Books of the Old Testament

Anna had to learn the books of the Bible for school a few weeks ago, which means, we sang/heard Anna sing the O.T. and N.T. songs more times than I can count.  With other little ears listening, Alayna and Bristol also picked up on them quite quickly and it was a never ending chorus. Bristol's version of the O.T. song is a little different. Singing to the tune in the "Wee Sing Bible Songs" book, her version is (not starting with Genesis), "Exodus, a little kiss, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth,....  It always makes us chuckle!!

Kangaroos and Dinaosaurs

After not having been on this blog for almost a year, I finally am taking the time to enter a new post.  It works out "great" to have "spare" time on my hands with being on the couch on day 2 with the stomach bug.
The girls have grown in many ways in the past year and our newest addition is still growing like crazy in my belly and is having a dance party as I type this. The girls are so excited to meet their new brother or sister.  Anna's vote is for a boy and Alayna and Bristol want a girl.  Either way, Joel and I are very excited (and nervous again) to have a new baby in the house.  While getting the baby's room ready, my heart skips a beat at how much life is going to change in only a few short weeks.  Summer seems to be a busy time of year as it is, and then to add in a baby, it makes things very interesting!  Once school is done, we are going to try and squeeze in as many park days and "adventures" as possible before the baby comes.
On a different note now, I try to keep most of my blog posts about funny things the girls say or do or some of the milestones we celebrate every once and a while.  So the main story of this post will be about Bristol who is always doing or saying that is followed by a good laugh or two.
A few weeks ago, Anna was complaining of a canker sore.  She was having a rough time eating and brushing her teeth for a few days.  Bristol was quietly observant during that time and as her and I were riding in the van one day, she all of a sudden says, "Mom, my mouth hurts.  I think I have a Kangaroo."  It took me forever to figure out what in the world she was talking about.  After a while, it finally dawned on me Kangaroo/Canker Sore.  I asked her if she had a canker sore and she yeah. Then a few days later at supper time, she starts complaining again and this time she says, "Mom, I have a dinosaur (canker sore)" and points inside her mouth.  This time I knew what she was talking about right away, but Joel was so lost and confused.  Now when one of us has a canker sore, we jokingly say we have kangaroo or dinosaur.

Memorial Day Weekend

This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend.  It was busy and fun-filled.  We started it off Friday by going out for ice cream!  Yum!  On Saturday, Joel and my Dad went to his new hunting property early in the morning and then Lisa, Anna, Alayna and myself drove up there and met them around 10ish.  We walked the property, checked out the progress they had made with the land management and then we grilled up some lunch.  After lunch, an old friend came up with his drone and flew it over the property and recorded some video.  It was such a fun time!
Sunday night, we went to a park and walked around the lake.  Even though it was a little rainy, that is actually what made it fun.
On Monday, we went to the Jamestown parade and then went to Mom and Dad H's house.  We did pizza for lunch, shot guns in the afternoon and had some good laughs just hanging out.
This weekend was a great kickoff for summer!!

There were a bunch of blinds on the property.

Lunch time!

Raspberry fingers!

My Dad and Vic

The girls checking out the drone flying

Alayna was so tired.  

Checking out the footage that the drone recorded.  Anna thought it showed the whole earth :)

On our walk Sunday night.  Beavers had gone crazy on the trees.

Beach umbrella...why not!

Jamestown parade

Waiting out the rain at grandma's

Aaron's "awesome" gun wagon :)

Alayna shooting Joel's new pistol

Red, White and Blue

Ice Cream and Brownies

Three Suckers with a dirty chin from a Tootsie Roll :)

Making Memories

May is only half way done and it's been full of busyness and some great memories in the making. While everyday is not a day that has memories that want to be highlighted and shared, below are some pics of some or the great times we've had in the past few weeks!  Can't wait til summer so we can make so many more!!

Face Paint at the Chow Hound Expo in Jenison 

Met Joel for lunch at Whistlestop Park!

Perfect day for a lunch by the fire! (and spending 3 hours cleaning out the barn)

Add caption

Tulip Time!

Stopped by the beach to do more kite flying!

Had such a fun day playing outside and Alayna fell asleep at the supper table, snores and all!

Anna eating breakfast outside at 7am before school.

Rainy day fun!

This brave girl got her ears pierced! After the first poke, she was NOT going to get the second ear done.
After trying to convince her for a few minutes and calming her down, I asked her to remember mine and hers favorite verse,
"Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me.", and after repeating it, she was ready for the second poke and it was DONE!

All ready for the Kindergarten program!

My absolute 3 favorite little people!

I spy Anna!

Anna's favorite verse is John 14:1, "Let not your heart be troubled..." Miss Holstege rearranged some of the verses so Anna could say her favorite at the program!!  Anna was beyond excited for it!

This goober can't wait for her turn to stand up and sing at her Kindergarten program.

That face!!!

Favorite - Lilacs!!!!

Hilarious Things Said by Yours Truly, Anna Kate!

In the past week, Anna has said a few things that are just hilarious.
1.  Anna was talking to a neighbor girl and found out that she had had brain surgery when she was a baby.  Later, Anna tells me that a neighbor girl had brain surgery, but she can still think.  :)
2. For the whole school year, Anna had to bring a show and tell item for each letter.  The class finished all the letters and, starting last week, they were going to bring an item that has the long sound for each vowel, starting with a.  With this being new for Anna, I explained to her what a long a is and she decided to bring a grape for show and tell.  Then she asks me, "next week, are we going to do a long b?"  I dont remember the last time I laughed that hard at breakfast.

Meijer = Cookie

Bristol was sitting on the floor by Joel with my iPad and was scrolling though a bunch of stuff.  She clicked on the calculator app and at the bottom of the screen, there was a Meijer ad.  Bristol got excited and said to Joel, "Cookie!! Meijer!"  It was hilarious!!

G.R. Children's Museum

A few weeks ago, we used some free passes to the G.R. Children's Museum, so I took the girls on a Saturday morning while Joel had to work.  Not sure why I decided to go on a Saturday with 3 little kids.  Thankfully we got there just as they opened so it wasn't too busy in the beginning. Lets just say is was a lot of fun, but also a lot or work to keep my two eyes on 3 girls that went in 3 different directions every few seconds.  It had been a few years since we last went, so there were a few new play areas.  The girls had a riot and could have stayed all day if I let them.  Their favorite sections were, of course, the bubble station and also the pet salon/vet.