Florida

For most of our trip we were at Fort Myers Beach with Brad's parents, we only had one nice day to play on the beach but at least it wasn't snowing!

Tuck's new hat.

Lots of sand creations on the last day we were there.

Jack's favorite part of the whole trip was going to a spring training Twins game, they won against the Pirates and he got to see his two favorite players.

Selah and Jack took back home lots of shells.

Daddy and Tuck relaxing in the shade.

Jack also found quite a few sea creatures at the beach.

He really is a happy baby.

Hey Lukey, there's a full moon! This kid has no bottom, I can't keep any pants up on him!

Selah's castle

Grandpa Rex made this hammerhead shark with Brad and Jack's help, it was really fun to watch it take shape over the afternoon.

That night we went to the pier to see the sunset and a lady there does balloon creations, Selah wanted a heart flower of course.

Luke got a balloon sword and a monkey which he kept warm in his coat just like I was holding Tucker. His favorite part of the trip he said was the dolphin cruise, we did see quite a few dolphins but they are hard to get good pictures of! Brad caught a few but it's just flukes in the water so I didn't post them. At least Luke will have the memory!

Disney

We got back from Florida last night, the amount of pictures I have is crazy so I will just show a few highlights! We did not have enough time at Disney, two days is not near enough! Selah liked the things we did do most but Jack and Luke found a few favorites too.Jack found a sword to buy and read all about the Vikings at Norway in Epcot.

Luke found a miniature train town in Germany at Epcot, we were there awhile and I had to get a picture of each train.

Our hotel was really sweet, we stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and watched the animals right out our room window. Jack found all the animals on the sheet they gave us the first day we were there.

Selah's favorite part of the entire trip she said was the princess lunch! She liked Aurora but said she didn't like the feel of her dress!

Belle was very sweet.

Selah could barely speak the whole time, she just watched the princesses go around the room waiting for them to get to our table.

Snow White gave Tucker a kiss too! I will post more of the trip later... back to laundry.

Jack's last game of the season

Today was Jackson's last day of Upward basketball, he had a lot of fun this year! We are leaving for Florida in the morning, yeah! Other than the airport with four kids part we are very excited!

Skiing at Seven Oaks

Last Friday we went skiing and tubing at Seven Oaks in Boone. This was the tubing hill, they said you could go up to 50 mph! Brad, Jack, and Luke went down, Selah was sure she wanted to go until she got to the top and had to be escorted back down! I have to say I feel like I missed out, I didn't think I would mind sitting out with Tucker (and I don't) but when I was watching them whiz past me I REALLY wanted to go! This was all I got of Luke!

Layken pulling him back to the rope that brings them up.

They went skiing too, poor Brad had all three at first trying to help them all. As soon as he got Jack going he took turns skiing with Luke and Selah. I stayed nice and warm in the lodge with Tucker, Jude, and Leah most of the time only going out once to get a few pictures.

Tucker's Baptism

On Sunday we had Tucker baptised and then family came over to celebrate with us.

Tuck actually paid attention during cards and presents, he even held his new bible.

Roberta, if you read this post this is one of our Pastors Jill Ver Steeg, she said you were on the same floor in college! She told me her maiden name but I can't remember. I was asking Pastor Jon who is in this picture too if he new the Vander Zwaags because he just moved from Orange City, he said he new a lot of them! She was the one who knew you guys though, small world!

I did get them all before church to sit and take a picture.

What is this face Selah?

Bekah and the boys

On Thursday we were lucky enough to have Miss Bekah and her boys come to visit us, and then it snowed so much on Friday they stayed an extra night. I am really thankful they did, we wanted more time with them! Tucker and Micah got to know each other. Tuck found out what it's like when all these kids get together, these are the boys he's heard so much about!

Selah loved another baby in the house, she hung out with me and Bekah most of the time. We played house and sisters with her, but she did occasionally joined in with the boys.

The babies!

It all came back to Zane how to hold a little baby, he did great.

On Friday night we though it would be a good idea to have a little down time so they snuggled up to watch Swiss Family Robinson and ate popcorn. This really was the best picture I could get of them all!

There was plenty of snow to play in!

All ready for bed.... this really didn't work but it was fun to try!

Look at sweet baby Micah's cheeks! He is a very happy baby and even let his Mommy hold Tucker for most of the time they were here!

Thank you for coming you guys, we had so much fun!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We had a Valentine party on Friday for coop, they each made boxes and Valentines for all of the kids.

Jude helped with Tucker

Very girly

Her Valentines were cute too!

Very penguiny!

And these were Luke's Valentines, he made all 49 of them! We even offered to help but he wanted to do them himself, this kid loves penguins.

He was so proud of them, each time he finished one he counted them all again.

Luke is clearly into crafts, Jack on the other hand chose a box of Valentines at Target, signed his name and called it good! How different our children can be. Happy Valentine's Day!

In the words of Selah

Me : Selah what do you want for breakfast this morning?

Selah: Oh just some hi ho cherrios (honey nut cherrios)

Selah: Momma, it's easy for me to wrap off gum huh?

Me: What Se?

Selah: It's easy for me to wrap off gum right?

Me: Oh, unwrap gum, yeah Selah it's easy for you to unwrap gum!