The Clark Family!

Happy Halloween!

2011-11-01T21:55:00.001-04:00

This year for Halloween my sisters and parents joined us for Trick or Treating in the neighborhood! I love having them all here! The kids have so much fun with their cousins! It's fun to watch them run and laugh together. It brings back so many memories of when I was younger. Fun with friends and family...can't beat that!

Here we are eating before heading out!

Madi's friend Ella joined us too!

Silly Cheeseheads!

So cute!

Practicing before we go! :) Mostly the thank you part!

They basically ran from house to house...

This chubby cheeked dude kept dropping his load...but he didn't care!

Helping pass out Candy at home!

Typical Saturday in Caledonia!

2011-11-01T21:49:00.002-04:00

I don't know about you...but this is not what I did growing up! In fact...I'm not sure I'll do it now. I did hold a snake this year (very outside my BOX)...but mice...not thinking I need to go there! The boys on the other hand think its so cool! No need to worry Grandma...they washed their hands!

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-01T21:46:00.003-04:00

Every year our small group tries to come up with a service project to do with the kids. Last year we did boxes for Operation Christmas child and thought it went so well...why not do it again! Here are a few shots from the night we met to assembly all the boxes! It's so much fun to be doing this with our kids and our friends!

More Halloween Fun!

2011-11-01T21:38:00.003-04:00

Here are several photos from our Halloween festivities! Each of the kiddos painted a pumpkin this year...

Elliot wanted to do Green Lantern for his...

Isaac made his look like Batman!

And Madi painted hers like Mickey!

Here is my cheese in 1 of the 3 costumes he wore for Halloween!

Elliot's class party...

Isaac as Jack Sparrow!

My little China doll!

Madi's class

Costume #2 for El

Madi's class theme for Pumpkin fest was Disney!

Isaac's class chose Characters from a book...

Isaac's Class.

Sydney having fun with the craft in Madi's class.

Here we are at Trunk for Treats!

Elliot in Costume #3

Isaac found his friend David!

School Fieldtrip

2011-11-01T21:26:00.001-04:00

Here we are at the boys Pre-School field trip for the fall. I love how close these two are getting. It's fun to enjoy them together!

Cousins & Costumes!

2011-11-01T21:13:00.002-04:00

We got together as a family to celebrate some birthdays and decided to get the kids all dressed up at the same time. Easton wasn't so sure about getting dressed up...so we're missing one...but that's okay!

Family Hike

2011-11-01T21:12:00.002-04:00

Here we are on a family hike one Sunday afternoon. It was so fun to just pick up and go. We all had a great time exploring and just being together.

Running...

They were too cute holding hands!

Rolling in the field...

Flowers for Mom! So sweet!

Climbing trees...

After our hike we headed out to get pumpkins! The kids loved walking through the field to find just the perfect one to cut!

Cold Soccer game

2011-11-01T21:09:00.001-04:00

A couple of the last soccer games were freezing! Here we are all bundled up!

Orchard Hill Farm

2011-10-10T22:04:00.001-04:00

On Sunday we headed out with the Clarks to Orchard Hill Farm. The kids love going here every year!

Photo Op!

2011-10-10T22:02:00.001-04:00

Last Friday night we met up with the Howell's to take some fun photos of our families. While we were there the farmer asked the kids if they wanted a ride in the Combine...so Cool! They loved it. Here a few favorite shots from the night.

After the photo shoot we headed to the Caledonia football game for some more fun...I love nights like this just hanging out with friends and having fun with the kids.

Art Prize

2011-10-10T21:56:00.002-04:00

One Sunday night we headed downtown to check out Art Prize. Madi had gone with school and had fun "showing us around"! I love that GR does this. There were so many people downtown! I loved just walking around with the kids and enjoying some family time!

I had to get one with the praying Mantis. This summer the kids have caught several and learned so much about this insect!

The monkeys were a favorite!

Soccer

2011-10-10T21:53:00.002-04:00

The kids have really enjoyed playing soccer this fall. They both ended up with the same exact jersey's even though they are on different teams! One week I was watching Isaac's game and couldn't figure out why there was two number 3's on the same team....then I realized...Isaac was wearing Madi's jersey! OOPS! Oh well... :) Below are a ton of fun shots from the season.

Kicking it backwards...

Dad playing with Elliot at halftime...

Scamming some food from Great Grandma!

Blocked goal...

He loves to just sit and do his own thing on the sidelines...

and of course...wear Papa's Michigan hat!

Aunt Debbie's Birthday

2011-10-10T21:41:00.004-04:00

The Taylor crew all came up to Michigan to celebrate Aunt Debbie's Birthday! It was so great to have us all together for an entire weekend! The kids loved meeting cousins they haven't seen in a long time! Here are some shots from the weekend.

Picnic at the park...

A little cake to celebrate...

Cooling off in the pool after a trip to Boulder Ridge Animal Park.

Enjoying some pizza...

Fun!

2011-10-10T21:38:00.001-04:00

They boys love to dress up! These two have had so much fun just playing together while the rest are at school. I'm so glad they have each other and can build these friendships!

Here is Madi at Ella's! All smiles!

School Pictures

2011-10-10T21:36:00.000-04:00

Here are some shots I took of the kids the day before school started! What a crew! I can't believe 2 days a week I have all of them in school...they're getting too old..too quick!

Here they are the first day! So happy!

Getting on the bus!

Elliot on his first day!

The boys went for a few hours to meet their teacher! Love her!!! So nice!

A little time on the playground...

Sydney's first day...I have a couple extra this year!

Sitting with Madi on the bus!

Reading buddies at school.

Spelling his name in Licorice! Yum!

So excited to have his own locker!

Isaac's tooth

2011-10-10T17:08:00.003-04:00

Isaac took this photo himself. He wanted to see how loose the tooth was! That night the tooth came out!

Saturday fun

2011-10-10T17:07:00.001-04:00

Somedays it is just so much fun to watch the kids play. They are so creative. Here they are building a jail...

Then the boys are using their guns to "capture the enemy" (the girls)...and bring them to the jail.

Even Elliot got into the action. His gun is the golf club!

The kids were trying to find a snake the Dads saw slither away...I think the Helmet and Goggles were for protection from the snake...Either way, I had to have a picture!

Then...they found the snake.

Even I held it...Brittyn was so cute..."Mrs. Clark...you really stepped out of your box on that one!"

Madi taking a turn holding the snake!

2011 Mud Run

2011-10-10T16:58:00.004-04:00

The kids were so excited to participate in the Grand Rapids Mud Run this year. Madi had been saving old shoes since April to get dirty and throw away! They were all very excited to get dirty! The race fell at the exact same time as the funeral for Rylan (my sisters nephew) who had tragically passed away too young. The kids wanted to run for Rylan that morning so we decided to write on our Tshirts and pray for their family as they ran.

Here they are at the start of the race. Jon ran with the older too...

Elliot didn't want Daddy to leave...next year he'll be able to join them.

Here they are all muddy!

I love his smile....they really loved this!

Oops...down she goes!

Down goes Daddy!

Love this shot!

The happy crew afterwards! What fun!

Fun with Family

2011-10-10T16:53:00.000-04:00

One Summer afternoon we headed to the park for some time with the cousins! The kids were looking to feed the ducks...but they must have taken the day off!

Another day we headed out to the Hudsonville fair to enjoy some rides and Pirate fun! The kids really enjoyed the pirate show. Madison & Isaac were picked to be part of it! They loved that!

Madi all dressed up as a mermaid...

Isaac as a Monkey!

Papa hanging with the boys!

Drive In Movie - at home!

2011-10-10T16:49:00.002-04:00

All summer long we wanted to go see a Drive in movie and it just didn't work out...besides...they get over so late for kids this young! So we decided to make our own. Jon borrowed the projector from work and we invited the Howells over for a fun night in our own driveway. The kids loved it! What a fun summer night!

Enjoying a drink before the movie.

Snuggled up already to start.

Snack Time

The Movie!

Lego Creation

2011-09-07T15:26:00.000-04:00

After we got home from Chicago...Isaac could not wait to put his new sets together!

Vacation - Day 5

2011-08-17T19:10:00.004-04:00

The last leg of our trip was the Science & Industry Museum of Chicago! Wow! This was amazing!!! So much to see...we could have spent a whole day here and still not seen everything!

Elliot loved all the trains.

and planes

The Storm area...so much to try and buttons to push!

Inside a plane...

What a great day!

Vacation - Day 4

2011-08-17T19:03:00.006-04:00

Monday morning we headed out for Downtown Chicago. Here we are on a Trolley leaving Navy Pier..and heading toward American Girl & the Lego Store.

Still on our way...time to walk!

She finally decided on what she wanted to buy...Kanani!
I

Isaac & Elliot enjoyed picking out their lego sets!

Lunch at Rain forest Cafe!

Outdoors listening to some music at Millennium park....Elliot loves his new Frog umbrella!

The Bean!

Splashing in some water!

navy pier

Vacation - Day 3

2011-08-17T18:36:00.008-04:00

Day 3. We got up Sunday morning and left S. Illinois and headed for Chicago. As we approached St. Louis the ramp to the bridge across the Mississippi was closed so we had to detour. It brought us down right next to the Arch....so we decided to take a potty break there! I'm so glad we did. It was fun to get up close to the Arch and check it out.

The Architect....analyzing!

We then went under the Arch to the Western Expansion Museum to look around. Elliot was sure this was a "TV" not a "TP". Too cute!

Here we are watching boats on the Mississippi

Next stop..lunch in Springfield. Here we met Aunt Deb & Uncle Ray for lunch! So good to see them and catch up!

fast asleep...

LEGOland! The kids were so excited...they couldn't figure out why I wanted a picture...they just wanted in!

All smiles!

Miniland - they had an exhibit of Chicago all made from Lego's!

Dad couldn't resist a photo op with Obama!

4D movie!

We ended the night with Dinner at TGI Fridays....not much was open at 9 pm on Sunday!

Vacation - Day 2

2011-08-17T15:59:00.005-04:00

Here we are on Day two of vacation. We spent this day catching up with family in Southern IL.

Here we are with all the Aunts at Cracker Barrel.

Aunt Shirley with the boys!

The group shot!

Mom & her sisters...

Aunt Vivian & her boys.

Swimming at the hotel

We spent lots of time swimming at the hotel while more family stopped in throughout the day.

I love Jon's face on this!

Kerry...welcoming Isaac to S. ILL

hanging out by the pool.

Vacation - Day 1

2011-08-17T15:33:00.004-04:00

Here we are all loaded up and ready for our trip to Illinois! I thought it would be fun to dress them in Illini & U of M gear! 2/3 in U of M isn't bad! They are all smiles and ready to go!

Our first stop...Carbondale IL. This is where Jon's dad grew up. We stopped here to see the brick they had made in memory of Jon's grandpa. The kids enjoyed playing on the trains!

Elliot didn't want to leave until he saw a train go by...luckily we didn't have to wait long!

Next stop...Anna IL. Here we met some of Jon's Mom's side of the family at DQ! Yummy ice cream!

Uncle Jerry & his grand daughters!

I think he's enjoying himself!

Splash Pad

2011-08-17T15:31:00.004-04:00

Here we are at a local Splash Park...a little chilly weather didn't keep these kiddos out of the water!

John Ball Zoo

2011-08-17T15:27:00.002-04:00

So we decided to go to the Zoo on the hottest day of the year! Despite the heat...it was lots of fun...

Here they are getting cooled off!

The crazy crew!

Swings after a little lunch in the park!

After we got home it started to rain...so the boys got some Wii time...I think El's played for about 2 mins and passed out!

Whitecaps

2011-08-17T15:20:00.005-04:00

Here we are at the Whitecaps Game with the Peuler side!

Mason & Elliot!

Syd & Madi

Els

Isaac! I love this silliness!

Having fun with Papa!

Flash Flood

2011-08-17T15:14:00.002-04:00

We took one Saturday with my sisters and their kids and headed to Flash Flood in Battle Creek. The kids had a blast! Lots of fun.

Here we are enjoying lunch.

the outdoor water park

the water slide...

Friends

2011-08-17T15:09:00.002-04:00

Who doesn't love to have friends over during the summer? My kids have had lots of fun with friends...here are just a few shots from some of those days.

Swimming with Ella

Swimming at Joes...I'd say with Joe...but I'm not sure the boys even spoke to each other that day...silly! They love just being around each other I guess!

Soccer Camp

2011-08-17T15:02:00.003-04:00

This year the kids asked to do a soccer camp. A local Baptist Church put this one on...and the kids loved it! Here are few shots from the week.

Elliot loved "cheering" & offering his opinion on what they should be doing.

The last night they got to wear their suits and enjoy some slip-n-slide fun!

enjoying the slip n slide

Water fight!

2011-08-17T14:57:00.005-04:00

Water fight....YUP! The neighbors had a great idea...Here we are just before the fun begins.

Check out the adults getting into the action.

Boys...

Did I ever mention how much I LOVE my neighbors! What fun memories!

Williams Family comes to visit.

2011-08-17T14:53:00.003-04:00

I love when the Williams come to visit. It's usually very busy with 7 kids in the house...but SO worth it! Here are some shots from their visit.

Caleb & Isaac.

Hannah & Elliot

lunchtime!

playdoh...

Critter Barn

2011-08-17T14:49:00.003-04:00

Here we are at the Pinery Senior Center Annual Ice Cream party with the Critter Barn. I just took Elliot this year since Madi & Isaac were at soccer camp.

This is a new sign for the lobby...Can you find my mom & grandma?

Here are the triplets having fun with the animals.

posing with Uncle Chad

Syd in her cute pink skirt.

El's with the Chick...those poor animals were really poked and squeezed that night!

The Cottage.

2011-07-27T17:56:00.005-04:00

Every year the Clark's rent a cottage on Lake MI and we head up as a family to enjoy it for the weekend. This is always a great time just hanging out with everyone. This year was really nice for Jon and I....it felt like we could just let the kids do there thing...They're getting way too old! :)

Here are some shots from the weekend.

Pool Fun with Friends.

2011-07-27T17:55:00.001-04:00

Here we are with some friends on a hot summer day!

More 4th of July Fun!

2011-07-27T17:49:00.005-04:00

Here we are minature golfing with the Clarks! Papa helping Isaac.

More of the gang.

After Craig's Cruisers we decided to take the kids the Allegan (really close huh!) for Fireworks. It was the only one we could find on Sunday night and El's had a long nap that day....so that was the night we picked!

We brought some of our own fireworks...and smoked the kids out!

The loved throwing the snaps! POP!

Sparklers!

The next night we did some more fireworks in our driveway after some ice cream! This time we didn't wait till dark...they kids wouldn't make it two late nights in a row...or maybe we couldn't!

Like how we backed the van up for front row seats!

Last day of school & Ella's cottage

2011-07-27T17:31:00.002-04:00

4th of July Parade

2011-07-27T17:28:00.005-04:00

Kentwood held their annual 4th of July Parade. The kids loved going out to see the parade. Our neighbors were even in it! Ethan's grandpa bought a fire truck and they all rode on it in the parade. The kids thought that was pretty cool! Like they knew someone famous!

Madi & Mom!

Isaac!

El's thought all the fire trucks were too loud!

Patriotic nail polish!

Ear Piercing

2011-07-27T17:23:00.004-04:00

Madi really wanted to get her ear's pierced...so we told her if she could keep her room picked up and bed made for 8 weeks then she could show us she was responsible enough to take care of her pierced ears. Well...she did it! So on her birthday we went with both Grandma's to celebrate and get her ear's pierce! What a fun girls night!

Tiny purple flowers...

Picking out new earrings with the Grandma's!

The Girls!

Afterward we celebrated at Red Robin...here she is enjoying some free ice cream!!!

Madi's Birthday!

2011-07-26T19:52:00.008-04:00

This year Madi wanted a "Peace" Birthday party....so for all the parties...that was the theme.

Here we are with the Clark side..."Peace" fruit pizza.

Papa had oatmeal cake..his favorite...with lots of candles!

Gifts!

Here we are celebrating with the Peuler side. We did Mason, Madi & my dad all the same day.

The diva's...

very excited about her new cd player/boombox.

Justin Bieber with peace cupcakes!

Mason & his cake!

Papa's cake!

Here are the cookies I made for her to bring to school...

Here's the look she gave me when I said....hey let me take your picture in front of school...so we got one in the car instead!

Cake for her slumber party!

Here is the invitation I made....if you love this...check out more at Perilight Graphics!

I'm not sure who had more fun getting ready for the party...me or her! It brought back so many memories of my mom and the parties she did for me. I LOVED every minute of it!

I especially loved making pillowcases for the girls...just like my mom used to do for me! :)

The girls!

Making crafts.

More crafts...

matching shirts!

Lots of smiles and giggles!

more giggles...

Swimming at Dana's!

2011-07-26T19:48:00.002-04:00

Here we are swimming at the Conklin's for Dana's birthday!

The boys...

Madi & Papa...

Carson...

Aunt G & Easton...

Syd...

Mason...I love this...he is so intent on getting someone!

Fun in the yard

2011-07-19T14:13:00.003-04:00

More fun in the backyard.

Elliot & Carter in their cars.

making water fountains

pool fun (Madi & Brittyn)

the girls

FMG Field Trip

2011-07-19T14:06:00.002-04:00

Both Madi & Isaac took a Field trip to Frederick Meijer Gardens. It was fun to be able to take Elliot along with me and chaperone some 2nd graders and check on Isaac's group along the way.

Here is Isaac with his buds Ethan & Austin P.

Close up of the boys...

I love how Madi let Elliot sit with her the whole day...

and even held his hand as they toured the gardens.

Memorial Day

2011-07-19T13:54:00.004-04:00

For Memorial Day we had my side over to take some family pictures and grill out! The kids of course enjoyed some time in the pool with their cousins!

We even took time to congradulate Chad on Winning the American Idol trophy this year...

eating out on the lawn!

the girls in their chairs!

Before everyone got wet we headed over to a nearby park to take some group shots. It's been awhile since we had some with all of us...

The grandkids!

Our clan

Our neighbor Chris was very willing to help us out and take the group shot! I think we're actually all looking! Not bad for free!

Here are my sisters and I with our families.

Small Group

2011-07-19T13:52:00.003-04:00

One Sunday we had all the kids join us for Small Group and had fun grilling out. Here they are enjoying some food!

boxtops winner

2011-07-19T13:50:00.003-04:00

Isaac's class won the spring box tops contest and got some extra gym time for winning. The kids loved it!

Tball & Machine Pitch

2011-07-19T13:24:00.004-04:00

This year the older two kids were on different teams...playing the same night and same time...but different fields! So Jon & I split up and each took a kid for the night and flipped a coin to see where Elliot went (usually the field with out a play structure!) Even though we were at different fields it was so much fun to watch the kids. I'm thankful for texting...we could update each other when big plays happened....or games were delayed for a hot air balloon launch! Only in Caledonia! But really....the kids had made huge strides since last year. They both loved it and are excited for next year. They still ask us to go out and play catch at least a couple of nights a week. Here are some shots from the season.

Elliot brought his truck to most every game and filled it with dirt....in between watching the kids or yelling at them about what to do! I think he thought he was the coach...or just wanted to be in charge!

being like the big kids!

playing catcher

Isaac's ready position!

just too tired!

Sidewalk Chalk

2011-07-19T13:20:00.003-04:00

We've made lots of fun creations with Chalk. This was the start line for some races. Each kiddo left from one of the houses drawn below and raced down our driveway! Just more family night fun!

Outflow...day of service

2011-07-19T13:10:00.003-04:00

Every year our church sets aside one day to serve in t community. Our small group has participated the last few years and we always try to get the kids involved in our day of service. This year we helped clean up the paths around church that will be used for the Grand Rapids Mud Run in August. We loved that this was the project we could help with because our kids are looking forward to participating in the Mud Run this year. It was fun for us to show them all the work that goes on behind the scenes to put on a huge event like the Mud Run. After we finished with all the trails Madi & her friend Jaedon gave it a trial run! They are very excited to run their first race in August.

Here are the kids finding some creatures along the way!

Raking...

Hauling...

keeping mosquitos away with Dad's sweatshirt.

Whitecaps

2011-07-19T13:07:00.003-04:00

Jon's work had an outing to the Whitecaps in May. The kids always love going to a game. Here we are with Crash!

Madi caught a ball!

Hanging out on the fence with Dad to get a better view!

Children's Museum

2011-07-19T13:02:00.002-04:00

Before school was out I headed with Elliot and some of his buddies to go to the Children's Museum. It was so weird to only have 1 kid! But Elliot had a blast with his friends and I got to enjoy some good conversations with a dear friend!

We got a shot like this of Madi & Isaac when they were little...fun to now have one of El's.

Gotta love that smile!

Bubble fun with Seth & Owen

Family nights....

2011-07-19T12:50:00.002-04:00

This summer we're focusing on taking one night a week to set aside as family night. We made a list of fun things we wanted to do with the kids this summer. We even got them in on the brainstorming. It's been fun to just hang out as a family. One night we headed to the park and played some tag and hit some softballs....here are some shots from one of the first nights!

Love my cheesy little boy!

Isaac loved just running around playing tag...I can still hear that giggle!

Madi with long hair...not for long!

Coach Justin...

2011-07-19T12:42:00.003-04:00

This spring we signed Elliot up for a Sports Sampler at the YMCA. It was a 7 week session that taught him about a different sport every week. He thought it was so cool to have a coach! I think he felt like Big brother & Big sister to have a coach and go to "practice". Every week he talked more about coach Justin than what they did. The last week Coach Justin showed the kids his motorcycle....Elliot LOVED every minute of that and thgough it was so cool to hear the "noises" it made!

Here he is with Coach Justin during Tball week.

they didn't have a lot of kids so they let big brother Isaac join them....just look at the smiles! So worth it!

Rainbow

2011-05-04T13:27:00.003-04:00

We have had some crazy weather here lately....Last week when the big rainstorm came through the kids and I caught this beautiful sight when the clouds parted for a moment....

Easter

2011-05-04T10:42:00.004-04:00

We tried to be very intentional this year in teaching the kids more about Easter and what its really about. Last year we had fun painting the crosses with the kids so this year we tried some different things to teach different parts of the Easter story.

On Good Friday we invited Gr. & Gr. Clark over for dinner...Isaac wanted to use the red plates to represent the blood of Jesus. He even told everyone he put on a red shirt for Jesus' blood and brown pants for the cross. We also make crowns of thorns....

Madi thought she'd be silly and wear one!

After dinner we read them the Easter Story and then did some foot washing. This was one of the things Jesus did to His disciples before he died on the cross.

The kids really got into this and couldn't wait to wash Gr & Gr's feet and mom & dads...

Friends of ours made a confessional cross...we thought this would be a really good way to prepare our hearts before we went to the Good Friday service at church. The kids and us each wrote down our sins and made a cross out of them. We used red to signify the blood that washes those sins away...

Enjoying an Awesome service at church

Saturday morning we headed to church for the Annual Egg hunt...check out these cute "Bucket Heads!" That's one thing you can do with an Easter basket!

Making rice krispie eggs.

and nests

Family shot!

finding eggs at Grandma's

Dying Eggs...

Making resurrection rolls....we didn't seal up the tomb quite so well...:)

Overall it was a great weekend with family celebrating our Savior!

April stuff...

2011-05-04T10:35:00.002-04:00

Here I am for a girls night out! It was Carries birthday so we headed out for dinner and movie! It was so nice to just be with the girls!

After break we had my family over...

I thought it would be fun to have a cookout....I don't think Jon's was liking it too much....

First it rained....then the snow started in! That's life in Michigan!

hiding Easter eggs in anticipation for Easter!

Syd won the Basketball trophy this year...

Just being silly....

Spring Break!

2011-05-04T10:16:00.007-04:00

So we decided to stay home for Spring Break. I tried to find as many fun free things as I possibly could for the kids! I think we did pretty good and the kids had a blast! I know I did. I was really a lot of fun just hanging out with them.

Here we are under cover! We built a tent in the living room (After rearranging to furniture of course!). You'll never guess what movie all these boys....and Madi are watching! Tangled! They seemed to really enjoy it!

Next we headed off to the Art Museum! Here the kids made impressions of fossils...

and wore some really cool masks!

Here Madi is "texting" with her Grandma....so it begins!

Snuggling....of course!

Went to greenhouse and potted some plants with Grandma Clark.

The Bumblebee train! The kids loved it!

The LEGO event at EGR Library. So glad we got there really early and could do the crafts before all of the city showed up. It was packed!

Making Light Sabers!

Finding friends!

Posing with Darth Vader

Next we headed to visit our Friends near Detroit. One of the days we went to the Lego store...somebody was super excited about that!

The girls posing....this is my favorite picture. Of course they look way too old! Yikes!

Overall it was a great spring break!

Fun Pictures

2011-05-04T10:11:00.002-04:00

My silly little man!

Hanging out with Papa!

Asleep....

Not really....

Fun with sis at school!

Boy's Birthdays!

2011-05-03T20:29:00.005-04:00

So this year I tried something different for the boys birthdays. My neighbor Nicole is awesome at cakes and she showed me how to use Color Flow...I absolutely love this stuff! It was so easy!

Elliot wanted Caillou (PBS character if you have never heard of him)

And Isaac wanted Super Mario Brothers! You can see a little of Austin's cake (Fruit pizza) in the background. For both sides we combined all the boys celebrating!

Brotherly love!

Instead of a party Isaac got to hang out with one friend for the night..he chose David...and Craig's Cruisers!

All the kids celebrating Easton, Elliot & Isaac!

Check out this drawing Madi did of Arthur! Very cool!

Upward

2011-05-03T20:07:00.003-04:00

The kids participated in Upward Basketball at church this year...and LOVED it! It was so fun to watch them gain confidence throughout the season and have lots of fun! They loved having so many family members come out to watch them!

El's had fun cheering them on!

Isaac's team

Madi's team.

More February

2011-05-03T20:02:00.003-04:00

Here is Isaac after he lost his first tooth! He was so excited!

We had a huge snow storm in February! It was crazy how big some of the drifts were! It took quite awhile for plows to get down our road and for everyone to get out of their driveways...but the kids sure had fun! Definitely a family effort.

Winter Fun

2011-05-03T19:52:00.002-04:00

Here are a few other things we did over the winter!

A little remodeling of the basement! Jon was busy working on making a storage room and bedroom in the basement! The storage room is now complete and the bedroom is framed out! I'll have to get more pictures of the progress soon!

Isaac built this Angler Fish from scratch with lego's for a science project at school.

A little fun in the snow at Aunt G & Uncle Kevin's

Guess this is how they sled in Caledonia!

Luigi! Isaac loves costumes! He got this for winning the Football picks this year in our family competition! Great job Isaac!

Watching My sis & BIL dedicate their kids! What a special day!

Awana Races! Isaac & Spencer!

Red Wings!

2011-05-03T19:45:00.002-04:00

I had bought Jon tickets to the Red Wings game for his birthday! The tickets weren't until February...but he was very excited to go to his first game at the Joe! I enjoyed it too! The only bad part was we got a flat tire on the way home from Detroit! Luckily we were able to inflate it long enough to drive back. Here are a few shots from the game! Go Wings!

Intergenerational Dinner

2011-05-03T19:41:00.002-04:00

So we had this great idea to host an intergenerational dinner at church with our young marrieds class we teach. For some reason my pictures from that night are all blurry....but our friends tooks some great shots. You can check them out here:
http://justushowells.blogspot.com/2011/02/our-intergenerational-valentine-banquet.html

Overall it was just a great night of mingling and getting to know other couples at church! Can't wait to try and make this an annual thing!

Valentines Parties

2011-05-03T19:35:00.002-04:00

Here is Isaac's class...

The boys!

Madi getting ice cream at her party

blowing bubbles!

January

2011-05-03T19:28:00.004-04:00

Over Christmas break, Jon & My dad painted Madi's room! She was so excited about it!

We had fun taking the kids roller skating for the first time. I was amazed at how well Elliot did. Being only 3 he just got right out there and took off! So much fun!

a little pizza...

We had some help from a neighbor who works there...huge help! She gave us some really great tips about the skates and advice for the kiddos!

The Williams crew! Had fun making gingerbread houses with the kids.

Madi & Abby

Isaac & Caleb

Clark Side Christmas

2011-05-03T19:22:00.002-04:00

After we opened gifts at our house we headed over to the Clark's for the day.

A little time with Papa before everyone arrives!

Reindeer nose!

The girls!

The boys....well 2/3

Snugglin with Grandma

Playing some games

Helping make cookies

Mary, Joseph & Jesus! They just love acting out the Christmas story!

The angels & Shepards joined in too!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Our Christmas with the kids.

2011-05-03T19:18:00.003-04:00

We set out cookies for santa...

Wrote our list...

Then Christmas morning...very excited to open

very excited about his fire station

loving her new camera!

legos....

handmade goodies for dad!

Christmas! Peuler Style...

2011-05-03T19:11:00.004-04:00

I know this was a long time ago...but I have to catch up somehow!

We got all the grandkids matching Jami's to wear to the Peuler side Christmas Eve morning! It was so cute to see them all match!

A little breakfast before we open gifts.

Snuggling with Papa

Gift time!

My boys

El's with Gr. Grandma

Star Wars Costume...a huge hit for Isaac!

Nap time...How can you fall asleep with that many kids on you!

Very fun day!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T21:40:00.003-05:00

We hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year! Remember to take time this season to reflect on where it all began! :)

Christmas cookies and friends!

2010-12-23T11:06:00.003-05:00

The kids had some friends over during break and had fun making crafts, cookies, Lego's, and lots of other fun stuff!

The girls making jewelry.

The boys coloring...

Cookies...

Yummy!

Our little performer...

2010-12-23T11:01:00.003-05:00

Elliot is always singing for us...its just too cute!

When he's not singing...he's dancing! He asks for Justin "Beaver" even when other two are not here!

Live Nativity

2010-12-23T10:53:00.004-05:00

Here we are at the Critter Barn in Zeeland. They were having a live Nativity...so we thought we'd check it out. Isaac, Elliot and Brianne LOVED holding all the animals...the rest of us "tolerated" it!

Here is Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus...we were surrounded with animals too.

Not the best picture but it was fun to see Brianne just lift El's up to see the horse...

Christmas with the Medendorp Side!

2010-12-23T10:41:00.002-05:00

Here we are celebrating Christmas with the Medendorps!

Elliot was too cute..he LOVED having Uncle Herb read him a story...

The girls coloring in their new books!

the kids racing their cars!

and our "attempt" at some Christmas Carols...can you tell this family doesn't sing much!

More memories...

2010-12-23T10:39:00.001-05:00

making some cinnamon ornaments at Grandma Clarks!

Isaac with his teacher....He just loves her! She has been Wonderful!

Writing on the floor...

2010-12-23T10:36:00.002-05:00

Before the carpet was installed in the new Children's addition at church, the kids were able to write on the floor some verses and pray for the new addition.

This was what Madi chose to do...I love how this is her favorite verse...

Isaac chose Mark 10:14 and wrote EAT. We asked him what that was about. He said it was for the holy bread we eat in church.

Our Christmas Weekend!

2010-12-23T10:22:00.005-05:00

Here we are on our annual Christmas weekend with the kids. I LOVE that we do this. The weekend was just awesome! So many good moments and memories. The kids were SO excited to do everything and really got into all of it. They counted down the days till we could do this! Too fun!

We started the weekend with a candlelit dinner and then headed out to see some Christmas lights while drinking some Hot Cocoa!

Then we settled in to watch the original Grinch! Three of us on one couch! All snuggled together!

The next morning we headed out to go find a tree! We loaded in on the wagon...

had a snowball fight...

tackled our brother...

cut some branches...

opened some presents!

Check out this video...Elliot really wanted to open that present even though we told him it was Isaac's...Cracks me up!

Love this look...

Making paper garland for the tree...

hanging the ornaments...

almost all decorated...

Family shot...with their new matching Jami's for Christmas!

Setting up the manger and reading the Christmas Story...

Elliot's year to put the Angel on the tree...we need a picture to remember who did what year!

What an awesome weekend!

Thankful...

2010-12-23T10:21:00.001-05:00

The kids help us put together a tree of thankfulness...it was so fun to read some of their answers!

Fun Night at an Indoor Waterpark!

2010-12-23T10:17:00.003-05:00

So we decided to take the kids to a local hotel that had a water park for the night with their cousins. Boy did they (we) have a blast! The kids were just bouncing off the walls excited! Before the dads got there we turned on the TV for a little "chill out" time before we dug into the pizza. It was so fun to just be with family and let the kids have fun with their cousins!

Madi was the only one tall enough for the big slide, but Syd, Mason, & Isaac each passed a swim test and were able to do the slide too!

Thanksgiving...and the weekend!

2010-12-23T10:13:00.003-05:00

Turkey dinner with the Peuler side at Great Grandma & Grandpa's! Yummy...TURKEY!

On to bowling with the Clark side...

Sisters...Brianne & Allison!

Christmas Party with the Peulers! These are the Great Grandkids that were there...soon there will be 23 great grandkids for Grandma! WOW!

Elliot found a new buddy...Adam! He just snuggled up on his lap for most of the adult presents!

November Fun

2010-12-23T10:07:00.002-05:00

Here are some fun shots of the kids...just doing their thing!

Elliot loves to just line up cars.

Karate chopping dad when he gets home...

Brothers snuggling for a movie...

Waiting for mom and dad at church...

Celebrating 11 years!

2010-12-20T22:12:00.003-05:00

Here we are celebrating our 11th Anniversary! What better way than to watch U of M play the Illini in the BIg House on our Anniversary! Once we saw they were playing each other we both knew that was where we wanted to be! We both sported our team colors and headed out to the game. Who knew we'd get to see such a Historical game! It was really awesome to watch. Back and forth...and back and forth...they both kept scoring.

Here is Jon during the end of regulation....he looks nervous.

Even thought Michigan won in triple over time...67-65...we both still walked out very happy to have had such a good game to watch and time together! Thanks Williams Family for watching 9 kids for the day!

Halloween!

2010-12-20T22:04:00.002-05:00

Here we are all dressed up for Halloween! Madi was Daphne from Scooby Doo and Elliot was a dragon, and Isaac was a Ninja Turtle! So fun!

Our friends the Cochranes joined us for some trick or treating as well! I love that their boys were the Chipmunks! So clever!

Silly Teeth from Grandma & Papa Clark

The Peuler crew all dressed up!

Celebrating two Spiritual Birthdays!

2010-12-20T22:02:00.002-05:00

Isaac & Seth both made decisions for Christ around the same time so we thought it would be fun to get the kids together to celebrate these wonderful decisions! I even made a cake for them! When Madi made her decision the church had thrown her a party and Isaac remembered that....so we decided to make our own party! What a fun night of memories with the Howell Family!

Art Prize

2010-12-20T22:00:00.001-05:00

One Sunday this fall we headed down to Art Prize with Grandma Clark and Brianne. The kids really loved checking it all out! I love going to this too!

School Fieldtrips

2010-12-20T21:58:00.001-05:00

Here is Madi's class at Art Prize...

Her & Jonah!

Isaac & his class at the pumpkin patch!

Fall Fun

2010-12-20T21:49:00.004-05:00

Here are a few shots from some of our fall activities!

Carving Pumpkins!

Picking Pumpkins!

Hayride!

Exploring everything!

Downtown Caledonia for some fall fun with friends!

Isaac & David.

Avery & Madi

Soccer!

2010-11-29T20:09:00.004-05:00

Isaac & Madi joined a soccer team this year...They both had a lot of fun playing. Madi especially loved that Daddy helped coach her team. I think that made a huge difference for her!

Check out the brothers...so cute!

Cousins came to watch...

action shot

all smiles...

Elliot on the sidelines with Papa

bundled up with Grandma

Another action shot...

Legos & Firetruck

2010-11-29T20:07:00.002-05:00

Our Neighbors dad bought a firetruck! How cool is that. The kids enjoyed checking it out.

Here is Isaac giving Melissa a hug...this was the day he asked Jesus into his heart and he just told her! It was fun for him to have everyone outside and be able to share his good news with his friends!

Here are the boys after school one day with one of the Lego creations! I think they could do this every day for hours....

Celebrating Grandma Clark

2010-11-29T20:04:00.001-05:00

The kids thought it would be fun to "make" grandma a birthday cake! I love the creativity!

First Days of School

2010-11-29T19:38:00.004-05:00

The first day of school! The kids were so excited!

Elliot wanted to do everything they did....he even grabbed his own back pack and got himself ready...

He was happy until Madi got on the bus and he couldn't join her :(

Madi couldn't wait to ride the bus with Andrew!

On Isaac's first day we took him to meet his teacher and get him acquainted with the new school...

We picked up Grandma afterwards and celebrated with lunch at Steak N Shake!

Two days later he got to ride the bus for the first time!

Dad saying he loves him...

Isaac was very excited to be in class with his buddies from the neighborhood!

Saying goodbye to El....nice outfit for him huh! Still in his mismatched jami's!

giving Papa a heart attack!

2010-11-29T19:33:00.002-05:00

Some days I think we give my dad a heart attack....No one got hurt this time...but it cracks me up to watch HIM watch the kids!

Park with the Clarks!

2010-11-29T19:28:00.003-05:00

Labor Day weekend we headed with the Clark side to Riverside park. The kids just love being outside. We enjoyed some yummy ice cream afterwards too!

down by the river...

block party...elliot

2010-11-29T19:22:00.002-05:00

Elliot loved the band at the block party...I thought he was too cute in this!

Yard Fest!

2010-11-29T19:17:00.003-05:00

So...we had our annual yard fest with my cousins! It was a blast...of course! We played many silly games, ate some yummy mexican and my sister even made mexican fried ice cream! I didn't take many pictures...I guess I was having too much fun! Here are a couple!

The boys racing to see how could empty a kleenex box first!

nice pink headband Jon!

water fight...

and the winners are...