My Thankful List!

The last couple of weeks I have noticed some of my friends making lists of thinks they are thankful. I thought it was high time that I stop and write out a list of the things that I am thankful for.
Here is the list(in no particular order):

1. My husband Chris - he is loving, hardworking, and an amazing father.


2. Simon - headstrong and stubborn, but incredibly loving and happy!!


3. Luke - sweet, happy and unconditionally loving


4. My mom and dad - loving and supportive in all ways and awesome grandparents
5. Tom and Sharon - I could not ask for better in-laws, they too are amazing grandparents
6. Cooie and Ta (my grandparents) - their unconditional love and support is incredible, not to mention they are the best "Greats" in the world!
7. Andrew and Matthew (my nephews) - I love them as if they were my own boys!


8. Kathy (my sister-in-law) - she is a great friend and an amazing mother!
9. My warm and cozy home
10. Our neighbors and neighborhood
11. My group of friends - you know true friendship when you can not talk for awhile and when you do you can pick up right where you left off.
12. Our small group - their prayer support and friendship
13. Our church - Ridge Point
14. Food - we have have far more than we need, when so many do not have enough
15. Chris job
16. The ability to be a stay at home mom
17. The Good Earth - my part-time job
18. A dependable vehicle
19. My pets (yes, even Molly) - the joy they bring to us and the boys is invaluable
20. Living the United States - Although I may not agree with everything (or anything) our government is doing right now it is fundamentally still the best country in the world.
21. My health and the healthy of my family
22. Living in Holland - this is a great place to raise a family
23. U.S. Military that works to protect the freedoms of me and my family
24. Our extended family (mine and Chris)
25. A loving and forgiving God!!!

5 months - well actually 5 1/2 months!

It is so hard to believe that my baby is 5 1/2 months already! He continues to be such a joy. He is an extremely happy baby. He has such a bubbly personality that you can't help but smile when you are around him.

The only thing that would make him more perfect is if he would sleep through the night. We did have a two nights in a row last week that he slept the whole night but that has not happened since. Well, at least I know that he can do it and I have high hopes that he will do it again soon!

Here are some of the new things that Luke is doing this month:
* Rolling all over the place
* Eating baby food twice a day. He loves it now and I have begun making our own baby food.
* Sits up well when propped up and getting better at sitting on his own.



Here are some Luke's favorite things:
* His blankie continues to be a hit
* Doorway jumparoo. It is hilarious to watch him go in this thing!
* Playing with his brother's toys





* Simon is always guaranteed to get a smile and laugh!

Luke is such an amazing baby!! We are truly blessed to have him in our family.

Halloween!

It is amazing how time flies. Here it is almost a month later and I am just now getting around to a Halloween post.
We had a super fun Halloween! As has been our tradition for the last few years Chris' parents joined us for pizza and handing out candy. They stay at our house to hand candy to the TONS of trick or treaters we get while we take the boys out.
This year we recycled costumes and Simon was once again an adorable chicken and Luke was a "stinkin" cute skunk.



We started out by trick or treating to a few houses in our neighborhood. Simon loved this! This year I can truly say that he understood the fun of going around and getting candy. He was so cute standing at doors and saying "trick or treat".
After spending some time in the neighborhood we piled in the van and headed to my parents. Simon thought it was the funniest thing to stand at my parents door and knock. After that we headed over to see the "Greats" (my grandparents) and then to see Nana and Grandad (Chris' grandparents).
Halloween was so much this year! I look forward to the coming years as the boys get older and enjoy it more and more!

Apple Picking

A couple of weeks ago we took our traditional family trip to Crane's Orchard. This year was so much fun! The weather was cloudy, but a perfect fall day for apple picking. Cool and crisp is perfect!
Simon had so much fun! He was actually able to pick apples off the tree. He loved doing this even though he was not to gentle when putting them in the bag. He also discovered that he could eat the apples that he picked so he needed a quick lesson on how to rub the apples clean on his clothes. He also loved just being able to run through the orchard.



Luke also enjoyed his first trip to the apple orchard. He was fascinated with the apples. He loved touching them and when offered one he even acted like he wanted to eat it!



After picking over 6o pounds of apples (half of them were for my mom)we ventured over to the very busy Pie Pantry for delicious apple cider and doughnuts!


We had a wonderful time picking apples and look forward to doing it again next year!