Summer is here!

This beautiful weather has allowed us to do all sorts of fun summer activities before the month of June. I love that I have an adventurous little girl who loves to be outside. It has been a great start to what I know is going to be a wonderful summer in the sun.

First boat ride of the season

Going to the pool with 'Aunt' Mary & Adi

Playing outside in the morning
Soaking feet in the sink after being outside
Day on the beach

More Belly

Time for a belly update:
I am almost 24 weeks. I can not believe how the time is flying. Crazy to think that in about 16 weeks we will have a new baby and be a family of 4!
The 'name thing' is coming along. I think at this point no matter what gender baby is he/she will have a name. Which is more then I could say about 3 days ago. :) No definites yet but we are getting closer.
Here is the belly as of two weeks ago.

Mother's Day - Belated

I have been a blog slacker! It is not like me to not have a new post in so long.

I had a great Mother's Day last Sunday...didn't have to change a diaper all day! :) Payton got me some flowers and picked out a beautiful necklace from the Apothecary (which I purchased with Bryan's credit card...hehehe).
Here are a few pics from the day.Payton would not look at the camera for our picture. "Munsters" was on TV & she is REALLY into that movie. Trying to get her attention.Ready for church.At the barn riding her bike with Hannah's 'hat' on.Papa & Daddy adjusting the big girl bike in hopes she would be able to touch the ground...no luck, need another 1/2 inch.Daddy helping.Mark learned to Ripe Stick and was racing the kids...he didn't win. :)

Muziekparade

Even though it was a little chilly we still made our way to the parade route for the final parade of Tulip Time. I have to say I probably wouldn't have gone but with the shelter of the people mover close at hand we decided to go for it. It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be & it ended up staying dry for the whole parade. Payton would rather be outside in any weather then be inside so she was a happy little camper.

Kinderparade

Yet another parade day. This time the kids were the stars of the show. The group

The kids

Payton & Ava watching the parade. Ava didn't like the noise.

The only way we get Noah in a costume is when he has to wear one in the parade. He allowed us to take ONE picture. So here they are...all four grandkids...IN COSTUME! :)

The girls...all matching.

Payton & I went to watch the high school dancers later in the evening. She loved it & was dancing along...so cute! Thought while we were there I would snap some pics of her by the Tulips. She was not all about it.

This Tulip did not last long after this picture...Oops!

Volksparade & Junk Food Night

Tulip Time is really one of my favorite times of the year and that is especially true this year. Being self employed gives me the freedom to enjoy all the festivities of the festival. This afternoon kicked off the first of the three parades, the Volksparade. Payton got all decked out in the costume that Grammy Myrick made for her and we met 'Aunt' Mary, Adi, Louis, 'Aunt' Meme (Jamie Eldean) and Kellan down at the parade route. Adi & Payton have matching costumes this year and look so cute together. We also saw Amma, Ava, Hannah & Aunt Becky down there as well which just added to the greatness of the day.

The fun did not end with the parade, we met up with gang for junk food and Dutch dance watchin'. We also tried to get some pictures of Payton and Adi by some tulips. I say tried because getting two one year olds to sit still AND smile can be a challenge. Luckily my camera has a 'burst' mode which makes it a little easier to get pictures of squirmy kids.

And a quick look back at the girls last year...Awh!

Kinderplaats

We took a little trip down town to Kinderplaats this afternoon. Although there wasn't much Payton could truly enjoy because she was too little there were still animals, fire trucks, lots of people & kids and stickers which are always a hit. It was a good start to our 2010 Tulip Time experience.
The animals were her favorite part.

She thought she was big stuff sitting in the fire truck.

We even got to see Uncle Chris