Last weekend we had a visit from my parents. It is so fun when family or friends take the time to come down from Michigan and see us! After eating dinner, my mom really wanted to try a DeBrand's sundae. It did not take too much convincing to fit in a trip there. Ben has never had a sundae from there either and he dug right in!   I was really looking forward to Valentine's day because I was going to go help with Ben's class party. But, the Monday before that, Ben came down with a fever. I kept him home Tuesday and he was fine all day. Then, early Wednesday morning he got sick in his bed. I told him not to worry about missing his party because I was sure that he would be fine the next morning. He actually seemed really good most of Wednesday. No more getting sick, no fever. Then, on the morning of Valentine's day he threw up his breakfast. :( He was so sad. He locked himself in the bathroom and said he was still going to go to school. It was hard to see him so sad ab...

  A couple weeks ago, we gave Ben a cardboard pirate ship to decorate and use in the basement. He was SO excited about it. He gave Curt and myself some spots that we could also help him color. It still has many parts that can be colored, so I think it will keep him busy for a while.   Ben coloring a little fish on the side of the boat.    Taking his pirate ship out to sea.  Something about this picture cracks me up every time I see it!  Lucy & Ben A quick picture with daddy.

This weekend our friends, the Bairds, came to Fort Wayne for a visit. We've seen them for quick visits up in Grand Rapids, but it was so nice to have all weekend to hang out!     It was Evie's first visit to our house. Lucy enjoyed checking out all of Evie's toys. :) I'm sure those two will have fun playing together when they get older.  Jackson, Luke, and Ben had to make time to play some Mario games on the Wii.  On Saturday the boys went out to get a little fresh air. It wasn't too cold out with the sun shining.  Curt took Lucy out for a few minutes on the swing. The girls: Me, Lucy, Rachel, and Evie 

I completely forgot about these pictures on the camera, so this post is a bit late. Anyway, here are a few pictures from Lucy's birthday at our house.      For her third birthday treat (since we had two parties already), I decided to try Texas Sheetcake Cupcakes. They were delicious!  Lucy loved her birthday decorations.  For one of her presents she got a little stroller.  She also got a little baby to ride in the stroller.  Ben loves to play with his little sis.  After dinner it was time to have a cupcake. Time to blow out the candle, with a little help from Ben. Digging in! She ate the WHOLE thing! 

One year ago today, our family was given another blessing...our sweet Lucy Charlotte. Lucy is a beautiful, sweet, silly, mischievous, determined, and fun girl. I am so happy to be her mom!     The Day You Were Born   Newborn Pictures     Happy 1st Birthday Lucy! 

It has been so nice to spend the past four days together as a family. We've had lots of time to have fun and relax. Since I'm on a roll with updating my blog :), I thought I'd add a few pictures from the last couple days. Ben's friend Evan came over on Monday for a few hours. Ben was so excited to play with Evan! They both love playing with Mario toys and playing Mario on the Wii.   For dinner, I thought it would be fun to make our own pizzas. Ben isn't always a huge pizza eater, but he loved the idea of putting on his own toppings. He ate it really well and asked to make our own pizzas again soon.  A look at our yummy pizzas.  After Lucy was in bed we made sundaes. I let Ben pile on his own toppings.  This little lady has been pushing her walker all over the place.  Lucy got to play in the snow for the very first time today. She loved it!  Lucy & Ben  I let Ben pull Lucy for a little bit. I pulled her most of t...

On Christmas Eve morning, we visited with our friends, the Bairds, for a couple of hours. I didn't take any pictures, but it was great to catch up and let the kids exchange presents. Then in the afternoon we had Lucy's birthday party at my parent's house. My sister made a cute butterfly cake and I found some decorations that went along with the cake.  I wanted to get a picture of her by the cake. It was dangerous because she kept trying to grab it with her hands. :)  The pretty birthday girl.  Molly helping Lucy with the stroller. Lucy walked around with it all by herself many times too!  Trying out the birthday cake.  Yummy frosting!!!  She did a good job opening her presents.  A new book!  My parents got her the Little People Princess Castle. She has had such a fun time playing with it. She loved all of the colorful tissue paper from Uncle Joe's present.  Hanging out with Gramps.  Tryi...