A good friend of mine from church recently started making these ADORABLE hats (if you know me outside of the bloggin' world email me if you are interested in getting more information on purchasing one, two, three, four, or more. she puts a lot of sweet details in each one, and the cool thing is that they are all different because each one is hand made.)

Above you will find two of my girls modeling for momma. :)

Par-tae!.....

Candy hunting.

The cutest knight on the planet!

Did someone call for a fireman?

Eek!  It's a pirate.

Yup, even Aunt Amanda participated in the sack races. :)

J'man enjoying the sack race.

The "big boys".

Donut bobbing.

Dunk winding up for pin the stem on the pumpkin, while sweet M' watches.

Uncle T' after bobbing for apples.

Dunk racing for the finish line.

Dunk and Darlin' D.  Dunk was a ninja, and D' was....um.....not sure.  He came up w/this "look" on his own.  He sported his Chinese jammies, a light saber, and Chinese hat.  I like to call it his "signature look." :)

Call me crazy, but I thought it would be a splendid idea to have all of the little cousins over for a harvest party on Saturday.  If I counted correctly, I think there were 21 kids there.....17 who were under the age of 5 (give, or take 1, or 2).  It looks far more intimidating when writing that! : )  I think they all had a fun time because most of them were either sweatin' like crazy from running around the "track" upstairs, or smiling from ear to ear while eagerly awaiting Auntie S's "low budget" game time.  We had sack races, bobbing for apples, bobbing for donuts, pin the stem on the pumpkin, "who's your mummy?", candy find, and some free play.  I am NOT creative, but I have learned over the years that kids really don't care what they are doing as long as the reward of candy, or a treat is offered.  The weather cooperated (no rain), too.  Thanks to all who came!  Auntie S' had just as much fun as the kids did!

From my garden....

My favorite flowers are tulips and hydrangeas.  Fortunately for me, we happen to live in the tulip capital of our state (fields w/in miles of our house!!) AND I have many hydrangeas in  my yard.  Yesterday, I told my boys to go pick me some flowers, and this is what they came back with. I  LOVE all the different colors in them!  Way to go VK boys!!!  Someday, you two will make your wives very happy if you keep up the good work. : )

Baby chubs, the budding food critic....

I love watching my baby try new foods. Her facial expressions are priceless! Tonights menu....potatoes and carrots.  So far, L' has tried potatoes, carrots, squash, yogurt, pears, applesauce, sweet potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, and bananas.  I would say that our most successful food so far is mashed potato. She is pretty fond of playing in everything (ie. more food on her, the tray, the floor, etc.), but not so fond of the tastes.  She is starting to get the hang of things now, and she is especially fond of the spoon.

babies, babies....everywhere!

  One of the benefits of being part of a big family is that there is never a shortage of babies to hold. In fact, I think that for the past few years someone has been pregnant, or "paper" pregnant. This year, the VK family welcomed 3 new ones into the family, and so far we are set for at least two more next year!  Congratulations to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law on the birth of their beautiful daughter last week.  Welcome to the family, sweet baby girl!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to this adorable couple on the news that they are expecting their first baby in May.  That will make yours truly the proudest great aunt on the planet!  We are so EXCITED for them!!!

Just so I remember....

I sometimes use my blog to record important milestones in our family, so this post is more for me just so I remember.....

Today, Princess L cut her front bottom two teeth.  And, A' went in for a weigh in...up 3 pounds in 3 months.  I am thankful for butter!

Pumpkin patch....

Princess L's first trip to the patch.

D'....always suspicious.

M' found this great pumpkin  that we thought looked like a ghost.

M' pushing A' through the corn maize.  Unfortunately, the wheelbarrow didn't quite fit, so A', Princess L' and I retreated to the pathway to wait for the three oldest to finish up.  I'm happy to report that they all made it out!

Got Pumpkins??

J' ....his pumpkin was a little on the small side. :)

A' hitchin' a ride in the wheelbarrow.

Friday was an absolutely gorgeous day, so after the kiddos got out of school we headed to the pumpkin patch.  Everyone had a great time!

Now that's some serious bed head....

Memememememe!

I copied this from a friend (hi M'!). 


01) Are you currently in a serious relationship?

Yes....love my man!
02) What was your dream growing up?
To be a scientist, doctor, or nurse.
03) What talent do you wish you had?
Ok...this is totally dorky, but I wish I knew how to reupholster furniture.
04) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
Double, grande Americano...2 equals & 1 inch of nonfat milk.  Or, if you are going for an "adult" drink.....fuzzy navel.
05) Favorite vegetable?
Brussel sprouts.....seriously!
06) What was the last book you read?
Forever Lily

07) What zodiac sign are you?
Gemini.....but it's not my thing.
08) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where?
I would love to have a small tattoo of a ladybug on my big toe, but I'm a huge chicken when it comes to pain.  My ears are pierced, but I hardly ever where jewelry b/c it's too fussy for me.
09) Worst Habit?
Alcohol and cigarettes....JUST KIDDING!  Don't smoke and I rarely drink.  I would say that my worst habit is pestering my dear husband constantly by calling him and asking when he's going to be in the house. : )
10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
If I knew you, yes.  If I didn't know you, no.  My momma harped on me as a kid...."never give rides to strangers!"
11) What is your favorite sport?
Chasing my kids.  Is that a sport?? 

12) Do you have a Pessimistic or Optimistic attitude?
Glass-half-full-type-of-a-girl.  My momma always said when we were little and tried complaining...."quit belly-aching girls.  there is someone in the world that is far worse off than you are."

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
Freak out.....I'm claustrophobic!
14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
???? can't think of anything right now.
15) Tell me one weird fact about you?
I can't stand wet hair, especially wet hair that is detached from human heads.  Ew....grosses me out!

16) Do you have any pets?
Too many....4 cats (barn variety), 1 dog, 14 chickens, 2 horses (maybe 3 soon), and some cows (not really "pets"....more like yard art. :)
17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
I'd be thrilled, but then secretly terrified that my house might be messy. 

18) What was your first impression of me?
Loved ya!
19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
Scary
20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
I wish I had long, super-straight hair that didn't need any fussin' in the morning.  I wish I could just brush and go.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
Depends on what we're talking about.  If it involved illegal activity, your conscience.  But, if it had to do w/chocolate, or any type of dessert....crime partner.
22) What color eyes do you have?
Blue
23) Ever been arrested?
Um....I wish not to discuss.  Just kidding....NO!
24) Bottle or can soda?
Bottle
25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
Start another adoption.
27) What's your favorite place to hang out?
Home
28) Do you believe in ghosts?
The Holy Ghost
29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
I have 5 kids.  I have NO spare time.
30) Do you swear a lot?
All the time....in my head.  jk.... :o)
31) Biggest pet peeve?
Incessant complaining....totally annoys me.  A little venting here and there is ok (I do it!), but if it's all ya' do, do it at home!

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
Quirky
33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
Yes, I love my husband.  But, we aren't really "romantic" type people.  If either of us tries to be we end up laughing at each other and rolling our eyes at one another.

34) Favorite and least favorite food?
I like everything, but I am a huge fan of Chinese, Mexican, or Thai food.

Six months.....

Yesterday, Princess L' celebrated her half year birthday!  It's hard to believe that 6 months have already gone by.  Although I was certain that she was getting a tooth last month, she proved me wrong.....still just the same adorable gummy smile.  Her personality is really starting to blossom.  She loves to giggle while watching her brothers and sisters, loves to let me know when she isn't happy, loves to read (ahem....I mean chew) on books and anything else she can get in her mouth, and still sleeps like a dream.  She sits up so nicely now...w/no support.  She pivots herself around when lying on her tummy and can scoot backwards a little bit....not too much, though.  She can get her tummy completely off the ground for a few seconds and then back down she goes. :)  She has tried solid foods, but isn't a big fan yet.  Today, she went for her 6 month doctors appt. and weighed a very healthy 19 lbs. 2 oz.  She was in the 95th percentile for her height, weight, and head size.  What can I say....she's of big, Dutch/Scandinavian genes. :)   So....happy 1/2 birthday sweet, sweet Princess L!