Happy Friday!

This girl.

Surprised me with a face-time chat this evening.

I couldn't dream of a better way to kick-off my weekend!

xxx Marieke...best host mom loves you!

soccerfootballsoccersoccerfootballsoccer



I know what ya'll are thinking. she said she was back. HA! I haven't seen any blog post in the last week and when is she going to draw a winner for those fabulous watches anyway?

 

Oh, the wise words of my friend Maryhelen: "September is the new December".

 

Soccer practice started for Elizabeth mid-August, and her last game is tomorrow night. She has had 1-3 games a week since the beginning of September, and practice every other weeknight. *phew*

 

 

 

She has consistently played a defender this season.

 



Judging from these pictures, it may look like she doesn't do much out there.

But really, if the rest of the team is doing their jobs, she's pretty much a cheer leader. Or on-field coach if you hear the things she shouts at her fellow players. And hey, if Elizabeth was doing her job we wouldn't need a goalie either, and she's out there every game doing a fabulous job.

I think Elizabeth would like to see a little more action, and some games she's pretty busy. We love to watch her play and we are very pleased with her work ethic and sportsmanship on the field. But, I'll be honest. Her schedule just sucks the life right outta me.

And then we have Williams schedule....

Lucky number 86. Lucky because he hasn't got hurt yet.

His practices started mid-September, twice a week. Not at the same place or same time as Elizabeth's of course.

He has a game EVERY SINGLE Sunday afternoon.

Yup. right in the middle of my nap.

And last week it ruined my Friday night when we had to watch him be introduced at the high school game half time show. In the rain.

I have no idea who thought letting him play this sport was a good idea, but I think we'll be having a strongly-worded conversation about it next year.

Honestly, he loves it.
Honestly, I have no idea how he's doing or what position he plays.
Shoot I have no idea how the game works at all. I go, I sit, I cheer when the other parents are cheering. I tell him he looks cute in his uniform.
I buy the popcorn.

I'll not bore you with how crazy hectic it is to get home from work, pack up the car, kids, toys, drinks, snacks to get to these events, but Jackson and Isabelle are always very excited to know the nights we get to stay home!

What have you been doing?

Our New Addition

Phanita

(Pah nee tah)

From Thailand.

 

Miss Phanita moved to our home on August 28th.  

 

 





She is a delightful young lady, and we all are enjoying getting to know her better.

It sure does feel good to have one more person at our table!

Winter Wonderland Program

In honor of the snow day we are having today, I am posting some pictures from Jackson's "Winter Wonderland" program from January.

 

He was so, so excited. Not that he sang or anything.

 

After his program, Ryan and I were talking. I said to him it was a bit strange with no little people in the pew that we had to ply with sippy cups and snacks to keep happy during the program.

I did have to tell them it was time to put their phones/ipods/ds' away and watch their little brother.

Oh, how the times are changing!

In like a lion... out like a lamb.

Dirty Laundry

When your parents are trying to get a few moments of peace on a Sunday afternoon and refuse to open their bedroom door... this is what happens: 

 

You fall asleep in the dirty laundry piling up in the hall.

FFA

Logan joined the Future Farmers of America last week~ Just in time for "Take your tractor to school day".

 



 

A tight squeeze!

 

They had a blast- on the way there, on the way home, and at Hardees in between!

Sunday=Family Day



Sunday afternoon we headed into Fort Wayne to catch a Komet Hockey game. The Komets lost, but we had a great time anyway!

 

 

 

American, Dutch, Dutch, Austrian, American, German, German.

Logan, Marieke, Janneke, Jackline, Hayleigh, Shelly and Elena.

Isabelle and Elizabeth are back there too!

These two girls. Oh my. Personality overload. And William loves to harass them!

Poor sweet Janneke... I'm afraid we've shocked her pants off.

...and this is how Jackson spent the first two periods- at one point he woke up, looked around and pulled the hood over his face. Sweet boy has his daddy in him!

The Sinterklaas Present

Saturday afternoon we picked up the Sinterklaas present.



 

Such a touching moment to witness between best friends.

We are having a fabulous time getting to know Janneke and getting to know Marieke better!

A Cowboy- Like Daddy.

I bet you've never heard ol' Marshall Dillion say
Miss Kitty have you ever thought of running away
Settling down would you marry me?
If I asked you twice and begged you pretty please
She'd have said yes in a New York minute
They never tied the knot
His heart wasn't in it
He just stole a kiss as he rode away
He never hung his hat up at Kitty's place

I should've been a cowboy
I should've learned to rope and ride
Wearing my six-shooter riding my pony on a cattle drive
Stealing the young girl's hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singing those campfire songs
Oh I should've been a cowboy

I might of had a sidekick with a funny name
Running wild through the hills chasing Jesse James
Ending up on the brink of danger
Riding shotgun for the Texas Rangers
Go west young man, haven't you been told
California's full of whiskey, women and gold
Sleeping out all night beneath the desert stars
With a dream in my eye and a prayer...
In my heart

I should've been a Cowboy
I should've learned to rope and ride
Wearing my six-shooter
Riding my pony on a cattle drive
Stealing the young girl's hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singing those campfire songs
Oh I should've been a cowboy

I should've been a Cowboy
I should've learned to rope and ride
I'd be wearing my six-shooter
Riding my pony on a cattle drive
Stealing the young girl's hearts
Just like Gene and Roy
Singing those campfire songs
Oh I should've been a Cowboy
Yeah I should've been a Cowboy
Yeah I should've been a Cowboy



He wants to be a cowboy. Just like daddy

Jackson Ryan

February 2013

Photography Project

Marieke is taking photography this semester. She is really enjoying it and has gotten some fun shots from around the farm:

 

 

 

 

It's been fun to see this place through her eyes!



The Swoosh

Oh, the things I find when I download the pictures from my phone....

 

 

 

William Thomas

February 2013

Isabelle

Isabelle Josephine

Beauty Queen

 

February 2013

 

 

She has no problem posing for the camera.

Flashback #3c



Sorting through some of last years pictures has made me *tear* up now and again.

 

Like these little gems:

 

He used to "help" me wash the dishes, and then slip into the water while I was wiping the counters. He then would proceed to wash himself with the scrubby.

cute little bugger.

7th Grade Basketball



Elizabeth decided she wanted to try something new this winter... basketball.

 

The joy on her father's face and delight in his voice is unmistakable.

 

 

She is doing a really great job for someone that has never played before-

As most of her team.

It is a great group of girls, some from her soccer team.

She'd die if she knew I took these pictures.

She' kill me if she knew I posted them on the internet.

Don't tell her, k?