My 'Dancing with the Stars'

Zach & Cam were having a ball tonight dancing together to 'Dancing with the Stars', as the show is a big hit & family affair in our house. I had the camera out so I had to post one of the happier moments together, as fighting with each other seems to also be a big hit in our house.

Swinging around together!

Posing at the end of a dance.

And who needs a haircut?

Looking at this picture, I think they both do!

A 5 year olds bash

Although I started this blog on Monday, I am finally getting around to posting it today (Saturday), as we had a major case of food poisoning go through our house this week. I'll spare you the details but it was an absolute nightmare!!

Anyhow, we had a birthday party for Zach last Saturday, actually it was more of a party for us to see friends, but he doesn't realize that. We had a HUGE turn out along with out-of town friends Brad & Bradi and my sister and her family.
Zach has been enjoying the company of playing with pirates lately so we had a pirate themed party. I think the party was a big success despite the unorganized chaos. Here's a few pictures I captured from it.

Picture of my sis, who thankfully came down from Michigan for the weekend to celebrate with us. She completely took over the kitchen/clean up which I very much appreciated! Thanks Sian!

Per Zach's request, I agreed & thought that it was a good idea to have a Pinata as an activity for all the kids. Well, I learned a thing or two about what NOT to do with a having a Pinata slugged around in your family room. Feel free to email me for suggestions if anyone else is brave (or dumb, depending on my perspective)enough to try this activity at home.




The beauty of a cake I baked... yeah right, thanks Jewel!



Sitting quietly for his face painting

Darth Vader (Noah) & a Pirate

Admiring the cake before blowing out the candles

Zach opening presents with some help from friends, Max & Raegan. I owe all of you thank you's but what came from who got all mixed up, so please excuse the unpersonalized thank you's when they arrive :-)

My first born

Hard to believe, but my first born is 5 today!!

I could write a sentimental blog about how proud of him I am, but don't feel like shedding a few tears over the keyboard. He is maturing into a nice & happy kid, which is all I could ask for.

Happy Birthday Zachary!

Room2Grow

On Thursday we took a trip downtown Chicago with college girlfriends to meet up at Room2Grow, www.room2playchicago.com, which was a fabulous play house for kids of all ages to play & learn. Every suburb/city could definitely use a place like this!
Its safe, fun environment for the kids to run around, play dress up, use their imagination in the kitchen and other numerous areas. It also gave us mom's a chance to catch up while the kids played and we didn't have to worry they were escaping from the play area.
It was a nice change of pace heading to the big city and definitely an activity that I hope we repeat.

This is the best of the group pictures that I was able to get. It was difficult to get 10 kids to look & smile all at the same time...
Somewhat from left to right
Elisabeth & Simon, Sara with Max & Elisabeth, Kris Haartman & Casey,
Jessica & Douwe, Kristin Zandstra with Mica & Meghan and my two boys with Hailey (the sweet little girl that I babysit everyday) thrown in the middle

An astronaut & a mail man

Cameron, Max & Zach up on stage

A perfect Valentines Day!

Forget the roses, romance, paying a babysitter for a fancy dinner out... instead we had a spur of the moment dance party with the Wiegers girls!



Cam & Chloe... ummmm... shall we kiss??


Hats for everyone~ Lauren, Zach, Chloe, & Cam

Veggie Tales dance party

The Florida Keys

I am a bit delinquent with my post, but none the less we had great trip to the Florida Keys last week. We were graciously hosted by our GR friends, Brad & Bradi in Marathon Key and also had the pleasure of Steve & Stacy's company. We enjoyed a stress & kid free long weekend in the warmth (well, not as warm as we had hoped, but still way warmer then at home so that was all that mattered). It was a our first time in the Keys and got to experience two evenings down in Key West, which also was quite an adventure and not necessarily G rated for the blogging friends! :-)

Its funny how when you are away from your kids you somehow forget to take pictures of other experiences in your life. So, these three are about the best of the few I did remember to take.

Mark & Steve's catch of the day for supper

the ladies









the boys and their foo foo drinks...

Thanks again Kreiders for having us, we can't wait to repeat the trip!!

Da Boyz'

My Boys... they are Daddy's boys through and through. Most mornings, first thing Zach says when he comes down, "where's Dad?" First thing Cam says when I walk into his room, "Dada, Dada!"

Whats a Mom to do?
I think its wonderful that they think their Dad is the greatest, as I see it a testament to what a great father Mark is. He has much, much, much more patience then me and is also much better at playing cars, trains, transformers, and superheros. I guess if this is going to be a house of boys & testosterone, there has to be some advantage, right? I love it that they are 'daddy's boys!'