Chase's BIG Day!

Well, most of you probably celebrated Independance Day on July 4th but we had better things on our agenda. Chase turned 8! With turning 8 that ment he was ready to be baptized!! Chase chose to be baptized on his birthday. It was such an awesome day. He wore his new suit and had a grin on his face all day. The baptism service was held after our regular church service. We invited everyone who goes to church with us but figured only close friends would stay. Well, we were very wrong! The whole congregation stayed to support Chase. We were all crammed in to the Relief Society room but the love we could feel was amazing. Chase asked Bailee to give a talk on Baptism. Bailee wrote the talk herself and did an amazing job. Chase asked me to give a talk on the Holy Ghost, Talynn to give the closing prayer and his father to perform the priesthood ordinances. It was a great day with lots of tears shed from the mother!
Since it was also Chase's birthday we invited some friends over for smores. Chase asked for a Donut Cake (shouldn't surprised anyone!) and for a gift he wanted a fish tank. Since his Birthday was on a Sunday we took him the day before to look at fish and make a purchase. He studied the fish hard but then determined which three he wanted to bring home. He named them Goldie, Prince and Fin. He loves those fish and so far has taken very good care of them. He also received his own set of scriptures and a couple of movies.
Chase is a great son. He loves to play with his sisters. He is very much in to playing the computer and Wii. He also loves to play sports and begs for us to go out and play anything with him. We love Chase and are so glad he took the BIG step to baptism. HAPPY 8 BIRTHDAY CHASE!!!!

Birthday Month

Well, with the month of June comes a whole lot of Birthday wishes to our home. We started off the month with a Birthday party for Talynn. She turned 4! WOW!! We couldn't believe our baby was that old. Tally wanted a Dsi for her birthday. Yes, I know, most 4 year old don't know what a dsi is or want one but when you have two older siblings who love theirs, well, it just kind of comes with the territory. She also requested a pink cake (no cupcakes, I was so sad) with pink frosting. At preschool they had a little party for her and I was able to bring my famous cupcakes. She had a great birthday and has been talking since about how she is going to turn 5 next. My, how time is flying!

The second go around we found ourselves celebrating Jon's birthday. He didn't want anything and didn't request a cake or cupcakes. He just wanted to spend time with the family. So, I purchased him a fire pit and we cooked smores. It was nice to sit around a fire together and enjoy just us. Jon thought he was turning 35 this year so when he saw the 36 on his cake he nearly fainted. He moped around for the rest of the evening complaining how he lost a whole year of his life. (so dramatic!)

The last week of June we found ourselves eating cake once again for Bailee's birthday. She hit double digits and turned the big 1 0. She asked for a cell phone for her birthday. I told her absolutely no! She said if she couldn't have a cell phone she didn't want anything. Easy enough! Of course, she has her dad wrapped around her little finger so he decided to get her a phone. Well, actually I decided if she was getting a phone then we were going to upgrade mine and she could have my old one. We kept teasing her all day that we got her a HUGE barbie house. She was completely discusted with us. When it came time for presents she opened a couple movies and pedicure set. Not very exciting but then she opened her last one that told her to go look on her bed. She ran fast and we could hear a whole lot of screaming and yelling of "YES" as she walked back downstairs. She was so excited! Later that night Jon found a letter she had written to us thanking us for getting her a cell phone. Bailee wanted a brownie cake (again, no cupcakes, what is up with that?!). She designed it herself. She loves to bake so I let her have a go. She did a good job and it was yummy.

Terra and Holly

I had a 24 hour turn around from visitors. My dad left on April 28th and my two great friends from St. Louis came on April 29th. I was so excited to see Terra and Holly. It took them FOREVER to get out of customs but when they finally came through the doors the tears started. It was so good seeing them! I only had 10 days with them so I wanted to make the most of it.

There first day here was Queen's Day! Queen's Day is a day off work so everyone can celebrate the Queen's birthday. Since the royal color is orange, on this day EVERYONE wears orange. Jon wanted to go in to Amsterdam for the celebration but after being their last year I wasn't going anywhere near. So, he took Holly and Terra and I graciously stayed home with the kids. You'll have to ask Holly and Terra what they thought of Queen's Day. I think they have the same impression I have but Terra's story is so much funnier! :)

Day 2 we drove to Germany. We did a little castle hunting and exploring small villages. We didn't know it would be a holiday in Germany so pretty much everything was closed but we still had a good time.

Day 3 was spent at the Kuekenhof. It was so cold and rainy but this was the only chance Terra and Holly would have seeing the beautiful flowers. We managed to get some good pictures before it started to pour. We also had a good chat session in the Cafe drinking hot chocolate and eating dutch apple pie (YUM!).

Day 4 we dropped the kids off at school and headed to see the windmills at Zaanse Schans. The weather just wasn't cooperating with us. It rained and the wind blew (broke all our umbrellas) but we managed to get some cute pictures (Holly's expertise!). I introduced them to dutch pancakes at the Pankoeken House and had them try on clogs. It was a great day with the girls!

Day 5 - 7 Holly and Terra went to London. You will have to ask them about their adventures in England.

Day 8 I met Holly and Terra in Paris. Terra had been to Paris before but this was top on Holly's To Do List. I met them at the airport and road the train in to Paris. (Ask Holly how much she liked me that morning?!) Once we unloaded our luggage we went to the Palace of Versailles. Once again, I loved the Palace just as much the second time as I did the first. From the Palace we went to the Arc de Triomphe and explored the shops on the Champs de Elysees.

Day 9 we started off with a yummy french breakfast. We couldn't get enough Pain Au Chocolates and Crescents. Holly was introduced to Nutella (can't believe she had never had it before) and was in heaven. We ventured to Notre Dame, walked through the Louve, and ate a fabulous dinner at, well, we started to have a fabulous dinner at a french cafe but the service was horrible! We waited for 45 minutes and not one person even asked us what we wanted to drink. By this time we were starving so we left and went next door to Quick. Still can't believe we ate at Quick but we were HUNGRY! (Quick is like a Wendy's) From our fancy dinner we headed to the Eiffel Tower to watch it light up. It started raining on us so we found a place with crepes and sat under the tree eating trying to stay dry.

Day 10 we spent the morning at the Eiffel Tower. We had a great lunch at a cute cafe close by and then catched a plane back to Amsterdam. It was Mother's Day so Jon and the kids bought us each a dozen roses. A great way to end a great weekend!

Day 11 we were going to go in to Amsterdam but the Tour de Italy bike race was here so all roads and public transportation was shut down. After two hours of trying to get to Amsterdam we decided to bag it and go back to my house and play games and chat.

Day 12 I dropped Terra and Holly off at the airport. I was not ready for them to go home. I didn't realize how much I had missed them until they were here. I have been so lucky to have such good friends. It seems no matter where I live I find friends that I will treasure all my life.

As I was looking through my pictures to post I noticed I have NO pictures of Zaanse Schans or Paris. I guess I didn't copy pictures from Terra or Holly. You guys will have to share those! Enjoy the few I do have of their visit!

All Good Things Come To An End

Well, we knew the month of April had to end sometime and it sure did. It actually seemed to fly by. We loved having my parents here and enjoyed showing them a little bit of Europe and where we live. I was also grateful for all their help with the kids while Jon was gone. He did finally make it home two days before my parents left (gone for 17 days, ugh!). Enjoy the slideshow of some random side adventures with Grandpa and Grandma!

Paris

For Spring Break (still in April!) we decided to head to Paris. It was on Dorinda's would like to do list so we jumped in the car and took off. While in Paris we visited the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louve, Arch de Triomphe, and the Palace of Versailles. I had never been to the Palace of Versailles. It was absolutely amazing! A beautiful palace with fabulous gardens. We also ate and ate and ate crepes (because they are the best). One night we waited on the grass by the Eiffel Tower waiting for the magical time when they light it up and let is sparkle for a few minutes. I think this was our favorite part of Paris.
On our drive home we stopped in Antwerp, Belgium. Here we introduced Dorinda to Belgium waffels (yum!) and Belgium chocolate (double yum!). It was a fantastic week except one thing was missing, Jon is still in St. Louis! Seriously, will that ash cloud ever go away!!! The only thing keeping me sane was the thought that if Jon can't come back to the Netherlands then my dad can't leave. So, at least I wasn't going to be alone!

Amsterdam Cruise

You can take a canal cruise through Amsterdam and I've been waiting for someone to come visit before taking the adventure. So, since my dad was here I thought it was as good of time as any. The cruise starts at Central Station and winds through Amsterdam. It was great to be on the water and seeing the city from a different view. I actually love Amsterdam. I love the row houses, architecture, and the beauty of the canals. The cruise is a hop on hop off so you can stop and get off at any of the stops. We decided to get off at Museumplein. At Museumplein you will find the Rijksmuseum (home of Rembrandt painings) and the Van Gogh Museum. There is also a large grass area with a large sign reading "I AMSTERDAM". It's a huge tourist attraction and a fun climbing gym for the kids. We ended the day eating dutch pancakes (yummy, yummy, yummy). As always, FUN TIMES!!!

Enjoying the boat (Chase, maybe not!)

Chase and Talynn

"T" is for Talynn

Bailee relaxing in a "d".

Grandpa Tom and Grandma Dori

Piano Recital

Bailee had her end of year piano recital in April. Last recital she played a duet with one of her friends. This time she played a solo. She did FANTASTIC! She is such a natural and doesn't even get nervous. I was beaming from ear to ear! Some of my friends asked me after how long Bailee has been in lessons. When I said only a year there jaw dropped. She truly is a natural! Grandpa Tom and Grandma Dori even commented on how impressed they were. Good job Bailee!!!