q60C3xPjGLvaygqkRjIxuwK3wkw/s1600/0412151652a.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Ava (Anna) & Avery (Elsa)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhxdP475c8lwBZ0zaaky7SK04XkjyMsJ4N6xC8nlEKvxG7zh-o6WfbKLvD-Td2DRU1w6KZxxwS_GYrJO0B6NLZxroKtJyMuAFAm27UXJYMqPG1yf3mQtiRpzT4Pm-CcMIlYpw30gOtLc/s1600/0413151024a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhxdP475c8lwBZ0zaaky7SK04XkjyMsJ4N6xC8nlEKvxG7zh-o6WfbKLvD-Td2DRU1w6KZxxwS_GYrJO0B6NLZxroKtJyMuAFAm27UXJYMqPG1yf3mQtiRpzT4Pm-CcMIlYpw30gOtLc/s1600/0413151024a.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Grant talking to the goat</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8Z34Sl9lRg3cQZ4woRwR5kC-rH8OJN6nhQm2Ry6LaZzja1s3b5Xul3cNMSGzqO07XQYblutzeyLpTQS8MioVV3hLscGPd94f3E_foAHewzPOPqz0OfcJ0exuaTIuzDVIzpMdgrHbLCA/s1600/0413151028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8Z34Sl9lRg3cQZ4woRwR5kC-rH8OJN6nhQm2Ry6LaZzja1s3b5Xul3cNMSGzqO07XQYblutzeyLpTQS8MioVV3hLscGPd94f3E_foAHewzPOPqz0OfcJ0exuaTIuzDVIzpMdgrHbLCA/s1600/0413151028.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grant & Avery feeding the goats</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2t9B64SwULvX1yWHrc4BdFWuuiUvqr7CY6U80NJvDb2QWLr-qTWRrFsU_cRWhf58qVQ7SF0DxyfqjvYlScUxcHYI3iX6R2WkMVrG3-v5qcU4grLz64roKpPxo196ruZfGpCtN2k960E/s1600/0413151002b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2t9B64SwULvX1yWHrc4BdFWuuiUvqr7CY6U80NJvDb2QWLr-qTWRrFsU_cRWhf58qVQ7SF0DxyfqjvYlScUxcHYI3iX6R2WkMVrG3-v5qcU4grLz64roKpPxo196ruZfGpCtN2k960E/s1600/0413151002b.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
Avery, Cailyn, Grant, & Ava</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniAAHxTyda4_EPHeZ3daAOpMkLr1wYoym09W2SJVxxz4HPyJeWMoDMrUKUsbmUeVzIdN8P5mlwbjwlhIanI2JILl-mcvbhKdIrcpJ6wEBSylhKo8_Us_ywPjLYklBh8JDRKL-ClvWCSo/s1600/0413151050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgniAAHxTyda4_EPHeZ3daAOpMkLr1wYoym09W2SJVxxz4HPyJeWMoDMrUKUsbmUeVzIdN8P5mlwbjwlhIanI2JILl-mcvbhKdIrcpJ6wEBSylhKo8_Us_ywPjLYklBh8JDRKL-ClvWCSo/s1600/0413151050.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
I seriously laugh every time I see this picture. Her facial expression cracks me up!</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-20313443002403198512015-04-09T12:58:00.000-07:002015-04-09T12:58:26.334-07:00Grant recoversOur week started off with a bang with Grant having his surgery on Monday morning. His surgery went well. I'm very grateful to have his tubes back in. The surgeon said that both of his ears were filled with thick, infected fluid in spite of him being on antibiotics for the past 6 weeks. I got called back to recovery to help calm the little guy. His breathing was a bit "squeaky" and I think that they were concerned about his airway as he got more upset. As soon as I got him in my arms I started to sing to him and he settled right in and fell back to sleep. Poor little man! The staff there was great, and we were home by 3 that afternoon. He had a great night, and a really good day on Tuesday. Wednesday was a different story. He woke up twice in the middle of the night, and woke up screaming from his naps. When he woke up Wednesday morning he had a temp of 104.1 and crying. We quickly got his temp down, but he just had a rough day overall. Today has been better. I'm hoping that he does well tomorrow, as Nate and I will both be back to work and he'll be at daycare.<br />
<br />
Today is a gloomy, rainy day so we decided to make it a pajama and movie day here at home. It's actually quite nice to just lay low and hang out. Sometimes I have to remember that one day of movies is ok, and will most likely not rot my children's brains or have any long term effects.<br />
<br />
The weather looks nice for Saturday, so we're hoping to make it out for the Gopher spring football game. The kids are very excited, especially Grant!<br />
<br />
Hoping you all have a fabulous weekend!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOn3JLxJ9eXkNTgKvcuNOIUL-1wYckp3FU4u4XAtEMd-OwQPMI15VHUps4nkTXO0koesBpZR5BgswqNcTc72Ae8WuQPOSxDnhghWSNPa-3pybK-Bv3mel2voeD7K_bMbNIXNgAyugEhQ/s1600/0331151726c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinOn3JLxJ9eXkNTgKvcuNOIUL-1wYckp3FU4u4XAtEMd-OwQPMI15VHUps4nkTXO0koesBpZR5BgswqNcTc72Ae8WuQPOSxDnhghWSNPa-3pybK-Bv3mel2voeD7K_bMbNIXNgAyugEhQ/s1600/0331151726c.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Ava has mastered her scooter, and can fly around the neighborhood on it. Grant has not quite mastered the balance bike yet. He pretty much walks it down the sidewalk at a snail's pace. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVBmwt8HUwksGumGwbZXSlqRH8cZFqZ9LzNJnKRD4zQsSM7x4JmSqpWZQMqqeDVt-8WeGKRAdJCzUiN1r1GIs-tTvtWFQxl3zVo527LgxYR-Yk1DsVEwHxAampeK0ywe8rF_7cKtBg9w/s1600/0402151727a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVBmwt8HUwksGumGwbZXSlqRH8cZFqZ9LzNJnKRD4zQsSM7x4JmSqpWZQMqqeDVt-8WeGKRAdJCzUiN1r1GIs-tTvtWFQxl3zVo527LgxYR-Yk1DsVEwHxAampeK0ywe8rF_7cKtBg9w/s1600/0402151727a.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
I was upstairs with Ava a couple of weeks ago and realized that Grant was very quiet so thought I should go and check on him. I came downstairs to him standing next to the candy opening a peanut butter cup, with wrappers on the floor. That little turkey!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGxhzOpG7RkCPI1CG7H59weoXv9B0ZW7Oo5qJMScRcSSRknqO1d9dSzhdDkrQiNkm0CBkYjF_QUSgLmZA3EQD2fNbGT-mwqpOVHNN2wyY0vtD3tJs-Mtw3fGyzEhe3GWEObiICvvNaEI/s1600/0405151700c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimGxhzOpG7RkCPI1CG7H59weoXv9B0ZW7Oo5qJMScRcSSRknqO1d9dSzhdDkrQiNkm0CBkYjF_QUSgLmZA3EQD2fNbGT-mwqpOVHNN2wyY0vtD3tJs-Mtw3fGyzEhe3GWEObiICvvNaEI/s1600/0405151700c.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a monumental moment on the way home from Easter when the Camry hit 200,000 miles. What a great car it's been! We'll see if we make it to 300,000.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1ptuGzmkfVaPAW7-MoUcNOQBTSspfsrA9uEjkvGUTxbvyBY6nyleZ84G54YmeUQ7RXA_LEuSWL7tuYQkkx_BJS7dHZ-fKwL6thcsb-cPJfiri81prWUlvn0bhLMOAaT6GwX5L8I1mys/s1600/0406150946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1ptuGzmkfVaPAW7-MoUcNOQBTSspfsrA9uEjkvGUTxbvyBY6nyleZ84G54YmeUQ7RXA_LEuSWL7tuYQkkx_BJS7dHZ-fKwL6thcsb-cPJfiri81prWUlvn0bhLMOAaT6GwX5L8I1mys/s1600/0406150946.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Out of all the cars in the pre-op waiting room, Grant wanted to drive the pink one. He actually wanted Nate and I to drive it, but we couldn't quite fit. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ9hrg4pYTsFqlhC9VCFfli-ajuKYm4SQhxKvJKeoBEiQLPEH6kl4pJAW0AP0yNYzm8dyV4fFscxgKcG5gjvvLAUfZZ_0Wd9oexns3Vvmo0MPTv7bsD5YLcUQx4Q5JMqOHQnLNbZT5ko/s1600/0406151033d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ9hrg4pYTsFqlhC9VCFfli-ajuKYm4SQhxKvJKeoBEiQLPEH6kl4pJAW0AP0yNYzm8dyV4fFscxgKcG5gjvvLAUfZZ_0Wd9oexns3Vvmo0MPTv7bsD5YLcUQx4Q5JMqOHQnLNbZT5ko/s1600/0406151033d.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
This was Grant before surgery. He had no clue what was coming, as he snuggled on my lap watching Frozen with Nemo.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnF16zHToeb7IJ7wHd8UnQ6Duex8AE7c0KRa1ytznIaZqHJXrWXgAMAADyecJrHdQkxYL9TpfT5paCDowCxvrIKIpzDf3RkdfYbYI_vkjhy-vNH030opc9CYcltER6XlorzslG8Ud07M/s1600/0406151320a~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnF16zHToeb7IJ7wHd8UnQ6Duex8AE7c0KRa1ytznIaZqHJXrWXgAMAADyecJrHdQkxYL9TpfT5paCDowCxvrIKIpzDf3RkdfYbYI_vkjhy-vNH030opc9CYcltER6XlorzslG8Ud07M/s1600/0406151320a~2.jpg" height="320" width="197" /></a></div>
Grant feeling better with his football, juice, and food in recovery. The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-33146731374005323322015-04-05T19:44:00.001-07:002015-04-05T19:44:45.338-07:00Happy Easter!We hope that you all had a blessed Easter, and were able to enjoy time with family and/or friends. We traveled to Grandma & Grandpa's house Friday morning to spend the weekend. I'm enjoying how much easier it is to travel as the kids get older. We still have to stop to eat (they're not quite old enough to eat in the car yet), but there aren't long stops to breastfeed, timing every departure/arrival time around feedings. And I don't have to worry about them crying for 5 hours straight. I just throw in a movie and we're good. <br />
<br />
Friday was a pretty low key day. Saturday morning we got up, and Ava got her pink pancakes before we all headed to "the farm" to see the animals. We went up to a local dairy farm thinking that the kids would love to see the cows, especially the new ones that were only 3 days old. Nate loved the cows and learning about the milking process. The kids loved the cats. Really?!? As if they have never seen cats before. We then stopped at Grandma Great's to see her new kitchen which is very nice. Then it was back to Grandma & Grandpa's for tractor rides. We spent the afternoon dying Easter eggs, playing with family that stopped by, and watching basketball. <br />
<br />
Sunday morning the kids were up to find their Easter baskets and then we headed off to church. Everybody came over to Grandma & Grandpa's for the big egg hunt and lunch. It was great to see all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Unfortunately, we had to head home today, so we left right after lunch. Two things that made me laugh at church. As the priest was on the alter he drank out of the glass and Grant asked Nate if he was drinking coffee. Not sure where he came up with that. Then there was a Eucharistic minister at the back of the church near us holding a chalice. Ava asked why he was holding a trophy. Ha! Never thought of it that way. <br />
<br />
We had to head home because tomorrow morning we are heading to Children's Hospital for Grant's surgery. He'll be having his adenoids out, ear tubes in, and his umbilical hernia repaired. Hopefully the popsicles will help him forgive us. We'll hopefully have time to give you an update soon. Please say an extra prayer for our little man as he goes under tomorrow, and for a quick recovery!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9GvMah64IoaJ5c539Tp58yPjtfpEqbBi7gIOgJ6if2pVOOieVjur01HMB2gE59qRIgtafEnlsin6ZnUBc4F1kWac-SV42qP27wCLk5VizcLv1QVqJpDtIYHBmCWf1FNtKvSQsmJs5Q8/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9GvMah64IoaJ5c539Tp58yPjtfpEqbBi7gIOgJ6if2pVOOieVjur01HMB2gE59qRIgtafEnlsin6ZnUBc4F1kWac-SV42qP27wCLk5VizcLv1QVqJpDtIYHBmCWf1FNtKvSQsmJs5Q8/s1600/DSC_0514.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
Grant helping Grandma make homemade pizza dough<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlSEAbA4oxjAPsCe1oYwLC2SESQN9HavYZf-45t_MYkxI1JUoRRj9SEDdp_k28quG5gNs621EWHTz4GjchhiRfVXeYc3r3d4qdmALOGOgn7yrSc3rIdQXZlC_CUqTzxSMJELfct84oKw/s1600/DSC_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlSEAbA4oxjAPsCe1oYwLC2SESQN9HavYZf-45t_MYkxI1JUoRRj9SEDdp_k28quG5gNs621EWHTz4GjchhiRfVXeYc3r3d4qdmALOGOgn7yrSc3rIdQXZlC_CUqTzxSMJELfct84oKw/s1600/DSC_0515.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT0P-8Jx27FOwho3DtjiYUlYDTK-SCKT5o5ZovTdoCMx4abqtwisYYDZ7z-TF4NJe6cxSD5V1x7qppf4nsJ3LHobbEow0xhGVuAd7mlP5hYJsgebeLEzir3BUU59QsabLE8dzLUbzzzQ/s1600/DSC_0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCT0P-8Jx27FOwho3DtjiYUlYDTK-SCKT5o5ZovTdoCMx4abqtwisYYDZ7z-TF4NJe6cxSD5V1x7qppf4nsJ3LHobbEow0xhGVuAd7mlP5hYJsgebeLEzir3BUU59QsabLE8dzLUbzzzQ/s1600/DSC_0518.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Dying Easter eggs with Aunt Lori and cousin Reece<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZW_9hVo4rzcn9JyLeSD7Xg7rTVs6r_Z5JZFCpdxy-EiscL8lXckICLOWGO2R6ssW_l1BMDQI_V21bTNlKXiKgFRDIEkjWuuoUvUSbmHvWQX6jb7kXEF35B8SzR1ko1PfikKRFOpG5ZU/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZW_9hVo4rzcn9JyLeSD7Xg7rTVs6r_Z5JZFCpdxy-EiscL8lXckICLOWGO2R6ssW_l1BMDQI_V21bTNlKXiKgFRDIEkjWuuoUvUSbmHvWQX6jb7kXEF35B8SzR1ko1PfikKRFOpG5ZU/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtjfwKzeJI5VNaTtA_2fq3tES7W3VyT0h9VGGbMEyz4ChJLGO9gage15JICAE5tXH_f1z2A-DbTZxTa30lHkm6kYH6HGkhgx23fx56LdkIBSDWvFX_Dsd06NNJcz25CzaMKPb1Nr09hk/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtjfwKzeJI5VNaTtA_2fq3tES7W3VyT0h9VGGbMEyz4ChJLGO9gage15JICAE5tXH_f1z2A-DbTZxTa30lHkm6kYH6HGkhgx23fx56LdkIBSDWvFX_Dsd06NNJcz25CzaMKPb1Nr09hk/s1600/DSC_0533.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
It would have been an Easter miracle to get all of these kids to look at the camera at the same time and smile with Grandma Great.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8i5dnTJ7eAyhaNbSdLamMoYI3LSIL0oGOSXs3hR_ehqldPGxz3IE7viYmFwbgAWrcVezKMI6uF4ViqrB7pR5GFVvmo2oAsz3loBsZHBI0k4CO9R2L3lgYCCgNaDHG73pgCZZLmBG99s/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8i5dnTJ7eAyhaNbSdLamMoYI3LSIL0oGOSXs3hR_ehqldPGxz3IE7viYmFwbgAWrcVezKMI6uF4ViqrB7pR5GFVvmo2oAsz3loBsZHBI0k4CO9R2L3lgYCCgNaDHG73pgCZZLmBG99s/s1600/DSC_0544.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
Easter morning<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9cH3hJWZ-SGecKYMkuS2vUnc23ifdY8i-hjoOw2uXfaJX5veMAEr-HKrPflOkhWEhYNbYctxcwlxW34cz4Pmwy98YSkSabaJyDLDDJUrMisLmUgXf5-qenX2caGWU8u-h4Q1Nhcu0uw/s1600/DSC_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9cH3hJWZ-SGecKYMkuS2vUnc23ifdY8i-hjoOw2uXfaJX5veMAEr-HKrPflOkhWEhYNbYctxcwlxW34cz4Pmwy98YSkSabaJyDLDDJUrMisLmUgXf5-qenX2caGWU8u-h4Q1Nhcu0uw/s1600/DSC_0551.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjbKmNirZedF7e_PfWNfhkEFBCXMKzVPwoTMMhJYdq_QKmTg20q3EXzrr_k1aUcjXXzvdEDa_6mg74ll6-paw7n5krHRcGOCmS1epdmaNhprvkt-5RNKIYmUyNHJ-YagfrR0or9Y1chI/s1600/DSC_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjbKmNirZedF7e_PfWNfhkEFBCXMKzVPwoTMMhJYdq_QKmTg20q3EXzrr_k1aUcjXXzvdEDa_6mg74ll6-paw7n5krHRcGOCmS1epdmaNhprvkt-5RNKIYmUyNHJ-YagfrR0or9Y1chI/s1600/DSC_0548.JPG" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
Thank you for cooperating Grant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadlbvBAl47Qx07XhDhXFgwEiADGsUKXqbbcCGSW9syjgICdMyG96zZtr2sKMCkEzmF_mnzWsOZr9z_6B4nqjSaUaAjnbWVSNHdqdLTlsDkvev1jMrBEqq8Fn1bu_BvCPbAIPh59VxmZY/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadlbvBAl47Qx07XhDhXFgwEiADGsUKXqbbcCGSW9syjgICdMyG96zZtr2sKMCkEzmF_mnzWsOZr9z_6B4nqjSaUaAjnbWVSNHdqdLTlsDkvev1jMrBEqq8Fn1bu_BvCPbAIPh59VxmZY/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Funny faces<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHds6pJglk5Qj_n98iwZhS7FiSx6biP1T4EvlGIASU6BaTHpskhjt1a5YoTHE_1bp05yqBBozivwaaLggZb19Fw0U71FkHzXhL6U6whp0M47HwRHNSaViV-x4rDmHwlvbYAa0o-LuBes/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHds6pJglk5Qj_n98iwZhS7FiSx6biP1T4EvlGIASU6BaTHpskhjt1a5YoTHE_1bp05yqBBozivwaaLggZb19Fw0U71FkHzXhL6U6whp0M47HwRHNSaViV-x4rDmHwlvbYAa0o-LuBes/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Great Grandma<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zBWYjDC0-raQh7X-RxaLkAHDMONmnn_HhEvTJ4Wn7yLpQLTlrxrhsJq0sPAb9d7wMGlVAI3fMauAKvgoUU9xvyrF0r1U4eBpL3xpm1_oYU3L6lHv18v_rxXKKgKZOSvaE7ASbprJEVs/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zBWYjDC0-raQh7X-RxaLkAHDMONmnn_HhEvTJ4Wn7yLpQLTlrxrhsJq0sPAb9d7wMGlVAI3fMauAKvgoUU9xvyrF0r1U4eBpL3xpm1_oYU3L6lHv18v_rxXKKgKZOSvaE7ASbprJEVs/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
Hunting for eggs<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftYapsHNgAaR6Rjf4nKz43jwA8yPLgOH40P70nyrB8HVWbGDzwNRuuliuO3w61cebkkzgb1dZf3VjVKwkZv_cBprHSrFgvFdtFcyMMxC0qk9kJo5MQrCTJFClNtPW3lhiTXPpNsClWLw/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftYapsHNgAaR6Rjf4nKz43jwA8yPLgOH40P70nyrB8HVWbGDzwNRuuliuO3w61cebkkzgb1dZf3VjVKwkZv_cBprHSrFgvFdtFcyMMxC0qk9kJo5MQrCTJFClNtPW3lhiTXPpNsClWLw/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGlFp6Kr9oimuJxhV7FrpXWBTXkUmk_mssCMUhXHBcN_wk0kn29Qi9ORVkcd3cIGbLxcVdCAmrEwgmF-yqrZk8UsEmH02QtB1mxEieTDp_rGHtMhhYI9RfCXGRR_-4Q-8QvDMZ3foysw/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGlFp6Kr9oimuJxhV7FrpXWBTXkUmk_mssCMUhXHBcN_wk0kn29Qi9ORVkcd3cIGbLxcVdCAmrEwgmF-yqrZk8UsEmH02QtB1mxEieTDp_rGHtMhhYI9RfCXGRR_-4Q-8QvDMZ3foysw/s1600/DSC_0620.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-57914068220059175312015-04-01T04:10:00.000-07:002015-04-01T04:10:02.537-07:00On my goodness...it's working!!!So, it's 6 AM and I'm getting ready to leave for work and thought I'd randomly see if the blog would let me download pictures...and it did!!! Unfortunately I have to leave for work now so I can't update, but thought I'd leave you with pictures from February when Ava turned 5. More updates to come shortly I hope!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOIh9qp1MvRy4h6U4DqzIyyB8w0EbhPa-8O_BxO4yK84-wZ78Z1m7YihMCjTi_JhPpM_2kw7QNSwBk-0a9zFBPcJyVCjPg4P8INbIFfc8cEv8fH7c2_T0AZre2hWYkamMjnEjCkzL6og/s1600/Ava-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOIh9qp1MvRy4h6U4DqzIyyB8w0EbhPa-8O_BxO4yK84-wZ78Z1m7YihMCjTi_JhPpM_2kw7QNSwBk-0a9zFBPcJyVCjPg4P8INbIFfc8cEv8fH7c2_T0AZre2hWYkamMjnEjCkzL6og/s1600/Ava-1.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vqti1_bCTTEBse4ALhb3MkqUPtVigCYFqyEgjZeyhbF2YJPnmW0lV8aRHRQkN2KpQMgRxQ0n6NPtmulFZPNTYvAiQgcLf3EH8XFYUFXcJiqjG25bOLnlekwkeZXCMCYUJYRQeIhejHg/s1600/Ava-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vqti1_bCTTEBse4ALhb3MkqUPtVigCYFqyEgjZeyhbF2YJPnmW0lV8aRHRQkN2KpQMgRxQ0n6NPtmulFZPNTYvAiQgcLf3EH8XFYUFXcJiqjG25bOLnlekwkeZXCMCYUJYRQeIhejHg/s1600/Ava-3.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVBOVcirnqZDw7Lxw0Qbf7s9HZdHtObI54rZQpSV-MIVcybrgDXISvfAt67ZQgzMW4-EbzoNWgV7VtHQb2zxTWvKNICuvK9v5TmTveVgNUvawDY1Bh3FRJVHFQYpDV9opRAHtuV63FiU/s1600/Ava-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsVBOVcirnqZDw7Lxw0Qbf7s9HZdHtObI54rZQpSV-MIVcybrgDXISvfAt67ZQgzMW4-EbzoNWgV7VtHQb2zxTWvKNICuvK9v5TmTveVgNUvawDY1Bh3FRJVHFQYpDV9opRAHtuV63FiU/s1600/Ava-6.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPy9lHg2ZJgZmZon259_WHimzTCdraB7gf9w5Vu5of_Xl6G6p-8Ur-noW5WI8yRkeVNKDnQXpZFBlAUkmA9_cm5zUt9LroEIcokDVu6DSIJVPyw7PIdc9g6UD4eoIqQexcAwkSuwjtsU/s1600/Ava-29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFPy9lHg2ZJgZmZon259_WHimzTCdraB7gf9w5Vu5of_Xl6G6p-8Ur-noW5WI8yRkeVNKDnQXpZFBlAUkmA9_cm5zUt9LroEIcokDVu6DSIJVPyw7PIdc9g6UD4eoIqQexcAwkSuwjtsU/s1600/Ava-29.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zL59TyuE7o6Jq7msT5AZFAvfqX9-iXnV8MYYXszJNEPPPjve5PQcYP27VkE6jtPlnZpc92ePQa9AJEY52nplwC0wvRdot-Zveabr6FcQuemMQuWR7aEkvmwKS-w0gpvY8CRpgUNDT7g/s1600/Ava-43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zL59TyuE7o6Jq7msT5AZFAvfqX9-iXnV8MYYXszJNEPPPjve5PQcYP27VkE6jtPlnZpc92ePQa9AJEY52nplwC0wvRdot-Zveabr6FcQuemMQuWR7aEkvmwKS-w0gpvY8CRpgUNDT7g/s1600/Ava-43.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yjlHeGc8ANBq4CNF60b5_Fh9U5RtbL5NGOSlTdHfpt5b5uhEUrY-DFTL529vgMf65w1Sow_TbBLumdcyAUgZ9UvyOn_mt4l9q-7yejhemxPVZBgLnILiLt11OHYWl-KTaDDQoSKLyFM/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8yjlHeGc8ANBq4CNF60b5_Fh9U5RtbL5NGOSlTdHfpt5b5uhEUrY-DFTL529vgMf65w1Sow_TbBLumdcyAUgZ9UvyOn_mt4l9q-7yejhemxPVZBgLnILiLt11OHYWl-KTaDDQoSKLyFM/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBEXoReNsKX9jgGO8m6hK57qbuyPXXpdfB-FVjePIHRzbN8hnVfailppimYxVDOJuo9llJzL6e-jst8okZ18YvRGGythRM1XOVi5G-rjSWiP3-ZMcO5weuOnkscqKINmuxVmEN1LBqkg/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBEXoReNsKX9jgGO8m6hK57qbuyPXXpdfB-FVjePIHRzbN8hnVfailppimYxVDOJuo9llJzL6e-jst8okZ18YvRGGythRM1XOVi5G-rjSWiP3-ZMcO5weuOnkscqKINmuxVmEN1LBqkg/s1600/DSC_0491.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j1WISKrRueIuOfT59ON7uTl5xHADtKu2RkvkK0zgdoX368TMndeRVd2UVUqJK5C-offpzxUEEdDpSe_NdM7BduLDxbus4Tlop7CzakjT181Bq45O_MEqoNJvTb6V6kaJdS-NU8_hmkM/s1600/DSC_0636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5j1WISKrRueIuOfT59ON7uTl5xHADtKu2RkvkK0zgdoX368TMndeRVd2UVUqJK5C-offpzxUEEdDpSe_NdM7BduLDxbus4Tlop7CzakjT181Bq45O_MEqoNJvTb6V6kaJdS-NU8_hmkM/s1600/DSC_0636.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlFQrm5RkIiwIDHPwwaOU3QuJirBNEy_acCejgl1lRQSNlTm1-iMJfB8cvRhZW14jAbOuEB92nM3WIjHr6T0JcBJ_mlJ7AgVyIlGb4Kz5s3FFVMCmSt6XNUrxrvWm7-64gQ4XzXj1Ix0/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlFQrm5RkIiwIDHPwwaOU3QuJirBNEy_acCejgl1lRQSNlTm1-iMJfB8cvRhZW14jAbOuEB92nM3WIjHr6T0JcBJ_mlJ7AgVyIlGb4Kz5s3FFVMCmSt6XNUrxrvWm7-64gQ4XzXj1Ix0/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7HunFBfAhJUv_AXDGjQG09gZ1PZmX66VrNnUeK84nWYVE0pX4XK6utOWRzDu8mBsSx-XXw78zE8m3ovK93VqBR3zNR5O6wiuUj3c4Iw-9S-I85975hLc3PgXM1nPXz4wxNtcrZsApw4/s1600/DSC_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja7HunFBfAhJUv_AXDGjQG09gZ1PZmX66VrNnUeK84nWYVE0pX4XK6utOWRzDu8mBsSx-XXw78zE8m3ovK93VqBR3zNR5O6wiuUj3c4Iw-9S-I85975hLc3PgXM1nPXz4wxNtcrZsApw4/s1600/DSC_0657.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT2_P96rBNEKZdJ78ROdWT_Vdmdw7BoRAmZxnYE-UmcmkppBh5YFTWYBYkCO63wCqrGqWYszzadyWlfH0lz6Y2iAGCJC3NxP5MrLS_NjaZ6bpgh6zsam6GmXakbgNiq38tGNC4un2Y4A/s1600/DSC_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcT2_P96rBNEKZdJ78ROdWT_Vdmdw7BoRAmZxnYE-UmcmkppBh5YFTWYBYkCO63wCqrGqWYszzadyWlfH0lz6Y2iAGCJC3NxP5MrLS_NjaZ6bpgh6zsam6GmXakbgNiq38tGNC4un2Y4A/s1600/DSC_0660.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwCBVXgzFz4zRIkg39xkkKvQhhteHSukpufUFKumv1TzTvGDHkxVLvNT_1D6PnJsLHLF00MKMPl6vOwLgGyDIjSydoG74k4Lbom_nfrdo88uHlhj-WDnEu83JvotbMmi0cgJb3daJCzM/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwCBVXgzFz4zRIkg39xkkKvQhhteHSukpufUFKumv1TzTvGDHkxVLvNT_1D6PnJsLHLF00MKMPl6vOwLgGyDIjSydoG74k4Lbom_nfrdo88uHlhj-WDnEu83JvotbMmi0cgJb3daJCzM/s1600/DSC_0668.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiTDxmx75bMcbJct_oH9wNMplL_29JfWzrgKUMvQVHW2xo0TzeppPW5ZjoJcsSwcHKa_AjnD2MCt8UOFygxPE9tznz1sDYiDXDAKB8ey6QVdhxX9seOdRmKBIuuUe89XTtp7XV7s4GbE/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXiTDxmx75bMcbJct_oH9wNMplL_29JfWzrgKUMvQVHW2xo0TzeppPW5ZjoJcsSwcHKa_AjnD2MCt8UOFygxPE9tznz1sDYiDXDAKB8ey6QVdhxX9seOdRmKBIuuUe89XTtp7XV7s4GbE/s1600/DSC_0683.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfH6VAm0lWdhR77kuPUUECvFY0E9tyBXeEGMi3fy1HymupM-YRlYenJ6O_3ktEiALwTNEScLkQ3DI8vfmIDf_MCrK7VayD5wMn6AQB9WNQJSLkrunm2bKZvJY0QDXoT6hgPRGCnUePow/s1600/DSC_0685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfH6VAm0lWdhR77kuPUUECvFY0E9tyBXeEGMi3fy1HymupM-YRlYenJ6O_3ktEiALwTNEScLkQ3DI8vfmIDf_MCrK7VayD5wMn6AQB9WNQJSLkrunm2bKZvJY0QDXoT6hgPRGCnUePow/s1600/DSC_0685.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFyS_-0U4rdEU1uA6zim2L7976WHf72D-XtFbkR1uOR84LhDjfsG7K94-DzU8a58yD1e-r89kL3YaYzzEbAcN8Vg1R_wcJAYYpGcBqIlt3r4BVk07zn7axujIzK2A2ufE_8msdpi1b5Y/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFyS_-0U4rdEU1uA6zim2L7976WHf72D-XtFbkR1uOR84LhDjfsG7K94-DzU8a58yD1e-r89kL3YaYzzEbAcN8Vg1R_wcJAYYpGcBqIlt3r4BVk07zn7axujIzK2A2ufE_8msdpi1b5Y/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK3YQ2GY6tlRoy3iXJB7CGmMqzOfpqU6yp_xsK96U2pmoFifxZ5CKoI_WkvqIkojMhM-8wLC2p9gPdBupsIvjfU2mjYR5KEJhvkffqnph6UhCEKOalUG83wVU8OWADqN1C1cXitJ6LIs/s1600/FB_IMG_1424198444273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghK3YQ2GY6tlRoy3iXJB7CGmMqzOfpqU6yp_xsK96U2pmoFifxZ5CKoI_WkvqIkojMhM-8wLC2p9gPdBupsIvjfU2mjYR5KEJhvkffqnph6UhCEKOalUG83wVU8OWADqN1C1cXitJ6LIs/s1600/FB_IMG_1424198444273.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-42713435059513900852015-02-17T12:19:00.001-08:002015-02-17T12:19:48.402-08:00No pictures again. :(I don't know what's going on with my blogger account, but I once again am unable to load pictures today. I'm super disappointed because I had a lot to share with you. We've been very busy, and have had some big changes (big changes for a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old). <br />
<br />
A week and a half ago we loaded the car to head to Des Moines for a weekend get together with Luther friends (Nate's college roommates and their wives, who all also graduated from Luther, and the kiddos). We didn't arrive until late Friday night so I dropped Nate off at the hotel and the kids and I went to Aunt Lisa & Uncle Brent's for the night. The kids had a great time seeing everybody, and Grandma & Grandpa even came up for the night. The next morning the four of us met up with everybody at the hotel and then went to the SkyZone to jump. The kids had so much fun, as did the adults. The guys had so much fun that that evening they were all popping Ibuprofen and getting adjustments from our friend Jason who is a chiropractor. Sucks getting old! :) After jumping we headed back to the hotel for lunch and naps, and then hit the pool. The kids had so much fun playing on the water slides and in the pool. Grant has been talking about the trampolines and water slides for the past week and a half. Grant went and spent Saturday night with Aunt Lisa & Uncle Brent, which was so nice. We joined them for lunch on Sunday before heading back home. We had such a great time reconnecting with our Luther friends and their kids. We're looking forward to our next gathering already. <br />
<br />
This past weekend I took vacation on Saturday, not because of Valentine's Day, but because I dread my 12 hr night shifts so much. Our neighbor Susan came over and took some pictures of Ava for her 5 yr old pictures. Yes, 5 yrs. I can not believe that in 8 days (she informed me of this this morning) that she will be 5. It seems like such a big number to me, as so much will be changing as she gets ready to head off to Kindergarten. I went and enrolled her last week and it was kind of surreal. Where has the time gone? I'm so excited for her as I know that she'll love it and is definitely ready for it. However, I feel like this is the beginning of the slippery slope where I start to "lose her". Perhaps that makes no sense to you. I am so grateful that she is the independent and smart little girl that she is. I know that she will thrive in kindergarten and I am excited for her to experience these new things. On the other hand, it makes me sad that we won't have the random play dates to the zoo or Children's Museum. My time with her is becoming more and more limited. It's a love/hate thing really. I love that she doesn't need me for everything little thing all the time, but also hope that she'll always "need me" or at least want to be with me. I don't want to be her best friend, but want her to know that I will be her biggest cheerleader, will support her in good and bad times, and will always love her unconditionally. Even when she's 33, she'll still be my baby girl!<br />
<br />
As we get ready to celebrate her birthday, her theme changes from day to do. The constant is that it's always a princess. Her big change is that we took her 5 point harness car seat out of the cars yesterday and put in her booster seats. This morning we went for our first drive. She showed me that she could buckle herself in, and unbuckle herself. The good thing is that this will save me time from being out in the freezing cold and strapped two kids in. I just pray that they are as safe. I would probably keep her in a 5 point harness until she was 16 if I could. She's plenty big for the booster (Grant is big enough for it), I'm just overly paranoid/protective. <br />
<br />
Now to Grant being big...he's becoming more and more of a big boy every day. Big news from him, he's starting to go pee pee on the potty. Today we've already had three successful trips to the bathroom. He is so proud of himself, and Ava is proud of him too (or she at least acts like it so that she can get an M&M too). I love it! What I don't love is how defiant this little man can be. He definitely has a case of the terrible twos. The bad thing is that he's 41 pounds now, so picking this kid up when he's misbehaving is getting more and more challenging every ounce that he gains.<br />
<br />
On the health front, Grant had another ear infection. We followed up with our ENT last week and he thinks that it would be beneficial to put in another set of tubes and take his adenoids out. I agree and we will plan to proceed with this. In the meantime, we have an appointment with a general pediatric surgeon to get Grant's umbilical hernia looked at. If he's going under anesthesia I would like everything done at one time if it needs to be repaired. I'm anticipating that he will need it repaired, and the poor little guy will have three surgeries while he's out. <br />
<br />
Other than that, our week has consisted for spending some time with Mema & Boppa on Saturday. They came down for the day, and Nate and I got to run a few errands during the day which was very nice. Mema helped bake cookies and decorated them, while Boppa got plenty of time playing ball with G-man. It was a very nice, low key day. <br />
<br />
Thanks for checking in. I'll be working on pictures. :( The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-80935379714676398832015-01-30T13:47:00.001-08:002015-01-30T13:47:12.505-08:00I am happy to report that our house is now plague free. We had quite a time with the pneumonia, RSV, and whatever else bug was floating between the kids. Thankfully they both got healthy before Nate headed to FL a few weeks ago and I left for Kansas City. Boppa was a single Boppa on Thursday night, and Mema came for some back-up on Friday night. The kids had a great time, and were happy and healthy when we all returned home over the weekend. While Nate was working in FL, I was able to sneak away to KC to see my best friend from high school, and meet her sweet girl Sadie who was born in Dec. Loved spending time with their family, and seeing big brother Nick who is growing up so quickly. I hate that they are so far away, but am so grateful that they opened their home to me for those four days so we could spend some time together. <br />
<br />
The following weekend, Nate was a single dad again as I had to work the weekend. It was a busy week prior to that with dance, work, etc. We also took Grant in to get tested for an immune deficiency disorder. He's been so sick lately that we wanted to make sure that he didn't have it. After a VERY long morning of 3 blood draws at two different locations we finally got the blood that they needed, and the kids got a huge cookie to celebrate. Poor Grant had a very rough morning, and Ava was very brave as she watched everybody hold down her little brother to get the blood. We got good news this week that the tests came back normal. Grant just has what every other little kid in MN has this winter...lots of illness. <br />
<br />
This past week has been more of the same...ECFE, play date at the zoo, dance, work, etc. Ava was very excited to get to see her recital costume for dance this week. They've been practicing their recital piece. They are so darn cute!<br />
<br />
Tonight we're anxious to welcome Aunt Darlene, Great Grandma, Cousin Melissa, & Aunt Moe Moe to our house for the night. Ava & I will be joining them tomorrow to watch cousin Carl perform in show choir in Bloomington. Then Sunday we're going to head over to a neighbor's house for a Super Bowl party. Hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!<br />
<br />
I'm sad to report that I can not download any pictures on here today. I'm not sure what is going on. Hopefully I can get some up later this week!<br />
The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-65891055471050615142015-01-10T12:02:00.001-08:002015-01-10T12:02:36.105-08:00Sick & ColdThe start of 2015 has been a bit rough for us. We started out with a trip to the pediatrician's office on new years eve with G-man. He had a horrible cough and fever that came on suddenly over night. I took him in because I was fearful that he had influenza. Well, if he did we wouldn't know because our clinic was out of swabs. Not a big deal since I later found out (after they swabbed Ava) that they are only 40% accurate anyway...giving many many false negatives. I've learned through work that we also have more expensive swabs that are more accurate...but not always used. Anyway, we left the pediatrician's office with a diagnosis of pneumonia, and a boat load of prescriptions, including the dreaded steroids that pump my son's body full of energy so he doesn't take naps. I knew that it was serious when he refused to eat on new years day. I thankfully have the best neighbors, and one of them came to watch the kids while I ran to Target to get some pedialyte. I called in sick child on Friday and stayed home with the little man since he still had fevers. By Saturday, he was good to go. <br />
<br />
So, back to new years. Nate and I attempted to go to a party after the kids were down. Unfortunately Grant woke up 15 minutes after we arrived at the party. I just hung out with our sitter until Nate got home for me to take her home. I just couldn't bear leaving him again since he was sick with such high fevers. Nate was in bed early (for his super early flight to FL) and I went back to the party to bring in the new year with the neighbors. <br />
<br />
New Years day Nate was up way before the sun to catch his 6 am flight to the Citrus Bowl game in FL. He, Boppa, Uncle Wes, & Aunt Janna took a one day trip to FL to cheer on the gophers. Unfortunately, the gophers couldn't pull off a win, but they had fun anyway. Nate got home around midnight that night. <br />
<br />
I unfortunately had to work my 12 hr night shift Saturday. I got off on Sunday morning at 7:30, stopped at home and picked up Ava, and took her to Urgent Care with a fever and cough. They swabbed her for influenza, which came back negative (as she was throwing up in the garbage can). She was super pumped when the Dr. brought her in a pedialyte freezy. She's still talking about that "special Mr. Freezy". She also got a diagnosis of pneumonia and some antibiotics. It was noon by the time I got home, so had to call in ill child once again. I'm glad I did, as her fever got up to 105.6 that evening. After stripping her down, drugging her, and giving her a luke warm bath, we got control of her fever. She has now been fever free since Monday night, but continues to have this horrible cough. I'm hoping it will be gone soon. It's such a nasty winter for illness everywhere. <br />
<br />
It's been a high of 0 degrees here for many days this week. It's absolutely dreadful. Even though the kids were feeling better, we were still trapped inside due to the cold temps and dangerous windchills. Can't wait for the warm-up next week...28 degrees is feeling tropical. :)<br />
<br />
We hope that you all had a wonderful new years, and that 2015 has started off happy and healthy for you and your families. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW-2K8JCJGAxSWTjFm95ma5Su7q2u0O1PSY-wjMp-8GnGENh_i2FCIDaIukVpPZLC5cmrxo0h68GLJYrllLVwLgNuVsvY663cJhOyCxRlgkDPZDOv3UJnKEH8_rnmRygcwTctz-wz0mU/s1600/0101151101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEW-2K8JCJGAxSWTjFm95ma5Su7q2u0O1PSY-wjMp-8GnGENh_i2FCIDaIukVpPZLC5cmrxo0h68GLJYrllLVwLgNuVsvY663cJhOyCxRlgkDPZDOv3UJnKEH8_rnmRygcwTctz-wz0mU/s1600/0101151101.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
While Daddy was enjoying outdoor football in FL, we were shooting hoops in the basement. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvtvEJcG7EJwRBH1xY-UH_0IfsBW6Y0UK_oDJy6-gy8XwBXGirjGhRz4czMJwLLV9HQ0ElpHTufvEWJED9_20aEYIA9helCSyZMVIf9Rucz_i9PhM-yXiPRuQX1xGOF-ErW9rEfLGJ8I/s1600/0101151209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsvtvEJcG7EJwRBH1xY-UH_0IfsBW6Y0UK_oDJy6-gy8XwBXGirjGhRz4czMJwLLV9HQ0ElpHTufvEWJED9_20aEYIA9helCSyZMVIf9Rucz_i9PhM-yXiPRuQX1xGOF-ErW9rEfLGJ8I/s1600/0101151209.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Naps on the couch during the gopher game<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYv00YTqqQhhzUzCqL7KA31Jo-JJ0BUCZsSHPKRXczyjvVVyl9fwHtXDNR5bJtsWaiWPtLTxWZ4s2tO4vh2MrP-Ko1yEVSKeIEP81nGsjyXeEtOG4277YHKrvct1wwf2xMkiyN00tJOI/s1600/0101151349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYv00YTqqQhhzUzCqL7KA31Jo-JJ0BUCZsSHPKRXczyjvVVyl9fwHtXDNR5bJtsWaiWPtLTxWZ4s2tO4vh2MrP-Ko1yEVSKeIEP81nGsjyXeEtOG4277YHKrvct1wwf2xMkiyN00tJOI/s1600/0101151349.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiExCzJgzHJ5-VhvBSf6iMKf1VPU0eSF3mjeg2914c1zwJ9Qqt5NP8WosQ_mM46R6NPf1kP2B2-W1LS12fOUJbWKHfg9WtX1v_g8ylGwgjdnWDRaK-wd7LU91oTy3J4FYCGu-YVTgRyE/s1600/0101151511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUiExCzJgzHJ5-VhvBSf6iMKf1VPU0eSF3mjeg2914c1zwJ9Qqt5NP8WosQ_mM46R6NPf1kP2B2-W1LS12fOUJbWKHfg9WtX1v_g8ylGwgjdnWDRaK-wd7LU91oTy3J4FYCGu-YVTgRyE/s1600/0101151511.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Ava building me a house<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEXf6pVivhyphenhyphenjkuC4NQrMkSi5e6ZEwSBS8a8Yx-fs4Se7CZoW1lBeWWUugd4khaZn-em7DjpLvNa5b3NqMMbrQzmmkUZkLHwetsctLPoN43JmzZQS-5lnguNQJOPfyos6YENSxZb5Q5QM/s1600/0107150901b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNEXf6pVivhyphenhyphenjkuC4NQrMkSi5e6ZEwSBS8a8Yx-fs4Se7CZoW1lBeWWUugd4khaZn-em7DjpLvNa5b3NqMMbrQzmmkUZkLHwetsctLPoN43JmzZQS-5lnguNQJOPfyos6YENSxZb5Q5QM/s1600/0107150901b.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Snuggled up, looking at pictures<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8ru0e-5OXT2jjSNbOmukl7oThAZHW8QbPla47oG2k2TJTtkNPRTMCuHFy_l_hrWAE5Ew-Gy5JQqwHgoNv8rx8fLAR89hocxxFN4rqHr_HEmRG2f_0U4-jbTnUv_Jnv1_tKrCtdeWFjc/s1600/0107151009d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw8ru0e-5OXT2jjSNbOmukl7oThAZHW8QbPla47oG2k2TJTtkNPRTMCuHFy_l_hrWAE5Ew-Gy5JQqwHgoNv8rx8fLAR89hocxxFN4rqHr_HEmRG2f_0U4-jbTnUv_Jnv1_tKrCtdeWFjc/s1600/0107151009d.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
We were on a camping trip Thursday morning. What do you do when you go camping? You make s'mores by the fire of course (even if it is 10 am).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdq_C58a-WWHneROdQFWh1UqFwOE2GyJogxLgceI6UuRcvSQVqXgjuEW71LG3QJtSKIkQdI-x9rV7-GkjXsaiRW96YZxrm9mHQ3MK_KBlQBpb_glrr-xF2p_qrucbPl3NDUCA5wev-98/s1600/PART951420147041926952015010195161632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdq_C58a-WWHneROdQFWh1UqFwOE2GyJogxLgceI6UuRcvSQVqXgjuEW71LG3QJtSKIkQdI-x9rV7-GkjXsaiRW96YZxrm9mHQ3MK_KBlQBpb_glrr-xF2p_qrucbPl3NDUCA5wev-98/s1600/PART951420147041926952015010195161632.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Nate, Boppa, & Wes at the Citrus BowlThe Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-69686247923141078432014-12-29T19:49:00.000-08:002014-12-29T19:49:23.852-08:00ChristmasWe've been staying very busy with holiday preparation and celebration. There are hundreds of pictures that I could post, but I'll limit it to the following...
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrjWCVOkdXtoWQWqcfkIMMV0DBsfdQdJgerLwwKXWaw17h1yfxKaBd9Uw_0iWfS-6q4wOxR3ZFmtIlx3uaQO-jcsnNO5ab94yseIP-3XuoTqexJGToi6-7VccUkm2kgbTzKUoX0ntnYs/s1600/IMG_20141201_164518_896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrjWCVOkdXtoWQWqcfkIMMV0DBsfdQdJgerLwwKXWaw17h1yfxKaBd9Uw_0iWfS-6q4wOxR3ZFmtIlx3uaQO-jcsnNO5ab94yseIP-3XuoTqexJGToi6-7VccUkm2kgbTzKUoX0ntnYs/s1600/IMG_20141201_164518_896.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These would be the glasses that Grant got from the dentist when Ava went. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQRshMVtMO4_iq9zPmIudzSCULrnr0rvm0boCYn8cPB_Pko_4J7uLR2r6OVl6wfbdkVmIk0eB-CjJIT-T6L2IRl0Gp6FHRg8jobOaQSukSLdQJnIJTgMUUmp_fDIQKpqXC2kDUXE6mWU/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQRshMVtMO4_iq9zPmIudzSCULrnr0rvm0boCYn8cPB_Pko_4J7uLR2r6OVl6wfbdkVmIk0eB-CjJIT-T6L2IRl0Gp6FHRg8jobOaQSukSLdQJnIJTgMUUmp_fDIQKpqXC2kDUXE6mWU/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Decorating Christmas cookies, and then enjoying them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCDweuk8c3Ilh31EDA2blNMtCm_WV95d7LaXKhFjK4IWG8p-yF9mTVJe1p6ug3xMGLBmG_D6NiiZ-F_4herL1sC-sCnyplYibFLndrU_Z-PsNHgUYBkJ-0N_Pd3w-3glmO1jy71WDtsc/s1600/IMG_20141207_183858_629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCDweuk8c3Ilh31EDA2blNMtCm_WV95d7LaXKhFjK4IWG8p-yF9mTVJe1p6ug3xMGLBmG_D6NiiZ-F_4herL1sC-sCnyplYibFLndrU_Z-PsNHgUYBkJ-0N_Pd3w-3glmO1jy71WDtsc/s1600/IMG_20141207_183858_629.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWRISV4kTPLIXiM20HqSKvLtHJHF6DG7TIt5JleH0hHKCdC7LE8Mdnm_tVY4RZNengOsmfEBHAY6bLlhEmXFoS-U-k_gn86ecwXPyskijbeV1EnUVR4bdkfTz7UdjYiEvjyCghuYdnZU/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWRISV4kTPLIXiM20HqSKvLtHJHF6DG7TIt5JleH0hHKCdC7LE8Mdnm_tVY4RZNengOsmfEBHAY6bLlhEmXFoS-U-k_gn86ecwXPyskijbeV1EnUVR4bdkfTz7UdjYiEvjyCghuYdnZU/s1600/DSC_0365.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
We had a play date with our friends Maria, Syd, and Juliet. We attempted to make gingerbread houses. It's safe to say that I'd never live in a house that any of us built. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr8huyXDSOreAyI-4Q8LvZtiWTth6A2IaFo06cdsvUmI7atd0w-AFaTlsmSRzs8biF7r6T_xF_IKHeCgBmvC-Lgvzox7WS7xNL86GV3AeeLnHPmA3AQSSHRO5peN42yVpWKEwYftnY2w/s1600/IMG_20141211_190330_924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyr8huyXDSOreAyI-4Q8LvZtiWTth6A2IaFo06cdsvUmI7atd0w-AFaTlsmSRzs8biF7r6T_xF_IKHeCgBmvC-Lgvzox7WS7xNL86GV3AeeLnHPmA3AQSSHRO5peN42yVpWKEwYftnY2w/s1600/IMG_20141211_190330_924.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aJqUB_ceBcC_eWz0b2ZzGqll1X6vYvxg_hUUX5IKQAfHgyUErE2edYB1jjGp19Z7dVt-X16W55chLaH1c5grXSoSbqAsdwc-TqSNjG6wH-QGMSzrC_9v5C7qSMnl1iK_oevV5pqy_3c/s1600/IMG_20141215_193736_894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aJqUB_ceBcC_eWz0b2ZzGqll1X6vYvxg_hUUX5IKQAfHgyUErE2edYB1jjGp19Z7dVt-X16W55chLaH1c5grXSoSbqAsdwc-TqSNjG6wH-QGMSzrC_9v5C7qSMnl1iK_oevV5pqy_3c/s1600/IMG_20141215_193736_894.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
One night we decided to do pj's, Christmas lights, and hot cocoa. We invited some of the neighbors to join us. The kids had a blast, and I'm pretty sure that Caribou couldn't have been happier to see a group of people leave. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPCnP0kc3nNOaAjuUKjYuGOnfcWLa2utUrJRwPx1hokpKFNuERksW7SbuQq5IRl5gITCYiXXJ0cToskhFr7Iv4Zn3SGzhCJQcV7hSUL9aDHVTsrlFVkwuEdrdV_9huMCrEz8iJce87Ww/s1600/IMG_20141215_193744_638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPCnP0kc3nNOaAjuUKjYuGOnfcWLa2utUrJRwPx1hokpKFNuERksW7SbuQq5IRl5gITCYiXXJ0cToskhFr7Iv4Zn3SGzhCJQcV7hSUL9aDHVTsrlFVkwuEdrdV_9huMCrEz8iJce87Ww/s1600/IMG_20141215_193744_638.jpg" height="320" width="175" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmO9K0b_gUcI2Oe8hYSimMgiDX29WBr-5NppJSpXRHsPQUVfh6pseiVYH-I18k6CHcbQrilpVww9Erqq5My2IW1wtdvRsIfdJcpBBbl-1BFw-dZdmMrqSGhXvbXNea-K-B2TZQUAIdLk/s1600/IMG_20141215_194327_636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmO9K0b_gUcI2Oe8hYSimMgiDX29WBr-5NppJSpXRHsPQUVfh6pseiVYH-I18k6CHcbQrilpVww9Erqq5My2IW1wtdvRsIfdJcpBBbl-1BFw-dZdmMrqSGhXvbXNea-K-B2TZQUAIdLk/s1600/IMG_20141215_194327_636.jpg" height="320" width="178" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquWwbMtqtDh4ms1eVuNBmuEY3gLzjy2qSQEzA6o8vgyKqk88QVgJ1PuR7Aap360z9Xq3XmTGgJHglnKzrqLAmI1kVpAh2P1q76cQ3WIUmYUm2PzGvSE9eN04FqrB55ggLcJX4C0eiZs0/s1600/IMG_20141215_200916_666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjquWwbMtqtDh4ms1eVuNBmuEY3gLzjy2qSQEzA6o8vgyKqk88QVgJ1PuR7Aap360z9Xq3XmTGgJHglnKzrqLAmI1kVpAh2P1q76cQ3WIUmYUm2PzGvSE9eN04FqrB55ggLcJX4C0eiZs0/s1600/IMG_20141215_200916_666.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVddyDcV3gQ1LwXlmQFw9tfMynoqEWExT94vh7q6tZ0NAuFCbbG8_7jkDvOCcqeiZFEaXkQpBYWAJKxJDK-gGu6hmoiYwIrIzrX7SsmIVGk-e8BEdSbC0OC8ogi5XAvk9MbXQFViBDmY/s1600/IMG_20141215_200946_108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVddyDcV3gQ1LwXlmQFw9tfMynoqEWExT94vh7q6tZ0NAuFCbbG8_7jkDvOCcqeiZFEaXkQpBYWAJKxJDK-gGu6hmoiYwIrIzrX7SsmIVGk-e8BEdSbC0OC8ogi5XAvk9MbXQFViBDmY/s1600/IMG_20141215_200946_108.jpg" height="158" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabiCftIuX20O6qOgWa6VCtu0q-FXnGzm7yA9vFI6LJPQqMCwy6bPb-Z-1hP2O-Ia8X8zTWPxtlZmofWVMpWRxBAOUZ8ErL6BYpwD8TOe6xd6T21uWS-yTCsR3gnee93oJOn9vjqkZHFo/s1600/IMG_20141208_125600_604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjabiCftIuX20O6qOgWa6VCtu0q-FXnGzm7yA9vFI6LJPQqMCwy6bPb-Z-1hP2O-Ia8X8zTWPxtlZmofWVMpWRxBAOUZ8ErL6BYpwD8TOe6xd6T21uWS-yTCsR3gnee93oJOn9vjqkZHFo/s1600/IMG_20141208_125600_604.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQ0GePZE2A7efwQWBseHefbyqmZluZd0JXiIKLOjt-syZ_qxibr-CE7FM2UtuBrdYVXiL1f-bzCTTt80wKNkXqZc16_XqIWqKCoi9apE_HC2Cz6xilaK_BqjiLTLW9E1eUqlnm3PRteI/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQ0GePZE2A7efwQWBseHefbyqmZluZd0JXiIKLOjt-syZ_qxibr-CE7FM2UtuBrdYVXiL1f-bzCTTt80wKNkXqZc16_XqIWqKCoi9apE_HC2Cz6xilaK_BqjiLTLW9E1eUqlnm3PRteI/s1600/DSC_0094.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
My little reindeer at Grandma & Grandpa's house. We celebrated Christmas in IA the weekend before Christmas. Everybody was able to be there except for Uncle Rick, who recently had back surgery. The house was filled, and we all had a great time. It's always hard to say good bye and come back home. We left early Monday morning to make it back for Grant's ENT appointment. He passed his hearing test, and his ears look good after that horrible infection. They want to see him back in June, and if his tube is still present they will discuss surgically removing it (and if they want to proceed I'll get a second opinion). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJZbaFh7_ktqWM7FfOTX7p7IsX-SXDXLvJFXhBx_KqofK0HbVqOuoHwndkYsrbZnBdpcQexPUfirFkooJnO96m3sj9yqIpZIUM0n7TOMHFIM3Lv-YTmQKMxTrgG3jrkQS1-oouzF_Ank/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJZbaFh7_ktqWM7FfOTX7p7IsX-SXDXLvJFXhBx_KqofK0HbVqOuoHwndkYsrbZnBdpcQexPUfirFkooJnO96m3sj9yqIpZIUM0n7TOMHFIM3Lv-YTmQKMxTrgG3jrkQS1-oouzF_Ank/s1600/DSC_0096.JPG" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCmCLKcI3K3acFCQMmfLoWtq2tdicfd1-DzUqgu0NXy5AxnP-5F54JIX76m3YtGwn19fk5Yb13RN_DxsdpDdzr-zx_ZJwsjCZeB-KsrnRMJeUz31VcLgyZAdQiS4eEadrP-PjrqdRDy0/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCmCLKcI3K3acFCQMmfLoWtq2tdicfd1-DzUqgu0NXy5AxnP-5F54JIX76m3YtGwn19fk5Yb13RN_DxsdpDdzr-zx_ZJwsjCZeB-KsrnRMJeUz31VcLgyZAdQiS4eEadrP-PjrqdRDy0/s1600/DSC_0101.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava was obsessed with "exercising" with the Wii. As you can see, the kids really got in to it (Nate, not so much) :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78hrs6ZGkrpGxlheXQmoU50oOQpT_8wTC0StsCaVU8lQED9CFEIoiZsFOys5PuMu1QMmX8TESzI2v813jPUUrS1eQsnofnsIRc2n6dId6pKBKuK4OeYauP2JCXLqyJHiMI0FCzzhp0to/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78hrs6ZGkrpGxlheXQmoU50oOQpT_8wTC0StsCaVU8lQED9CFEIoiZsFOys5PuMu1QMmX8TESzI2v813jPUUrS1eQsnofnsIRc2n6dId6pKBKuK4OeYauP2JCXLqyJHiMI0FCzzhp0to/s1600/DSC_0135.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pwXI4zIpaSona-MLUGS43clYm7NaPyrBF29gZh5CqYH09BrrMd85p0pd0A3HtxwUqHSC2V1Ldo0CJ9sICEVwigtzfsXLVdFCC-X29VcI6Eo0e7CZyhyphenhyphennwAg4gpTDbxLJTNXgg3Nvey4/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pwXI4zIpaSona-MLUGS43clYm7NaPyrBF29gZh5CqYH09BrrMd85p0pd0A3HtxwUqHSC2V1Ldo0CJ9sICEVwigtzfsXLVdFCC-X29VcI6Eo0e7CZyhyphenhyphennwAg4gpTDbxLJTNXgg3Nvey4/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" height="200" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma & Grandpa with all the grandkids<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVPrkca2-3q3lbG705qK9IbI05BbkK-JM7WHb8ygK9nwANaJ7Razp-rvIxd3Zr9LMsGZ1eicccfB8x1ETnjyEIPWiVgBvCXvFchYt-YG07jZeNgf95q5W-BUGirGKXzNbu05jZQzOm2U/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVPrkca2-3q3lbG705qK9IbI05BbkK-JM7WHb8ygK9nwANaJ7Razp-rvIxd3Zr9LMsGZ1eicccfB8x1ETnjyEIPWiVgBvCXvFchYt-YG07jZeNgf95q5W-BUGirGKXzNbu05jZQzOm2U/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Sisters...love these girls! (ok, technically one is my sister-in-law)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLfKjOy3gRZ7a9tnYjp_nsoRK7dMJEnGq_g7_c-AY1S8zN_roZvGBwORFKe2BvkFhdd4tW27TsVkb5KKOvBzMEOP-awNw9n0VG9sz2AFS2WRZLIQWf_JKv0qOUHmAZPmBDvqnZAX5wrk/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLfKjOy3gRZ7a9tnYjp_nsoRK7dMJEnGq_g7_c-AY1S8zN_roZvGBwORFKe2BvkFhdd4tW27TsVkb5KKOvBzMEOP-awNw9n0VG9sz2AFS2WRZLIQWf_JKv0qOUHmAZPmBDvqnZAX5wrk/s1600/DSC_0396.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Santa & the Mrs. came again this year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFyZrF5_vYoTM-eRKnX3nEb9RJrklBRHIsdMNJ3GnLD1FddfN2yKU68tobJGTtBbH4QktkQa1EruAnb0BAGGXJDbUEX8vBAb6ndr7uzSlxMMSxw2zGWo5t7sODONHQCw_RS-j_Uej230/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOFyZrF5_vYoTM-eRKnX3nEb9RJrklBRHIsdMNJ3GnLD1FddfN2yKU68tobJGTtBbH4QktkQa1EruAnb0BAGGXJDbUEX8vBAb6ndr7uzSlxMMSxw2zGWo5t7sODONHQCw_RS-j_Uej230/s1600/DSC_0397.JPG" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA6VgIRnlUgbmJmqhbLCZTtSD465HwmRqDJoCl8ipQ3oRbSMaeh_HVHhKXDZSf5LkeppvqAgvJ36DMJ72aR0G5f5VJ-36xcvyI_ltrKg-LpRDk45YKCD9SWriauqXoyVoZSIBCCvaPow/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPA6VgIRnlUgbmJmqhbLCZTtSD465HwmRqDJoCl8ipQ3oRbSMaeh_HVHhKXDZSf5LkeppvqAgvJ36DMJ72aR0G5f5VJ-36xcvyI_ltrKg-LpRDk45YKCD9SWriauqXoyVoZSIBCCvaPow/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Ready for their Christmas program. Both kids did such a great job singing. Loved watching them "perform"!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOMQqlUYbIRG1JvZYsb5phiEZtnoWDRW8r1fMy00eMdnwFyf98kizJxa5n4a7u_rWTEC3r43B7mJumvikRPQCK-xtHdeenH0hCWy_NNwto4uvrgdT7k4wYUF0lYGYzkIcKPZLA5I9UZ0/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOMQqlUYbIRG1JvZYsb5phiEZtnoWDRW8r1fMy00eMdnwFyf98kizJxa5n4a7u_rWTEC3r43B7mJumvikRPQCK-xtHdeenH0hCWy_NNwto4uvrgdT7k4wYUF0lYGYzkIcKPZLA5I9UZ0/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" height="320" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3xczSwniBNf9o47EJZtnvTYAOfgtwps-rNoOeBsnzYHu4NF452f-td_5B6qtJG8tJTURxHyfvc_17r6kqY0RE96dxzsSYlpYecokng8bAdOuvC2HR2UBPZdxTHMGsbBK6yd5mgbDAUE/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_3xczSwniBNf9o47EJZtnvTYAOfgtwps-rNoOeBsnzYHu4NF452f-td_5B6qtJG8tJTURxHyfvc_17r6kqY0RE96dxzsSYlpYecokng8bAdOuvC2HR2UBPZdxTHMGsbBK6yd5mgbDAUE/s1600/DSC_0367.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNH2pebUTZh9LzDx1Xhr0MDENWzB3s3ec65LQCfFy-qZ8DtqTS5HLaEPCI8afeQ73Wj-XSF5QAhcHu0sbLPWNKfTKh6J-ZnSEIB4BLf8CID11VrBfxryLlenYOFuj_6U50ngr10CK7m3g/s1600/DSC_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNH2pebUTZh9LzDx1Xhr0MDENWzB3s3ec65LQCfFy-qZ8DtqTS5HLaEPCI8afeQ73Wj-XSF5QAhcHu0sbLPWNKfTKh6J-ZnSEIB4BLf8CID11VrBfxryLlenYOFuj_6U50ngr10CK7m3g/s1600/DSC_0407.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYw55R0kzOhXkMnDz24uITsMIKmyX4o5OYTxFktfRmqlF0fmO4Hj29ufdvWy9VQtfnjRm6D-BOmlG-LyAywwAXdq8rriux4IKq4gBtIWC3J9uQ6D3UBC3_fddG35_nf0SF971vCHw8Zw/s1600/DSC_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYw55R0kzOhXkMnDz24uITsMIKmyX4o5OYTxFktfRmqlF0fmO4Hj29ufdvWy9VQtfnjRm6D-BOmlG-LyAywwAXdq8rriux4IKq4gBtIWC3J9uQ6D3UBC3_fddG35_nf0SF971vCHw8Zw/s1600/DSC_0377.JPG" height="189" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava took this picture, she did pretty darn good. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdGBQEWyn9WtSlGE4zLsdSdBjKJyzQWMDeodIkalj3aRoQNlfan1HIAiDWizUU7LbJafN-K-yrw-RoBmyfM78UvubC4xIR0CFEzswtuJihPuJGD0wSqOEMJQ617-WzNmUqAxATkjJLmk/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdGBQEWyn9WtSlGE4zLsdSdBjKJyzQWMDeodIkalj3aRoQNlfan1HIAiDWizUU7LbJafN-K-yrw-RoBmyfM78UvubC4xIR0CFEzswtuJihPuJGD0wSqOEMJQ617-WzNmUqAxATkjJLmk/s1600/DSC_0384.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava didn't mention that she was going to be Mary at her program. We were very surprised. She did great, and didn't even drop baby Jesus!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0t3pqSIYhkCzepVcBUGAFsXlfiO5mBCufK-JYGJDwZR37qxFSx9aatV-5EmC8ay5PmfBIfGem4DS-gkCFjNBrMpseZiSG0EAz3Nq4nzy2b3iMhVaOms8mA_fKcagEdW1ohd6Jv5hxp0/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0t3pqSIYhkCzepVcBUGAFsXlfiO5mBCufK-JYGJDwZR37qxFSx9aatV-5EmC8ay5PmfBIfGem4DS-gkCFjNBrMpseZiSG0EAz3Nq4nzy2b3iMhVaOms8mA_fKcagEdW1ohd6Jv5hxp0/s1600/DSC_0417.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Christmas eve<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcMmVIx0P6YubSZwXlIryyCIOWUNOtna0t7z-V-LO2RQP_Jk9M4BH0wDDdOJpg42NLEk60z6pJHFwqxmrcdn0qzNrC0A0HU0asArzoLWsWEMqFmmiA93D9cODB5UwPMZ2ewo_FgljZaE/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcMmVIx0P6YubSZwXlIryyCIOWUNOtna0t7z-V-LO2RQP_Jk9M4BH0wDDdOJpg42NLEk60z6pJHFwqxmrcdn0qzNrC0A0HU0asArzoLWsWEMqFmmiA93D9cODB5UwPMZ2ewo_FgljZaE/s1600/DSC_0410.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zE2O-k425Sjn_8bZiPGgEbUSpInI3VeRy-w-fCPuNU0G6-BShZnX4yvhkgEz_wNT6qVZRjBAe4mtnH3hrAWnd_Q7Zt85CmGytq4JEPUavMR7nzorUahFDMM5RTSkqc7H02gnaVNuiqw/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zE2O-k425Sjn_8bZiPGgEbUSpInI3VeRy-w-fCPuNU0G6-BShZnX4yvhkgEz_wNT6qVZRjBAe4mtnH3hrAWnd_Q7Zt85CmGytq4JEPUavMR7nzorUahFDMM5RTSkqc7H02gnaVNuiqw/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
The whole family (minus Uncle Rick)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtywTuDXi-Duxl1a0urQRrGuVwqwnHJCy4mMk1m794_zu5Id4dxJTJFPs0Bpc6KfoE6QKgf6UaSfFPmnk_P41HyTx6Mita5IQdEMHL2brvhsB1u4fNIVWiw7TFOob2NlMQ2Dr1VwGx8UY/s1600/DSC_0436+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtywTuDXi-Duxl1a0urQRrGuVwqwnHJCy4mMk1m794_zu5Id4dxJTJFPs0Bpc6KfoE6QKgf6UaSfFPmnk_P41HyTx6Mita5IQdEMHL2brvhsB1u4fNIVWiw7TFOob2NlMQ2Dr1VwGx8UY/s1600/DSC_0436+(2).JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant loved playing the piano and singing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSizv_HEhkz3aLaUPLZMe7JK6Lb9s3Y9MVSqWQlWxVxNj0-USSMqr3Kt-_W_QvGjfrEmN6x436Xueo1qg9jvWlvYkZJ3BJNGEpPoKsxNv6nbenAic9kJzAvqj87ExUWztaVL0WAbX45ls/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSizv_HEhkz3aLaUPLZMe7JK6Lb9s3Y9MVSqWQlWxVxNj0-USSMqr3Kt-_W_QvGjfrEmN6x436Xueo1qg9jvWlvYkZJ3BJNGEpPoKsxNv6nbenAic9kJzAvqj87ExUWztaVL0WAbX45ls/s1600/DSC_0456.JPG" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
We had our own little Christmas at our place on Christmas morning. Around 9:30 Uncle Wes, Aunt Janna, Mema, & Boppa came for brunch and presents. Wes & Janna left after gifts, I had to leave shortly after 2:00 to go and work an evening shift, and Mema & Boppa stayed until almost 7 that evening. It was nice that they were able to stay so that Nate didn't have the kids by himself on Christmas. It should be my last Christmas to work (as long as I stay at the same hospital). I couldn't be happier. It was so hard leaving my babies on Christmas, and not being able to tuck them into bed on Christmas night. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74aroPxs0pQYambxSPhm1RANTbsHD7UNtvzGVadXxaIn8APcUauHZcq1W1nQ-6Rw-Es8dW9LyicwZl4glpQl0Y7G8o5jk5f8U4x4Qw2sr7QF6ucogX0uKzAKDKuCr25BSeoPnukl6uLI/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi74aroPxs0pQYambxSPhm1RANTbsHD7UNtvzGVadXxaIn8APcUauHZcq1W1nQ-6Rw-Es8dW9LyicwZl4glpQl0Y7G8o5jk5f8U4x4Qw2sr7QF6ucogX0uKzAKDKuCr25BSeoPnukl6uLI/s1600/DSC_0489.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma Great and the great grandkids<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_qcTLx8qNIFJaxpmwFdVq4kEfpoiHzpmOsSpO_zLS0oj1Z9UlcWKPY7XTt2iSk8k0yXvqZfPSZH3u5pkVTMO2cyjWg04eStJmFb7HA1LPZ8lS07ZQAFFEBAIEkwHEEO1XDXh0xAPNNo/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_qcTLx8qNIFJaxpmwFdVq4kEfpoiHzpmOsSpO_zLS0oj1Z9UlcWKPY7XTt2iSk8k0yXvqZfPSZH3u5pkVTMO2cyjWg04eStJmFb7HA1LPZ8lS07ZQAFFEBAIEkwHEEO1XDXh0xAPNNo/s1600/DSC_0512.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mCVF7uEH6FJwC2xO_XnB923myQQwUImQEYi2WIHFaYcYMhrBE1d_LtbDGHBmauSJaCmdud4o7lW3fEi6Iree0YMTddC9pTTz15To1wrj5M281uNhGzt0QFBV-X4Q5DlvV2tWoITZBs8/s1600/IMG_20141223_194215_233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mCVF7uEH6FJwC2xO_XnB923myQQwUImQEYi2WIHFaYcYMhrBE1d_LtbDGHBmauSJaCmdud4o7lW3fEi6Iree0YMTddC9pTTz15To1wrj5M281uNhGzt0QFBV-X4Q5DlvV2tWoITZBs8/s1600/IMG_20141223_194215_233.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Playing a little late night soccer. Grandma Great gave Grant his soccer net. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAuLcUVpbYnid4ggknkLcfpXPEU092tOjEeKbCTsOb_kZhkmse7kIzvEFoq-X8Yna2ClZ-Qp0ggjTFBd_36WX8gKK51x0JoszqJMr7gu2LM0F66lv-jsLkB2B2lE2y7whgy-eN1RDT28/s1600/IMG_20141225_090634_578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAuLcUVpbYnid4ggknkLcfpXPEU092tOjEeKbCTsOb_kZhkmse7kIzvEFoq-X8Yna2ClZ-Qp0ggjTFBd_36WX8gKK51x0JoszqJMr7gu2LM0F66lv-jsLkB2B2lE2y7whgy-eN1RDT28/s1600/IMG_20141225_090634_578.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Two happy kiddos on Christmas morning. <br />
<br />
We celebrated our last Christmas yesterday. We spent the day in Hollandale for the Veldman Christmas. Other than Grant falling and scraping his head on the wall just seconds prior to family pictures, and him missing his nap and crying "I want a nap" as we finally just carried him out to the car at 5:00, it was a great celebration. We got to see all of the Veldmans, and meet baby Maci so I was able to get my baby fix. She is so sweet and adorable. We're ready to get back into our routine and stay home for awhile though.<br />
<br />
I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. Wishing you all a happy and safe new year!The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-70063264870558954712014-12-01T19:45:00.001-08:002014-12-01T19:45:38.129-08:00Thanksgiving weekWe hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and were able to spend time with family and/or friends. We were fortunate enough to get to spend Thanksgiving with my family in IA this year. We had plenty of time to reflect on our many blessings during the 6 hour and 15 minute drive to Grandma & Grandpa's. Yes, that's a short nap, 3 movies, 2 near accidents, and some greasy gas station cheese balls. Needless to say, the weather was not good and the roads were even worse. At one point we were going to turn around, but Ava really wanted to keep going (even though she asked us 50 times if we were almost there). Thankfully we made it safely and were able to enjoy our time there.
<br />
<br />
Let me rewind to last Tuesday. Tuesday was an eventful day in our house. After getting off work I picked the kids up from day care and rushed home to get ready for swim lessons. As I was unloading stuff in the kitchen Grant fell on the hardwood floor. Now, Ava tells me that she didn't push him. She may have however, "brushed up against him". He cried for a short time and was then fine. I looked him over, and as I did I found this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp6vUGITpTpFT_06b9SC__ltMtrDyAznB5_8a_OL5EgmCRkCTXJGjwhhAhP1eo8sUPy7OF-WiajXqrLpJGv3Txi60B3hQU6VORpqTFp2f6EuvfyEguj_qRC0CASp24Njvtc_5STzztdA/s1600/IMG_20141125_181911_618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVp6vUGITpTpFT_06b9SC__ltMtrDyAznB5_8a_OL5EgmCRkCTXJGjwhhAhP1eo8sUPy7OF-WiajXqrLpJGv3Txi60B3hQU6VORpqTFp2f6EuvfyEguj_qRC0CASp24Njvtc_5STzztdA/s1600/IMG_20141125_181911_618.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Yes, Grant chipped his tooth and then swallowed it. We made an emergency call to our friend "Dr Greg" in IA to consult him on what we should do. Thankfully there was no blood, just a very sharp tooth. We had little time to dwell on this, and rushed out the door to swim lessons. Ava was a rock star in the pool and passed her test to move on to the next level. I'm amazed at the progress that she made in that short month. We'll start lessons up again in February. <br />
<br />
Wednesday morning Ava went to day care while I took Grant into a pediatric dentist for an emergency visit. Of course he doesn't start on our dental insurance until January 1st. Oh well! They were great with him. The looked it all over, smoothed the tooth out, put a little flouride treatment on there, and sent us out the door. I dropped him off at day care so I could run an couple of errands and pack. We picked the kids up after lunch and started on our long journey south. <br />
<br />
Thursday was our big family gathering. The kids had a great time playing with everybody, especially their cousins. I have never been a black Friday shopper, but did head into Younkers with my mom and sister after the kids were in bed (and Daddy was half asleep on the couch). It wasn't crazy at all, since the store opened at 6:00 and we didn't get there until after 9:00. I was not going to miss putting my babies to bed on Thanksgiving so that I could go shopping. Seems so wrong!<br />
<br />
Friday morning we were all up early to head to IA City to tailgate for the IA/Nebraska football game. It was a cold one! Aunt Lisa & Uncle Brent brought there motorhome. Now that is the way to tailgate in the cold! Nate went to the game and I stayed back in the heated motor home with Great Grandma & Aunt Darlene. Somebody had to hold the fort down. :) That evening Grandma Great, Aunt Lori, & Uncle Matt came down for dinner and for some birthday cake and ice cream for Aunt Lori. The kids and Grandma even put the Christmas tree up that night. The kids loved decorating it. <br />
<br />
At 12:30 am on Saturday Grandpa woke me up saying that Ava was sick. I went downstairs to a very steamy bathroom where Grandma was sitting with her. Her breathing was very tight and she had a horrible cough and felt very warm. The steam didn't seem to be helping much so I brought her upstairs to sleep in our bedroom. Thankfully she was able to fall asleep and the coughing subsided. Her airway still sounded tight, so I was up frequently to make sure she was still breathing. Grant woke up that morning with a cough and felt warm as well. We let the kids play for a bit, had an early lunch, and hit the road. <br />
<br />
We laid low the rest of Saturday with the kids not feeling well. At midnight that night Grant woke up with a fever of 104.6. Poor little guy had the chills and chugged a whole cup of water. I stripped him down, gave him Ibuprofen, and rocked him until his fever came down to 103. Then I prayed that he wouldn't have a febrile seizure if it went back up. Thankfully Ava had a restful night and had just a slight fever on Sunday. I took Grant to Urgent Care on Sunday and they couldn't find anything wrong with him. He continues to have fevers >102 today, and now has copious amounts of green snot constantly oozing out of his nose and now out of his eyes. I'm calling in sick tomorrow and we'll be heading to the pediatrician in the morning. <br />
<br />
Well, that pretty much sums up our week. Here are some pictures for you...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NVEC_jV6Llku1PT9gkUd3x4wCsdGs8QKg3Zhuv6WQfMkKbwd3L9UKJrPaoJD2TTTa_PyJ6VYBpMewVibpjvt19kEx8s_Yn6DPdHrOrK7b2QBnVTa_KC9XA6VO85_sMCRBtEaReieMWc/s1600/DSC_0823+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NVEC_jV6Llku1PT9gkUd3x4wCsdGs8QKg3Zhuv6WQfMkKbwd3L9UKJrPaoJD2TTTa_PyJ6VYBpMewVibpjvt19kEx8s_Yn6DPdHrOrK7b2QBnVTa_KC9XA6VO85_sMCRBtEaReieMWc/s1600/DSC_0823+(2).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Thanksgiving day. So thankful for these two amazing kiddos. They bring more joy into our lives than we could have ever imagined. I wish I could freeze them at this age. I love watching them play together. Ava is so nurturing towards Grant, and Grant idolizes Ava copying everything she does. I pray that they will always love each other the way that they do right now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6JMCaj6sGCCxQi46RK1empWSUnV6alx0hoyRRUIh11Rr3J51BhHPxvi7DskARUjQeUnfGVyDfQPXnWSs95FLJbi_sUxLjGBfazdF1vLLs33NT8xWTeWcpXDWtAY5oJh7GPvjK4oXkFM/s1600/DSC_0832+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6JMCaj6sGCCxQi46RK1empWSUnV6alx0hoyRRUIh11Rr3J51BhHPxvi7DskARUjQeUnfGVyDfQPXnWSs95FLJbi_sUxLjGBfazdF1vLLs33NT8xWTeWcpXDWtAY5oJh7GPvjK4oXkFM/s1600/DSC_0832+(2).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Filling up their piggy banks at Grandma & Grandpa's<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMrjDTqd4WkZqz_w7PVS2K5xH4o4kArLeyiCmEC8jei6u1ZhJ70PeXeoJ-yV1wn5JDcKZ1QuKpBbM3iLt6kY8dLkBe1_O0sR4CV5Jm1gFtpBSP-AGLuc-adfEyw26S1OX7XXxkEz8vqs/s1600/DSC_0833+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMrjDTqd4WkZqz_w7PVS2K5xH4o4kArLeyiCmEC8jei6u1ZhJ70PeXeoJ-yV1wn5JDcKZ1QuKpBbM3iLt6kY8dLkBe1_O0sR4CV5Jm1gFtpBSP-AGLuc-adfEyw26S1OX7XXxkEz8vqs/s1600/DSC_0833+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Chill time with Zacky<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhySxh8bTTgiWzENXv1vOP3cwi2bUwRTf45UdcSMs8YR9moPw6NNyyH0_xUwfy4FSzHmgY0xCdgdlGRSEFYCJbptqjMdr4ujAdYdTu0RH69KWQnfdMzMT2FIzeYvbu-mZgp4M3WVL-ag/s1600/DSC_0842+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhySxh8bTTgiWzENXv1vOP3cwi2bUwRTf45UdcSMs8YR9moPw6NNyyH0_xUwfy4FSzHmgY0xCdgdlGRSEFYCJbptqjMdr4ujAdYdTu0RH69KWQnfdMzMT2FIzeYvbu-mZgp4M3WVL-ag/s1600/DSC_0842+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
These kids love looking at pictures (at least I think that's what they are doing with his phone)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiwDuZ-7iFJ2uRM5yBTap7AczzCK2yZ1inZSj-1Qcz83knQ4AYu8tKF9jaQQIWTTV95AK-rwmhTv8acaLcNPa6tdEW-EPSTBtfdJBNATMc5825FkjmWyAkgNVUqAf4s_29Oufvf-AC7s/s1600/DSC_0852+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiwDuZ-7iFJ2uRM5yBTap7AczzCK2yZ1inZSj-1Qcz83knQ4AYu8tKF9jaQQIWTTV95AK-rwmhTv8acaLcNPa6tdEW-EPSTBtfdJBNATMc5825FkjmWyAkgNVUqAf4s_29Oufvf-AC7s/s1600/DSC_0852+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Looking for Herky the cat<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqNzSw7XmiDka0hKeTouZDvlOt9sjmJiPejmpP8ZrFslv_8sk4BuMchADdZMmG5TuXhjJ7hnAUNCWt5MGMjUhaTrqg73ms6JQCvgc3WTddYyp7RLLFjqg2m9wvpRToKanIJCY3G3xo6c/s1600/DSC_0855+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqNzSw7XmiDka0hKeTouZDvlOt9sjmJiPejmpP8ZrFslv_8sk4BuMchADdZMmG5TuXhjJ7hnAUNCWt5MGMjUhaTrqg73ms6JQCvgc3WTddYyp7RLLFjqg2m9wvpRToKanIJCY3G3xo6c/s1600/DSC_0855+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma watched the kids while Nate and I went to the game on Friday. They stayed very busy baking and playing. Thank you SO much Grandma. We enjoyed our day away, and they enjoyed their day with you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm71BhBXGUrPlVfuQKfyD2XOu98xzt41F0kvfBsqH7RruQDlKo_fmce_hcaO6pAqjC4RtK2Poiu0vpm0nw5lc2kHyCCyzYkaG792fRwtosxV9JnHHDQI3_1aIjyyUIbU3I2h9o83FaK60/s1600/DSC_0869+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm71BhBXGUrPlVfuQKfyD2XOu98xzt41F0kvfBsqH7RruQDlKo_fmce_hcaO6pAqjC4RtK2Poiu0vpm0nw5lc2kHyCCyzYkaG792fRwtosxV9JnHHDQI3_1aIjyyUIbU3I2h9o83FaK60/s1600/DSC_0869+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
The best part of baking!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2M_TPiTerb77G6z0d_FCgQQN7tc51xuX_QyUMVSSn0a_m15n1ddPKiTCZ4sh9v0HPKaRPsI9UXMHtu4oYyBlwpfOs9ZbFuL87pflEvzKeidype3gHmq9WFZisUZfPKtFXjbT6eK4VuM/s1600/DSC_0890+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2M_TPiTerb77G6z0d_FCgQQN7tc51xuX_QyUMVSSn0a_m15n1ddPKiTCZ4sh9v0HPKaRPsI9UXMHtu4oYyBlwpfOs9ZbFuL87pflEvzKeidype3gHmq9WFZisUZfPKtFXjbT6eK4VuM/s1600/DSC_0890+(2).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Grant LOVED driving the tractor with Grandpa. It sounds like he could use a little more practice. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk_HkCcCsKgcYE5Q4faKMC1JmgiJs-qgmLoZCHhwP0KrNkGSZEA4qjmHpdjJyLW7Zf9Ac11OsoId2WKVWz5YeueW6ElovHJ1SAuNygeR9rKlBWrwEQeZC3pUOSxj1XO68-7yK70xErEM/s1600/DSC_0906+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwk_HkCcCsKgcYE5Q4faKMC1JmgiJs-qgmLoZCHhwP0KrNkGSZEA4qjmHpdjJyLW7Zf9Ac11OsoId2WKVWz5YeueW6ElovHJ1SAuNygeR9rKlBWrwEQeZC3pUOSxj1XO68-7yK70xErEM/s1600/DSC_0906+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
All the cousins<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxzfDI7MaXHwA2DSPd8Hxwiq6Fl20spaKpZ5MSSIAqu_GBDBQ9emEO1ETckJn01bklGwcGlKFbQ0QbbMEMIigsqZU547Ql9Tsi24JgEhQHNJ1swxvZIiGDNhT_RaV3buSVgY8hvuGgyo/s1600/DSC_0916+-+Copy+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDxzfDI7MaXHwA2DSPd8Hxwiq6Fl20spaKpZ5MSSIAqu_GBDBQ9emEO1ETckJn01bklGwcGlKFbQ0QbbMEMIigsqZU547Ql9Tsi24JgEhQHNJ1swxvZIiGDNhT_RaV3buSVgY8hvuGgyo/s1600/DSC_0916+-+Copy+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Celebrating Aunt Lori's birthday<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH5OHZ1c5OiP3CcDnOl5QSS24OD07_Vi0QFYR4cJz5KbB2gL9NthhsQu5s0BOS_4xkI48cW3mL6kOhuAcjqfIVmS8GifsYSGRvIG5R6qqnD4lBa44DCBhsymh_docYflSfNFoCdAfVVk/s1600/DSC_0923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiH5OHZ1c5OiP3CcDnOl5QSS24OD07_Vi0QFYR4cJz5KbB2gL9NthhsQu5s0BOS_4xkI48cW3mL6kOhuAcjqfIVmS8GifsYSGRvIG5R6qqnD4lBa44DCBhsymh_docYflSfNFoCdAfVVk/s1600/DSC_0923.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Grant & his buddy Grandpa<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiOysz9-wGlxdsSUnHfUrtreHS54R-AcMms6E10Yf2hL3Kkbz2ED2chtBp1icn0rv__V2VdImqokzCYpVE1jvPXTqssXtka4nb4VPKKyvsrQvEF3PvXoVHb7NyX5lT1BZxPEKXoHOFTc/s1600/DSC_0953+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiOysz9-wGlxdsSUnHfUrtreHS54R-AcMms6E10Yf2hL3Kkbz2ED2chtBp1icn0rv__V2VdImqokzCYpVE1jvPXTqssXtka4nb4VPKKyvsrQvEF3PvXoVHb7NyX5lT1BZxPEKXoHOFTc/s1600/DSC_0953+(2).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Ava got to drive the tractor too. She told us she wasn't a very good driver...Grandpa confirmed that this was indeed a true statement. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3dPsmjhyzmUszdzs2htGoUPIznL_xDi2EyWZD0j0MQBQpitrYz4IgAnKuecfvTzcbpVDxMmb9j0R9MIYvqk52EqmZha-Vvw1kwCmD6FJ8dxq7uwS4K_eD6SoTdOzq5vcf8F-SvkkcN8/s1600/DSC_0961+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3dPsmjhyzmUszdzs2htGoUPIznL_xDi2EyWZD0j0MQBQpitrYz4IgAnKuecfvTzcbpVDxMmb9j0R9MIYvqk52EqmZha-Vvw1kwCmD6FJ8dxq7uwS4K_eD6SoTdOzq5vcf8F-SvkkcN8/s1600/DSC_0961+(2).jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Grant also got to "drive" Grandpa's semi. He could have stayed in there all day.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBUG6-FuTT2sGN2J4WC5Zw0DKaXl82kcVKNEcikHUV7YFP2KLhmzaF3kC378VYFoMAZZep_uFVuo-Y-_cId40cbiOA2Ov3ha0zuNWHivz5KoT8A-bT8X8B2pMZVVm7H7B_gR7V6w3FOc/s1600/DSC_5608+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBUG6-FuTT2sGN2J4WC5Zw0DKaXl82kcVKNEcikHUV7YFP2KLhmzaF3kC378VYFoMAZZep_uFVuo-Y-_cId40cbiOA2Ov3ha0zuNWHivz5KoT8A-bT8X8B2pMZVVm7H7B_gR7V6w3FOc/s1600/DSC_5608+(2).jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Playing outside<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wlBTnE3Ib0g0jvI1p737huVswho88AnsRPTEhb3usN1CwM19gGp7OswHXiNHATFMmz0V3_w5snSCevglr0Gx-HV388yXNSXn360qH2jTzzaU3vmW1P57DaVJ2pAfHjGIFpY3rLaOdPk/s1600/DSC_5614+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2wlBTnE3Ib0g0jvI1p737huVswho88AnsRPTEhb3usN1CwM19gGp7OswHXiNHATFMmz0V3_w5snSCevglr0Gx-HV388yXNSXn360qH2jTzzaU3vmW1P57DaVJ2pAfHjGIFpY3rLaOdPk/s1600/DSC_5614+(2).jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOMPj9ol4Y6bQwPlmrDkuLOZAZC2o7oCymWZdGyv4jVX_DLHV-zBLelQXRa0HuyB0flzPrSLRy-sXEJSBOcfu4SYJ_bCZ3uvh1TTTJMrH8iYxCm-n4SNWP8m6CSbb48ycvXoBxCelHNM/s1600/IMG_20141128_102918+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOMPj9ol4Y6bQwPlmrDkuLOZAZC2o7oCymWZdGyv4jVX_DLHV-zBLelQXRa0HuyB0flzPrSLRy-sXEJSBOcfu4SYJ_bCZ3uvh1TTTJMrH8iYxCm-n4SNWP8m6CSbb48ycvXoBxCelHNM/s1600/IMG_20141128_102918+(1).jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Tailgating in Iowa City<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnn00nngOKXKO7m2s26787k0G-k1YK6v-Vjyjk1uvjRmnyqLqTVRravRnYnqhCHhm9Kcnx_W11z3lA-pPORnauyu5BYiSLG4pw4AYKIngL4TXMqNIqCJWQ_Ap2wUJptDn3sdVK08hyphenhyphen8o/s1600/IMG_20141128_102956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnn00nngOKXKO7m2s26787k0G-k1YK6v-Vjyjk1uvjRmnyqLqTVRravRnYnqhCHhm9Kcnx_W11z3lA-pPORnauyu5BYiSLG4pw4AYKIngL4TXMqNIqCJWQ_Ap2wUJptDn3sdVK08hyphenhyphen8o/s1600/IMG_20141128_102956.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE8klf-WfWiPjyihREEjbXsNflwu4GdAKWYg6LD_UtAVaKblbBnRX6thitfFFboLmQUs_9A4MlT-K7CqeWJkCuPEhHlgx6xQUXEerOAbDMrvmEbwfMa_nkz1rA-NpecfPFD9DekkButc/s1600/DSC_0948+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE8klf-WfWiPjyihREEjbXsNflwu4GdAKWYg6LD_UtAVaKblbBnRX6thitfFFboLmQUs_9A4MlT-K7CqeWJkCuPEhHlgx6xQUXEerOAbDMrvmEbwfMa_nkz1rA-NpecfPFD9DekkButc/s1600/DSC_0948+(2).jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant's favorite part about putting the tree up was definitely the train. The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-20368760965744116402014-11-20T13:16:00.000-08:002014-11-20T13:16:01.080-08:00Football, snow, & playdates...Those are just a few of the things that we've been busy with over the past couple of weeks. Two weeks ago we headed out into the cold Saturday wind to watch the IA/MN football game. Our friend Erin, and her adorable little guy Carter spent the night with us on Friday so they joined Nate & me as well. Ava & Grant just loved Carter. They are still asking about him. Ava is so sweet with babies, very nurturing. Grant was also very gentle with him and just loved him. Ava & Grant did not join us for the football game. We bit the bullet and hired a sitter for the day. We had such a great time tailgating with friends and enjoying the great game and HUGE victory over IA. With 4 pair of pants, 4 shirts, 2 pair of socks, and my winter gear I didn't even get cold. :)<br />
<br />
Sunday morning we tried out a new church about 10 minutes from here called Hosanna. Ava was excited to go to Sunday school, and Grant was actually pretty good hanging with us in church. I wasn't quite ready to see if he would be ok in the 2 yr old room, since it seemed to be quite full with a few crying kids as we walked by. We really enjoyed the service, and went back again last week. Ava likes it there, and so do Nate and I. I'm hopeful that we have found a new church for our family that doesn't require a 45 minute drive. As much as we will miss Plymouth Covenant, it will be so nice to have a church so close to home. One that we can drive to even if the weather isn't optimal. I'm very excited about this!<br />
<br />
Big news on the swim lessons front, Ava passed out of her current class last week. She will remain in the same class for the next week, but has passed all of her skills to advance to the next level. She has improved so much this session. She's now swimming with her head under the water for short periods of time, back floating, and jumping in. She loves it and is always excited to go. Almost as excited for swim lessons as dance class, which she is still loving!<br />
<br />
Grant is still talking up a storm, and is officially a non-cryer at daycare drop off. This makes us so happy! Eventually we'll head back to the gym and see if we can conquer the gym daycare so that I can actually go work out. I've been waking up at 4:40 on my days off to go running with some of the neighbor girls. It's been quite chilly. The windchill this morning was -1. Once you get going it's not bad. It's just kind of a cruel way to wake your body up so early in the morning. It always feels good to get it done so early though. <br />
<br />
This past weekend was the gopher's last home football game. I decided to take one for the team and stay home with the kids (in the nice warm heated house with the fireplace on), while Nate got to go and enjoy tailgating and the game in the beautiful cold snow. He said it wasn't too cold, and that he had a great time. Great energy at the stadium that day. Mema & Boppa came down and spent the morning with us. The kids were so excited.<br />
<br />
Speaking of Mema, she started radiation this past Monday. She goes 5 days a week. She's hoping to finish up before the end of the year, but it all depends on how many days she can go around the holidays. We're all looking forward to the new year, as this past one has been a difficult one for her!<br />
<br />
Other than football, and the usual schedule the kids and I have been busy with play dates. We are so fortunate to live in such a great neighborhood with so many kids around Ava & Grant's age. We had a couple of play dates here at the house, went to the local community center with an indoor playground and gym, and on Tuesday I took the kids to the Children's Museum. It's never a boring day around here. <br />
<br />
We are looking forward to our trip to IA next week, where we'll get to spend Thanksgiving with my family. Wishing you safe travels and a happy Thanksgiving filled with family and lots of blessings!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8_vaesqnEJAflcMoy-n6xS2Ab3ptjVF1wWFgVVUN6OFmhcapfPCKBExd74Z3cQbr0Xq2o2CmtJEJeL8s6bb2TN6ZRepUBk7SSQkY7IomYEGZ7znQspdolA9wIzY_OhaEbjxo2RdytMk/s1600/IMG_20141118_134353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8_vaesqnEJAflcMoy-n6xS2Ab3ptjVF1wWFgVVUN6OFmhcapfPCKBExd74Z3cQbr0Xq2o2CmtJEJeL8s6bb2TN6ZRepUBk7SSQkY7IomYEGZ7znQspdolA9wIzY_OhaEbjxo2RdytMk/s1600/IMG_20141118_134353.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Avery, Ava, & Caylin loved riding this bikes at the gym.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAIFgpwFsmm64L8McZuw34YBe_ClOsd_pcqxDw1a24yIDEbanu3cadREnWU1kzYhE_FSH1xM6YHuZLPj2oHwgiBQ92_9xYC5TsqoatZZXKOH78-FH8yPUh8gfGAiuRDO94mOno8rEtUw/s1600/IMG_20141108_092154_514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAIFgpwFsmm64L8McZuw34YBe_ClOsd_pcqxDw1a24yIDEbanu3cadREnWU1kzYhE_FSH1xM6YHuZLPj2oHwgiBQ92_9xYC5TsqoatZZXKOH78-FH8yPUh8gfGAiuRDO94mOno8rEtUw/s1600/IMG_20141108_092154_514.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Carter's first tailgating experience. He did great!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuFH7cONecYqtn4jCtzc-YlqngaJGCv8R-ruMIOAy7fU0A9Xdnykw-6rSZgGttTLeovAgqHXlgAylgTXTTReHUjxT0H6ft5wqjsThpWg4asTj_MaLxOpDQ7FWPDMT1jQ1bfEAEsJSI_0/s1600/IMG_20141108_104937_790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuFH7cONecYqtn4jCtzc-YlqngaJGCv8R-ruMIOAy7fU0A9Xdnykw-6rSZgGttTLeovAgqHXlgAylgTXTTReHUjxT0H6ft5wqjsThpWg4asTj_MaLxOpDQ7FWPDMT1jQ1bfEAEsJSI_0/s1600/IMG_20141108_104937_790.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Kersten, Kate, Meredith, Anne, & me tailgating<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6xjUbUXE2E7KAoLvP7kzBYbysxCGRvxiZGkxBbk4lJS9XX5evYraKe2bYDvEeF5sm-N9z2a8s7lnb9ezJrkKq1WovJQISD9B4Lhuq6lE_ZN63rQCd3oMejjEkuBlV-F4E5wuvXUwga8/s1600/IMG_20141108_105248_817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6xjUbUXE2E7KAoLvP7kzBYbysxCGRvxiZGkxBbk4lJS9XX5evYraKe2bYDvEeF5sm-N9z2a8s7lnb9ezJrkKq1WovJQISD9B4Lhuq6lE_ZN63rQCd3oMejjEkuBlV-F4E5wuvXUwga8/s1600/IMG_20141108_105248_817.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Nate, Great, Matt, Nathan, & Josh<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcELoRZA6c5OTSc1MyCfcMql4c99wAwO8Nelv-us9ilup-SofnHuPEnG8NdFpYrNEryJLAqV4sYQpLwxALRcnVmMnxPXIAelieP-N_nfCBZueILmKEA4LVvtzT1m0SB_RNyz2YIfJiIP0/s1600/IMG_20141108_140528_307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcELoRZA6c5OTSc1MyCfcMql4c99wAwO8Nelv-us9ilup-SofnHuPEnG8NdFpYrNEryJLAqV4sYQpLwxALRcnVmMnxPXIAelieP-N_nfCBZueILmKEA4LVvtzT1m0SB_RNyz2YIfJiIP0/s1600/IMG_20141108_140528_307.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
The Veldmans and the Voights<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nldgGzT4IklrSwN1nXZOxMaKoZPE7mObjpoqY-wNpgB7kStInkdqyIpBuhdSKZpar2B0atI7En7RzW1Tg3CczMxTK8gSK4FIB1oYqPVbB5mGAAzm4nbv8agjkGhJG9hetDApKslu3nM/s1600/IMG_20141109_105430_309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1nldgGzT4IklrSwN1nXZOxMaKoZPE7mObjpoqY-wNpgB7kStInkdqyIpBuhdSKZpar2B0atI7En7RzW1Tg3CczMxTK8gSK4FIB1oYqPVbB5mGAAzm4nbv8agjkGhJG9hetDApKslu3nM/s1600/IMG_20141109_105430_309.jpg" height="320" width="173" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOei8aN0EJ2KgR1ZcnQQLr9PUZ9Ba7RrHl9R7IAAzMFSQm8_YogcA_qyVW2RALh3ZpqIAz4aE2FqxeTp4ulpzv8-XzOfUVS56tky_zp1RYbN2dQjf4ea6_FGojDj7kRqhSXUx6tZIuiM/s1600/IMG_20141109_111546_818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOei8aN0EJ2KgR1ZcnQQLr9PUZ9Ba7RrHl9R7IAAzMFSQm8_YogcA_qyVW2RALh3ZpqIAz4aE2FqxeTp4ulpzv8-XzOfUVS56tky_zp1RYbN2dQjf4ea6_FGojDj7kRqhSXUx6tZIuiM/s1600/IMG_20141109_111546_818.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
We were supposed to get over a foot of snow two weeks ago so we had to try everything on to make sure it fit. Thankfully the meteorologists were wrong once again. We lucked out and only got a couple inches at most.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltVTCW1jXWF8uuOuAC2UOWVcRcaQlZcVyMuJ8maGmmu2DcJ0DRJ1Y0GvfqeN5w3cWuXQisd5vR1gUCBCWQ_gfjxAlW3j92camusJCm_M-IP8vTDNcJz7aNPxwyf-OxARYGmb23nwTRwo/s1600/IMG_20141109_112610_951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltVTCW1jXWF8uuOuAC2UOWVcRcaQlZcVyMuJ8maGmmu2DcJ0DRJ1Y0GvfqeN5w3cWuXQisd5vR1gUCBCWQ_gfjxAlW3j92camusJCm_M-IP8vTDNcJz7aNPxwyf-OxARYGmb23nwTRwo/s1600/IMG_20141109_112610_951.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOefIjoGfbQpGmpWDXkuasFz8Ev71Yp5qj1auxjDplC7ZjZJBItjJ_mCtYCsBWz04hs8R1e3KIiSuEpOscF6e91TYye5cesUW-TXFfQSl8kRz6cf7a72HdIXaBj8lnGpAOiXkO9yMY70c/s1600/IMG_20141114_080208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOefIjoGfbQpGmpWDXkuasFz8Ev71Yp5qj1auxjDplC7ZjZJBItjJ_mCtYCsBWz04hs8R1e3KIiSuEpOscF6e91TYye5cesUW-TXFfQSl8kRz6cf7a72HdIXaBj8lnGpAOiXkO9yMY70c/s1600/IMG_20141114_080208.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Some snuggle time as we waited for Grant to wake up one morning<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQED2wRMEraWbaMy5VFTkM4r0Tp0xNxYWBq-vJW128xTyc3lJTCCw1E83OEUMW9_8jDi6o-mY_xMwsoh6FaB9bfarTSNztxTtyYnpFehwr88BvHOu09QO0elECw3eSQm3-D5zHZ8id1E/s1600/IMG_20141118_103344_426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQED2wRMEraWbaMy5VFTkM4r0Tp0xNxYWBq-vJW128xTyc3lJTCCw1E83OEUMW9_8jDi6o-mY_xMwsoh6FaB9bfarTSNztxTtyYnpFehwr88BvHOu09QO0elECw3eSQm3-D5zHZ8id1E/s1600/IMG_20141118_103344_426.jpg" height="320" width="172" /></a></div>
Cooking me up a burger at the Children's Museum<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xtXmGGmmd17oZ4Rvinb4UomjIj1fUMGDpREBIBabnbib2Ts5S6EuvPagMjXvwNlp8NyNDwdyymm_ddyNhHLarhRVnyLE6Hsw8C_fzvR6SC43bd44WbQt7kKoScl9T32foPWkYxXOMgM/s1600/IMG_20141118_103635_358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0xtXmGGmmd17oZ4Rvinb4UomjIj1fUMGDpREBIBabnbib2Ts5S6EuvPagMjXvwNlp8NyNDwdyymm_ddyNhHLarhRVnyLE6Hsw8C_fzvR6SC43bd44WbQt7kKoScl9T32foPWkYxXOMgM/s1600/IMG_20141118_103635_358.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
The kids loved the new Clifford exhibit<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAbvu-LMoNEGATh1qQsHWys8_tvjHtupank17oKFsLmFIqKFs3WhNFvtwhLHQnCH608c3_ehY75t3XRggNO8ad9hieW4VgqdedFJsUZ2n2KQTF_Rb72oUBVSf0dP0KLQbAxq47RdZyCY/s1600/IMG_20141118_112203_773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAbvu-LMoNEGATh1qQsHWys8_tvjHtupank17oKFsLmFIqKFs3WhNFvtwhLHQnCH608c3_ehY75t3XRggNO8ad9hieW4VgqdedFJsUZ2n2KQTF_Rb72oUBVSf0dP0KLQbAxq47RdZyCY/s1600/IMG_20141118_112203_773.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant was all about touching the live snakes. Ava was happy with just observing. The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-89226282651414835322014-11-07T13:53:00.001-08:002014-11-07T13:53:26.309-08:00Chemo, candy, and a toothWe hope that you all had a safe and fun Halloween. It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, and then Christmas. I would say the Christmas season, but I feel like that started a month ago in all of the stores. I'm usually not big on Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving, but I'm just about done with the kids already. Not that I normally stress around the holidays, but it will be one less thing to think about when I would rather be snuggled up on the couch when it's snowing outside. Speaking of snow, it's supposed to make it's first appearance here either tomorrow or early next week. I am Not excited about this!!! Getting the kids strapped into their car seats with big winter coats on, and the time it takes for boots, hats, mittens, etc. Not to mention that just thinking about the driving gives me anxiety. What are you going to do? It's only 6 months right? :)
<br />
<br />
Back to Halloween, we had a very busy day. We started the day off with Grant's 2 yr well child check. He is a big healthy boy weighing in at 38.2 lbs and is 37 1/2 inches tall. He continues to have his
umbilical hernia, but it is very small so Dr. Saxton doesn't think that it needs surgical intervention unless he would have to go under anesthesia for another reason. I was pleased with that, since the last time he had anesthesia he had a horrible wake-up. Both of the kids got their flu shots and then we were off to surprise Mema for her last chemo treatment. The kids and I went and got balloons that morning (which was a slight nightmare) and they made cards/posters for her. She was very surprised. Then Boppa treated us to lunch at McDonalds. That evening they came over for dinner and handed out candy while Nate and I took the kids trick-or-treating around the neighborhood. They brought back tons of candy. Thankfully they were happy with just going around the block, as it was quite chilly out. Ava loved getting the candy, Grant loved knocking on the doors. <br />
<br />
I had to work on Saturday and Sunday. On my way home Sunday evening I got a text from Nate with a picture of Ava captions "Notice anything missing?" Ava lost her first tooth. I was shocked. I was even looking for facial trauma thinking that she must have fallen and got it knocked out. Well, she didn't fall, but it didn't happen entirely naturally either. She told me that she bit into Grant's soccer ball to see if the air came out of the black dot. When that happened her booth evidently bent a good 45 degrees backwards into her mouth. There was blood and whining, and then Nate plucked it out. They called our friend "Dr. Greg" to make sure that everything was ok. Ava was reassured that he said she would be ok. Monday night she left her pillow on her bedside table and the tooth fairy brought her a nice dollar bill. She informed me Tuesday morning that the tooth fairy came and brought her a dollar bill. Then she said, "sometimes the tooth fairy brings $5. Thanks Grandpa B for telling her that. From now on we'll make sure to bring her teeth to your house. <br />
<br />
Wednesday Ava had dance and they started to work on their recital piece. Yes, it will take them 6 months to learn this. I am already looking forward to the recital though (hopefully I can get that day off work). They are all so cute!<br />
<br />
We have a fun weekend planned. Our friend Erin is coming to visit for the night and bringing her sweet little man Carter. He may be the happiest baby I have ever met, and I can't wait to see him again. Tomorrow morning we have Maddie coming over to babysit for the day. I'm hoping that Grant doesn't freak out when he wakes up and she's here, since she'll be here all day. Nate and I are heading to the IA/MN football game. Of course the weather is supposed to be "blustery" with wind gusts up to 30 mph. It will be a chilly one, but I'm sure a great time spent with friends that we don't get to see very often. Sunday we are hoping to check out a new church by our house. We're still looking for a new church to call home. It's kind of difficult to do with two small children that are used to going to Sunday school rather than sitting through an adult service. Hopefully it goes well and we find something that feels like "home" soon. <br />
<br />
Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7xBspMLzwsSBpBFMgIY8TDfhEMKbQGxnyN00re8WkFEu87I3cKR5lout9E5rJQyf7ceUYunZSPVe2hmeXmMpg1_iwBvjYhuXU4qUU4Cfrg9_qlh0Un74KUi3ML40tkU1HKEOF890Diw/s1600/20141031_114745+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7xBspMLzwsSBpBFMgIY8TDfhEMKbQGxnyN00re8WkFEu87I3cKR5lout9E5rJQyf7ceUYunZSPVe2hmeXmMpg1_iwBvjYhuXU4qUU4Cfrg9_qlh0Un74KUi3ML40tkU1HKEOF890Diw/s1600/20141031_114745+(1).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Mema was surprised. This was her last chemo treatment...YAY!!! Unfortunately, next week she will start radiation 5 days a week for 28 days. Praying that this is easier on her than the chemo! We can't wait for this chapter to come to an end. Ava is ready to have sleep overs again. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj7KJuY2Z8YYzY4f2znd8BOuSalbhEPRSw2uho_e_t_XrfoixzckE8a6rIWv99vs4skjstEA0MqUobnP4hZSytxRIpavWQbTtzttYKsw_hipthrTu1XGrSwFG3Q5Wp6E3Plsq-yDpyBE/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPj7KJuY2Z8YYzY4f2znd8BOuSalbhEPRSw2uho_e_t_XrfoixzckE8a6rIWv99vs4skjstEA0MqUobnP4hZSytxRIpavWQbTtzttYKsw_hipthrTu1XGrSwFG3Q5Wp6E3Plsq-yDpyBE/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
You wouldn't be able to tell from this picture that he was on the floor screaming"off,off, want to watch football with Boppa" three minutes prior to this picture<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kpYwiOy9MpJSVZHDPlNe0uwnCt0S8bRo8qopYHARLvnDtI2GLul6BdnRX-przzFlXERXyZ07wfFmNYzlbrmpNInaXXL_bEfaB5O5o27YgZvWx5lu0bKQ5On6BjkxTmP5McGXpgrV1rQ/s1600/DSC_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kpYwiOy9MpJSVZHDPlNe0uwnCt0S8bRo8qopYHARLvnDtI2GLul6BdnRX-przzFlXERXyZ07wfFmNYzlbrmpNInaXXL_bEfaB5O5o27YgZvWx5lu0bKQ5On6BjkxTmP5McGXpgrV1rQ/s1600/DSC_0347.JPG" height="210" width="320" /></a></div>
Our puppy and Cinderella<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2hYTN6m3SbytPIF4Qq-EAdpuKx6rv3KVYZDrJeG2d5VQnmabkQrZF17pw4bVM44whvSDWCEHO8G8uP6PYkU_SIwCQRBj3UQnwTeelXX0cEFL65PBlKMiLMxdN5jLhNb5oSiBKVQfhpc/s1600/IMG_20141107_150626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2hYTN6m3SbytPIF4Qq-EAdpuKx6rv3KVYZDrJeG2d5VQnmabkQrZF17pw4bVM44whvSDWCEHO8G8uP6PYkU_SIwCQRBj3UQnwTeelXX0cEFL65PBlKMiLMxdN5jLhNb5oSiBKVQfhpc/s1600/IMG_20141107_150626.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Miss Ava missing her bottom tooth. My baby girl is growing up way to fast.The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-58172365706438101912014-10-30T13:12:00.000-07:002014-10-30T13:12:47.070-07:00A weekend of celebratingThis past weekend Grant had his "Thomas party". There was nothing Thomas about his party except for his cake. He wanted the Thomas cake, and napkins, hats, and plates with balls on them. He called it his Thomas party and he was so excited about it. So excited that he fell asleep 30 minutes before it started. It was good though, he was in a much better mood after I woke him up to have lunch. There were about 20 people here to celebrate, which was perfect and low key. The weather was great so Nate got to grill for lunch. Grant couldn't have been more excited to hear everybody sing to him and to blow his candles out. He was pretty excited about his presents as well. A huge thank you to everybody who came to celebrate our little man, especially those in my family who drove 4 and 5 hours. We are so blessed to have such a supportive family.<br />
<br />
The fun actually started on Friday evening. Aunt Lori and David came Friday afternoon just before Grant woke up from him nap. They read stories, played lots of catch, played games, and had dinner with us. We were so happy that they could come and spend some time with us that evening. After dinner Aunt Lisa, Zacky, & Reece arrived. Needless to say, the kids were up late playing and having a great time. Grandma & Grandpa Becker, as well as Grandma Great didn't arrive until around 11:30. We didn't stay up for them. <br />
<br />
Sunday morning we had breakfast, said good bye to Aunt Lisa and the boys, and got ready to carve pumpkins. By we I mean Nate, David, and myself. The kids watched us clean them out (ok, Aunt Lori, David, and Nate cleaned them out) and lost interest very quickly. They played with Grandma & Grandpa while Nate, David, and I carved pumpkins. Nate did the kids's names, and did a great job at them once again this year. David carved one free hand, making sure that every detail was perfect (and it was). I on the other hand cheated and used a pattern from one of those books that you buy. They all turned out great, as you can see below. <br />
<br />
This week has been very busy. I worked Monday through Wednesday, and every night I have rushed home to get ready to leave again. Monday evening Uncle Wes came over to watch the kids so that Nate and I could go out for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. It was so nice to get away, just the two of us. We arrived home 20 minutes after bedtime to find Grant running through the house with a football and Ava playing in the living room with the TV on. She told me that she "tricked Uncle Wes" into letting her watch TV. They were having a great time. We finally corralled them into bed. Uncle Wes stayed to read Ava her bedtime stories. Thanks Uncle Wes for the babysitting. It was very much appreciated!<br />
<br />
As I mentioned in my last post, swim lessons have begun, so we're doing those on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Ava's instructor told me after Tuesday's class that Ava had improved so much and was doing good. That made me feel so much better. Ava informed me that it's because she was wearing her goggles. I guess she'll be wearing them again tonight. <br />
<br />
Last night Ava had dance, which she continues to absolutely love. They got measured for their recital costumes. The recital isn't until next spring, but I can only imagine how cute it is going to be. <br />
<br />
Tomorrow is a busy day. We have errands to run in the morning before Grant's 2 yr well child check, which will include immunizations for him, and a flu shot for both kids. He's going to once again hate going to the dr. We then have a big fun errand (will update on that next blog post) to run after our appointment. Then it's back home for naps, snack, and getting ready to go trick-or-treating in the frigid cold. Mema & Boppa are planning on coming down for dinner and will then hand out candy so that we can both take the kids trick-or-treating. Should be a fun day!<br />
<br />
Wishing you all a wonderful and safe Halloween. Don't forget to turn your clocks back this weekend!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuIKu_o5EaiYIdLu0P1HpckN9d-BHLXh1IPPB1UAcrd1gjrFTFzOLQv8D2b56UPrW34pPTWrMBMRgvPYnqfCLLG-GMgAwUxy_lDG415W_lpJeJiyaqsOFmjkl9L2cwAgDiXGN3WRm_4A/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWuIKu_o5EaiYIdLu0P1HpckN9d-BHLXh1IPPB1UAcrd1gjrFTFzOLQv8D2b56UPrW34pPTWrMBMRgvPYnqfCLLG-GMgAwUxy_lDG415W_lpJeJiyaqsOFmjkl9L2cwAgDiXGN3WRm_4A/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Opening presents on his actual birthday<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9P5cm_5E4m2LNU0xgFLcV0eCrgd9UXsMmlYplFUZSt48Gx-_2rLdUsWe893pi8hAS1pUmWo25CmogMVlOeYlwQnXkJwsQ-DGyPNAQPzd__BaHlSFzKbmli2Ahdc6HeLrsFF0Dl85DXw/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr9P5cm_5E4m2LNU0xgFLcV0eCrgd9UXsMmlYplFUZSt48Gx-_2rLdUsWe893pi8hAS1pUmWo25CmogMVlOeYlwQnXkJwsQ-DGyPNAQPzd__BaHlSFzKbmli2Ahdc6HeLrsFF0Dl85DXw/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdL9_K4viTeVWs8jO0YqxAOyCUTCtUOKmvDUN7xF4x9k0Yvxo2jnRuwKV59jqbJK-wbhQsvtrSFFyuzbqwjZ8pKRRGbGhhR7v_3UbcpOJtDMr4Tr61ZckydTkHgAkhmgrGi-Q1OdIA-8/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdL9_K4viTeVWs8jO0YqxAOyCUTCtUOKmvDUN7xF4x9k0Yvxo2jnRuwKV59jqbJK-wbhQsvtrSFFyuzbqwjZ8pKRRGbGhhR7v_3UbcpOJtDMr4Tr61ZckydTkHgAkhmgrGi-Q1OdIA-8/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Reading his new book from Auntie Lisa P, Uncle Craig, & Nick<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SIIRYBuYTjbp7YokuZt8IjK6wfpIF8jfJWEZZc7idGmLvA0iphzxcN3VoWeHltaHfXJAJa0BVmXNe6Bqdo4FTgh8Y_1G8hWvVshGAMNsJPXTQaGkPkaWECZG6tF1F7TafVccExKKOXs/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SIIRYBuYTjbp7YokuZt8IjK6wfpIF8jfJWEZZc7idGmLvA0iphzxcN3VoWeHltaHfXJAJa0BVmXNe6Bqdo4FTgh8Y_1G8hWvVshGAMNsJPXTQaGkPkaWECZG6tF1F7TafVccExKKOXs/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z6zyG7epxAv6fjhzLCGrEg_o2vOVuOTQYCUxTJPCU5yP6n021UMswjGntNrR3EihU6YDrUvFJ_SINX1p4CCEHITcG3JAL6Afuuz18BOEl82yKXplCdn3xQfuCn9Zck34U8gWKbReC2U/s1600/DSC_0674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z6zyG7epxAv6fjhzLCGrEg_o2vOVuOTQYCUxTJPCU5yP6n021UMswjGntNrR3EihU6YDrUvFJ_SINX1p4CCEHITcG3JAL6Afuuz18BOEl82yKXplCdn3xQfuCn9Zck34U8gWKbReC2U/s1600/DSC_0674.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
This is the look of a little girl who has to take a step back from being to helpful opening gifts<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8llLO-3nPC5yt2VafGVw24JW7q6JahuyXcVDXk3OInvCgA0SXZqDO_lRNLjsTcGEjFgXkX4hryzsvaK1sEF0viD8e7lr_CAGTKtQc1hfw42w7XvveRI42-_WmvJPmXR7MY61sekB7Yx0/s1600/DSC_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8llLO-3nPC5yt2VafGVw24JW7q6JahuyXcVDXk3OInvCgA0SXZqDO_lRNLjsTcGEjFgXkX4hryzsvaK1sEF0viD8e7lr_CAGTKtQc1hfw42w7XvveRI42-_WmvJPmXR7MY61sekB7Yx0/s1600/DSC_0688.JPG" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
He loved wearing his sleeping bag backpack around. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBSouQwrIe81lHXuXvmvTdSfvxZYVnOqYlzRMsVuMSSRtR7MDk6KzDuI1Egw8nKm-8qMem7XqiAmvoFU8hAVoixDJx8lRXg-MZu-c-OhSgCCAf6640FNKeXKbJAZFh8laoL5qo6HKZlc/s1600/DSC_0695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBSouQwrIe81lHXuXvmvTdSfvxZYVnOqYlzRMsVuMSSRtR7MDk6KzDuI1Egw8nKm-8qMem7XqiAmvoFU8hAVoixDJx8lRXg-MZu-c-OhSgCCAf6640FNKeXKbJAZFh8laoL5qo6HKZlc/s1600/DSC_0695.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqbhG1lYCCLEPFsktdCd7fWJ01k6Es4H75b28iVDcnvS3HQNJ7_VfkJaI0zI_xW9rT4ADj1-sRDnYCvqOcm6adPzHeFAD549HM8Oq9aIqwXBIBP9hz_cSss32S0AtbfEgKnf8qvdbD7E/s1600/DSC_0705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqbhG1lYCCLEPFsktdCd7fWJ01k6Es4H75b28iVDcnvS3HQNJ7_VfkJaI0zI_xW9rT4ADj1-sRDnYCvqOcm6adPzHeFAD549HM8Oq9aIqwXBIBP9hz_cSss32S0AtbfEgKnf8qvdbD7E/s1600/DSC_0705.JPG" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
I love his face in this picture. He is filled with delight and excitement. Wish I could freeze him in this moment forever. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQMSMyyvxMyShPk0QXLvYYOR8zUrkSxg1t7BhsbTkEFvMdu-p9EUEfdeUj3pqMNkKgUCscso8GhOiJag-rEnez20TQ_A5CVOA6TV3SSdYOHSXgDZ-9KbW7dSU-EYcB-0YKcEYXIRzZsw/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQMSMyyvxMyShPk0QXLvYYOR8zUrkSxg1t7BhsbTkEFvMdu-p9EUEfdeUj3pqMNkKgUCscso8GhOiJag-rEnez20TQ_A5CVOA6TV3SSdYOHSXgDZ-9KbW7dSU-EYcB-0YKcEYXIRzZsw/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
He loved his new helmet so much. He wore it around the house and outside to mow<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiu15QY4IV2-RSpSnZ0Xz5CcfC0FMx6PkuiNQt4_bfhQd0780bQS_RUabAnkwkKRfst5l67g-Qtlefm9mpSgdSknjIl6ckXJivccm4HPkcWCSjwSmF0a2WFFzCbXafSQlZHTbyy17rKY/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOiu15QY4IV2-RSpSnZ0Xz5CcfC0FMx6PkuiNQt4_bfhQd0780bQS_RUabAnkwkKRfst5l67g-Qtlefm9mpSgdSknjIl6ckXJivccm4HPkcWCSjwSmF0a2WFFzCbXafSQlZHTbyy17rKY/s1600/DSC_0730.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma took the kids outside to play for a little bit. Sad how early it gets dark!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pzVOVIzduAzEefrJyPf6Ov9kVkk3j3hNVSBESqPku_70GuuhDnOcPm5Nz8unc2NPPvYZoCrbd9ORU5b0mHnvbAGya_g9bKmTe41UVb2-BSO7R45mlZ1QPG9uluDidA5zQoLQQysr97c/s1600/DSC_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pzVOVIzduAzEefrJyPf6Ov9kVkk3j3hNVSBESqPku_70GuuhDnOcPm5Nz8unc2NPPvYZoCrbd9ORU5b0mHnvbAGya_g9bKmTe41UVb2-BSO7R45mlZ1QPG9uluDidA5zQoLQQysr97c/s1600/DSC_0738.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
The kids wanted nothing to do with getting their hands dirty with pumpkin guts. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5mIlQynDhGRRWcsmRIUsGxMmdadjFgMJaF84Poil3DFECkJ65oYzEzzXBZ2VWCjAnsvtT-OlVra7HOcJtBuZFCcPP19mgo7tOD81X2Ogx6tabsxesioM0O97gamOmQ9-J7oF1JIVB4Y/s1600/DSC_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5mIlQynDhGRRWcsmRIUsGxMmdadjFgMJaF84Poil3DFECkJ65oYzEzzXBZ2VWCjAnsvtT-OlVra7HOcJtBuZFCcPP19mgo7tOD81X2Ogx6tabsxesioM0O97gamOmQ9-J7oF1JIVB4Y/s1600/DSC_0756.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Instead of carving pumpkins they had a picnic with Grandma </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHWvX6n1U073rU5rnHa8y0O4BZduB01_xmaBG4nI94zJUR0Ej-AC9jm0XlsjDOWC9Ou6TR1ahCcbBmbV1ES38YVtENiZ9yHEudHpR8DsWOlc68q3je5Ejj0FEMgheWMftuisyc1-ZkO4/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHWvX6n1U073rU5rnHa8y0O4BZduB01_xmaBG4nI94zJUR0Ej-AC9jm0XlsjDOWC9Ou6TR1ahCcbBmbV1ES38YVtENiZ9yHEudHpR8DsWOlc68q3je5Ejj0FEMgheWMftuisyc1-ZkO4/s1600/DSC_0337.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
The final results of the pumpkin carving. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nX7s-XM1nEVJrlof7t8eDOl5q2Nuyu-d3MRGwRYqHwUP4sWRG9WaCcNKt_DgUb-tt-oTsQwsGayFnIs7yf1lRkbXURYbo2dP9EkpeSvPm9khyti3Nclp20GP-27qucAcNGqPbbBuu7Y/s1600/DSC_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nX7s-XM1nEVJrlof7t8eDOl5q2Nuyu-d3MRGwRYqHwUP4sWRG9WaCcNKt_DgUb-tt-oTsQwsGayFnIs7yf1lRkbXURYbo2dP9EkpeSvPm9khyti3Nclp20GP-27qucAcNGqPbbBuu7Y/s1600/DSC_0341.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
David's pumpkin that he did free hand.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8t09I2SS-KX5Qj3Ky8SmVa6Xj4vMggZOyFeLpP1fWdEU6R1NK2C06PVxRvEhtwhDcaVU5n5GHl-3VPjjTXbLH7Co1vMae9AB4DRpsCI_2RGWcnQ1Fdu1-deHBXbh6rZzNigZ6z1qR2A/s1600/IMG_20141030_074441_603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc8t09I2SS-KX5Qj3Ky8SmVa6Xj4vMggZOyFeLpP1fWdEU6R1NK2C06PVxRvEhtwhDcaVU5n5GHl-3VPjjTXbLH7Co1vMae9AB4DRpsCI_2RGWcnQ1Fdu1-deHBXbh6rZzNigZ6z1qR2A/s1600/IMG_20141030_074441_603.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I forgot to post this picture last time. It was taken in the photo booth at cousin Daniel and Vanessa's wedding. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-38826079388401060382014-10-23T19:13:00.001-07:002014-10-23T19:19:18.994-07:002 years ago today...Grant Gregory came into our lives and made our family complete. It's hard to believe how quickly two years have gone. I feel like he has grown so much in just the past month. His vocabulary is expanding almost daily, and his stubbornness gets more stubborn almost daily as well. He is constantly singing his ABCs and counting (sometimes in Spanish). He loves to mimic everything, and I mean everything, that his sister does. <br />
<br />
His temperament seems to be changing a bit as well. Perhaps it's not his temperament, he's just becoming more independent (which I love and but also hate when I'm in a hurry). We were extremely lucky with Ava and never really experienced the "terrible two's". I'm pretty sure that we may get more than we bargained for with Grant. He had the biggest melt down this past weekend at the wedding. Shockingly enough guess what it was about...food! Oh, not just any food but a cupcake. A whole table of cupcakes. After my blood was boiling and I was ready to take him home, I handed him off to Nate and when I returned he was smiling and devouring a cupcake. Ava informed us on the way home from the dance that she had two cupcakes that night. Grant piped in and said, "I had free (3)" and was so very proud. <br />
<br />
Along with his tantrum he was also stuck to me like glue all weekend. Everybody tried to help me out, but he just cried when I wasn't around. He's once again crying at daycare drop off, and when I took Ava to dance last evening I left him with a sitter. As I pulled away from the house I looked in my review mirror and saw this snot faced little boy running down the driveway after me crying "mama". I felt worse for the sitter than I did for Grant. Praying that this phase ends very very soon!<br />
<br />
As I mentioned, we were at a wedding Saturday. My cousin Daniel and his wife Vanessa got married. We went back to IA Friday morning in time for Daddy to go play golf with his buddy Nathan that afternoon. It was so great to be back and see most of my family. My brother and sister-in-law were even back from MO. I enjoyed every minute that I got to spend with everybody, and can't wait to see some of them again this weekend for Grant's birthday party. <br />
<br />
Grant's big birthday party is on Saturday. We didn't do to much to celebrate today. We had ECFE this morning, and Ava started swim lessons this evening. I'm so glad that she enjoys them. She told me multiple times, "I love swim lessons". Unfortunately, she is not good at them! Thankfully she likes them and doesn't yet realize that swimming is not her forte. The teacher told me today that she should really be swimming with her face in the water and that she may have to move back a class. I don't know why I was so bothered by this. I don't want to be one of "those parents" who thinks my kid has to be best at everything. However, I did struggle with that tonight as one of the 3 1/2 yr old girls skipped two classes and is already swimming. So Ava won't be a professional swimmer, why do I care? I don't know, but I do. I sure hope I feel better about this tomorrow. Like I said, I don't want to be one of "those parents". She 4 1/2 for the love! As long as she doesn't drown that's the important thing.<br />
<br />
Anyway, back to Grant. We got home from swim lessons, had dinner, and he enjoyed the messiest and yummiest cupcake of his life. It was then off to bath to clean up the cupcake and time for a few presents. He loved his new books from Auntie Lisa P., Uncle Craig, & Nick. He read those for bedtime, grabbed his football, gave kisses and hugs, and headed off to bed (with his football). As of last night, he can no longer sleep without one of his footballs. He is such a boy!<br />
<br />
I almost forgot to mention, Nate and I "celebrated" our anniversary Monday. Seven years it has been. I remember that day like yesterday as well. It was one of the greatest days of my life. I often tell Nate and I wish we could throw another party like that again. Great friends, family weather, food. It truly was our perfect day. What did we do to celebrate you ask. Well, we both worked, came home and made some pasta for dinner, gave the kids baths, and fell asleep on the couch while watching TV at 9:30 only to wake up at 11:55 to go to bed. Oh how seven years changes things. :) We are actually going to go out to dinner next Monday evening. Rumor has it that Uncle Wes is coming to babysit while Nate and I go out. Could be an interesting night in our house. :)<br />
<br />
Thanks for checking in. Have a great weekend and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHETn5QKJWP4vLw1-iiq5PjjkV31JoAmDWH6rGDduUIr466HTKgH_d03dWiDO67k_I8uks0NznRAqX9aYQGQVOlK0sKG-FAP8V_xykPnSB0pkK2khcRxEnDRZHMrjDchKDP-G1ESstOFA/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHETn5QKJWP4vLw1-iiq5PjjkV31JoAmDWH6rGDduUIr466HTKgH_d03dWiDO67k_I8uks0NznRAqX9aYQGQVOlK0sKG-FAP8V_xykPnSB0pkK2khcRxEnDRZHMrjDchKDP-G1ESstOFA/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant loved driving the fire truck. He loves driving anything he can get his hands on.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjTxD8CQiPGMfiH_VCpUTQZJGx3AjVKXCh9BoBkA469SyMSDiCGyrQGhdMgWVDNEr0tWBtZ9Sw2xir7VMgy0-bvIhqBijyVIYQySlD7hKGW4DJet0ni_M_k7tznFDusQa2fYWqEgThxo/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjTxD8CQiPGMfiH_VCpUTQZJGx3AjVKXCh9BoBkA469SyMSDiCGyrQGhdMgWVDNEr0tWBtZ9Sw2xir7VMgy0-bvIhqBijyVIYQySlD7hKGW4DJet0ni_M_k7tznFDusQa2fYWqEgThxo/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Balls and tractors, I think he dreams of moments like this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfKSuB9w3suQJ5q0XJawY9mWLt8xBWWAPshqmFXKRCiBBPYBdFLFYX37PM_i5UH_F0gvvS9zoJY6-yAOGJy6YIIn6NX06m0BI2sC4MjT4ODn20N6BDJ_MifCfu6D8aUxE7fMGSoIxpJ4/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpfKSuB9w3suQJ5q0XJawY9mWLt8xBWWAPshqmFXKRCiBBPYBdFLFYX37PM_i5UH_F0gvvS9zoJY6-yAOGJy6YIIn6NX06m0BI2sC4MjT4ODn20N6BDJ_MifCfu6D8aUxE7fMGSoIxpJ4/s1600/DSC_0594.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Ava & Grant fighting over who gets to drive the tractor<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPPjQrexK9EEhUicTuVuDoq-EeDDMoizbGTh6RRV6IUGAwUgzXLQH-Oa3dmY2Yy1LUqCYxlUMB546ySDDyyZ5NRgZdTrll8epjicg2h5hQAWsGOAxpKDTV_bEl5aEVi6Fu-oBC3HDjLg/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWPPjQrexK9EEhUicTuVuDoq-EeDDMoizbGTh6RRV6IUGAwUgzXLQH-Oa3dmY2Yy1LUqCYxlUMB546ySDDyyZ5NRgZdTrll8epjicg2h5hQAWsGOAxpKDTV_bEl5aEVi6Fu-oBC3HDjLg/s1600/DSC_0610.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma & Grandpa with Zacky, Reece, Ava & Grant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMphDbgJHwRt_luBp95UWtiQVqRjiDZeRuJtkhsZiVwj5vdkdg3jq0NnoAlBaTzqyXeR5pOXf5D9V0ZD9HJeVYMzJNHZn1I-DxOF2PNxuY5chlcQuR7DgTZP_crrnnA3MGLryZsK4U050/s1600/DSC_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMphDbgJHwRt_luBp95UWtiQVqRjiDZeRuJtkhsZiVwj5vdkdg3jq0NnoAlBaTzqyXeR5pOXf5D9V0ZD9HJeVYMzJNHZn1I-DxOF2PNxuY5chlcQuR7DgTZP_crrnnA3MGLryZsK4U050/s1600/DSC_0617.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Reece actually took this picture<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M3lFa1CiHrxfYwNp0ZmvN2K0b3groKLa0s1KdmsFCIiPuLhHXiI3dzq7VGNAdrv6SMTFskhDo5n1L_tOhWuoFtant1ite2sCcK1ULLXAqyqj9CHfqUPBOYFCVlzoez32VhTIR8lyTjA/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M3lFa1CiHrxfYwNp0ZmvN2K0b3groKLa0s1KdmsFCIiPuLhHXiI3dzq7VGNAdrv6SMTFskhDo5n1L_tOhWuoFtant1ite2sCcK1ULLXAqyqj9CHfqUPBOYFCVlzoez32VhTIR8lyTjA/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Our family all together, it was great!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWKYvEZORZTRNdfpLcqoGWojdZmQupnCq2SRJR9xjq1xAO89qSmxKvLvTXLB_EQZ6jiFnkTatYHv3eWGTTxuuLSRGtW5wtUKkHJvgL4Fdk00rzfqMe4bQjbTEjTRiihZkQQUAn6Pidvs/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWKYvEZORZTRNdfpLcqoGWojdZmQupnCq2SRJR9xjq1xAO89qSmxKvLvTXLB_EQZ6jiFnkTatYHv3eWGTTxuuLSRGtW5wtUKkHJvgL4Fdk00rzfqMe4bQjbTEjTRiihZkQQUAn6Pidvs/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Great Grandma with her great grandchildren<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUSqDS4OhksP2UMF_YRS0NfRYwPRXacH495-54F1wdD_3yr0TxQb3gcfyAq4keffqmk-BK-M2MFB7JdV1DK-pWvI6L6D17cf9P7Io-apqWRao-E8a78RTN85iBTMZubzX3hzJ9_al5W4/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUSqDS4OhksP2UMF_YRS0NfRYwPRXacH495-54F1wdD_3yr0TxQb3gcfyAq4keffqmk-BK-M2MFB7JdV1DK-pWvI6L6D17cf9P7Io-apqWRao-E8a78RTN85iBTMZubzX3hzJ9_al5W4/s1600/DSC_0639.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
G looking sharp in his suit<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbpJQVdHdRzlH4eJVUK6oDDeTM2AhtKG2U9Pfa3B6GWeIoAruGBoWlvRLBZA_GNHHrNOLUCrGb5lkcYkdIp9BXefgz1J2l16Hx_YUAspW10qjS6nGbC-Hb9jTl9S1dGPQ2SI2ptodQ6A/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbpJQVdHdRzlH4eJVUK6oDDeTM2AhtKG2U9Pfa3B6GWeIoAruGBoWlvRLBZA_GNHHrNOLUCrGb5lkcYkdIp9BXefgz1J2l16Hx_YUAspW10qjS6nGbC-Hb9jTl9S1dGPQ2SI2ptodQ6A/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
My entire family on my mom's side (minus a few)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIS73SW_X490ZdsXIfvAC_fK9zCciDdjuy2xjqYs9JNYgcYO3-Llay_-Q8eJYAsfi5Kz7b4quRUXI7VcGm888UGmWg7ld2GsWEnfAwXzq5trZKzocnKVXC9pa2ZE8NyWVTkMJT6fvhz8/s1600/DSC_0774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIS73SW_X490ZdsXIfvAC_fK9zCciDdjuy2xjqYs9JNYgcYO3-Llay_-Q8eJYAsfi5Kz7b4quRUXI7VcGm888UGmWg7ld2GsWEnfAwXzq5trZKzocnKVXC9pa2ZE8NyWVTkMJT6fvhz8/s1600/DSC_0774.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
We missed nap time due to pictures, thankfully he fell asleep at the ceremony. Unfortunately it was at the end of the ceremony. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWgsAJEE_mzGbKXSkN1JILGWV4N6Mb-PfUxe11O7QK1tk2BLy6aEaeYx5OR5107GChY4d7MpzB37C_oU3xkrNNAOIdvrupflWXkMh4kylUx5qM_lAMNQQUUtMDIJV7Wg1pWi3ix45-ZE/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWgsAJEE_mzGbKXSkN1JILGWV4N6Mb-PfUxe11O7QK1tk2BLy6aEaeYx5OR5107GChY4d7MpzB37C_oU3xkrNNAOIdvrupflWXkMh4kylUx5qM_lAMNQQUUtMDIJV7Wg1pWi3ix45-ZE/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgME_UZymb9qCogduUk8s7WNo3K_PbjKYXaou28JY0NT1z0NGhmELoBhH6MAjw_SRaRChcqefkVJYz-HP8nUp6r2a9xroz0AEl_We4GmLOQPtWCwDTiFd2h_uDlaHhBgQ5HDYWE3fxhAwE/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgME_UZymb9qCogduUk8s7WNo3K_PbjKYXaou28JY0NT1z0NGhmELoBhH6MAjw_SRaRChcqefkVJYz-HP8nUp6r2a9xroz0AEl_We4GmLOQPtWCwDTiFd2h_uDlaHhBgQ5HDYWE3fxhAwE/s1600/DSC_0821.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
My mom, sister, and sister-in-laws. Great women!!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzseajQTfumRT_dMmncHWtoRwemYRrQpA0o0WrNpDrj86-_7ralK53MbIxUh9i03HuRpmsn7pU853PNgIwNwiKtPI9H1DfUf7ZRskwQsmjaR65EU57NRf0k1lj4cy88rqQImu7q90qxFM/s1600/DSC_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzseajQTfumRT_dMmncHWtoRwemYRrQpA0o0WrNpDrj86-_7ralK53MbIxUh9i03HuRpmsn7pU853PNgIwNwiKtPI9H1DfUf7ZRskwQsmjaR65EU57NRf0k1lj4cy88rqQImu7q90qxFM/s1600/DSC_0844.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
This would be the cupcake that turned Grant's night around (his first of three I guess)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3DbK7qPoA4g9ul0FtxHp-rW33UK0B20nPUINsGGOpx2zrVXYbwPz-tSlEgwrjMKxCDGhywRjyZGRuPayFGkeaQrBVsLP8VEDLx5I6q5VB3BbEzMqmAwmF2SJqA4RichmK37jTudbXCg/s1600/DSC_0869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3DbK7qPoA4g9ul0FtxHp-rW33UK0B20nPUINsGGOpx2zrVXYbwPz-tSlEgwrjMKxCDGhywRjyZGRuPayFGkeaQrBVsLP8VEDLx5I6q5VB3BbEzMqmAwmF2SJqA4RichmK37jTudbXCg/s1600/DSC_0869.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma and her granddaughters (minus Megan)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVoW3RJH9Srou05HrYyQ-ItHn_sHxDEMh8cm016IGEllW24Ltg2ZMEMTh04y09RJ3pZkRG6CBq7qzMftcNpbySp0IdoV-02NWUkl6bzYJraNjp-sE63v0CTUX3hzAXrAu2ooxx__qAko/s1600/DSC_0873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVoW3RJH9Srou05HrYyQ-ItHn_sHxDEMh8cm016IGEllW24Ltg2ZMEMTh04y09RJ3pZkRG6CBq7qzMftcNpbySp0IdoV-02NWUkl6bzYJraNjp-sE63v0CTUX3hzAXrAu2ooxx__qAko/s1600/DSC_0873.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Aunt Sara got him away for a little while, but he just had to be near me. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT72k7ql02oniYEZb6QtF2WlHwET9TUWYFyFNqoUlTzSgrfmAFN9166A5vsCtW_Jz8zowGNNJw2ejwY_NZz8YALRFqkFAQbeZdwVGqRFl7-TqfTubIHeMz6vT5vsjFhhBmAEqb9tecTXI/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT72k7ql02oniYEZb6QtF2WlHwET9TUWYFyFNqoUlTzSgrfmAFN9166A5vsCtW_Jz8zowGNNJw2ejwY_NZz8YALRFqkFAQbeZdwVGqRFl7-TqfTubIHeMz6vT5vsjFhhBmAEqb9tecTXI/s1600/DSC_0895.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Both of the kids got a second wind (or perhaps a sugar rush) and rocked the dance floor.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmoI5dJ1pozefN5-vQRnl_4N1qBn0YFdK2bBSrcnO0_Tm5flfmMzNQyAxOkHuhPgZjVqtkBclMGy8SCG3T9OJhYntBjp3EAza4bSaawPz5FPpxKLH0dtmoFzYt5751XZUYZny3N8zyLU/s1600/DSC_0896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmoI5dJ1pozefN5-vQRnl_4N1qBn0YFdK2bBSrcnO0_Tm5flfmMzNQyAxOkHuhPgZjVqtkBclMGy8SCG3T9OJhYntBjp3EAza4bSaawPz5FPpxKLH0dtmoFzYt5751XZUYZny3N8zyLU/s1600/DSC_0896.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCmB27qLevrbrBNjQrcF-YTVN9m4GDS5Sw-q1wgbMwwqi3SEHRpVjNOENjSOTz5rhdA9ZWR4gr4iE4RTyM2d-h-VSwZD_Tgt1vbmbVAluq819nI4wavkxxCKZiOb0zjuvtjTzJBma0Qs/s1600/DSC_0898.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcCmB27qLevrbrBNjQrcF-YTVN9m4GDS5Sw-q1wgbMwwqi3SEHRpVjNOENjSOTz5rhdA9ZWR4gr4iE4RTyM2d-h-VSwZD_Tgt1vbmbVAluq819nI4wavkxxCKZiOb0zjuvtjTzJBma0Qs/s1600/DSC_0898.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
My Aunt Darlene and me. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvMTvD34yWQ0G0Htcpw-kX-f120SlmoYpmYxN777vC5H3nTC2JpApbZLQu_y8xSckUpUr1YfOVE9flUh_co4LOwERynPivgLJ989-ahNR0gepMyR5szxFZ_Psazpf5bXIZr-TntAq7pU/s1600/DSC_0912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPvMTvD34yWQ0G0Htcpw-kX-f120SlmoYpmYxN777vC5H3nTC2JpApbZLQu_y8xSckUpUr1YfOVE9flUh_co4LOwERynPivgLJ989-ahNR0gepMyR5szxFZ_Psazpf5bXIZr-TntAq7pU/s1600/DSC_0912.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCTbqyjeY-S_zyWFT4n0341Y4gjc2GLfR2ZtdpptVs1RJyWl35Sf1Sh_-e-aPnkOw-5H_ZgkhLj2vB-ko7pZT1mCh8dw762FECXl-h_wXh6C4Sl-tOg1A7Bn3J774CTU3V5FhO3YDCX4/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieCTbqyjeY-S_zyWFT4n0341Y4gjc2GLfR2ZtdpptVs1RJyWl35Sf1Sh_-e-aPnkOw-5H_ZgkhLj2vB-ko7pZT1mCh8dw762FECXl-h_wXh6C4Sl-tOg1A7Bn3J774CTU3V5FhO3YDCX4/s1600/DSC_0915.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
My cool dude.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAyoGWF3VBu9_PjXUDDm5E3TwluvjpswimLFDGuG8VG9av2y3G7hTWrclNJEFyIxfSeOFoQeMmaKAJRqdQYdPGdIA1I5k4KXmDl2Hge4l51CaLxaZW9_t9s7tD8ZlNVEoyWiFyY-7kE0/s1600/20141023_190100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAyoGWF3VBu9_PjXUDDm5E3TwluvjpswimLFDGuG8VG9av2y3G7hTWrclNJEFyIxfSeOFoQeMmaKAJRqdQYdPGdIA1I5k4KXmDl2Hge4l51CaLxaZW9_t9s7tD8ZlNVEoyWiFyY-7kE0/s1600/20141023_190100.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Happy Birthday G-man. We love you so very much!!!The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-15935279282783223652014-10-15T20:14:00.004-07:002014-10-15T20:14:48.801-07:00Grant's 2 yr picturesWe got our pictures last night from Grant's 2 yr photo shoot. I had to laugh as I looked through them. Trying to get pictures of a 2 yr old proved to be quite a task. However, Ava stepped right up and volunteered to have her picture taken. Needless to say, we have many more pictures of Ava from Grant's shoot than we do of him. Most of these you will not find hanging on our wall in the near future. However, they make me laugh and tell the true story of our life. Our life doesn't sit still and isn't all smiles. However, it's a great mix of smiles, tears, laughter, tantrums, high fives, dance parties, and a lot of love. Thanks Angela Courtney Photography for taking the time to photograph the kids and our family. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44v_ue7PYi5xfdArUE-Y4AN1V4MTW2wJ6BVx3lsSeCe1HNOLmAPl1D3vW7J3l3i-2Nul36Hi-VKlKqIc8Th3QK4VfRR3CmSMjxTFzb4sVsbYEYA_Sgdw5VAXYUuZODM-y-WDOW4ioQe4/s1600/AC+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44v_ue7PYi5xfdArUE-Y4AN1V4MTW2wJ6BVx3lsSeCe1HNOLmAPl1D3vW7J3l3i-2Nul36Hi-VKlKqIc8Th3QK4VfRR3CmSMjxTFzb4sVsbYEYA_Sgdw5VAXYUuZODM-y-WDOW4ioQe4/s1600/AC+04.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KiFTvAkueC4hljx1JDDj_dmpSajvP68kY8MEGwgpB42d_7RmjYV31VWoJ_dkROfudjwKequyv893avuw_bmYLavmma23tPpzzp3_TgiRup6hPLjZuIhcWEubjdbWdHRMpOAk1olq-oY/s1600/AC+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KiFTvAkueC4hljx1JDDj_dmpSajvP68kY8MEGwgpB42d_7RmjYV31VWoJ_dkROfudjwKequyv893avuw_bmYLavmma23tPpzzp3_TgiRup6hPLjZuIhcWEubjdbWdHRMpOAk1olq-oY/s1600/AC+05.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Can't believe that this little man will be 2 in less than 2 weeks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tmeNsYt3IB8EZuKD3I6hvUxW2cWjtq1X2GQwzfv5QHY-4vhmFPecpOWCebEyuHu0lST0Fhtg1XWknGVdLNOaX9ID9pNBc6V3AKIfvOyzIpjYAfCejgF409Bbv8W1f2rzPLV4M4D5N2I/s1600/AC+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4tmeNsYt3IB8EZuKD3I6hvUxW2cWjtq1X2GQwzfv5QHY-4vhmFPecpOWCebEyuHu0lST0Fhtg1XWknGVdLNOaX9ID9pNBc6V3AKIfvOyzIpjYAfCejgF409Bbv8W1f2rzPLV4M4D5N2I/s1600/AC+10.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXF5b-zLdQaJFokHA1BJDl01wd7PQ3c9CVloxKSFSxbhmEZZxDuosoKBJ5EnzEwfM96uYynGpl9OMg75KcsvqAd3mBDD22z-ODL05R_vRiCrCt_25ZckfmSrX2Ya7-i1G29cTRXKAF4o/s1600/AC+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXF5b-zLdQaJFokHA1BJDl01wd7PQ3c9CVloxKSFSxbhmEZZxDuosoKBJ5EnzEwfM96uYynGpl9OMg75KcsvqAd3mBDD22z-ODL05R_vRiCrCt_25ZckfmSrX2Ya7-i1G29cTRXKAF4o/s1600/AC+11.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX04dCv7eSWK3npbZDFxHVPzmSEL5HcbqGuB2dgavlSj6fMXBiycozv-G6i5dbM3HEF0TGzdP5ZSv2HlY4T2X15RjVF2XYMwH_H_No0kgn_ywRB3d0ngWNQaRdmphEA7OzDtpRYQVUq7w/s1600/AC+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX04dCv7eSWK3npbZDFxHVPzmSEL5HcbqGuB2dgavlSj6fMXBiycozv-G6i5dbM3HEF0TGzdP5ZSv2HlY4T2X15RjVF2XYMwH_H_No0kgn_ywRB3d0ngWNQaRdmphEA7OzDtpRYQVUq7w/s1600/AC+13.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UXgvowcnsuXUL2WioQt1Pnoe9sLoiO6hVDd6Ec_NURXUZHhRpLGqCjB_LvujexPNPzkxXepKSGaBXbPHNFsn1kCPOJmq0RczeZJYskL8PO-CuV94_HSZ_TCPsl67V5cpfWbDTWVtXSM/s1600/AC+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UXgvowcnsuXUL2WioQt1Pnoe9sLoiO6hVDd6Ec_NURXUZHhRpLGqCjB_LvujexPNPzkxXepKSGaBXbPHNFsn1kCPOJmq0RczeZJYskL8PO-CuV94_HSZ_TCPsl67V5cpfWbDTWVtXSM/s1600/AC+17.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant's constipated face<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGMVQAMXR8lLjx5q1D-Y9PrqyIgo14MQE9fdAwZu-UjMWRx-qt1smt73vcOigMnskP153tcySEi_Wiaz9EmtpTwQOkuDASwhthdabcnLNk_9An-HEY08GPTxZ1cZWA1dqkd6KYe4S2IU/s1600/AC+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGMVQAMXR8lLjx5q1D-Y9PrqyIgo14MQE9fdAwZu-UjMWRx-qt1smt73vcOigMnskP153tcySEi_Wiaz9EmtpTwQOkuDASwhthdabcnLNk_9An-HEY08GPTxZ1cZWA1dqkd6KYe4S2IU/s1600/AC+20.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava's open mouth face<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IFGSCh-giSY_tbAH434vIi-kONkTTAYCS2mo8paJ7azDSDjwgPDlupIK4Txz2UgQA4FNKrmPQOyTvzv7v-W5tKsjXdcuD0qaR6onAi2GdggpefAnMy43ltD62dxHYhN47znqBO1jVsw/s1600/AC+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6IFGSCh-giSY_tbAH434vIi-kONkTTAYCS2mo8paJ7azDSDjwgPDlupIK4Txz2UgQA4FNKrmPQOyTvzv7v-W5tKsjXdcuD0qaR6onAi2GdggpefAnMy43ltD62dxHYhN47znqBO1jVsw/s1600/AC+22.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_y5ABzjzqoWuIoFSRyw2Bm5EuDms8HrT3Hvtfvot0_E2jZbgk6aiY1mb0cHT_o-9YYWR1Hu8qGKyZ1wvoTybPOuk5FW-sNwD30egH2YidSEEVkt9RWlXdxmi1-Ib_p3npLFv149pORw/s1600/AC+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_y5ABzjzqoWuIoFSRyw2Bm5EuDms8HrT3Hvtfvot0_E2jZbgk6aiY1mb0cHT_o-9YYWR1Hu8qGKyZ1wvoTybPOuk5FW-sNwD30egH2YidSEEVkt9RWlXdxmi1-Ib_p3npLFv149pORw/s1600/AC+24.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Nate, you forgot to look back<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKEp6F1uTKB_LFHAtY3dZIVXZrCrGadlA5iUAEQ6QXcQJOrfHdiQCQj_xUeX_QnowlWB3mNACyuGJXRkwBVI7Gw7fMviEk5ObTBKOX8D2aR_BSvBa-z1tUI1684sLu_PwcAwMk5y-r8M/s1600/AC+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKEp6F1uTKB_LFHAtY3dZIVXZrCrGadlA5iUAEQ6QXcQJOrfHdiQCQj_xUeX_QnowlWB3mNACyuGJXRkwBVI7Gw7fMviEk5ObTBKOX8D2aR_BSvBa-z1tUI1684sLu_PwcAwMk5y-r8M/s1600/AC+25.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgAFXw9ZzhC-zgVWJAZJibr8Mdt1zPYWsflQBam0ZX9peeWOf_P_zPpG-o1KwFQzNBEio0ca_Rpe24RatmxrhrxjWceuZFMkrKjz5l3NQe-TRoNU1lg5X9msmsFXgWEtviVUiiBWX1kY/s1600/AC+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgAFXw9ZzhC-zgVWJAZJibr8Mdt1zPYWsflQBam0ZX9peeWOf_P_zPpG-o1KwFQzNBEio0ca_Rpe24RatmxrhrxjWceuZFMkrKjz5l3NQe-TRoNU1lg5X9msmsFXgWEtviVUiiBWX1kY/s1600/AC+28.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgZgvTqzQKdk4pHtBOIFdlD3y43-BUy8UIw2tMRVF5_UBuK5Y1NhkowfNJkfkzf1-xuIWSWZiPCW48thtkoV1uZBh5fybs25cvWfm_Am5xviyWq9IbSyJkG4oKVBH8wo5rzOGtgpwCVU/s1600/AC+29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgZgvTqzQKdk4pHtBOIFdlD3y43-BUy8UIw2tMRVF5_UBuK5Y1NhkowfNJkfkzf1-xuIWSWZiPCW48thtkoV1uZBh5fybs25cvWfm_Am5xviyWq9IbSyJkG4oKVBH8wo5rzOGtgpwCVU/s1600/AC+29.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Love these pictures, and the series to follow of Ava on the tracks. She has so many facial expressions. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRw54z2GtjrfsH0wZW5QIOc6TQyuK9uLwGQyhfa7q_U-gbzsd6gackWd2IrPSzLmwCMj5hKpF89djAatz-CqjvdD-wiOguIAWBkGUcnnqh7l6zBO7bn9fdz9oVelU_H6znHcejot0DX1o/s1600/AC+31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRw54z2GtjrfsH0wZW5QIOc6TQyuK9uLwGQyhfa7q_U-gbzsd6gackWd2IrPSzLmwCMj5hKpF89djAatz-CqjvdD-wiOguIAWBkGUcnnqh7l6zBO7bn9fdz9oVelU_H6znHcejot0DX1o/s1600/AC+31.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5Pb1LtZBAqd3IPfb6vZkXiZUeoprdK-wf9yMLe20Y55jrd9XdtHka8Ju47vPwccQq1XO0_0p1geMR838Vef-MKHRWxu6jIZEL1c5kKKiVezFs7HMp2H_37EQkff_bqQ2T7CTvadNeJo/s1600/AC+33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5Pb1LtZBAqd3IPfb6vZkXiZUeoprdK-wf9yMLe20Y55jrd9XdtHka8Ju47vPwccQq1XO0_0p1geMR838Vef-MKHRWxu6jIZEL1c5kKKiVezFs7HMp2H_37EQkff_bqQ2T7CTvadNeJo/s1600/AC+33.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4chrkV0mwz1tjtE9YoqIogIeqnBKf9Pl8WPKk8sgy5PBOg3w3vGk3E8EWxsnsdybcvWtXQIILgV-3SWXIw9v-qHc7d_jXoC9Q259RT9L72PEKLVqpX5AFz70ZV1Ej-X8KaxoVCGCoGc/s1600/AC+34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4chrkV0mwz1tjtE9YoqIogIeqnBKf9Pl8WPKk8sgy5PBOg3w3vGk3E8EWxsnsdybcvWtXQIILgV-3SWXIw9v-qHc7d_jXoC9Q259RT9L72PEKLVqpX5AFz70ZV1Ej-X8KaxoVCGCoGc/s1600/AC+34.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKrZWcKGcmA1CKoP5_dxR9RJ2K_k6ezQ3gtvwTsZcbuNkTgUtwfZ838hwTcEbH42HOaiJ63VjujuQeZ57QIdzcdlahDjiY6wZ5KRNiBTqI-U6ruj_NifXDkusEggH85I0vgH_yUAFGo0/s1600/AC+35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglKrZWcKGcmA1CKoP5_dxR9RJ2K_k6ezQ3gtvwTsZcbuNkTgUtwfZ838hwTcEbH42HOaiJ63VjujuQeZ57QIdzcdlahDjiY6wZ5KRNiBTqI-U6ruj_NifXDkusEggH85I0vgH_yUAFGo0/s1600/AC+35.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
I'm not sure how we can so quickly go from this....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceVlCzXdg_JoFFYHx45exYzZ58PE59iKpuG-_hX8a8yamuZawpjajWhIFhghoL8Sl6JNKTrqHkga-zWIFRRWu302sxwrxwy1_loBs0i5Y75mmOBRlvBjujaiOuxDJAS-rYRcv2ZbuPMI/s1600/AC+37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgceVlCzXdg_JoFFYHx45exYzZ58PE59iKpuG-_hX8a8yamuZawpjajWhIFhghoL8Sl6JNKTrqHkga-zWIFRRWu302sxwrxwy1_loBs0i5Y75mmOBRlvBjujaiOuxDJAS-rYRcv2ZbuPMI/s1600/AC+37.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
to this. :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoE5OM19GmnHJEH6iT4lVx3yU7TYpQEQ5EeWiR4B8Gnm4mMOw1Jd6bYbbPabIt-dP0LNEWwbiKvxdn5aMFpMK5yBy60cPPpRgFDsrooNqfwCMikvMZsPpFb1No4yOr6zchNwZtGjJbeg0/s1600/AC+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoE5OM19GmnHJEH6iT4lVx3yU7TYpQEQ5EeWiR4B8Gnm4mMOw1Jd6bYbbPabIt-dP0LNEWwbiKvxdn5aMFpMK5yBy60cPPpRgFDsrooNqfwCMikvMZsPpFb1No4yOr6zchNwZtGjJbeg0/s1600/AC+39.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95D8Vn8dP6nQk7XhDBO8-KhXktZd-iAKrDUpTIHpXcaL-31W_cy5Di7Th1idqotpxU_ROAyWcm6XAge_bhyo4qsJ6zAjDTmCLZtUYALG-DL9H5Tkhql9-Z43ZEqsZ1Oj8zy4MOJV41Qg/s1600/AC+41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95D8Vn8dP6nQk7XhDBO8-KhXktZd-iAKrDUpTIHpXcaL-31W_cy5Di7Th1idqotpxU_ROAyWcm6XAge_bhyo4qsJ6zAjDTmCLZtUYALG-DL9H5Tkhql9-Z43ZEqsZ1Oj8zy4MOJV41Qg/s1600/AC+41.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ivM78W4TthsqSWUYwbbADRG4iEMil0fYfoq7sYnupLWCQLtQMglHOUccEhqk7PaAcZquoAzh_2KNZ2AsMUowyd_TUZ0nAfwKzmQx0qZpvtTYdeYa4s_366mtEwFOTn9eq5wVZM9PNs/s1600/AC+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8ivM78W4TthsqSWUYwbbADRG4iEMil0fYfoq7sYnupLWCQLtQMglHOUccEhqk7PaAcZquoAzh_2KNZ2AsMUowyd_TUZ0nAfwKzmQx0qZpvtTYdeYa4s_366mtEwFOTn9eq5wVZM9PNs/s1600/AC+42.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zoog56vGy-8sk1_7-np6qJDdrJa6sFyQPrH3AOZcbvqzvXYITVSw2dr3TwU9Sqv7ub0E4WqD6yhpFwM1thyg6hQXNJAWaPQKQGfVzwMMdSEpQIDNblsAkOJ5dcw_TbePcOxAzovyFrA/s1600/AC+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zoog56vGy-8sk1_7-np6qJDdrJa6sFyQPrH3AOZcbvqzvXYITVSw2dr3TwU9Sqv7ub0E4WqD6yhpFwM1thyg6hQXNJAWaPQKQGfVzwMMdSEpQIDNblsAkOJ5dcw_TbePcOxAzovyFrA/s1600/AC+45.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3ikT8GqfHCfs8fRVr0cXGCOZdVkzRSzkJglCzhMdZzQHSPxPUSBNHYPO1goshansERRFzPc-cMsL1Pz5yYr1YZWRLKe7RpwdP-JzDEUm4NHS8NKksF7HeD7w73X-9LvSLXlY2mXCr0c/s1600/AC+46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3ikT8GqfHCfs8fRVr0cXGCOZdVkzRSzkJglCzhMdZzQHSPxPUSBNHYPO1goshansERRFzPc-cMsL1Pz5yYr1YZWRLKe7RpwdP-JzDEUm4NHS8NKksF7HeD7w73X-9LvSLXlY2mXCr0c/s1600/AC+46.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjFmjhF6Rm6quW-a_an6RpsAKqldFChyphenhyphenU_JCPGkpMB3rFpNMbxsC-bOqjKiIbXKpotVom6o5ZR94-lQtSO_EdTVN957JGqr45iTU26N2ggZMMTPCfUrwb5kystrLHzscOfc_PxkSvXyY/s1600/AC+48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjFmjhF6Rm6quW-a_an6RpsAKqldFChyphenhyphenU_JCPGkpMB3rFpNMbxsC-bOqjKiIbXKpotVom6o5ZR94-lQtSO_EdTVN957JGqr45iTU26N2ggZMMTPCfUrwb5kystrLHzscOfc_PxkSvXyY/s1600/AC+48.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMQ-Gw0E2TY7jTqJ9gDXb53c2mDCoY36GAerK4nDwyWx0N9xFztrOkdT0a84k-Drh2PEdsbh2EkOHUAB1QitfXIZGBuoFmBaVvamR41ESIEXcsRaG1LETvpFvq9UZYpr7sl3EL-EWV2w/s1600/AC+50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMQ-Gw0E2TY7jTqJ9gDXb53c2mDCoY36GAerK4nDwyWx0N9xFztrOkdT0a84k-Drh2PEdsbh2EkOHUAB1QitfXIZGBuoFmBaVvamR41ESIEXcsRaG1LETvpFvq9UZYpr7sl3EL-EWV2w/s1600/AC+50.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5vNISkE6vFbLEoEq64WViXRze2lF9MqT3uiE3G6m8dktTwtk9d7siydG9QpBO3uDpLXaaXUpDUe-4TGmWLc9OM7ReLVL0mkbUPtrcMWfOfKXOkWAgUC7ieH61-84HWDQ55M06hZaLnQ/s1600/AC+52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5vNISkE6vFbLEoEq64WViXRze2lF9MqT3uiE3G6m8dktTwtk9d7siydG9QpBO3uDpLXaaXUpDUe-4TGmWLc9OM7ReLVL0mkbUPtrcMWfOfKXOkWAgUC7ieH61-84HWDQ55M06hZaLnQ/s1600/AC+52.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfrbEOD9972OdYkS_9N1SX2J3nmIAtDg-RoFeQhsVvE0LpmwI-U-ZFQuPHLQv6JqNwXobhdOzFeC2U57FwQnZoLjhR_yYj3kcKc5p4UtTlc3gK9k1N8OR9zzRVv-vBgQdWoJEc54VXu4/s1600/AC+58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfrbEOD9972OdYkS_9N1SX2J3nmIAtDg-RoFeQhsVvE0LpmwI-U-ZFQuPHLQv6JqNwXobhdOzFeC2U57FwQnZoLjhR_yYj3kcKc5p4UtTlc3gK9k1N8OR9zzRVv-vBgQdWoJEc54VXu4/s1600/AC+58.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Finally, after 326 pictures we got a keeper. :)The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-42823429295080512182014-10-13T19:15:00.000-07:002014-10-13T19:15:00.608-07:00Fall funWe've been so busy having fun that I haven't found the time to update the blog. As always, I have good intentions to do it, but the couch and a pre-bedtime nap usually wins out at the end of the day. Our weekends have been packed with gopher games, apple orchards, formal events (for me, Nate got childcare duty...sorry babe), etc. I'll let the pictures tell the story of our fun.<br />
<br />
As far as an update on the kids, they are doing well. Ava can't get enough of her dance class, somehow loving it even more every week that she goes. We got smart and starting hiring a sitter to watch Grant while I take Ava so that I can enjoy watching her rather than running around the studio trying to keep Grant quiet and entertained. Ava was having some "issues" a few weeks ago, "needing help" with everything. After a few talks with her I figured that she was trying to ask for more attention in her own way. So, we're now "helping" her a bit more since she sees Grant getting help with everything. Our days are going much smoother. She still loves school. She's also still not sure what she's going to be for Halloween. When asked she replies, "I'll let you know when the time gets a little closer". She must be her father's child, I would have planned it out a month ago.<br />
<br />
It's hard to believe that my baby is going to be 2 years old in just 10 days. Crazy! He is talking so much now (most people probably can't understand him, but we can most of the time). He's also becoming a bit feisty and definitely lets us know when he's not getting his way. We never experienced the "terrible twos" with Ava. I have a feeling that Grant is going to let us experience them in full force. With that being said, he's still my snuggler at the end of the day and loves hugs and kisses. He was doing great at daycare for a couple of weeks with no tears at drop off. For some reason we have regressed back to crying. He is stuck to my side, and even cries when I leave him with Nate. It's great to feel loved, but this is a bit excessive. <br />
<br />
Since we've been in our house almost two years we thought we should probably start doing something to the inside to make it a bit more homey. So last month we had a large portion of our house painted. It's nice not to see white walls everywhere you look. Now to get stuff up on the walls.<br />
<br />
Last week Nate took a half day off work so that we could get Grant's 2 yr pictures, as well as our family pictures taken. It's amazing how much work it is to get everybody to look at the camera at the same time, hoping the wind isn't blowing our hair everywhere, and keep Grant from squirming free or crying. I'm anxious to see what kind of shots Ang got for us. <br />
<br />
I promise I'll try to do better with the updates. We have a busy couple of weeks coming up with cousin Daniel's wedding in IA, and Grant's birthday party the following weekend. We're very much looking forward to seeing my family next weekend! <br />
<br />
Now, for a look at what we've been up to....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RlmMS3MbQfS9EuMQEmdHT0m6SZakTVpN3PKwVqQF45k2gtdZIMWUmYb-Y09Y6VcGsnzAIUvaa0TVFtHcNhyphenhyphenz1CIoS1GtxHCQ5BzmLq4vk5OTupuaU8EVZyX4UnZyXMwBgPxIqjosJOI/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RlmMS3MbQfS9EuMQEmdHT0m6SZakTVpN3PKwVqQF45k2gtdZIMWUmYb-Y09Y6VcGsnzAIUvaa0TVFtHcNhyphenhyphenz1CIoS1GtxHCQ5BzmLq4vk5OTupuaU8EVZyX4UnZyXMwBgPxIqjosJOI/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
I got to spend an evening dressed up for our hospital's gala in St. Paul. It was such a great time to see my friends/co-workers outside of the hospital, dressed up, relaxed, and having a great time (along with some fabulous drinks). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__SIdjL5zoQjo_3gWgusy9kqRmiCVBLwpEzLYHYxVS0aY2T272ipExcPPmTeGBvmLFat8AK32yZq20daTExBOv4FQAgzvEpXK7I1FCLQ9oz1wITgwlG2gyQaOGpSn4HNzV8LfnsBfbjc/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__SIdjL5zoQjo_3gWgusy9kqRmiCVBLwpEzLYHYxVS0aY2T272ipExcPPmTeGBvmLFat8AK32yZq20daTExBOv4FQAgzvEpXK7I1FCLQ9oz1wITgwlG2gyQaOGpSn4HNzV8LfnsBfbjc/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LF18Y8mqmh1GI0mTwUDwuAJrRS5nStxM1RQacQVlm3eLLrh2y_95wgW8Xnktvw7bzIHMhvTVPwcSBqEZmHNP52A8uFQIBtLs7kSkxO6YPwaoURnbipnB__ziBx43r947WxKvflvERp4/s1600/IMG_20140928_180437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LF18Y8mqmh1GI0mTwUDwuAJrRS5nStxM1RQacQVlm3eLLrh2y_95wgW8Xnktvw7bzIHMhvTVPwcSBqEZmHNP52A8uFQIBtLs7kSkxO6YPwaoURnbipnB__ziBx43r947WxKvflvERp4/s1600/IMG_20140928_180437.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeuwVG1sr3ooQgZ8gedF_NfsMTVTDVcheo3XpNbBirnPb0mAPp4yQDFKUNzyy5eAmcw2JglOHxJ6Rqg-7aPd0JX7kTk7SCS0Pj9zrc3NCXnhy4DX_Y65MAaD6X4YuVQv6SZPa-ODysXM/s1600/IMG_20140927_103425_077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeuwVG1sr3ooQgZ8gedF_NfsMTVTDVcheo3XpNbBirnPb0mAPp4yQDFKUNzyy5eAmcw2JglOHxJ6Rqg-7aPd0JX7kTk7SCS0Pj9zrc3NCXnhy4DX_Y65MAaD6X4YuVQv6SZPa-ODysXM/s1600/IMG_20140927_103425_077.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
The morning of the gala we spent a beautiful morning outside at the apple orchard by our house. We have always gone to Emma Krumbee's in the past, but decided to stay more local this year. A nice 10 minute drive and we were there. The kids have fun riding on the hay wagon, picking (and eating) apples, and playing on the tractors and playground. Nate made some amazing apple crisps that week!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80G0tYkMIm0MBuScf0St5YsU0AGhs2vS5fsiXPOjZlr0WFH6fhy-6_9XDwYcN1tL718pfr74LCr0CyBRNGzzF1w42OAVuUIjJPALFBuz0-pv6I9pgEvALQ-KbUqrBSAGXuA-RdfGItWc/s1600/IMG_20140927_103605_649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi80G0tYkMIm0MBuScf0St5YsU0AGhs2vS5fsiXPOjZlr0WFH6fhy-6_9XDwYcN1tL718pfr74LCr0CyBRNGzzF1w42OAVuUIjJPALFBuz0-pv6I9pgEvALQ-KbUqrBSAGXuA-RdfGItWc/s1600/IMG_20140927_103605_649.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzGBgbxP3AJIRtfl2UtY8rF93JGl-4d6rK9-i4hz9xMeSB6yyCUVwqYb4Fv8wT7DYEDPuJgfkUxCKbWT8PlTtCwOgXoNEMJ8C_0Hrem2TPssIM-zDfjHPT5-lK40NjNIFDUXW8ibd0F4/s1600/IMG_20140927_110708_090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzGBgbxP3AJIRtfl2UtY8rF93JGl-4d6rK9-i4hz9xMeSB6yyCUVwqYb4Fv8wT7DYEDPuJgfkUxCKbWT8PlTtCwOgXoNEMJ8C_0Hrem2TPssIM-zDfjHPT5-lK40NjNIFDUXW8ibd0F4/s1600/IMG_20140927_110708_090.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77i5hDjPa9-BZVeaP38yO4QzItkAgow9LT8LHVSLE2XEyQwIkcTfePSJwRrwBbiNnfclvicaOQ12f9Seuyn4rT0GDOov7Okfeyc5z6-CFZUzUSmzNPS3ybI8teLQGpi_8eImRdsgDLY8/s1600/IMG_20140922_094644_126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77i5hDjPa9-BZVeaP38yO4QzItkAgow9LT8LHVSLE2XEyQwIkcTfePSJwRrwBbiNnfclvicaOQ12f9Seuyn4rT0GDOov7Okfeyc5z6-CFZUzUSmzNPS3ybI8teLQGpi_8eImRdsgDLY8/s1600/IMG_20140922_094644_126.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant wanted to try on Ava's headband. I have to say, he looks pretty cute with it on. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvBA3E8-LFOv9SOwfIeYeHRJImHjOiTW6mrgRtruLkk1VijdlFGUic7rWQn4qO17zU0TYqwDVnoiSx8YjtigCylp4ezsmQCY5GlOZ3G0klUbMofisOoZ07Op9asm0OT5ZXd9IbqdFM_E/s1600/IMG_20140929_095856_485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEvBA3E8-LFOv9SOwfIeYeHRJImHjOiTW6mrgRtruLkk1VijdlFGUic7rWQn4qO17zU0TYqwDVnoiSx8YjtigCylp4ezsmQCY5GlOZ3G0klUbMofisOoZ07Op9asm0OT5ZXd9IbqdFM_E/s1600/IMG_20140929_095856_485.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
We took yet another trip to the zoo. It was a rainy day so we stayed inside. I'm so grateful that we have such a great zoo, with indoor and outdoor exhibits, so close to home. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BYSLn1MeeBKLGqnj0_yS_E4Gb0caEGI1rLcNbXvwZiv58VXAHpX0JDnElNck06BUN6VPwAZNqnoMxiojD5dcxM245fvklWkrGcHVZEFssAwDGaJcGB3yW1zZmZlwxX8Rh9hS-en9I04/s1600/IMG_20140929_170531_103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BYSLn1MeeBKLGqnj0_yS_E4Gb0caEGI1rLcNbXvwZiv58VXAHpX0JDnElNck06BUN6VPwAZNqnoMxiojD5dcxM245fvklWkrGcHVZEFssAwDGaJcGB3yW1zZmZlwxX8Rh9hS-en9I04/s1600/IMG_20140929_170531_103.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
My cute little man.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV4Levotnd8C4kBv2dbzNk3Itg6rum_6wMenC_2UEB1Q2uRj0tfRA8453LMz8KswJHzxgjRTj4CRo4ML3HlwwXFYBDia2JEvx78_uQX1vwm_o_9sghXsF31epxDq2Ek3GHgQiJIPHbmA/s1600/IMG_20141003_093418_998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV4Levotnd8C4kBv2dbzNk3Itg6rum_6wMenC_2UEB1Q2uRj0tfRA8453LMz8KswJHzxgjRTj4CRo4ML3HlwwXFYBDia2JEvx78_uQX1vwm_o_9sghXsF31epxDq2Ek3GHgQiJIPHbmA/s1600/IMG_20141003_093418_998.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Another trip to the Children's Museum. Looking forward to our next trip to see the new Clifford exhibit.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjHzmO1lB3ZmKieTbjpofioAWncNwNISJCpdX7Z5DAAO57-C4EaCdVjMHl5K7cNbAwSHrk631QSI-6k4FId9_lLLhfMq8a7mhWjs1cdv9iiyvIUp9us-IH5obCJdtOlhLEpy1JPrmFJc/s1600/IMG_20141003_105547_185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjHzmO1lB3ZmKieTbjpofioAWncNwNISJCpdX7Z5DAAO57-C4EaCdVjMHl5K7cNbAwSHrk631QSI-6k4FId9_lLLhfMq8a7mhWjs1cdv9iiyvIUp9us-IH5obCJdtOlhLEpy1JPrmFJc/s1600/IMG_20141003_105547_185.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0Sgc_tQ5U9pSCJuMnnWXkZ4Nvvkcf6u7zFydXQlRlWGDxr7u4fCABC388IOwSQ253F-q3YCyU5uufoHG5lnlWxnnNQcfQE9rHedWQdGGDxTdbPb0l6cJW3ReFlW8t8zaouqRp7i8M3E/s1600/20141005_105406+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-0Sgc_tQ5U9pSCJuMnnWXkZ4Nvvkcf6u7zFydXQlRlWGDxr7u4fCABC388IOwSQ253F-q3YCyU5uufoHG5lnlWxnnNQcfQE9rHedWQdGGDxTdbPb0l6cJW3ReFlW8t8zaouqRp7i8M3E/s1600/20141005_105406+(1).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Last weekend we spent Sunday morning at Pahl's Market near our house. We wanted to go and get some pumpkins, and invited some neighbors to join in the fun. The kids had a great time in the bouncy house, the corn pit, and the straw maze. We picked out some pumpkins, and the kids devoured popcorn. It was a great morning!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOpYiQP1zYuZGlPfe07I3bP1DiKeVM0yrHFPFO5DJJtQHYF3CikSCVSC_mLRgzhqlmVLQ4YexParduVPXtD8PNJywGlqv666gusBev2khX2ELU0EEuG16EZf7VpVrRWXM2EWgyeIhmvM/s1600/20141005_105420+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOpYiQP1zYuZGlPfe07I3bP1DiKeVM0yrHFPFO5DJJtQHYF3CikSCVSC_mLRgzhqlmVLQ4YexParduVPXtD8PNJywGlqv666gusBev2khX2ELU0EEuG16EZf7VpVrRWXM2EWgyeIhmvM/s1600/20141005_105420+(1).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnetoGG5NqGx352JKOfaCwp9BthKfoIahChNewjTX0c3KW-_OmAwS9KKaVQShupxMI9mxsjgWKxewLmgYaLIlV78O1pa6MU8dTuScG0ALhcrTNKT79IvNI-KpRexdbHzr8gsMMKXCOtpQ/s1600/20141005_105732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnetoGG5NqGx352JKOfaCwp9BthKfoIahChNewjTX0c3KW-_OmAwS9KKaVQShupxMI9mxsjgWKxewLmgYaLIlV78O1pa6MU8dTuScG0ALhcrTNKT79IvNI-KpRexdbHzr8gsMMKXCOtpQ/s1600/20141005_105732.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant getting ready to jump into the corn. We found corn around our house for the next 24 hours.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenUPl9IOR9a3mTQ9-gsWyppbCHjsyTW9sX8VunOeB99tAA1U-hwR4tcOXuhKBU4VqpfqgTE3e3uGi3CB6VCP7kMr2-eWY-2kxlMY5KEz2IWGWR_iLXDF70nVYnJ2oDz8t6eDFlNWWw3A/s1600/20141005_105925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenUPl9IOR9a3mTQ9-gsWyppbCHjsyTW9sX8VunOeB99tAA1U-hwR4tcOXuhKBU4VqpfqgTE3e3uGi3CB6VCP7kMr2-eWY-2kxlMY5KEz2IWGWR_iLXDF70nVYnJ2oDz8t6eDFlNWWw3A/s1600/20141005_105925.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8mDYm5S-YjXLdOg6L57eQxDMwi9dZ41kf8jHZVRmGzvcchy2Q4qfFMtsLgINajSILjzNcy8A5dHCUI6QPLXxrkK6sSCBcMHlR5YJbL0n-zJGg1OXEoA-Ijelg9k1xgCTEFOIGov_blk/s1600/20141005_110132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8mDYm5S-YjXLdOg6L57eQxDMwi9dZ41kf8jHZVRmGzvcchy2Q4qfFMtsLgINajSILjzNcy8A5dHCUI6QPLXxrkK6sSCBcMHlR5YJbL0n-zJGg1OXEoA-Ijelg9k1xgCTEFOIGov_blk/s1600/20141005_110132.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYjeH9YB5d2_c3oVb2NzxbRFD0adYa0VDarfb-f759sxYlBhdrdmb-doHOd85bT6vKQMSIr5yH3UTfVZIDDcKmvb10njZfCefaSEUqsbaFkBs82LWDPgpfkViT5tHad1QlQYO9AKejn8/s1600/20141005_111228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYjeH9YB5d2_c3oVb2NzxbRFD0adYa0VDarfb-f759sxYlBhdrdmb-doHOd85bT6vKQMSIr5yH3UTfVZIDDcKmvb10njZfCefaSEUqsbaFkBs82LWDPgpfkViT5tHad1QlQYO9AKejn8/s1600/20141005_111228.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Some of the neighbor kids<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqnRa4P9kcAbYIBRIGi_DLkLFgSX9TJ2SQjd6kmndSxzdrWhyphenhyphenw6IzOZLWYhafmwQJBrRrplyudcZVDHVWkTjiKI2uBMjLb5XeoOo8kd65mwu1R90mV3y6R_x7w56XNrODscr0qdrGDLA/s1600/20141005_112459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqnRa4P9kcAbYIBRIGi_DLkLFgSX9TJ2SQjd6kmndSxzdrWhyphenhyphenw6IzOZLWYhafmwQJBrRrplyudcZVDHVWkTjiKI2uBMjLb5XeoOo8kd65mwu1R90mV3y6R_x7w56XNrODscr0qdrGDLA/s1600/20141005_112459.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Grant may have a crush on our sweet neighbor Abby. It may not appear this way due to Grant's size, but she is an older woman. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRYJQUU9bwIFttkni3iIUiJxGN3xvU3MmcjKwie0sfLj4fGp0pgfvFZ8JVlC12yE7LUg6ZGFskWqQnAC8qGMuNSKtqrckc2C260gq7OzBf1nrxrq_KIje200wbRbdlTVx6sH_yWh3pSI/s1600/IMG_20141013_163303_654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRYJQUU9bwIFttkni3iIUiJxGN3xvU3MmcjKwie0sfLj4fGp0pgfvFZ8JVlC12yE7LUg6ZGFskWqQnAC8qGMuNSKtqrckc2C260gq7OzBf1nrxrq_KIje200wbRbdlTVx6sH_yWh3pSI/s1600/IMG_20141013_163303_654.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U9yfED5691rOxuHY99OB1Ll4NA_YbU8F52DGU6S3jZ5APuCTcNf8PF8aMHskVT9VWm_IsLkt929ZmgxwzbA54P1ZZ7m7xcwrYhAiRxI1blPfVGI4txNrxOtX0vmpVJgf4ZaCG9hn4BQ/s1600/IMG_20141005_070301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0U9yfED5691rOxuHY99OB1Ll4NA_YbU8F52DGU6S3jZ5APuCTcNf8PF8aMHskVT9VWm_IsLkt929ZmgxwzbA54P1ZZ7m7xcwrYhAiRxI1blPfVGI4txNrxOtX0vmpVJgf4ZaCG9hn4BQ/s1600/IMG_20141005_070301.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
I got to spend another evening out with friends from work celebrating a co-workers marriage. Once again, a great evening of catching up, dancing, and laughs. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNS3u5XCgCWYireAf2cn69qUYrRgYN4ViPQNEnWEDS-gzf8lrsFffgxfawRYYg1Ll1KqoM54e_ayDzuzH-o42gU6lPT5m4lByixJsTNh5jXYHr1eZQgdHMUUVLw7Diyg1JfxzVu2qEV4/s1600/IMG_20141013_163601_999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNS3u5XCgCWYireAf2cn69qUYrRgYN4ViPQNEnWEDS-gzf8lrsFffgxfawRYYg1Ll1KqoM54e_ayDzuzH-o42gU6lPT5m4lByixJsTNh5jXYHr1eZQgdHMUUVLw7Diyg1JfxzVu2qEV4/s1600/IMG_20141013_163601_999.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Nate had the day off work today so we both picked the kids up from daycare and headed back to Pahl's Market for a couple more pumpkins. Ava and Daddy played in the corn pit once again. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7xOL73IzBzbbFv71nZ0TO6ApyRSsE-P5vPgiq764BWmZ7hXscnRC2FBUz7sGXqK0Ix9FCF_vTjunQyuVP2JTt7LR-lnR0eT_sjqUGTohQ4ajfH836gvek8kVRY_A_S-c6B2uZAm7l-Y/s1600/IMG_20141013_165803_401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL7xOL73IzBzbbFv71nZ0TO6ApyRSsE-P5vPgiq764BWmZ7hXscnRC2FBUz7sGXqK0Ix9FCF_vTjunQyuVP2JTt7LR-lnR0eT_sjqUGTohQ4ajfH836gvek8kVRY_A_S-c6B2uZAm7l-Y/s1600/IMG_20141013_165803_401.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-67065754284034727462014-09-18T13:09:00.003-07:002014-09-18T13:19:54.567-07:00A visit from GrandmaWe've been busy outdoors, trying to enjoy these last beautiful days before the real fall/winter weather sets in. I sadly enough had to turn the heat on last week, as temperatures got down to 39 over night. I absolutely love the fall, it's just what comes after that that I'm dreading.<br />
<br />
We're all doing good. Ava started dance last week and absolutely loves it. It is so cute watching her and the other girls dance around in the studio. She has so much fun there. Grant is finally loving daycare. There are no more tears at drop off, which makes Nate's day so much better! This daycare has been so good for him. I left him with a sitter yesterday when I took Ava to dance. No tears or whining, he just went off to play with her. Same things today at ECFE. I couldn't be happier with the situation!!!<br />
<br />
Last week Nate was able to get away to WI for a few days with a couple of buddies to do some golfing. Grandma had an extra few days off so she came up to spend Thursday evening through Sunday morning with us. The pictures below will show you are trips to Minnehaha Falls, the farmer's market, a bike ride, and the park. She even took us out for lunch at Culver's and dinner at Pizza Ranch (Ava got to pick the restaurants). We were so glad that she was able to come and visit. Daddy got home Sunday just in time to head to the neighbors football party with us. <br />
<br />
Tuesday Nate turned 34! What did we do to celebrate you ask? Well, he started his day out feeling very dizzy and sick. He threw up, took the kids to daycare, and then went to the clinic to be diagnosed with vertigo (getting old sucks). He then hopped on the bus to go to work. He also scheduled a paint consultant to come over (forgot it was his birthday). She stayed for 2 1/2 hours, so he had left overs for dinner since it was to late to go out. He at least got some birthday cake. On the up side of things, we have paint colors picked out for the house. :)<br />
<br />
The rest of the week should be low key here. I'm working this weekend and Nate is thinking of taking the kids (hopefully just Ava if we can find a sitter for Grant) to the gopher game on Friday. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwdcmjwNVqWXiuicFbz9ePUQFbFiy3BAjWBGqlBkW6Ua_zBr42MkXWG_lWCd97BOowV-_FHCZ5oFtwMaWl57p1uoPjdMGIQ5xj5vFpkkGA6y2qtrsTacWF8fZZfDp36QGrDobFH-sf30/s1600/IMG_20140906_231845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwdcmjwNVqWXiuicFbz9ePUQFbFiy3BAjWBGqlBkW6Ua_zBr42MkXWG_lWCd97BOowV-_FHCZ5oFtwMaWl57p1uoPjdMGIQ5xj5vFpkkGA6y2qtrsTacWF8fZZfDp36QGrDobFH-sf30/s1600/IMG_20140906_231845.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
We all went to the gopher game a few weekends ago. The kids did a pretty darn good job considering they were confined to such a small area during the game. Grant was even able to take a little nap during half time. An added plus, the gophers won!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWi1_poSBall8PHduo6gf-PRdGB5VsMG-X9XFKLlTM1Z2u_Ym4fGUsV8qsVHrvAwYXFOjSnC5C19murqVTaf-xwX4KzIdK0K7gsQc5424FMUICGDAzR-R2BYvkExw84GFCm7lfXiBLLo/s1600/IMG_20140906_125310_082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWi1_poSBall8PHduo6gf-PRdGB5VsMG-X9XFKLlTM1Z2u_Ym4fGUsV8qsVHrvAwYXFOjSnC5C19murqVTaf-xwX4KzIdK0K7gsQc5424FMUICGDAzR-R2BYvkExw84GFCm7lfXiBLLo/s1600/IMG_20140906_125310_082.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
There is a band that goes through our tailgating lot. They stopped on the sidewalk outside our lot and let Ava and Grant play the drum. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijp39tVMin0SXvPekBMwbSMLQb8E6MRDo7TB96RfEcswLwFCopGBh2WeMaEs92xWe9aQSNaAPc-mtc3Mp3GwURu3hfGp2SeZ6J29D6Om2hN6Ekw8ZDoEbE8s1yneBidtGvYd5cLEb5S8/s1600/IMG_20140906_153042_493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijp39tVMin0SXvPekBMwbSMLQb8E6MRDo7TB96RfEcswLwFCopGBh2WeMaEs92xWe9aQSNaAPc-mtc3Mp3GwURu3hfGp2SeZ6J29D6Om2hN6Ekw8ZDoEbE8s1yneBidtGvYd5cLEb5S8/s1600/IMG_20140906_153042_493.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant & Boppa during the game<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWkzXmmCLgBfMcJaRNXp-TrJlJ1ItBDPrl6AJYHVR1v7KvEfGOQjHrSECAIC-lxTFrV1pNmYUTLUqWrSdzpf8bj-vK43x-sbTniuRqX-cbIs8633Sk5XMQFTWe25VJ13k3IboNdVDqoI/s1600/IMG_20140906_153203_860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWkzXmmCLgBfMcJaRNXp-TrJlJ1ItBDPrl6AJYHVR1v7KvEfGOQjHrSECAIC-lxTFrV1pNmYUTLUqWrSdzpf8bj-vK43x-sbTniuRqX-cbIs8633Sk5XMQFTWe25VJ13k3IboNdVDqoI/s1600/IMG_20140906_153203_860.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Daddy & Ava during the game<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPMXMy_pYyYkTlLht3t9uJ-i-RDBeUmZOpbwNr8iTBiN8ATHZGi3QyAwn7oNID6S_IG1lFu0nRuiGfDGrqT_2Rq-HmnEKIrkonaHrmhDXh7fbLjr6qoPP90sczJI_Uj8ddvTGPkNp-iE/s1600/IMG_20140906_164508_499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPMXMy_pYyYkTlLht3t9uJ-i-RDBeUmZOpbwNr8iTBiN8ATHZGi3QyAwn7oNID6S_IG1lFu0nRuiGfDGrqT_2Rq-HmnEKIrkonaHrmhDXh7fbLjr6qoPP90sczJI_Uj8ddvTGPkNp-iE/s1600/IMG_20140906_164508_499.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Ava enjoying her first ever snow cone at the game (it got much warmer out than expected)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZceM5LpJB_NIHZG8YZMSx_w-QnRSd1NvMeagRSVsE7szto6IBD0AYswtOrFU8rYTlh47LgGm7tjXoCa1BCPvv9oSqkcU63VtmtQErWFKGGNHrVcAkQENtGj3mVKUpJV1cBK5NMaS2DQ/s1600/IMG_20140909_092922_129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZceM5LpJB_NIHZG8YZMSx_w-QnRSd1NvMeagRSVsE7szto6IBD0AYswtOrFU8rYTlh47LgGm7tjXoCa1BCPvv9oSqkcU63VtmtQErWFKGGNHrVcAkQENtGj3mVKUpJV1cBK5NMaS2DQ/s1600/IMG_20140909_092922_129.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
Atticus came over for a play date<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK8gS1B6rdGafg921CbHJgGP7WVlxSEceI_nojAQHANJqE5jDdfL4jwt0qpoaC1a75y0VsDchmzg9oYUbrzMhL6WraQ9kIvwtTP6UCk5opB_IrYLWBjsX4wO5011lH8FK2pMloF6RZRc/s1600/IMG_20140910_165750_930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK8gS1B6rdGafg921CbHJgGP7WVlxSEceI_nojAQHANJqE5jDdfL4jwt0qpoaC1a75y0VsDchmzg9oYUbrzMhL6WraQ9kIvwtTP6UCk5opB_IrYLWBjsX4wO5011lH8FK2pMloF6RZRc/s1600/IMG_20140910_165750_930.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ava very excited to start her first dance class</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDovMacTwbwph6Hj8KlDF8mRaPilL0I3fbJCV92hsEVOWWIsYw4rf0HhNxHiA9o7STOx_4_C1Iiv5ijWGMcQIjOx2KqwsE8joznYGfey9AnZk4KIOB90tYswO3C0-avW1CeZ5TqzLuMXI/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDovMacTwbwph6Hj8KlDF8mRaPilL0I3fbJCV92hsEVOWWIsYw4rf0HhNxHiA9o7STOx_4_C1Iiv5ijWGMcQIjOx2KqwsE8joznYGfey9AnZk4KIOB90tYswO3C0-avW1CeZ5TqzLuMXI/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Grandma, Grant, & Ava at Minnehaha<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ECx1I08ZXgA8B2OYbIBnW9EEHk7v1fAmprNvtWqPcosQnSP5o8sek_0aGwVScBnyW1OtLUcRJm_XvaqxkcA3g3ynmVk0pelwXKHX7C8BsQPIXaFdJCuG4RlSpLnEdAguucrF0KTPgg/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5ECx1I08ZXgA8B2OYbIBnW9EEHk7v1fAmprNvtWqPcosQnSP5o8sek_0aGwVScBnyW1OtLUcRJm_XvaqxkcA3g3ynmVk0pelwXKHX7C8BsQPIXaFdJCuG4RlSpLnEdAguucrF0KTPgg/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00zTzE1kn_UtkFxs0hhSF5m4S-Wof8f_zeC57bQ1fQeoa0shdqdmockutEYEMJ0JkViZsbFazndwYeK25ximiOIoTRKRX_HpQ7HCQUd80MdeAey9maEWsjr4-BslsRo2J_ENeyA3YmRc/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00zTzE1kn_UtkFxs0hhSF5m4S-Wof8f_zeC57bQ1fQeoa0shdqdmockutEYEMJ0JkViZsbFazndwYeK25ximiOIoTRKRX_HpQ7HCQUd80MdeAey9maEWsjr4-BslsRo2J_ENeyA3YmRc/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
The kids loved "hiking" on the different paths<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SuJl8cc_CS0MilQl7hsgsw58mowZXWj_6nPNSON_P_6PfJFDabrUSm7SKXDmuOVLDdkAGU_pfAOHpSSBAhfRsA2LSeDfWn9ryfXiyeEyRYY3TtEId-A-nGSuCucZviRiK4OH_dJeCTI/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SuJl8cc_CS0MilQl7hsgsw58mowZXWj_6nPNSON_P_6PfJFDabrUSm7SKXDmuOVLDdkAGU_pfAOHpSSBAhfRsA2LSeDfWn9ryfXiyeEyRYY3TtEId-A-nGSuCucZviRiK4OH_dJeCTI/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Stopping to throw rocks<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUEqzRyUcs1m2SpvRxOqEPO8SaKn9GPbx3ObpdLeqPPsLUECXv99ZaD95zTntxHKX8LBLg_ZJjPyOovnH2ckaMoG1mI4GJfMeu_uqklShwzhxUmMaU1WtdDOhuYu-Vn5cafXKEOVJWQ/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUEqzRyUcs1m2SpvRxOqEPO8SaKn9GPbx3ObpdLeqPPsLUECXv99ZaD95zTntxHKX8LBLg_ZJjPyOovnH2ckaMoG1mI4GJfMeu_uqklShwzhxUmMaU1WtdDOhuYu-Vn5cafXKEOVJWQ/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Stopping for a little snack on the rocks<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2G-1Z5XX0geJaFHRi6NWlUAhVNzmz7z-rw6v6kIVn-36_q9pGaF9iHYI5mpYvN9UO5tJxppaO92hnQZwDMbbYVpJBPI27Iqthk6FsmsHUO8WV8Hu13ZF_jtPX3ZCid874WpedKuSA2Q/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2G-1Z5XX0geJaFHRi6NWlUAhVNzmz7z-rw6v6kIVn-36_q9pGaF9iHYI5mpYvN9UO5tJxppaO92hnQZwDMbbYVpJBPI27Iqthk6FsmsHUO8WV8Hu13ZF_jtPX3ZCid874WpedKuSA2Q/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dIRSGtNO8Sj4J7H1DPMvJ4rrmp3IDOKPKtCYxN-Ardi-G_yEJPkgardQcfpHzUj8Uc_TT1l-hMOBHneFV8CpP3o1NII1__vUNDBZVxdoMoC9mEWdYp4Xp0CObCPuwOiuFvJnkswkTy8/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0dIRSGtNO8Sj4J7H1DPMvJ4rrmp3IDOKPKtCYxN-Ardi-G_yEJPkgardQcfpHzUj8Uc_TT1l-hMOBHneFV8CpP3o1NII1__vUNDBZVxdoMoC9mEWdYp4Xp0CObCPuwOiuFvJnkswkTy8/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Somebody was getting tired of walking<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoMzz0QTp2hMuNo5Q_n7XoxuIassiVyhO4tzGbG73rmwVenlmJa8iQjHOO5ESxL9aENgU86ekC_Amht-GKkMVWh2p9D7AUE09IreL_S7TUmfJwes7WDOEMTWKECsu9SaUz7glg6nC1GY/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoMzz0QTp2hMuNo5Q_n7XoxuIassiVyhO4tzGbG73rmwVenlmJa8iQjHOO5ESxL9aENgU86ekC_Amht-GKkMVWh2p9D7AUE09IreL_S7TUmfJwes7WDOEMTWKECsu9SaUz7glg6nC1GY/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV8QLrmfz-vjqikP5i8Bb8Ex5SxvStK7KYUmjGYLVmjfPdD6ThHHtN0U6hZ6xNdiRuh4wgwXcM0fZlUlW-iNhK5fHUMyk8riAIsO6iha8nG-pz1JR43OLQDhLK96LY6mcLvMP6O8wTng/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipV8QLrmfz-vjqikP5i8Bb8Ex5SxvStK7KYUmjGYLVmjfPdD6ThHHtN0U6hZ6xNdiRuh4wgwXcM0fZlUlW-iNhK5fHUMyk8riAIsO6iha8nG-pz1JR43OLQDhLK96LY6mcLvMP6O8wTng/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkgw-YaLmgHPR3rUp6rWoV-R9uKG-pGu0Ja54Qznr6mCMCv93lbIN_Fq7dBFy19l2Bf8oWQDiVH0OnT21MmXwqqqPI7YbN0hQGTBMHXsjXe_gd7Rph55k1AEZ914_hURDwkKjjJa35hc/s1600/DSC_5550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkgw-YaLmgHPR3rUp6rWoV-R9uKG-pGu0Ja54Qznr6mCMCv93lbIN_Fq7dBFy19l2Bf8oWQDiVH0OnT21MmXwqqqPI7YbN0hQGTBMHXsjXe_gd7Rph55k1AEZ914_hURDwkKjjJa35hc/s1600/DSC_5550.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Heading out on our bike ride.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zl_joGZngGEd3kEsjWXufBU3y16yVNrFQmJ48dO2CBXJqQF1SfZCmi8DWvLKcfQnc55qCONfFgocZ_3n_QcZtWZ_WyHo0noSVYSFEjmbBWE1hQ57NuX6rFfO6xmjMazz5iJu2bYaZzw/s1600/DSC_5554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zl_joGZngGEd3kEsjWXufBU3y16yVNrFQmJ48dO2CBXJqQF1SfZCmi8DWvLKcfQnc55qCONfFgocZ_3n_QcZtWZ_WyHo0noSVYSFEjmbBWE1hQ57NuX6rFfO6xmjMazz5iJu2bYaZzw/s1600/DSC_5554.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava getting her princess balloon from the clown at the farmers market Sat. morning<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtla3oWASz9zE7rvYMZqnWs_FzMCEBmKHdcZKZZbEiaM5SoEvM3KCOyS6TLd5PSeUGZudv1SnfCcTiGMIvwFNOCjls5B2HyTJOH0OG3byg_Ua7kZZjLEl4a7BvOjT6CVjvdcqsXsVsAlc/s1600/DSC_5562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtla3oWASz9zE7rvYMZqnWs_FzMCEBmKHdcZKZZbEiaM5SoEvM3KCOyS6TLd5PSeUGZudv1SnfCcTiGMIvwFNOCjls5B2HyTJOH0OG3byg_Ua7kZZjLEl4a7BvOjT6CVjvdcqsXsVsAlc/s1600/DSC_5562.JPG" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
I love that she can play by herself and other kids at the park now.The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-63851843356386534892014-09-04T19:55:00.000-07:002014-09-04T19:55:07.430-07:00The rollercoaster of parenthoodI've learned that this parenthood thing is quite the roller coaster of emotions. I'm sure that the ride gets even crazier as toddlers eventually turn into teenagers. Let's take today for example. Our days at home almost always start out very nice (don't most peoples?). The kids get to sleep in a little later and don't have to rush out the door for daycare. We get to enjoy breakfast together and be silly while getting dressed. <br />
<br />
This morning we started our new ECFE class. I always look forward to these, and know that Ava did as well. Grant on the other hand always had to be close to me during play time, and cried when it was time for separation. He eventually did ok, and I always found him enjoying singing songs during circle time at the end. I was a bit leery about how things were going to go this morning since this was a new classroom with new teachers. Let me tell you, Grant walked into that classroom a completely different little boy than he was 3 1/2 months ago. He explored and played on his own. He whimpered for only seconds when I left for separation. My heart was filled with happiness as I saw him becoming more independent and confident. <br />
<br />
Independence and confidence, it's what we want for our children. I was so excited for Grant. However, with the start of school this week I've been reading all of these things about sending your children off to kindergarten and how quickly the time goes. Ava has always been independent and social. With that being said, my excitement and happiness for Ava quickly and selfishly turns to sadness. This time next year there will be no more ECFE classes with her, no more play dates to the park, the zoo, the Children's Museum. No more mid-day dance parties, or chilling in our pjs till mid-morning on snowy days. Some days these things are exhausting and I just want 5 minutes to myself. However, knowing that these days are quickly slipping away brings tears to my eyes. (Then there's Grant. Grant will be 2 next month. My baby is turning 2. How can that be?!? He's my baby.) <br />
<br />
So, I don't want my kids to grown up right? Well, let's move ahead 2 hours. We're getting ready for nap and Grant has decided he wants to sit on the potty while I'm changing his diaper. I put him on, he shockingly enough does nothing. He jumps off and runs into Ava's room as I tell him that we need to put his diaper on. He stands at the bottom of her bed looking at me. He's still for quite some time, which starts to concern me as I ask him what he's doing. I go over there and step on wet carpet. I look closer and he's peed on her bed spread, bed skirt, and the carpet. I want to scream. I am once again reminded as to why I am not a full-time stay at home mom. <br />
<br />
Fast forward 6 hours, it's time to wind down for the day. Grant wants to try out his little potty chair. He sits there and does nothing so I walk out to get his pjs ready. I go back into the bathroom and step in a puddle. Yes, it's a yellow puddle. Really, he peed on the floor twice in one day? I stop and look in the potty, there are about 3 drops of pee in it. We celebrate the 3 drops of pee as I scrub the floor and my foot with disinfectant. We give high 5's and tell him good job (hoping that next time he'll keep it in the potty, which next time will most likely be 6 months from now). <br />
<br />
We finish the day with bedtime stories, hugs & kisses, and rocking Grant before putting him in his bed. There is a peacefulness in the house at bedtime. A time to reflect on the day and be thankful for the tickle time, the time that I got to hold their little hands as we walked across the parking lot, the marching parade that we had in the house, the hugs & kisses. It's a time to realize that even though it had its crazy points, our day was filled with lots of love, giggles, and blessings. At the end of the day, what more could I ask for? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIdB1WNGmXQFCkKjK9b9Feu-n23R4Fd07Zauixb-WSkfyL4e2-JLJ4dOK3224zqXvkZz6H77g-_Ge3smMQSnGs5OfJF9VX8GVvEv7ZCAK4VkVenaVL1jvdTrvmhfVK2zorp9Ht09vUr4/s1600/IMG_20140825_093812_535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIdB1WNGmXQFCkKjK9b9Feu-n23R4Fd07Zauixb-WSkfyL4e2-JLJ4dOK3224zqXvkZz6H77g-_Ge3smMQSnGs5OfJF9VX8GVvEv7ZCAK4VkVenaVL1jvdTrvmhfVK2zorp9Ht09vUr4/s1600/IMG_20140825_093812_535.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Another trip to the zoo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujdaiRuVCOV8RwqH1Cga1LtNDl2YXPBxC7YgS0AdNd3xKDljGeudnb64_vp_49rmmRUz5DFzvcpuB2IzW3fv4HDChesRR17M9OkNzfij2AUMffT-tzzB2z7ljHZNGR7M5g36EYoAHTNg/s1600/IMG_20140825_101523_519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjujdaiRuVCOV8RwqH1Cga1LtNDl2YXPBxC7YgS0AdNd3xKDljGeudnb64_vp_49rmmRUz5DFzvcpuB2IzW3fv4HDChesRR17M9OkNzfij2AUMffT-tzzB2z7ljHZNGR7M5g36EYoAHTNg/s1600/IMG_20140825_101523_519.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIVpGRDL1yUTM1ZhP1Fc7T17ViPmTIOGOhcEiPizyCVXWaR7yOUOxoWexXRmbLllYQzqJu0k7QDbnOqpxqIMRMMafr_b3KZlp9WIj43G4KOw9YvWLJ98P39b7dAhPTXhWFw_wpsPA-cY/s1600/IMG_20140828_084012_398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAIVpGRDL1yUTM1ZhP1Fc7T17ViPmTIOGOhcEiPizyCVXWaR7yOUOxoWexXRmbLllYQzqJu0k7QDbnOqpxqIMRMMafr_b3KZlp9WIj43G4KOw9YvWLJ98P39b7dAhPTXhWFw_wpsPA-cY/s1600/IMG_20140828_084012_398.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant, our ballerina. I may have put the skirt on him (he definitely didn't fight it), but he's the one that brought the shoes over and asked me to put them on. He was having a great time dancing. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnjOQywJJ7lbvGiwxXoyuEgZ87rQMmzvh8onfzYP3sq_X-KphwjSMzf9suiJEwb7PvSqjRC8b1vxTk63dXt-t_G8nenan0b420Q1LZ88-gD0fv3QX3CrO5T4tuwYJKHzcfehTQAhxcZw/s1600/IMG_20140828_112558_448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnjOQywJJ7lbvGiwxXoyuEgZ87rQMmzvh8onfzYP3sq_X-KphwjSMzf9suiJEwb7PvSqjRC8b1vxTk63dXt-t_G8nenan0b420Q1LZ88-gD0fv3QX3CrO5T4tuwYJKHzcfehTQAhxcZw/s1600/IMG_20140828_112558_448.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
We had a play date at the park with our good friend Maria and the kids. They found the one puddle in the whole park and had a great time jumping and splashing in it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU_nQPc22kdYI6-Q-d3_soTGbEXKUgRY9tWxUM2qhaKRk3b_9AEv7NZ5_d93hWCstQKr6hOskLSQB3nFC-EAixcuZJ6H2pIvURQw8sp6mZSDzUyqlhanFBCtnJcAbW4C6x3dq2Q1AId0/s1600/IMG_20140828_112634_747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJU_nQPc22kdYI6-Q-d3_soTGbEXKUgRY9tWxUM2qhaKRk3b_9AEv7NZ5_d93hWCstQKr6hOskLSQB3nFC-EAixcuZJ6H2pIvURQw8sp6mZSDzUyqlhanFBCtnJcAbW4C6x3dq2Q1AId0/s1600/IMG_20140828_112634_747.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiRRH5kiE3NptwQZcTHiH2g0JBrIlIJAThNTKF697GtbOj6aD9BjPKlbLT6wUYwDBf5Nfcmh600MNa7v6jnghmFdADyJmcvEA2xvqFyHzvHbhBN645vuRkdaKLebn47vS27r_zX2-o5Q/s1600/IMG_20140904_154359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiRRH5kiE3NptwQZcTHiH2g0JBrIlIJAThNTKF697GtbOj6aD9BjPKlbLT6wUYwDBf5Nfcmh600MNa7v6jnghmFdADyJmcvEA2xvqFyHzvHbhBN645vuRkdaKLebn47vS27r_zX2-o5Q/s1600/IMG_20140904_154359.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
I worked this past Labor Day weekend. Nate and the kids headed up to the cabin for the long weekend. From what I hear, they had a great time while I stayed extremely busy working my night shifts in the ER. I absolutely love this picture of Daddy and Grant enjoying one last boat ride.The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-91775615114289956992014-08-22T12:51:00.000-07:002014-08-22T12:52:15.289-07:00Finally, a weekend at homeAnother crazy busy couple of weeks, that have been filled with a lot of fun. We were supposed to be heading up to the cabin this morning, but decided to spend the weekend at home. I couldn't be more excited. Weekends at home (where I'm not working) have been nonexistent this summer, so I'm really looking forward to this one. <br />
<br />
Two weekends ago I worked, which meant Nate was a single stay at home dad. He and the kids had a lot of fun. They spent the weekend at the zoo, going to the library, and some time at the pool in our neighborhood. Last weekend Nate was again a single dad as I left Friday morning to spend the weekend in Des Moines. We had our girl cousin get together. My sister-in-law Sara was even able to make it up from Springfield, MO. We were so glad that she was able to join us. It was a fun weekend of relaxation and lots of laughs. <br />
<br />
As for the kids, they have been busy at the park, the zoo, the Children's Museum, and daycare. Ava is still loving her new daycare. When Grandma asked her last night on Skype if she liked it she replied, "It's so awesome I can hardly believe it!". We love the changes that we've seen in her since starting there. I wish we would have found them sooner! Grant on the other hand isn't completely sold on this place yet, but is getting used to it. He's now eating, and took a 1 1/2 hour nap there last Wednesday. He still cries when Nate drops him off, but when asked about his friends at daycare he smiles and tells us their names. I think he enjoys his time there, it's just the the drop off is still a bit rough (although getting much better). <br />
<br />
Grant's hand is healing nicely from the fire pit incident. The blisters are now gone. His hand looked pretty raw earlier this week, but the new skin is coming in nicely and his hand looks pretty darn good. <br />
<br />
The rest of our weekend looks nice (and hot). Nate is currently golfing. We're hoping to make it to the pool this weekend, get together with neighbors for a party tomorrow afternoon/evening, and perhaps have a BBQ on Sunday. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Snb6dUG6LNVZlCfwLiPuB0vuzmBoGvVV-fvXLm8CdCmBFb0_Smsh23paHHYnEP3dUdZP8h9BsDG1KRBZ2dLYkT3mbvMkWigLGvUcpmMPJ5D3lEpy61ZrM8Q4xBQ4pqm4eVwLEFVBPzA/s1600/IMG_20140807_122503_143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Snb6dUG6LNVZlCfwLiPuB0vuzmBoGvVV-fvXLm8CdCmBFb0_Smsh23paHHYnEP3dUdZP8h9BsDG1KRBZ2dLYkT3mbvMkWigLGvUcpmMPJ5D3lEpy61ZrM8Q4xBQ4pqm4eVwLEFVBPzA/s1600/IMG_20140807_122503_143.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't think that I posted any pictures of Ava's room since we painted it and hung up the artwork that our sweet friend painted for us. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bk2PpsbbIYG_08iMPDFq8c8SwnPeevKDD8ASeY5jpyw3Rgam8ysx8ZvJnGI4uJnzcDueWrCKVeXS2NEsWO0mCdHYjnaGZ4Oz49nG-IFjGAbsRfuOI5Uzm9D-xIX4qGgYkumAx1hB_lk/s1600/IMG_20140811_100720_602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Bk2PpsbbIYG_08iMPDFq8c8SwnPeevKDD8ASeY5jpyw3Rgam8ysx8ZvJnGI4uJnzcDueWrCKVeXS2NEsWO0mCdHYjnaGZ4Oz49nG-IFjGAbsRfuOI5Uzm9D-xIX4qGgYkumAx1hB_lk/s1600/IMG_20140811_100720_602.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
A little afternoon parade<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAIGXBiqAWHF5RbO7v7sXBfNfhkC2edgVAiEMcsUVGuDVAU8S10ZXfNoIc87-ZPeI_0hVV2pHg5w1XHWje56r_FKG-Id0SOahIdVVFmCNJj-n7OG7UC5vc9tMea8H752vFyqDN9zmYcQ/s1600/IMG_20140812_100520_946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAIGXBiqAWHF5RbO7v7sXBfNfhkC2edgVAiEMcsUVGuDVAU8S10ZXfNoIc87-ZPeI_0hVV2pHg5w1XHWje56r_FKG-Id0SOahIdVVFmCNJj-n7OG7UC5vc9tMea8H752vFyqDN9zmYcQ/s1600/IMG_20140812_100520_946.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
On the train with their luggage at the Children's Museum<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F4TyZ4HxGsFxgtIk2_SHPfgpuTT2pK3xDbPAuSr1rkS9jHNSGZJp-O0RrPriM5AO2EnckOyEy3lu4jEvcgIscIooUhXbNWOU-p9IwWbTgS4JAyhNmAHRcR2FIpmqVGSmCDFuMjWOixE/s1600/IMG_20140812_112310_478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7F4TyZ4HxGsFxgtIk2_SHPfgpuTT2pK3xDbPAuSr1rkS9jHNSGZJp-O0RrPriM5AO2EnckOyEy3lu4jEvcgIscIooUhXbNWOU-p9IwWbTgS4JAyhNmAHRcR2FIpmqVGSmCDFuMjWOixE/s1600/IMG_20140812_112310_478.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Ava making something tasty at the museum<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFXxCPOjyb2-C1Y8P2eaovmZVFGWuBAtXh7kBEyUPuIDB9Y352s1OO5kljRdVzreHcjGldig-QayZw_UxUsVaA2p3mMSpmISbH-_e-J0SRq__fzdkjlfeKUaE0zlyO-dn9HZOnAl7-2Y/s1600/IMG_20140812_112630_100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFXxCPOjyb2-C1Y8P2eaovmZVFGWuBAtXh7kBEyUPuIDB9Y352s1OO5kljRdVzreHcjGldig-QayZw_UxUsVaA2p3mMSpmISbH-_e-J0SRq__fzdkjlfeKUaE0zlyO-dn9HZOnAl7-2Y/s1600/IMG_20140812_112630_100.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant trying on a few hats<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8XAZo1hj9fSnaP-CiTrA5n4qa7C6QPYqrO-gk4z7W8s28rKE308_Onm7KD2RhqzoFE6Rg1RNnsGHYBHUjZP9ZhPadFRsN_MmaP0NNT6q9wz7EJdqmp2faug3r2vZkG7YFdrdt_vChxo/s1600/IMG_20140812_133039_504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8XAZo1hj9fSnaP-CiTrA5n4qa7C6QPYqrO-gk4z7W8s28rKE308_Onm7KD2RhqzoFE6Rg1RNnsGHYBHUjZP9ZhPadFRsN_MmaP0NNT6q9wz7EJdqmp2faug3r2vZkG7YFdrdt_vChxo/s1600/IMG_20140812_133039_504.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Aunt Lisa celebrated her 40th birthday on the 12th. I told her that this was the kids's response when I told them she was 40.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d6XPxvmWzMFHWl4dBrjx6cauBHwE_ujxqDfJkRyK-egKvL6OMH0RsY8HJ4XJb2WxLc1WSEiJobUR8sD6cMpwTYwQxBml-MVSIzOMYS4RhR4yWjCbSv7mXap3dNZrKjeY4RnHSHl0Qc0/s1600/IMG_20140814_180805_054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5d6XPxvmWzMFHWl4dBrjx6cauBHwE_ujxqDfJkRyK-egKvL6OMH0RsY8HJ4XJb2WxLc1WSEiJobUR8sD6cMpwTYwQxBml-MVSIzOMYS4RhR4yWjCbSv7mXap3dNZrKjeY4RnHSHl0Qc0/s1600/IMG_20140814_180805_054.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant loved wearing Ava's slippers around.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFnU7nnAWRUUML479idwT38RLNmPEmy0WA6h9MHCRqRuP1ArJX7s1IAXDIA7S_ap34RQ7q2XFOqyQVwZb1vDtomRczl4R-NgaJj1ZdM28kWzd_N4rzLp9rOXSFj5qCb49DwqjlY3MghE/s1600/IMG_20140816_181222_032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFnU7nnAWRUUML479idwT38RLNmPEmy0WA6h9MHCRqRuP1ArJX7s1IAXDIA7S_ap34RQ7q2XFOqyQVwZb1vDtomRczl4R-NgaJj1ZdM28kWzd_N4rzLp9rOXSFj5qCb49DwqjlY3MghE/s1600/IMG_20140816_181222_032.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
Cousin get together: Sara, Sara, Lisa, myself, Melissa, & Kristin<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht48zpS04w2vOnJ5fU3cPbk_Ki3enaXZVAE-5wB_KDAO12t7GuINbcHprs5Y8qg1H96P_vde50qzM4KidwW9UwMh8WR8YhRprslfS3jzwj16_GqE3hYL3wbJm7dFtxB8CMljBWu6JVoAY/s1600/IMG_20140819_200618_415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht48zpS04w2vOnJ5fU3cPbk_Ki3enaXZVAE-5wB_KDAO12t7GuINbcHprs5Y8qg1H96P_vde50qzM4KidwW9UwMh8WR8YhRprslfS3jzwj16_GqE3hYL3wbJm7dFtxB8CMljBWu6JVoAY/s1600/IMG_20140819_200618_415.jpg" height="175" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nate and I were able to enjoy a beautiful night out at the Twins game Tuesday evening. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm8WhqjcxFzBa0MofPOLyylatRm1iJt8oZouU5W3VfBFiJWNclaK_NATUrgfBG9nUEnXwPuj7jIma-lGgxxd9bFTc9hhdwwhVrz9jnEh6GbwW-Fg-q-lL4PUUtrPVjTl8GbdriiptbDg/s1600/IMG_20140822_095051_561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMm8WhqjcxFzBa0MofPOLyylatRm1iJt8oZouU5W3VfBFiJWNclaK_NATUrgfBG9nUEnXwPuj7jIma-lGgxxd9bFTc9hhdwwhVrz9jnEh6GbwW-Fg-q-lL4PUUtrPVjTl8GbdriiptbDg/s1600/IMG_20140822_095051_561.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Since Nate took the day off, we decided to take a trip to Minnehaha Falls to show the kids the waterfall. They loved the waterfall, but more so enjoyed throwing rocks in the water and hiking. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLe3ZV9mICXI4Ot9T5ulSZEBYWbarm-Ys5_XxXyZw-60_YymEqd_-CwYDHTtWj3TzLfRpbfJEX44R45ijPHbrpI-qQSuLbzyOzQfn4kJOs19MiCpZTXa6p4o-DlR0K2mr9UCqpLIpu45M/s1600/IMG_20140822_095405_668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLe3ZV9mICXI4Ot9T5ulSZEBYWbarm-Ys5_XxXyZw-60_YymEqd_-CwYDHTtWj3TzLfRpbfJEX44R45ijPHbrpI-qQSuLbzyOzQfn4kJOs19MiCpZTXa6p4o-DlR0K2mr9UCqpLIpu45M/s1600/IMG_20140822_095405_668.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P6KkNkN4sz8Fc2m-vqW6VF28WKLM6UBUvepad3yCbln-II8gzEeWT-juarpZo-fxiiz-GKQVD2njOCDpbAgYJ0G7lIryKYaF1lKDheJvqJAPDBQ0SnpOFc-VSwgVRuMFB9_WXdSwQ-M/s1600/IMG_20140822_100814_030-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P6KkNkN4sz8Fc2m-vqW6VF28WKLM6UBUvepad3yCbln-II8gzEeWT-juarpZo-fxiiz-GKQVD2njOCDpbAgYJ0G7lIryKYaF1lKDheJvqJAPDBQ0SnpOFc-VSwgVRuMFB9_WXdSwQ-M/s1600/IMG_20140822_100814_030-1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHerPkTzO8fDBko8JeG-GpaF6TptjhuVM_vJP1vxmjQAeCbvQ0gWyWif597pUikJFfViXcRLNtLo53_AbuunUBcmd-uXIABl2TC8V2MfqJ0UDmEPiZ4cz-aew0Oq5joyH1Rh5CblPJak8/s1600/IMG_20140822_130459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHerPkTzO8fDBko8JeG-GpaF6TptjhuVM_vJP1vxmjQAeCbvQ0gWyWif597pUikJFfViXcRLNtLo53_AbuunUBcmd-uXIABl2TC8V2MfqJ0UDmEPiZ4cz-aew0Oq5joyH1Rh5CblPJak8/s1600/IMG_20140822_130459.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsEDMBfQcFAkmWZJ4KDZlckWiGhVsvCx3NF_GREQPrDcY-uKw17yHANsSDGsgVkiLbDtMLfG6A3D8bAMOTkJEMyLypcJPtMwA5EIwXckh5h6PKq6TDo6hSOroWY4VsZ4ISHtPcBQqhWA/s1600/IMG_20140822_102731_292+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsEDMBfQcFAkmWZJ4KDZlckWiGhVsvCx3NF_GREQPrDcY-uKw17yHANsSDGsgVkiLbDtMLfG6A3D8bAMOTkJEMyLypcJPtMwA5EIwXckh5h6PKq6TDo6hSOroWY4VsZ4ISHtPcBQqhWA/s1600/IMG_20140822_102731_292+(1).jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8075721720821745441.post-19101377849872355212014-08-07T19:00:00.001-07:002014-08-07T19:00:59.108-07:00Burns, bumps, and new daycareThis past week has been pretty crazy around here. Last week Ava and Grant spent their last day with Cyndi as their nanny. It was an odd feeling going to pick the kids up from there for the last time. I had a sense of sadness, mostly for Grant, as he had no idea what was about to change and I've been worried about his transition to a new center. Also because Grant has been there since he was 12 weeks old. Cyndi took great care of the kids and became kind of like family to us. She was there in case of an emergency, snuggled my kids when they were sick or tired, and kissed their owies. However, I knew that the change is what would be best for the kids.<br />
<br />
With that being said, Ava is loving her new "school". She has her two new best friends (girls of course). She whined the past two days that I've picked her up because she didn't want to leave. She wanted to know why I couldn't come later when the other parents came so that she could stay and play longer. I couldn't be happier. Grant on the other hand cries at drop off, is refusing to eat breakfast and snack, and sleeping a whole 30-45 minutes at nap time (he takes 3 hr naps at home). I expected the transition to be rough for him. I'm hoping that in a couple of weeks he will settle into the routine and start enjoying his time there. The director and all of the teachers have been amazing in trying to make this transition go as smoothly as possible. They send me text pictures with updates to let me know how everybody is doing. I am so grateful for the kind and patient people that work there.<br />
<br />
Not only has Grant had a tough week at daycare, but his week started out rough. We left for Cresco, IA on Saturday morning to meet some of my family down there for a weekend camping/tubing down the river trip. Aunt Darlene and Great Grandma were so nice and drove up for the day to watch my kiddos so that Nate and I could enjoy floating down the river. We had a great time, and we heard that the kids were good. A HUGE thank you to Aunt Darlene and Great Grandma for doing that. Nate and I really enjoyed our time away relaxing. That evening was a little crazy, chasing the kids around, trying to get dinner ready, etc. Ava made a friend and was invited to do sparklers with them. Long story short, she touched the end of the sparkler after it was done burning (not realizing it would still be hot since there was not spark coming off). She burnt her finger and came home crying. No, she was not there alone, Nate was supervising. So, after awhile the kids were down in Grandma & Grandpa's motorhome and Nate and I had a tent to ourselves. Good thing since this "4 person tent" barely fit our air mattress for 2 people. Anyway, the next morning we were packing up and were all outside. I was looking for something in the car when I heard my mom yell Grant's name. I turned around to see him sitting on the ground next to the firepit, his arm covered in ash and him crying. He evidently fell backwards and caught himself with his hand in the firepit (which had been burning until probably 3 am). I could not calm the poor guy down. I forced Ibuprofen down him and we decided to head into the Decorah ER to have it looked at. By the time we got there he had finally calmed down. They cleaned it, put some bacitracin on it, and bandaged it up. So, he's been on antibiotics this week and had dressing changes twice a day. Yesterday the blisters were very big. I feel like today they may have gone down a little (or maybe I'm just trying to be optimistic). The good thing is that it doesn't seem to bother him. I don't think that he feels it, because he was poking at it during bath tonight. I'm just hoping that it doesn't scar and hopefully by next week we can have the dressings off. <br />
<br />
So that was the trauma for Sunday. Monday the trauma was spending the day at his new daycare. Tuesday evening we got to spend some time with our friends Mike, Kristi, Cora, and Henry. We got together at a great park and had a picnic for dinner. On our way out Grant was running and his legs couldn't keep up with his upper body. Down he went, head first onto the sidewalk. Took the top layer of skin right off his head and gave him a little road rash on his knee. I am thankful we had no injuries today. If he showed up at daycare tomorrow with something new they would probably have child protective services there. Poor kid!<br />
<br />
So that's our week in a nutshell. I'm hoping that this weekend and upcoming week will be a little more low key. I'm working my 12 hr days this weekend, so Daddy is in charge! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgP05tOyaTAXxQYSJr2uzY-9Y_epYf2iqk7zMaTtNq7KQAHiXr8IXm_IzzHGhOvVmC2nbC0aLAgwSQuGRy9mBaiWOH5IHtW0327pQmv8G_YRvF90EgWvyJnY-gzBXSeRenQV7ro3-GEg/s1600/IMG_20140722_120303_098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgP05tOyaTAXxQYSJr2uzY-9Y_epYf2iqk7zMaTtNq7KQAHiXr8IXm_IzzHGhOvVmC2nbC0aLAgwSQuGRy9mBaiWOH5IHtW0327pQmv8G_YRvF90EgWvyJnY-gzBXSeRenQV7ro3-GEg/s1600/IMG_20140722_120303_098.jpg" height="320" width="179" /></a></div>
This is what Grant looks like when he tries to drink the yogurt out of his bowl. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZRPCoLwqOHlPXSp85U2yeuMj5Cr9IyNzf3RepT_VZ8KVcsM98c1H46kQY2rbCfaPVzrayvPEW8gxWmZqZa8m8j5fElRG3KiNIFc33QuWJGhT9LLmTEeYwD1u0AjeVMqOjew1CIAqgiE/s1600/IMG_20140727_130112_474.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZRPCoLwqOHlPXSp85U2yeuMj5Cr9IyNzf3RepT_VZ8KVcsM98c1H46kQY2rbCfaPVzrayvPEW8gxWmZqZa8m8j5fElRG3KiNIFc33QuWJGhT9LLmTEeYwD1u0AjeVMqOjew1CIAqgiE/s1600/IMG_20140727_130112_474.jpg" height="320" width="174" /></a></div>
He was exhausted coming home from Aunt Lisa & Uncle Brent's almost two weeks ago. We went down to pick up Ava. She spent the entire week there and attended VBS at their church. She had such a great time. We rock out to the VBS songs in the car all the time. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqfxXXBuiahjnvWt6vPZ90JUohCrkscapDeT5dZZkiBhtNXraADAiV53Bgs8UxD4emf05oCT-Frv6QraDZ_uOTaSfs-54Am0EiPrjysn4s-NWwzH8GaaLrCOxbZpTdOsb93WC1XwzbU0/s1600/IMG_20140730_190541_067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFqfxXXBuiahjnvWt6vPZ90JUohCrkscapDeT5dZZkiBhtNXraADAiV53Bgs8UxD4emf05oCT-Frv6QraDZ_uOTaSfs-54Am0EiPrjysn4s-NWwzH8GaaLrCOxbZpTdOsb93WC1XwzbU0/s1600/IMG_20140730_190541_067.jpg" height="320" width="163" /></a></div>
Superhero Ava. She got this stuff at VBS.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MLBHWGoGnF-L4y2hT9TtsBQAxAU7-fZ1csOgQhpWZD2WYM52cW7Cf-HsZNun4_Vi3PfrJqO_9oTrzoZvqfn4fwQHyMpRO-zX8LTsmF3SKLU2Ug0PjOctQg4cb-UxA5WeMKuqVHYQIl8/s1600/IMG_20140801_122622_067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MLBHWGoGnF-L4y2hT9TtsBQAxAU7-fZ1csOgQhpWZD2WYM52cW7Cf-HsZNun4_Vi3PfrJqO_9oTrzoZvqfn4fwQHyMpRO-zX8LTsmF3SKLU2Ug0PjOctQg4cb-UxA5WeMKuqVHYQIl8/s1600/IMG_20140801_122622_067.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
So this past week we've also been battling something else...Ants! Ava pointed one out to me last Friday. After that, I found MANY more. They consumed my whole day as I tried many different things to get rid of them. We now have the cleanest kitchen floor in the state...vacuuming and mopping almost nightly. I have a feeling that frequent occurrences (like pictured above) may have something to do with them. It grosses me out though!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCvw2WrLlFAbUDcUYtOKKmUbwXTAE84ioUl52-24vGMCptdq2xGZnO4gyF3qKVWF7-fbfEmEfqTph-d6C4rsbVPty3nAvAXmHG5iuC5ah89M9C7f60bxVeIT2BofDh2wxyj3TiWJs-p0/s1600/IMG_20140801_184530_433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicCvw2WrLlFAbUDcUYtOKKmUbwXTAE84ioUl52-24vGMCptdq2xGZnO4gyF3qKVWF7-fbfEmEfqTph-d6C4rsbVPty3nAvAXmHG5iuC5ah89M9C7f60bxVeIT2BofDh2wxyj3TiWJs-p0/s1600/IMG_20140801_184530_433.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
This is a man who loves his cupcake<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZzBjpas4txrzwIBt_IOelquPEWsnjnE1WTEGY_7-vabhbKfUU6ICS0g0lGRWA1Xd7uhK56JTe_SR1oYDl-STPOt3Xl7J-04RHTE1a2sQFQbn3O9oFJSkp34zin7jAB69i9lb1LT2VS4/s1600/Ava+Veldman+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZzBjpas4txrzwIBt_IOelquPEWsnjnE1WTEGY_7-vabhbKfUU6ICS0g0lGRWA1Xd7uhK56JTe_SR1oYDl-STPOt3Xl7J-04RHTE1a2sQFQbn3O9oFJSkp34zin7jAB69i9lb1LT2VS4/s1600/Ava+Veldman+(2).jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
Swinging at the campground<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0xAhHJ0llPpVom3ViVq5labaaA5iMivtc2oPOM9tFsA0ehDEfbrMq7jl3swO6RsF1y-ukPjXq7QN6hSv3vScEAuI1Aw45j0v2x5tKxnT7c9sFO7h6uACrUQMljlHwsndx95xZStqWh8/s1600/Ava+Veldman-Reece+Strittmatter+on+Sunday+morning+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0xAhHJ0llPpVom3ViVq5labaaA5iMivtc2oPOM9tFsA0ehDEfbrMq7jl3swO6RsF1y-ukPjXq7QN6hSv3vScEAuI1Aw45j0v2x5tKxnT7c9sFO7h6uACrUQMljlHwsndx95xZStqWh8/s1600/Ava+Veldman-Reece+Strittmatter+on+Sunday+morning+(2).jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
Morning snuggle time with Grandpa<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHpcjU8i5yFoZWbDcn2G6aOUfRNf9LmACuAbbUbfQiavVLKGKVW6uPUkFgj3QUu-1_YefUEWRNbw3UUUvL1NXtgNysc6PcNP5uJ5MIwYGKZbmpPmH0xn_AhJJhU3-kodPLuTzS1KviJU/s1600/Ava+Veldman-Reece+Strittmatter+on+Sunday+morning+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHpcjU8i5yFoZWbDcn2G6aOUfRNf9LmACuAbbUbfQiavVLKGKVW6uPUkFgj3QUu-1_YefUEWRNbw3UUUvL1NXtgNysc6PcNP5uJ5MIwYGKZbmpPmH0xn_AhJJhU3-kodPLuTzS1KviJU/s1600/Ava+Veldman-Reece+Strittmatter+on+Sunday+morning+(3).jpg" height="207" width="320" /></a></div>
Ava & Cousin Reece<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_ymyIw1x78MwIR4fqEWkCxj7k7HaTy-l_RFu0WTOTcQdCe2HETiNj02WMtquRYNEUQ5vLPn1aUqnStNwiHdb7WMcnHVAX2yL8MkcsFT6J_LS_lHFzDeCY1-V_09nBKrhUFthZT-IMiU/s1600/DSC_5397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_ymyIw1x78MwIR4fqEWkCxj7k7HaTy-l_RFu0WTOTcQdCe2HETiNj02WMtquRYNEUQ5vLPn1aUqnStNwiHdb7WMcnHVAX2yL8MkcsFT6J_LS_lHFzDeCY1-V_09nBKrhUFthZT-IMiU/s1600/DSC_5397.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Getting ready to go tubing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiLviuB6fm-eo8o1zkI_XtJASe8BwycrFHXbJHb2DnE0k87d7ZEemtRgwFVb04AWlYmqmy0hufFJGEWI5W9Ddo4mr7YSsPjunYegWy-bm7sQTi3i-2bDDe9FTDM-2NGzWEAYa7wfNWQ0/s1600/Grant+ready+to+drive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiLviuB6fm-eo8o1zkI_XtJASe8BwycrFHXbJHb2DnE0k87d7ZEemtRgwFVb04AWlYmqmy0hufFJGEWI5W9Ddo4mr7YSsPjunYegWy-bm7sQTi3i-2bDDe9FTDM-2NGzWEAYa7wfNWQ0/s1600/Grant+ready+to+drive.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
Driving the motorhome<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoHYXdmzVhyphenhyphenh9ohlNQF-T5TQkG-6UykUkiQQCR6c58pU-fJZBE32vZgYkga7_7KiaLVPpombYQhg8bJdxgNSkGCYN-hgI81HPp_7vFeDI78PhoEvK-z_tSTWP909SsQI2kkgnZwK-GHk/s1600/Grant+Veldman+(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoHYXdmzVhyphenhyphenh9ohlNQF-T5TQkG-6UykUkiQQCR6c58pU-fJZBE32vZgYkga7_7KiaLVPpombYQhg8bJdxgNSkGCYN-hgI81HPp_7vFeDI78PhoEvK-z_tSTWP909SsQI2kkgnZwK-GHk/s1600/Grant+Veldman+(7).jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></div>
Playing on the playground<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyl3iWVCMc9yUhcwYYQMQjjsOGtuZMzGgRjOMIMhiOEn8Enz32AA9CNZVXaXe5pIwE3PJ4ItsqR8pkSXFo5LG9FWTr6ibqtFnZh9kNAO1pMyhW8ZXDfs3kt4nj01UU912RMm-3pdj2Ko/s1600/Grant+Veldman+at+playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyl3iWVCMc9yUhcwYYQMQjjsOGtuZMzGgRjOMIMhiOEn8Enz32AA9CNZVXaXe5pIwE3PJ4ItsqR8pkSXFo5LG9FWTr6ibqtFnZh9kNAO1pMyhW8ZXDfs3kt4nj01UU912RMm-3pdj2Ko/s1600/Grant+Veldman+at+playground.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCyAScAvVhOPPYSi7zIwqYzPZdcNgzNExrrpZzf7sKmqgSD_Dz_214JbOKwRCh_fqExSxNAglDF31JwhIg5ZjOOwkuKpKmI2D9PTa0bVMomwieRz3AZhebEclwjSSpW_XrhHUXXtCMZQ/s1600/Grant-Ava+Veldman+at+picnic+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCyAScAvVhOPPYSi7zIwqYzPZdcNgzNExrrpZzf7sKmqgSD_Dz_214JbOKwRCh_fqExSxNAglDF31JwhIg5ZjOOwkuKpKmI2D9PTa0bVMomwieRz3AZhebEclwjSSpW_XrhHUXXtCMZQ/s1600/Grant-Ava+Veldman+at+picnic+table.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
A picnic dinner<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNU0Ub84IQh_X_RCkrjO2CXBfApSx0E_FyiVDxLkFY2hJhW9oRokroypNFAvsSiFgNXiJL3yQExdAIog35j9wxFUWQZ1WgxQsHEp1sbNdBp9YCLL49UwX0KS8gzhd5upuJYwYN3qeg8Y/s1600/Greg-Grant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNU0Ub84IQh_X_RCkrjO2CXBfApSx0E_FyiVDxLkFY2hJhW9oRokroypNFAvsSiFgNXiJL3yQExdAIog35j9wxFUWQZ1WgxQsHEp1sbNdBp9YCLL49UwX0KS8gzhd5upuJYwYN3qeg8Y/s1600/Greg-Grant.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></div>
Grandpa & Grant<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJWLsn2T9stjc2IMREqaU3vBJfGLmDTmOr9UI0TB_hG05qvoXOFBdRBjhMj6iEBCRqvn49q6cLZ29IBp1fIwFGppRTGAfFdgxextFDxVP-x95_5DlWcmsZsa3vI7w_SNF8qm7XevRD_4/s1600/len-Ali-Brent+Strittmatter-Turner+Jensen+-Tate+Jensen-Marj+Becker+-+Lisa+Strittmatter-Steph-Nate+Veldman-Julie+Jensen-Greg+Becker-Craig+Jensen-Zack+Klocke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJWLsn2T9stjc2IMREqaU3vBJfGLmDTmOr9UI0TB_hG05qvoXOFBdRBjhMj6iEBCRqvn49q6cLZ29IBp1fIwFGppRTGAfFdgxextFDxVP-x95_5DlWcmsZsa3vI7w_SNF8qm7XevRD_4/s1600/len-Ali-Brent+Strittmatter-Turner+Jensen+-Tate+Jensen-Marj+Becker+-+Lisa+Strittmatter-Steph-Nate+Veldman-Julie+Jensen-Greg+Becker-Craig+Jensen-Zack+Klocke.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
The tubing group<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX0ZCdQgSzMUvifoOjBF7FIHL-w7pN9mDA1t2clXo0xgzmZyTQqWLET0GuZfEkGx9RYNiP2RUnmvL45WIp6tm3_dfqos9YzMZtQbnUwqQhQ4ufMZmKM5pSTrpfkO0MaNyda9gx7y1C4s/s1600/Marj-Ava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaX0ZCdQgSzMUvifoOjBF7FIHL-w7pN9mDA1t2clXo0xgzmZyTQqWLET0GuZfEkGx9RYNiP2RUnmvL45WIp6tm3_dfqos9YzMZtQbnUwqQhQ4ufMZmKM5pSTrpfkO0MaNyda9gx7y1C4s/s1600/Marj-Ava.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
Grandma & Ava<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgWqv56aWWZYRBEHYqM9jyO8KXS11LsBuwPeeX4NRe1vXDHZWLDn_rUr2rNrJBKMQD2cmejJRFHAVvIzNhDMlh9rbOBO0tOXpgoXOoCWZ38R2MjxlcUKhhchv4PSCxCXhD47dk7OPdVM/s1600/Marj-Grant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgWqv56aWWZYRBEHYqM9jyO8KXS11LsBuwPeeX4NRe1vXDHZWLDn_rUr2rNrJBKMQD2cmejJRFHAVvIzNhDMlh9rbOBO0tOXpgoXOoCWZ38R2MjxlcUKhhchv4PSCxCXhD47dk7OPdVM/s1600/Marj-Grant.jpg" height="198" width="320" /></a></div>
Grandma & Grant<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6eh2PDfdCjWOPpxE7KEF5VRYAd0UL7_ZYGwBnIQJUnwyizUzThw5m2VJnW6vKfsDnwnKPcCJ94X6eTwUUdO3iLCme2jOhrsagiNuVi-472_dAbxiknQNczR4ua4J6FdewuEKO0_I3Wk/s1600/Reece+Strittmatter-Grant+Veldman+with+puppy+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6eh2PDfdCjWOPpxE7KEF5VRYAd0UL7_ZYGwBnIQJUnwyizUzThw5m2VJnW6vKfsDnwnKPcCJ94X6eTwUUdO3iLCme2jOhrsagiNuVi-472_dAbxiknQNczR4ua4J6FdewuEKO0_I3Wk/s1600/Reece+Strittmatter-Grant+Veldman+with+puppy+(2).jpg" height="320" width="203" /></a></div>
Reece, Grant, and the cutest little puppy ever. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3LZsMaENsS3xBQ8761RUpYfOkjEG5IzZttG_nBvM5mFOnSoxT1cx7BUkf1elFcCM8WhIYVqxxZ76bjINNuDqtZTaoJLpsX46lVL7rA8RNeB0Q8YC7tiKrtao2vtLIPPKuZcdA3ASKA4/s1600/Steph+Veldman-Marj+Becker-Lisa+Strittmatter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3LZsMaENsS3xBQ8761RUpYfOkjEG5IzZttG_nBvM5mFOnSoxT1cx7BUkf1elFcCM8WhIYVqxxZ76bjINNuDqtZTaoJLpsX46lVL7rA8RNeB0Q8YC7tiKrtao2vtLIPPKuZcdA3ASKA4/s1600/Steph+Veldman-Marj+Becker-Lisa+Strittmatter.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Me with Grandma & Aunt Lisa<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8d7Ko5RjQ11kksWVuRtuFixzlFY_07K8YLotWN0dhjskdMzqgRmTN_hk95qjeyyaqA-YDD_Gv0ODPoAlujwgetL8PwoDtf4GBA4g8N6ArVOHiPDlwiL8JTn2I1-LJNPdGX_MnOsnd00/s1600/Steph-Ava+Veldman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8d7Ko5RjQ11kksWVuRtuFixzlFY_07K8YLotWN0dhjskdMzqgRmTN_hk95qjeyyaqA-YDD_Gv0ODPoAlujwgetL8PwoDtf4GBA4g8N6ArVOHiPDlwiL8JTn2I1-LJNPdGX_MnOsnd00/s1600/Steph-Ava+Veldman.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
Reading some stories<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3kWzoOlPCCfLKXQImzBn-Y-7D0OJI-ILqu5qbYQSwk1bqR2z-45QgSix2CzR7hqPwUYbcvtwmw-9XqQMAH8rNdT89sZDFjrZgR4lSOMm7htBRmi_kuEUumSNOyrIWJxw_Z353zoartY/s1600/Zake+Klocke-Grant+Veldman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ3kWzoOlPCCfLKXQImzBn-Y-7D0OJI-ILqu5qbYQSwk1bqR2z-45QgSix2CzR7hqPwUYbcvtwmw-9XqQMAH8rNdT89sZDFjrZgR4lSOMm7htBRmi_kuEUumSNOyrIWJxw_Z353zoartY/s1600/Zake+Klocke-Grant+Veldman.jpg" height="208" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Grant chilling with the big kids </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC5BZvSY6OcKmzQmvkBXQ71BRHwOOSbqMME8lpQuXbQKHw_NXH0qplq_xHJeOyWPxFNIZsrFN2aK9molX1IypH-6pxZvJh9SvNS7Fx6q08VZJVOGcs6o7CETDz7LYJkN_BFQrc7HCAdg/s1600/IMG_20140803_104131_302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKC5BZvSY6OcKmzQmvkBXQ71BRHwOOSbqMME8lpQuXbQKHw_NXH0qplq_xHJeOyWPxFNIZsrFN2aK9molX1IypH-6pxZvJh9SvNS7Fx6q08VZJVOGcs6o7CETDz7LYJkN_BFQrc7HCAdg/s1600/IMG_20140803_104131_302.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On our way home from the hospital. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjP3vZ7r81AU9P3KRtV1BuHkg8JNnvwCX08-F4NJbILw5Uf4G8EyITBdtixBNuEnsN6ubKALSjAO0tq-okl9_htFbKzVa3oNhFR7c9Vx8_F3Kwd-g8D2H62oPqst_AdxWkZpbc6RT2dE/s1600/IMG_20140805_195925_920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjP3vZ7r81AU9P3KRtV1BuHkg8JNnvwCX08-F4NJbILw5Uf4G8EyITBdtixBNuEnsN6ubKALSjAO0tq-okl9_htFbKzVa3oNhFR7c9Vx8_F3Kwd-g8D2H62oPqst_AdxWkZpbc6RT2dE/s1600/IMG_20140805_195925_920.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Grant's head after it met the sidewalk<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />The Veldmanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424616699743917299noreply@blogger.com0