FISH for the girls

Sarah and Rachel decided that they wanted to buy a fish tank with their birthday money. They've been bugging me the past several Saturdays--when we go to Meijers and they see the fish. So, today, I finally gave in and said Yes! Of course, Tom got the honor of setting it up when we got home. We have 4 goldfish right now, but we'll see how long they last. We may try a different type of fish later--if these don't survive :) Here's a picture of the tank.



I hope you're impressed with this post--we just bought this TODAY!!!!

The birthdays continue

Happy 15th Birthday to Nathan on May 2!! I can't believe how fast the time flies, but our firstborn is now 15 years old. I have changed diapers every day now for 15 years--no, not Nathan's!! We have had at least one, sometimes two babies in diapers for 15 years straight! Wow.

Grandma decided to make him a birthday pillow case

He also got a teddy bear--long story, but now he
has a bear for Christmas like the other kids!

His favorite present from Grandma and Grandpa

Nathan blowing out candles--notice sweet, little Ethan watching him!
Nathan with his airsoft gun from DAD
(Mom is in no way connected with this!!)

Happy Birthday, Nathan!! Just think, only 15 more years until you can drive and get married :) You're halfway there!!

Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays...

While we were at my parents for Easter, we celebrated my dad's birthday. His birthday was April 25--he's 24 1/2 years older than I am ;)

Nathan and Grandpa talking before opening presents

A new USA flag!!

Ooh, Cabela's :)

What's in this box--Peter watches eagerly!!

A new spotlight :)

Why is the title "Birthdays, birthdays, birthdays" when that was only one birthday?? I guess you'll just have to check back in a couple of days to find out :)

Easter Pictures

Well, here it is, not even a week later and I have some more pictures :) You don't have to wait until May, either!!! We went to my parents' house in Davison, MI for Easter. We celebrated on Saturday with 14 other people for a grand total of 24!! It was a bit crowded and overwhelming, but it was a beautiful day and the kids were outside a lot. Here are some pictures.

Sarah waiting patiently for the egg hunt to begin

Sarah

Rachel is ready, too :)

The hunt is on--Sarah (looking for yellow eggs)

Ethan (green eggs...ham for dinner!)
He had fun looking for his eggs!
Aunt Amy with Haven

Sarah helped Haven after finding all her eggs

Haven's eggs were blue

Rachel and cousin Brenna took a break for a picture!
(Rachel is just 7 months older than Brenna.)
Cute smile, cute boy--while hunting eggs
Rachel with her pink eggs--looking at all the stuff inside :)

Haven touching grass for the first time--she
didn't really enjoy it :)

This didn't last too long!

Dad with the kids after the hunt--looking at all their stuff
Haven loved playing with all the eggs and baskets

She sat there for a long time moving the eggs from
one basket to the other

Sweet baby girl (she's cutting molars; hence, the nose problem!)

Sisters...after a long, hard egg hunt ;)
Tom in the background

Eggs and basket

Another basket

Sweet little, um, big guy :)

Ethan loved playing with this sword most of the day

Ferocious!!

The older boys had a scavenger hunt this year instead of an egg hunt. Some of them decided they were too old to hunt for Easter eggs (I won't name any names!!). They had a good time walking around the neighborhood looking for clues. They ended up tieing!!

Peter and cousin Carson
Peter (Aug 1999), Carson (Aug 2000), and Andrew (Sept 2001)

Nathan and Daniel trying to look cool :)

Peter trying to escape the camera. Ha ha, I got you!!

Nathan after the scavenger hunt

Daniel after the scavenger hunt

Andrew and Daniel hanging out

Andrew

The older ladies and the younger ladies

(back row l-r) my great Aunt Loie, my Grandma Horning, my Grandma Shankland
(Aunt Loie and Grandma S. are sisters)
(front row l-r) Rachel, Haven, Sarah, Brenna

Brenna, Rachel, Sarah--matching shirts from Grandma

Haven

If April showers bring May flowers,...

what do May flowers bring???

I just realized this morning that April is pretty nearly over already. I know I say this every month and with every child's birthday, but, really, why is time flying by so quickly?? I guess we really should redeem the time--not waste our days--make them count for eternity (where there is no time). Today is April 25--my dad turned 65 today. WOW! That seems old, but I'll be there soon enough. When I'm 65, my oldest will be 40 (my age now) and our youngest-right-now will be 26. My dad's younger child (my brother) will be 39 this year. I wonder what it will be like to have young kids when I'm old like my parents!!!!!!! (I hope they're not reading this blog!)

Anyway, that was a bit of confusing blather. Most people just come here to see pictures. So, without any further ado......ta-da: April pictures :)

Haven and Grayson Kimmel

Haven standing up :)

She loves that toothbrush

Mouth always open!!

Ethan taking a nap--he put on the hat and mittens :)

Ethan's big mouth :)

Every time Haven sees Tom's computer, she goes right to it!

She loves the mouse :)

Ethan and Haven being cute

Our sweet little Haven

Daddy and the 2 babies

Another picture of the napping Ethan :)
He does the weirdest things in his sleep!

Snow in April...in Michigan

No bake cookies that turned out really well--yum!

Haven doing what she does best these days--

getting into cupboards and making a mess!

No bowl or cup stands a chance when Haven is nearby!!

I have a bunch of pictures from Easter that I will try to put on here sometime this week. Don't hold your breath, though. I'll try, I promise. Tomorrow is our last day of dissection, too. I hope I remember to take my camera. We're supposed to dissect a clam, a sponge, a grasshopper, and a fetal pig. It should be quite interesting.



Pilgrims, of course :)