Pics from my Halloween Party

Last night I went to a party at my friend Lauren's house. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! Here are just a few pics from the night.

Here's me as a cat. Aren't I cute?!

My and by best friend in the world, Lauren! She's a Punjabi...it's kinda an inside joke.

Then here is a random picture of me at my play a couple of weekends ago. Lauren e-mailed this to me. Her and my other friend Kendra came to see my play and made me supportive t-shirts. Aren't they the best?!

Dear Mom - take 2

This past week seemed to go by really fast. But we really didn't do anything. We just kinda bummed out, living life. The only really noteworthy thing that happened was my choir and orchestra concert on Tuesday. I'm first chair in orchestra and got a solo so it was a pretty exciting night. I got to stand up and tune everyone before we started our pieces and can I say, I ROCKED IT! I played that note with all my being. But Dad being dad forgot the camera to capture that once-in-a-lifetime moment. Way to go. But he made up for it by taking my picture when we got home. So here they are.

This isn't the most attractive picture of me but at least it shows my cool dress! Thanks for fixing it for me Auntie Denise!

Here's me with my violion. BTW Mom, do you like my hair? Isn't it nice? I did it all by myself!

The only other thing that's worth noting is that we got to go out for Chinese last night. It was yummy. The end.

Dear Mom

Hello everyone who reads my mom's blog!!! As most of you know, my mom is in South Dakota for two weeks with Katie. Some of you have asked if we are surviving. Yes, we have been eating. Yes, the house is a little messy but nothing un-liveable.

To keep my mom updated on life at the Hiemstra House, I've decided to write blogs telling her what we've been up too (and I guess the rest of you can read them too...) So here goes.

Life has been a little crazy this weekend. It's pretty much been a Holly weekend. I've been told multiple times that life does not revolve around me but this weekend it did. And I loved it. Anyhoo, I finished up my play on Friday. It was really fun. I'm sad/glad it's over. Lucky for me musical try-outs are next week. So Friday night I went to a cast party after the performance and stayed til one.

On Saturday we spent some time cleaning up the yard. Then we ventured to Bellingham (it. was. crazy. never going to Bellingham again on a Saturday) We went to Value Village to get me a costume for a party I'm going to this week and then headed to Target for a few things. After that dad dropped me off at my friends for a girl night. Sam and Dad had a Star Wars party which consisted of Little Caesar's pizza and Return of the Jedi. Sounds fun, right?! (NOT!)

Today we all made it to church semi on time. Sam sang with the Sunday School kids and he did good. Then we went to Auntie Grace's for lunch (YUM!) and stayed to play some games and have a great debate.

So that's our lives thus far since you've departed dear mother. 11 more days until your home.

Love, your most favoritist daughter in the world (in case you have any doubts, it's me, Holly)

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday Sweetheart!I love this guy.

The Pumpkin Patch with my pumpkin

Last Thursday Katie and I went to the pumpkin patch with her preschool class. Her very first field trip - how exciting!
Here she is paying careful attention on the proper way to pick apples...
Riding behind the tractor on the way to the pumpkin patch was a definite highlight!

Picking out her pumpkin...

Teacher Leslie and her kids...

How tall this fall?

On the way back from the pumpkin patch...

What a fun day!

Homecoming week continued...

Thursday was Hawaiian day. She humored me by doing a Hawaiian dance at 7:30 in the morning. Friday was blue and white day. I didn't take a picture. Blue jeans, LC sweatshirt...I'll leave it to your imagination.

BTW, the above beauty had her first high school play perfomance last night. She rocked the part of the Grand Dutchess Olga Katrina! When she appeared on stage last night it was all I could do not to jump out of my seat and yell out that that was my baby up there!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Western Day!

Show offs

It's homecoming at Holly's school this week! Yesterday was 70's day. Today was Disney day (she's a princess).

And not to be outdone...Sam insisted I take a picture of him in his new Cadet shirt.

Skyline Divide Hike

When John said he wanted to go hiking on Saturday I have to admit I was a little skeptical. It was cool and cloudy out and looked like it could start raining at any moment. And if it's raining in Lynden that means it's most likely snowing in the mountains. And as beautiful as snow on the mountains look...I really don't like to be up there when it's snowing.
But I went. Because I'm a good wife...and because we always go out for dinner after hiking.
It turned out to be a beautiful day! I started out with a coat and gloves and they both came off when I had hiked about 200 feet. John carried them in the backpack the rest of the day. It was John's "new favorite hike" (he says that about every hike). It would have been my new favorite hike if they had an elevator that took you up the first two miles...or a gondola....or one of those beds on sticks where four muscular men carry you. Those first two miles were tough. But I must agree that the view from the top was well worth it.
This is the first two miles.And this was the part where it was worth it...

Just me and my boy

One of our new "Washington traditions" is to go apple picking with friends the first Friday of October. The kids are off of school due to a teacher's convention although when I first went SIX YEARS AGO (can you believe I've lived here that long?) most of the kids weren't even in school yet. I still vividly recall the day my friend Lea (she wasn't my friend then, just a nice gal I had met at church) called to ask if I wanted to go. I was lonely and homesick and watching way too much t.v. I think I got off the phone and cried because I was so happy.
Anyhoo, this year it was just me and my boy picking apples. Holly had play practice and Katie had preschool. We had a great time. Picked just a little over 100 pounds in about an hour. Anyone want to come and help me make applesauce?
Me and my boy...thanks Julie for taking our picture!
My boy and the other lady in his life.

Taste testing.My friend Julie and three (of her four) beautiful girls. I told Julie I needed a picture of her since she's always taking my picture.

Wordless Wednesday

My kids

Nothing particularly blog-worthy going on at the Hiemstra house but as a good friend recently told me, "You can always blog about your kids".
Since this is kind of my scrapbook and because I know my mother is really missing the little monsters, here goes...
Katie
My Katie Kat is three-years-old and have I told you how much I love, love, love this age? If they came out of the womb as three-year-olds, I would have had six (I chose that number because then I would have beaten my dear sister-in-law and would have bragging rights forever). She can dress herself and poop on the potty yet she still needs mom to read stories to her and sing to her every night. She loves to cuddle and give hugs and kisses yet she is tough. Today in story time at the library some boy tried to put his legs on hers and she was not afraid to remove them and tell him in no uncertain terms to "Stop that!" She loves preschool, Children's church, and Little Lambs. When we tell her she's a big girl, she says, "No, I'm a lady." John and I finally just gave up trying to get her to say the "God is great prayer" and she has made up her own prayer that mostly consists of thanking God for mommy, dad, Holly and Sammy multiple times. She still wants to wear dresses every day and loves anything pink and sparkly. I am so blessed to be able to stay home with her and I am trying to enjoy every day...even the ones where she drives me nutso.
Sam
Not having any brothers, I am new to a lot of "boy stuff". Sam is now heavily into Star Wars. He spends a lot of time reading Star Wars books, watching Star Wars movies, drawing Star Wars characters, and fighting his sisters and dad with anything that resembles a light saber (I recently found out they were light sabers, not life savers). Due to a recent infraction, he has been banned from video games for a month but otherwise he loves those too. He has a binder full of baseball, football, Pokemon, etc. cards and he can spend hours rearranging them. He likes school but wishes he "didn't have to do any work there". He is quick to tell you that recess is his favorite subject and he doesn't understand why he needs to do spelling words at home. He has recently discovered that he can "jump" with his bike. I don't like it but John tells me I have to let him be a boy. He just started Cadets at church and is so proud of his Cadet shirt. He's reminded me close to a hundred times that this Saturday they are biking and moms "are not invited".
Holly
Although it's still hard to believe that my Holly is in high school, I have to say that I am quite enjoying watching her blossom into the young women she's suppose to be. Although she loved junior high, high school has lots more opportunities for my non-sporty artistic girl and she is taking full advantage of all of them. She is in both choir and orchestra and also got a small part in the play (BTW tickets are on sale now). She is self confident, courageous and kind and I am so proud that I'm her mom.
Katie and her buddy Elise.

Sam sorting his new pack of "vintage" cards. Thanks Jesse!

Katie LOVES puzzles.

Oh, the sweetness!

Holly was forced to play "fun, family games" with her family Friday night...

Sam drawing Star War's people.

Practicing.
Oh yeah, one more thing...

I know I have become really, really bad at celebrating birthdays on the blog but I just couldn't let this one pass. One of my favoritist uncles turned the big 50 on Monday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE GLEN!