Dylan's ABCs

Here's Dylan's newest video! He totally surprised us by saying his ABCs last week. I guess what we say everyday while we brush his teeth really does sink in! Enjoy--



Just in case you missed it, he said, "ABC...TUV WCSG" instead of WXYZ. I guess I listen to WCSG too often in the car!

A Busy Weekend

Whew! It seemed like we had a whirlwind weekend. This baby and I are ready to rest! Here's a run down---

Saturday morning we went to the Byron Center Days parade with Chris, Tracy, Chloe, Julia, and the Schaafs. It was a great parade! There weren't a whole lot of people there so we didn't have to fight for a seat like in Grandville. And we got as much or more candy than the 4th, with great coupons for free ice cream at Houseman's and free drinks at Sessions & Beaner's Coffee Houses! We'll definitely be back!


After NO nap, we headed to Frog Hollow Park for the Westra Boys' Birthday Bash. All 5 of them have birthdays between June 1 and July 7, so naturally the Westras think we're having a girl since my due date is nowhere near June! We'd not been there before, but it was a HUGE hit for Dylan. Slides, swings, balance beams, a rock wall, frogs to climb on, oh, and a birthday cake... what more could a 2 year old need! If you need a new park to venture to, check it out! And yes, they do have bathrooms now.

Then after church on Sunday, we picked up Jon's Grandma Dykstra and headed up to the cottage. Jon & I had a good afternoon relaxing, fishing, and floating in the water while Dylan napped. Once the big guy woke up, he was ready to hit the water and do some rough housing. It's so fun to play his little games and hear him giggle at us! After supper, Grandpa, Jon, & Dylan went out in the boat to fish. I didn't think Dylan would last long, but they were out for about an hour! They were catching a lot of fish, so that kept Dylan busy. When they got back, Dylan told me they caught a "big, big, big huge fish" and opened his arms up wide. Jon thinks he's starting his fish tales a little early since the biggest fish they caught wasn't more than 8 inches! Oh well, at least he had fun!

We had a good time and are looking forward to another busy and fun weekend this week. Aren't summers supposed to be relaxing??? =) Hope yours aren't as hectic!

If you don't have a pool...

...we found a great new place to play!

Tuesday night, Jon had his last work softball game at Lamar Park in Wyoming. Right next to the ball field, they just opened up a GREAT SPLASH PAD! We weren't expecting it to be open, so there are no pictures, but Dylan loved it! He smiled, laughed, and ran around the whole time! If your kids don't mind getting their faces wet, it's a great hangout for a hot day. They are open everyday from 10am til 8pm. We were a little disappointed when the water turned off because we still had a half hour left of the game, but that was OK. Dylan just dried off and played at the playground right next to it!

Just wanted to let you in on our great find! This will be a perfect week for it with temps in the 90s for the next 4 days!

Baby Pictures

We had our 2nd ultrasound this afternoon! What a miracle! All is well, but we need to have a 3rd one because we've got a stubborn little one. He or she was looking at my spine and being a little camera shy so we need to get a better profile shot and a couple pictures of the heart. And in case you're wondering... we didn't ask the gender. We're just happy the baby is healthy and that there is only ONE!

10 week ultrasound (May 17, 2007)

20 week ultrasound (July 23, 2007)

The baby is folded in half, with the feet touching the head!

Wabasis Lake Camping Weekend

This past weekend, we went camping to Wabasis Lake with a group from church. We arrived Thursday to cool weather, which was much better than last year's 95 degree temps! We enjoyed playing at the beach, digging in the dirt, making Native American necklaces and headbands at the Nature Center, playing at the playground, fishing, & camp fires. It was great to be with friends and get into God's amazing creation for a long weekend. Hopefully we can do it again this summer or fall before Dad sells the trailer!

Taking a walk with the Morrens & Aubrey

Digging in the dirt
Fishing with DadPlaying with the minnow that Dad caught
Beading with Dad

Quinn, Jake, & Dylan showing off their necklaces and headbeads

Dylan & Aubrey playing inside on our very rainy Saturday morning

S'mores!

Say Cheese... yeah, right!

While Amy was up here last weekend, we tried to get Dylan's 2 Year pictures done. I don't know it is was Dylan, or just a 2 year old... but he just didn't want to look at the camera at all! And when he did, there weren't too many smiles! Oh well! We had a fun time trying.

We first went to a "big machine" dealer and got a few pictures of D playing on the equipment. He loved that! He didn't care about the picutures too much, but just wanted to climb on and drive the bulldozer, bobcat, excavator, and back hoe. After that, we headed to Spring Grove Park. After the first picture, Dylan fell into the creek! Are you kidding? =) He was more upset about losing his stick than getting wet, so we just played around for a while and got a little more wet. After his nap, we headed back to find a BUSY park, so we went to Wedgewood for a quick photo shoot before the party. Dylan was in a good mood, so we got a few great shots, then rewarded him with some time on the playground.

Here are a few of the funnier shots... enjoy!

"Fishing for a shark" that turned into a big splash down the waterfall

Wet shorts and no shirt

Then no clothes at all!

Are you done yet?

Cheese!

"How old are you, Dylan?"

Thank you Aunt Amy! You did a great job and we had tons of fun doing it!

Happy 2nd Birthday (Part 3)

Dylan enjoyed celebrating his 2nd birthday for the last time on Friday, July 6 with the Westra family. The first thing he saw when he walked into Grandma's house were the presents, so he knew what was going to happen! After a great supper with his 3 great grandparents, Grandma & Grandpa Westra, Aunt Amy, Uncles Reed & Eric, and Mom & Dad, he was ready to open them up! As you can see from the pictures, he got some great toys once again! Good thing he has a birthday 6 months away from Christmas! What is this next little baby going to do with a birthday so close to Christmas? After presents, Dylan dove right into the red velvet M&M cupcakes that he helped pick out, make, and decorate. With all his favorite things, they were ALMOST better than the presents!

I always smile the biggest when you sing "Happy Birthday" to me!

Yeah, a soccer goal!

Playing with his animal sounds puzzle

3 presents in one shot... the "duckie blankie", road blanket, & moving garbage truck

Dylan loved to "build big, big huge buildings" with Uncle Reed and then knock them down

Licking the M&Ms off Dylan's cupcake, his favorite part!

Thinking about running through the sprinkler with Uncle Eric, such a bad influence!

Overall, I think Dylan had a great birthday his year. I hid some of his old toys, so I think we're set until Christmas. Unless we find some great deals at a garage sale!

It was fun to see him enjoy his 2nd birthday since last year he didn't really know what was going on yet. It is still amazing to us to see how much he has grown in these last 2 years. I can't imagine life without his silly faces, smart comments, and fast pace days. I love being his "Mommy"!

Quick Update

Well, I think it's finally over! We had the Westra party this weekend when Amy & Reed were up from Cinnci. Dylan had fun with his 3 great-grandparents, Grandpa & Grandma Westra, Uncle Eric, Aunt Amy & Uncle Reed, and Mom & Dad. He got many more great gifts that he loves and just can't stop playing with them!

We're leaving for camping tomorrow morning, and I can't seem to post any pictures right now, so I'll have to update you on the great party, 2nd year pictures, and the visit from the Millers when we get home!

Have a great weekend!

4th of July

Happy Independence Day!

Here in Grandville, that used to mean a morning roller blade ride between 3 on 3 basketball and the parade, swimming in the Meengs' pool in the afternoon, grilling out with the Westra's, and then fireworks downtown.

BUT... we had Dylan... and all has changed!

Now it means the parade, lunch, naptime, and grilling. No roller blading, swimming (due to a Meengs move), or fireworks. Oh well, the sacrifices we make to make our lives more joyful!

We went to the Grandville Parade with my parents, grandparents, cousins Kerrie & Eric, and their 2 kids Braden and Sawyer. Dylan & Braden loved it! They enjoyed the loud fire trucks, monster truck, and dogs. They even got the hang of picking up the candy. They both wanted to throw it back too! The last time Dylan did that a little girl picked up his candy, they glared at each other for a minute, and then I think Dylan caught on! He kept saying, "Throw more candy at Dylan!" Here are a few pictures of the joyous event thanks to my mom.

Kerrie, Braden, Dylan, & Sara

Having fun!

That is a loud fire truck!

Waving to get some candy

Picking up the candy

Yeah, Smarties!

Digging through the loot

Don't you think Dylan did a good job putting these on?

After naptime, we headed to my parents for supper and yard games. The predicted rain never came, so even though we missed the fireworks, we had a fantastic day!

A New Weekend Hangout

On Saturday night, Mom & Dad Meengs took Chloe, Julia, & Dylan down the hall and they came back dressed like this...

We were all a little confused, but then they handed us a few pictures of their new cottage and a map to West Lake in Twin Lakes, MI, just north of Muskegon! Dad finally purchased his dream! We drove up there this afternoon to check it out. What a great place! Dylan enjoyed the grassy lawn and sandy bottomed lake. Jon enjoyed fishing and even caught a 14" bass. I think I know where the next "Memorial Day Guys Fishing Weekend" will be! We know where Mom & Dad will be on the weekends from now on!

This didn't last long...

It soon lead to this body slam...

...and this splashing...

Thanks for getting this cottage, Grandpa & Grandma. I'm having a great time!

Happy 2nd Birthday (Part 2)

Finally the actual BIRTHDAY! We started celebrating early with breakfast at Rainbow Grill. Dylan usually loves the blueberry pancakes, but this time wanted eggs and sausage. And boy, did he eat a lot! We ordered 1 egg and sausage, but I think he got 3 eggs with 3 sausage links! And he ate almost all of it, plus some of Jon's French Toast & my bran muffin with fruit! When we got home, Dylan had fun helping Jon wash the cars while playing with his toys.

After lunch and a short nap, Dylan opened some presents with us. He loved his new train set but wanted to eat his "machine cake", so we headed over to Grandpa and Grandma Meengs' to celebrate Dylan's, Mark's (July 1), and Grandma's (July 3) birthdays. Dylan loved playing with Chloe and Julia in the yard while the guys played Bag-O and Horseball. After a yummy supper of pizza burgers, Julia and Dylan told Grandma, "It's present time!" After opening presents, it was finally time to check out his cool "machine cake". He really just wanted to play with the machines, and after we sang to him, he dug right in! He couldn't even finish his cake because he was too excited to play with his new golf clubs.

Overall, it was great birthday! It is amazing to us that he is 2 already. It seems like just yesterday it was just the 2 of us, but at the same time it seems like he's been around forever. Dylan adds so much joy and laughter to our house. We love him tons and can't wait to see what he learns and does in the next year!

Here are some pictures...

Stay tuned... we'll do this again next week with the Westras when Aunt Amy & Uncle Reed come up to see us!