Carter is one! We celebrated late....thought we should post on it's significance.

We celebrated Carter's first birthday a bit late this year. As a family, we were hit with the swine flu around the time of his birthday so we had to postpone the party a few weeks. Good thing a 1 year old doesn't know any different! His cake had to represent his favorite word "Ball". Carter loves to play with balls and he loves to say "ball" as he makes a throw. He must be all boy! Now that he has enjoyed cake and the sugar it introduced... he loves the word "cookie" too. Carter gets so excited his feet and hands are just failing anytime anyone says or is eating a cookie because he wants one too!

We Love Carter! It's been fun to see how he's grown and changed in just a year. It's amazing how they go from helpless infant to an almost walking little boy. He has a contagious smile and he's such a cutie! This first year is an accomplishment for mom, dad, and the girls as well. We can't imagine our family without him!

October Opportunities

Our "little Pumpkins"

Nothing says October like falling leaves and Halloween! This years October was quite wet and cool. We didn't really get to enjoy the days very much outside because of the yucky weather and illness. And, Halloween was cold and quick for us this year. We did our neighborhood parade and then tried to stay warm inside. But, we had a cute veterinarian, bride/princess, and a cute little lion.

Fall Fun

Apple picking at the Orchard is a fun family fall tradition! Eating the apples fresh from the trees and then getting an apple pie with ice cream is a fun treat!

Carter had fun driving the tractor and gnawing on the apples with his new teeth. Next year he'll help more with the collecting.

First Days of School

Cortney is going to a 3 year old preschool this year. She goes 2 afternoons a week and seems to be loving it. She is learning her colors, shapes, and other things all in Spanish because it is an immersion setting. She is very social and loves the interactions with others. Mostly she likes being a big kid and going to school like Stephanie.

Stephanie is in First Grade this year! Wow, time flies! She is continuing her education in Spanish Immersion. She had a rough start to the year because it was a very busy class. It was a hard adjustment of making new friends(in a class of "muchos" boys) and going to school all day. Now, she is in her "groove" and enjoys everything about learning and school. She is a great reader in Spanish and in English. It's amazing how she can communicate! Hopefully, God can bless this skill that she is learning in her future someday.

It's been a whole year!!! Where did the time Go!

Summer pictures by Aunt Rachel
Stephanie 6 Cortney 3 1/2 Carter 9 months
It has been over a year since I've posted! Life has gone on and been quite eventful but I guess posting wasn't on the agenda. Lately, I've been feeling I need to at least document some of the fun and events in our family even if it is just to remind myself to take moment to reflect on God's goodness in our lives on a daily basis.

Boating and Beach days!!!

We enjoyed another summer season of using the Boat and going to Beach as much as possible.







This was a picture of our first outing on the boat... the girls are good little first mates. We did have a "scary" experience in August that seems to have put a little more "nerves" into the girls minds that the "waves" are going to get the boat to tip over....we will have to hope that next year we will have even more chances to use the boat on calmer days so that the fear will leave their memories.


Mommy and the girls would try to make a visit to the Lake Michigan beach at least one time a week! We enjoyed jumping the waves and picnics in the sun! Beaching is one of our favorite activities!
Daddy would often take us to the state park on Sunday nights for family fun....he is the best sand castle builder!

Summer Summary....long time since we posted!!!

Corntey loves to play outside! She enjoys riding bikes, scooters, and her three wheeler. We are sure she will be willing to ride a 2 wheel bike even quicker than Stephanie. Her famous request is to take a "nice walk" with her baby in her "play" stroller. She also loves to play with the "big" kids in the neighborhood on the playset in the back yard.

Stephanie enjoys doing ballet...this is a picture from her ballet recital from last May... she is now starting a new year again. She loves everything "girly" about this!