Wordless Wednesday

Back to School 2011

Today was the kiddos first day of school. They were both excited and got up as soon as their alarm clocks went off...wonder how long that will last. I pressed "snooze" five times....wonder how many I'll be up to by Christmas.
Here's my handsome SECOND GRADER. He's trying out a new do this year - a little longer and spiked on top. He has his own gel. It's pretty cute to see him preening himself in front of the mirror. His girlfriend is not in his class this year. She's actually in the same class as Sam's best buddy. I asked him what he's going to do if Cole and Becca fall in love. He said, "Becca smiled and waved at me at chapel so I'm not too worried about that."
Here's my beautiful FRESHMAN. She survived her first day of high school - got her locker open every time and only walked into one wrong class. I think the consensus is she's going to like it once she gets used to it.

This cute little thing doesn't have her first day until Friday but she didn't want to be left out. She entertained herself pretty well today without her big brother and sister.

One of my children let me come into his classroom and take his picture with his teacher. The other one thinks she's too old for that. Silly girl. Sam tells everyone that he is very lucky since he gets to see his teacher every day but Saturday since she goes to our church. He's pretty blessed to have Mrs. M.

I think it's going to be a good year!

Ketchup

I absolutely have to get caught up on this blog today since tomorrow it's BACK TO SCHOOL! I can hardly believe it. I know every summer goes by so fast but usually I am the mom that is so ready for her kids to go back to school. Not this year folks. I don't know if it's the beautiful weather or our long vacation or the long visit from my folks and Chase or the fact that I am going to lose the world's greatest (and cheapest) babysitter but I am not ready. Too bad. It's here.
So, here's some ketching up.
I really, really miss these guys. We had such a wonderful visit. I guess it was time for them to go home since my dad had gained six pounds. He blames me but I'm thinking it had more to do with the fair food and waffle cone from Edaleen. Rumor is that cute boy in the middle is going to be playing the trombone in the school band. How cool is that? I had to include this picture of the my folks with the grandkids. I love Chase's cheesy smile and Sam's "Ferris Bueller pose".

Completely un-related here. Someone in our family has the bad habit of picking all of mom's pretty flowers. Lucky for me, I caught that someone before she had a chance to fill up the entire laundry basket.

I made up fifty back-to-school buns the other day.

This past weekend we decided to tackle a little project. When Grampa was here, he built the kids a sandbox so we borrowed Uncle Gary (and his trailer) to get some sand. While they were at it, they also got a couple yards of rocks to spruce up under La Casa Hiemstra. John and Sam loaded the rocks...

and Holly raked them all level...

It looks really nice! Afterwards all three kiddos had to play in the new sandbox.

And what better way to get the sand off but to hook up the sprinkler under the swings?

Saturday night, Holly went to the rodeo! She borrowed her friend's cowboy hat for the occasion. Isn't she just the cutest?

Photo Vomit...it's better than nothing

I know, I've been a very bad blogger. The weather has been beautiful, school is only a week away, some of my most favorite people in the world are visiting...no time for sitting at the computer.
Here's just some of what we've been up to...

This ones for you Uncle Glen...

p.s. Don't worry Aunt Jan, we made it to Boomers. I neglected to take any photos but we did get you a very special car box.

I LoVe my family

We are having such a good time with Grampa, Gramma and Chase. I may not let them ever go home. Sorry Amy but I am keeping Chase forever. Just in case you're wondering what we've been up too...
I picked them up from the airport on Friday morning. Their flights were right on time and very smooth so everyone was smiling...even Grampa who doesn't like to fly. Even though they had been up since 3:00 am, Chase had no interest in taking a nap. Him and Sam dove right into playing with Legos,

riding bikes,

and eating dinner in the playhouse.

On Saturday we took a picnic lunch to the bay and walked along the water.

Of course, it wasn't long before these guys were IN the water (Chase found out the hard way that ocean water doesn't taste good).

Of course it wasn't long after that that Grampa had to throw rocks in the water to get the boys wet.

And of course, Uncle John didn't want to be left out so he picked on the little one.

We got a picture with the grandkids minus one (Holly was in Oregon).

And this one was suppose to be a funny one but apparently only Sam and I got the message.

Katie really, really likes her Gramma.

Sunday was a take-it-easy day. We went to church, had a potluck afterward and spent a lazy day at home. The boys went swimming at Uncle Gary and Aunt Sally's pool and had a fun time until Sam learned a tough lesson about gravity and how hard cement is. Don't worry....he has a very hard head.

Monday Grampa and I took the boys to the city park. They had a fun time playing on the equipment...

but could not stay away from the water. I took this picture right before Chase fell in. That was funny.

Of course, no visit would be complete without a Daddy Do List for my Daddy. He started today and got three things scratched off my list already!

I love this guy.

p.s. I just want all my relatives in the midwest to know that my folks have been here for five days now and have not (to my knowledge) gone out for ice cream yet.