12.31.13 - Winter Wonderland

Good times at the VanOmmen's...thanks for the invite to

play in the snow!

12.30.13 - Vroom, Vroom!!!

This girl is so creative.  She lined up the chairs to her

new table and pretended she was driving a car.

12.29.13 - Never Gets Old

It may seem like a simple moment in the bedtime routine

but I love to see them captured by a book with their Dad.

12.28.13 - Oosting Family Christmas

Good times, good times...#ironmanflies, #ironmanhasnofeet?,
#babybeyonce, #bayoubringsdryair, #welivebytheriver,
#indianburialground, #acidreflux, #corrie'spregnant-not!, #lotsoflaughs

12.27.13 - Today's Outdoor Masterpiece

12.26.13 - It's Super Quiet

Why of course it is and it will be for the next few days.

12.25.13 - Our Christmas Day

12.24.13 - Christmas Eve Tradition

It's an absolute favorite of mine to go with family to a Christmas

Eve Service.  I found a cute dress for Lauren and therefore 

everyone had to dress up just a tad so she didn't out dress us all.

After the service we started a tradition where

the kids open one family gift which is a game.  This year there 

were two: Slamwich (which I highly recommend) and

balloon animals, which wasn't really a game but still

created lots of family fun.  We ended up with a few balloon 

animals and MANY popped balloons.

12.23.13 - Creative Burn Of Energy

Derk asked the boys to build a castle for all their guys

as a way to capture their minds and exert some of their energy.

12.22.13 - Simply Beautiful

12.21.13 - Happy 2nd Birthday Lauren

Lauren sure LOVES her babies!

12.20.13 - Picture to Treasure

Hudson & Jalen

12.19.13 - He Finally Wore It

I bought this hat two years ago and Ty simply would not

wear it.  Today was another story...he put it on with pride then

insisted on having me take a picture.

12.18.13 - "Look, They Shot His Legs Off"

Another Tyler statement when

he saw this...."look, they shot

his legs off"  

12.17.13 - The Michigan Shepherd

Yup, that is what Tyler called 

himself at his preschool Christmas

program....I'm the Michigan Shepherd.

Our kids are thoroughly brainwashed!

12.16.13 - Count Down?

Well maybe, if we'd remember to 

take one off everyday.

Jalen seems to be a little more on

top of it than Tyler.

12.15.13 - Winter Has Come a Month Early

I remember years when we would pray for a white Christmas.

Not this year, we've had snow for at least a month and

man is it cold!

12.14.13 - Gingerbread 2013

The tradition continues thanks for Aunt Jamie and Aunt Corrie!

12.13.13 - Let's Make Cookies

She loves being Mommy's little helper.

12.12.13 - Ms. Baker

Ms. Baker is Jalen's music teacher.  Each 

year she out does herself with an awesome

christmas program.  Jalen is one of the 

tallest in his class so naturally he's in the

back and this year it was impossible to

see him.  So, a picture with Ms. Baker

will have to do for our picture of the day.

12.11.13 - Untitled Cuteness

I couldn't think of a title for these pictures but loved the

her curls, concentration and smile!

12.10.13 - Christmas Card 2013

There is nothing like getting others Christmas cards in the mail

and not having yours ordered.  Operation create Christmas

card was in full effect tonight.

12.9.13 - Take Two

Still not possible SOOOOOO

we decided to go with the top left.

12.8.13 - Perfect Christmas Card Picture

Not possible

12.7.13 - Daycare Christmas Party

12.6.13 - Very Clean & Loved Bear

12.5.13 - Merry Christmas Mr. O

12.4.13 - Pasta Making & Wine Tasting

12.3.13 - Ty's First Report Card

"He really enjoys school and is so kind to

everyone in class."

We've got to work on jumping on one foot

and not forgetting about #15.

12.2.13 - It's Cold Out There

Are you sure you want to go out?

You're going to want right back in.

12.1.13 - Blonde Hair, Blue Eyes

11.30.13 - Go Blue!

And learning about the Amish on our way to Indiana

11.29.13 - Trees Up!

11.28.13 - Happy 1st Birthday Mara!

11.27.13 - First X-Ray

11.26.13 - 3rd Grade Thanksgiving Feast

11.25.13 - Babies Na-Night

Our closet tends to be the place where infants

sleep when they come to stay with us.

It's dark and quiet area.  Lauren has

picked up on it.  She called us over to see...

"babies na-night"

11.24.13 - Never A Dull Moment

Over the course of the last two years, this has been played 

with at LEAST once every other day by one

if not both boys.  This has definitely returned it's 

investment and then some!

11.23.13 - Santa Parada All Stars

When this parade was over the kids had tons of candy and 

their joy turned to tears quickly when they realized just

how cold it was.

11.22.13 - New Winter Hat, Kid Approved!

11.21.13 - She Found Her Way To My Office

11.20.13 - Lightens the Blow

Earned after an 1.5 hour drive home through traffic

11.19.13 - Who Stole The Breadstick?

Ty's quote of the night: "You broke one of the 4 commandments.  

Stealing is wrong.  You better tell Jesus you're sorry."

11.18.13 - Why Do Birds Swarm Together?

Driving across 131 on 96 I regularly see

birds dancing and swarming in the sky.  

11.17.13 - Ty's New Found Love

Teenage Ninja Turtles AND Puzzles

11.16.13 - Traditional Stop & Fill Up

Cinnamon Girl

11.15.13 - Mom & Dad Say Hi From TC

11.14.13 - Seriously, Isn't It All About Me?