The Ball’s Visit

It was so wonderful having family in town for a few days and even better that we were able to go to San Diego with them. 

We were pleasantly surprised that Michael’s sister and family that were visiting the Grand Canyon were coming in a day early.  We love having family visit and the opportunity to have more time than what was originally planned was a wonderful surprise. 

It’s a tight squeeze, to put it simply, to fit 6 more people in our cozy house, but we made do.  I don’t believe a picture is necessary to demonstrate the “coziness”.  If  you’ve been in our house, you understand

Friday we enjoyed each other’s company and hung out around the house. 

Saturday, Michael and I planned out a scavenger hunt for everyone around the City of Redlands.  Our hope was to make our family more familiar with Redlands.  The town we call home.  We had lots of fun, and I think the girls really enjoyed the competition.  Then we headed to the Schneider’s house to play in the pool for a while.

Sunday, after church we headed to Coronado Island to go to the beach.  Coronado is so beautiful and the beaches are far less crowded than those of Huntington or Newport.  The kids enjoyed the water and sand.  Carter, especially, enjoyed the sand.  It seems that when my SIL is in town I simply just don’t take the time to take pictures.  She’s quite the photographer and it’s always much more enjoyable to look at her photos than my own.  Towards dinner time it started to rain a bit so we quickly packed up the beach gear and headed to the hotel.

Monday, We headed out early for the San Diego Zoo.  I love the San Diego Zoo, because each visit is unique and this one didn’t disappoint.  It was the first visit to the Zoo for the Ball family, so it was even more fun to show them around.  Every one had their animal that they couldn’t wait to see;  Josh’s was the hippo, Carter’s was the giraffe’s,  Mine was the koala’s and Michael’s was the polar bears. 

We absolutely enjoyed the Ball’s visit.  Can’t wait till next time. 

 

Happy Birthday my sweet baby!

It’s hard to believe that it was two years ago today that the your dad was able to announce, “It’s a boy” and we welcomed you into our family. 

Carter Michael DeJong.  You were named after your strong, intelligent, soft spoken, whole hearted, amazing father.  And ever since you came into this world you have shown much of the same characteristics.  You are as sweet as a summer watermelon, as cuddly as a teddy bear, and as fun as, well your big brother. 

Your father and I just adore the way you understand things and although you can’t talk you lead us to what you want, or point, OR big brother translates for you (smile).  We are looking forward to you learning and growing more each and everyday, though we wouldn’t mind you staying just the way you are for a bit longer (too sweet)! 

Just like your big brother, Dad and I hope to show you the world and God’s plan for you.  We promise to do everything we can to raise you both to be respectful Godly gentlemen.  Lucky for me you have a perfect example at home, your father. 

I know that you are only two, but I can’t tell you how much joy you bring to my life.  You truly make my heart sing.  Your amazing dimpled smile that just makes your eyes beam, how you love to hold my hand, and how you love to snuggle in on my shoulder.  I hope you never grow out of those things.  I wish I could just bottle it all up.

Some of your favorite things to do are:

Playing with Trains:  You not only just love to play with trains, you climb and sit in the middle of the table.

Trucks:  Your favorite truck is, of course, Dad’s.  You get super excited when you see him pull up, or just see his truck parked in front of the house.  Your favorite truck to play with is a garbage truck.  You love to race back and forth around the house giggling the whole time. 

Playing with Josh: 

Best buds!  I realize that this may not always be, so I treasure how much you two get along and love to play with each other.  You two are quite the silly pair. 

and playing outside:

I just love this picture of you playing with your Uncle Lucas that we took tonight.  Though I don’t understand, especially with the amount of time you play outside, why we don’t have any pictures of you doing so.  Sorry, sweetie!

Thank you, Carter for blessing your father and I with you tremendous heart, gorgeous smile, and sweet personality.  We love you so much!

 

 

Trains and other things

I love how much Carter loves to play with “Choo choos”.  He carries them around with them everywhere he goes. And he says, “choo choos” so adorably, as he sticks his lower lip out and puckers. 

The cutest part of it all is just how into his “choo choos” he gets.  See…

 

Josh on the other hand has been loving the game of baseball.  That is the game of dice baseball.  It’s a game that Michael made up when he was a kid and he’s been teaching Josh. 

As I worked on few painting projects the boys did some of their own.

For Christmas Josh was given a Dino Dig; a clay brick with dinosaur bones in it.  He has been super excited to start digging and we finally had weather that provided us with an opportunity to do it. 

Here is Josh digging for his T-Rex dinosaur bones.

 

 

Ohh those brown eyes…

 

Blog title?

Good Morning, family & friends!

As you have probably noticed our blog layout and look keeps changing…sorry!  I think from the basic settings I’ve finally found something that is “me”.  But I am not a big fan of our blog title, and can’t think of anything else for the life of me.  It just doesn’t sound like us…does that make sense?  Every time I read our title I start singing the “Sound of Music”, and although I LOVE the movie, it’s not very unique to our family…the crazy bunch that we are.

  Please, please help!  Any fun suggestions?

 

 

Palm Springs

RELAXATION….AHHH! Well not exactly, but we really enjoyed our get away for a few days. 

Our original plan was to head out after Carter’s nap on Sunday afternoon, so we would have the remainder of the day to spend in the pool.  Plans changed when we were invited to our Pastor’s family home for dinner. And, since we don’t get out as much as we like, we almost literally jumped through the phone to their dinner table at the invitation…Yes, the DeJongs are easily excited.  Michael and I both just love the Elgersma family and the love that they have shown our family…Thank you Elgersma family for the wonderful conversation and great food.

We arrived in Palm Springs in the

late afternoon, unpacked and headed out for a walk downtown and dinner.  The Palm Springs Tennis Club where we stayed was only two blocks away from downtown.  I’ve never explored Palm Springs before, it’s really a unique town.  We decided to dine at GRIND BRGR BaR, voted the best burger in town.

Bare with me here, we thought we would take a picture of our meals….

Josh loving his C3 milkshake and Mac’n cheese

My amazing Falafel Veggie Sandwich, Yuuummy!

Michael’s Mexi-Cali Burger

Don’t worry Carter didn’t starve. He shared with Josh. 

We spent Monday morning at the pool

then while Carter “napped” Michael and Josh headed out to play some putt-putt golf.  We then played some ping-pong, and then headed out for a early dinner. 

We decided to eat dinner at Sherman’s deli, a New York deli and delicatessen shop.  Michael enjoyed his enormous club sandwich, and I ordered a classic Reuben with pastrami.  We don’t normally order dessert when eating out, but it’s not likely that a NY Italian girl like myself would ever pass up the opportunity to have an NY Italian dessert.  So for dessert I ordered a slice of plain cheese cake (just the way the it’s supposed to be naked, none of that silly stuff on top). The boys had Black & White cookies, and Michael had this gigantic slice of San Jacinto cake…

Picture of the boys being…boys!  Love them.

Thank you so very much Jeff & Brenda for inviting our family to Palm Springs.  Love you guys!

 

Spirit Week…

We love Spirit Week at RCS, especially this year because Josh was able to participate in all the fun.  For those not familiar with Spirit week, it’s a fun week for both students and facility where each day has a different theme. 

The themes for this year were:

Monday: Pajama Day (who doesn’t love that!?)

Tuesday: Clash Day (wear mismatched clothes; essentially just let Josh dress himself).

Okay, does that smile just say, “okay MOM, just take the picture NOW!” or what.  Love you, sweetheart!

Michael dressed up for Clash Day as well, so I just HAD to take of picture.  I love this picture because just as I was about to snap the photo (can I say that, or does that make me sound behind the times?!)  Carter, who had been standing next to me, raced over to stand next to Dad. Love, love, love the cuteness that is my Carter.  Look aren’t they so cute:

Wednesday:  Crazy Hair day: Faux hawk  & spikes

Thursday:  RCS colors (Navy & Gold)

Geesh!  Apparently I didn’t get a picture of Josh.

A fun week ending with Friendship games, and the start of SPRING BREAK! Whoo hoo