Time for School!

I honestly cannot believe that Avery started preschool this year. Where has the time gone?! She was excited about it and couldn't wait to go. She had only a few nerves which came from swimming lessons this summer but when we got there and she remembered it from orientation she was off! When we picked her up she told me all about the things they did and the new friends she made. I will admit it was emotional for me to send her off, seems like she was just a baby, but she is having so much fun and I am so happy for her. Avery Lynne- Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you. We love you with all of our hearts and Jesus loves you even more. We pray that you will do well in school and have the confidence in who God has made you to be. We love you-Mommy and Daddy

Cottage Vacation

Av playing in the sand

Cole playing trucks

Avery & Maci in the hammock

Our digs for the week

Recently we went up to Long Lake for a little vacation. Since Kraig recently started a new job, he can't take any vacation time this summer so this was the perfect solution. It's close enough he could drive back and forth and his parents have a cottage there so I had help when he wasn't there. We rented the neighbors little cottage and had such a great time. Our friends were there too in the cottage right next door. It was nice to get away from home and just enjoy the beautiful summer weather, playing in the sand and water, enjoying boat rides, hanging out with friends and just relaxing!

Girl Time!

I took Avery with me to the nail salon before the wedding so we could both get pretty together. This is not something I would normally do and Kraig gave his permission so off we went. She had SO much fun. All the way home she kept saying "Thank you mommy, that was so fun!" Love her to pieces and I love when I get some one on one with her.

(Krysta & Brett)

Kraig's sister Krysta got married this past weekend. Avery was a bell ringer along with some of her cousins. We all had a great time and all the kids did so good! Congrats Krysta and Brett! We are so happy for you. I have so many fun pictures, these are just a few!

Starting Fresh

WOW...it's been one year since I have posted to my blog. It's been too long. For the past year, I have not had the time to update but the other day I was reading old posts and I am disapointed that I haven't done it so long because it is a great way to keep memories. So...I'm starting fresh (there is no way I can update for the past year,lol) and hope to keep it updated more often.

For now, we are enjoying summer and loving every minute of it. Kraig recently started a new job and he is enjoying a "normal" schedule and more time home with us. We are so thankful for the way the Lord has provided and continues to provide for our family. Hopefully, I will have some fun posts soon!

Handsome Boy

Cole is 3 months old already and he is such a sweet boy. He greets me every morning with a HUGE grin and gets so excited to see me. He loves watching his big sister play. He is growing every day, he is a big boy! He will smile at just about anybody. The only time he isn't happy is when he is in his car seat. Then he gets really mad! We love him so much and feel so blessed to have 2 amazing kids.

Binder Park Zoo

Kraig and I took Avery to Binder Park Zoo for a "special day" with just mommy and daddy. Funny thing was she really wanted Cole to go along. :) Her favorite part was the train ride. I think she would have done that all day if we let her. She is so special to us and Kraig and I enjoyed spending one on one time with her that day.

Cole's Baptism

On April 11, Cole was baptized at our church. Baptism is such a special occasion and as Cole's parents, Kraig and I were very happy to make commitments to raise Cole in God's way and to teach him to love the Lord. This is the first spiritual milestone in Cole's life and we look forward to celebrating many more with him.

Birdies

Last week at my parents house, Avery got to help Grandma feed the birdies. These pictures bring back memories of when I used to feed the birds with my Grandpa Dykstra at his house. I love watching my kids form bonds and make memories with the grandparents as I have so many wonderful ones with mine.

Cole & Papa

Cole is the first boy on the VanZandbergen side of the family, and will soon be joined by another boy cousin in September. I am so excited to watch Cole and his cousin form bonds with their Papa since he has waited SO long for boys!

Happy Easter

Avery & Caleb checking out their Easter baskets

Avery & Cole before church

Avery opening their shared Easter basket from Mommy & Daddy

Easter treats at Grandma & Papa's house

We had a wonderful Easter this year. We celebrated on Easter day with the Kuipers family. My mom and dad were in Georgia for spring break so we celebrated with them a couple days earlier. We are so thankful for our families. After my mom's scare in the hospital, we again are reminded how fragile life can be and are so thankful that we can celebrate together. I was extra thankful for God's gift of his sacrifice of his Son this year as well, knowing the because He lives, we can face tomorrow and that someday we will all celebrate in Heaven together.

Sweet Boy

These are just a few random pics of Cole's first few weeks. He is such a honey and we love him so much. He fits so well into our family. I was worried about loving another little one enough and still loving Avery but I think God just puts more love in your heart because it has been so easy.

Siblings

I love these pictures because they show how much Avery loves Cole. She is always very into what he's doing and always has to know where he is. One day, we were getting ready to go away and as we were about to walk out the door, Avery says, "Mommy! Don't forget Cole." Love that girl. I'm sure as soon as Cole gets bigger, I will be breaking up fights and remembering these simpler days but I know that they will always love each other.

Our new normal

It's a beautiful life! The week after Cole was born was amazing. Kraig took the week off of work to be home with us, the weather was beautiful, we were enjoying our babes and we also got a call that Kraig got a new position at work which will allow him to get home every day now. It was a week filled with blessings and we are on our knees in thanksgiving to God. We look forward to what else he has in store for us. Thank you all for your love and support after the birth of Cole as well- you are all blessings to us.

Welcome to the Family

We welcome with Love,

Cole Alan Kuipers

Born March 12, 2010

at 10:36am

9 lbs. 2 oz. 20 inches

We are so blessed to annouce the birth of our son. We are beyond thrilled at what God has blessed us with. Our new life as a family of four could not being going better. Avery loves her little brother very much and has handled the change very well. We are so proud of her. Cole is a good baby so far and we hope that will continue. :) We give thanks to the Lord for he is good!

Moose #2

I am 39 weeks pregnant and had my routine OB appt today. Everything with the baby looks good but no progress yet. I did have an ultrasound to check the size of the baby since Avery was big and ultrasound predicts that he is currently approx 8lbs 6 oz. This doesn't mean anything yet except that we will probably have another "moose" on our hands. I am okay with that, just as long as he is healthy! Please pray that everything goes well. I am much more nervous about going into labor this time with Kraig being away from home for work. We know though, that God has a plan and will work everything out the way it is supposed to be. We can't wait to meet our little man and hold him in our arms. I have been talking to Avery alot lately about becoming a big sister. She still has no idea what is coming but once she gets used to it- she is going to be the BEST big sister. I know she will make us proud. Thank you for your prayers.

Avery Lynne

Firstborn

Sweet

Funny

Giver of Hugs

Lover of Snuggles

Sassy

Beautiful

Precious

Talkative

Deliverer of Smiles

Contagious Joy

Unconditional Lover

Silly

Maker of Many Faces

Piggyback Rider

Mommy's Girl & Daddy's "Pooker Jane"

Amazing Daughter,

Precious Child of God

(Written for Avery by Mommy on 2/13/2010. As we anticipate the birth of our son in only about 4 more weeks, I find my self feeling a little sad that Avery will no longer be my only child. I know that I will have enough love for 2 and once Baby Boy is here I won't be able to imagine life without him. I just know that we have been so blessed with such an amazing daughter and I feel absolutely lucky to have her. The past 2 1/2 years of her life have been the best 2 1/2 of mine and I thank God every day for each moment I have with her. We are praying for health and a safe delivery of Baby Boy and can't wait to meet him and kiss his sweet head and cry tears of joy for the goodness that God has filled our life with. Thank you to all of our family and friends who pray for us and support us, we love you all very much. And for the next 4 weeks, I will be getting in as much quality time and extra kisses with my beautiful firstborn!

Splash Universe

Very excited, headed to the pool for the 1st time.

The slide was a favorite- love her smile!

Playing with cousins

SPLASH!!!( a huge smile followed this splash every time)

Last weekend, we spent the weekend at Splash Universe in Indiana with the Kuipers family. This was the second year that we went to an indoor waterpark/hotel with the whole family. Kraig and I decided to take our family an extra night so we were there from Fri-Sun. We all had so much fun. Avery could do so much more this year and wasn't afraid at all. She was a fish, and was very brave. She loved jumping from the side and swimming all by herself. On Friday, it was less busy and I think she went down the kiddie slide about 100 times that day. The smile never left her face all weekend except for at 6am Saturday morning when we told her that we could not go to the pool yet because it wasn't open. :) Thanks Mom & Dad K for the fun weekend away!