a perfect end

oh my! Can spring break really be done? Where did it go?
I truly am amazed at how quick last week went! When I left school last Thursday I thought, WOW, over a week off! And now I think, WOW, where did the week go?

It started out perfect and it ended perfect. Even though the weather wasn't so nice to be out as much as Cameron(and Haiden, too) would have liked, we filled our days with all kinds of things. Lunch with daddy, an adventure to a church for some play time, a day to do some school work, riding 3-wheeler(Haiden, too on that one as well!), bike rides, laundry, shopping(Jill.....if you are reading this, wait til I tell you about the new and improved favorite store of ours..LOVE IT...so much for just a return and I still have 3 chips left!) scooter rides, hikes, wrestling(yes, Haiden too again), playing dinosaurs, trying to get Haiden to walk, his first haircut and getting groceries. And to think that is all what we try to cram into a weekend! I honestly can say that I would like to have just one more day home with my boys. We have had so much fun and it's kind of a bummer to think that we have to start the rush, rush rush of life in a day. I just keep thinking that when I get back to school the time will go just as fast. Here are some glimpses of our week.
Wrestle time with Daddy. Haiden even stands and "jumps" on daddy.

Haiden is in this stage(at least I hope it is a stage) where he has to climb on, in and through everything!

Who cares if it is only 40 degrees and spitting rain, right? As for the outfit, not sure what inspired him that morning.

Hiking with my boys at Aman park.

Some morning playtime with dinosaurs. Haiden wants so badly to do things like his brother and have the same things. Some times it works well and some times not! ;) This was a working moment!

Easter

What a beautiful day it was to have spent with family on Easter Sunday. The boys did great and it was rather relaxing(except when the kids found out how fun it was to blow their LOUD bubble wands they got on their hunt--still trying to find a way to return them to grandpa and grandma vruggink's house!) We tried and failed once again to get a good family pic.

Cam was chomping at the bit to ride bikes before lunch hence the ready position to run!

So then I thought at least Tor and I could get a good pic together...
Ha! It's just funny to see us without kids in our arms ;)

I see one!!

Checking out the goodies
Haiden was napping during the hunt so he got his own special one when he got up. His favorite were the ones he shook that made noise ;)

a perfect start

I am so thankful being a teacher that we have these breaks throughout the year. To wake up and and not be rushed, to do as the day brings, relax and enjoy the little things(like getting groceries during the day!) and enjoy nights that are not rushed to get ready for the next day is so refreshing.
We have had a perfect start to spring break. Friday we started the day early(no sleeping in around here on vacations!) and were out riding bike by 8:30!

Then we packed a lunch and headed to a park for a picnic and play time.


After some fun slides and swings it was off to get groceries and when we got home we had to try out a new kite.

When Haiden got up we played outside some more and grilled up some steaks for dinner.

Today we went for a bike ride and hike through the woods in the morning before the rain, made some goodies, cleaned out the garage, went swimming at the hotel, did laundry and Haiden did great with only 1 nap--we are working on a new routine for one nap ;)



I am so happy that tomorrow we can celebrate our risen Savior as a family and enjoy being together a whole other week!
He is risen indeed!

over the river and through the woods

We took advantage of the nice weather on a beautiful Sunday and headed to the trails at the Hudsonville Nature Center. Cameron(and his daddy) of course had to take the paths less traveled and go up and down some ravines, over some rivers(okay, little puddles but to Cameron it was cool!) and traverse some tricky logs. As all boys do we had to take a bathroom break. Yes, I OF COURSE took a picture but will save that one for his future wife. It's priceless to say the least. Haiden loves to tag along wherever his brother is and if it's outside it's even better. I can say with certainty that we will be outdoors A LOT this summer.

I can make my own trail through here!
My brother is pretty silly.
To the top of the mountain peek! ha!
Across rugged terrain!
And over raging rivers! (There really was water there!)

The journey is what you make of it ;)

a new trick and spring fever

Can this weather stay please! It has been SO nice getting outside with the boys. Haiden already LOVES it outside and we have been for quite a few walks. Cameron has had his bike, scooter and jeep out already and is chomping at the bit to get out his other summer fun toys. It is so weird to see Cameron on his bike that fit him so well last summer and now it's too small! But he likes it that way because he can peddle faster ;)

Haiden has a new trick.......
He will stand up in the middle of the room and just stand there! He hasn't figured out what to do next and for that I am thankful...I can keep him more contained!

Here we are with a glimpse of what the summer will be(and yes Haiden is buckled in!)
Watch out Mom!!

Any one else notice the pink jeep and camo attire?! Ha!

Mini Vacay

This past Sunday and Monday we unloaded Haiden at G&G Vruggink's and the three of us went on our(or Cameron's) first memorable..at least be better remember...little vacation to Great Wolf Lodge. We had a really good time. It actually was really fun going down the water slides, I was surprised at how fast some of them were! It took Cameron a little bit to get used to it all, but soon we were getting out of the water and up the stairs over and over again to go down the big slides. He also took a liking to the little tykes area as he could touch and swim at the same time. By Monday lunch Tor and I were ready to throw in the towel(ha!) and be dry, warm and not so prune like. I am not sure how he did it, but Cameron held in some sickness while we were gone and Monday night he got sick and is still trying to fight something off. Is Spring here, yet?

We could not get him to look at the camera! The lazy river was one of the first stops.
Torrey or I had to stay pretty close at the beginning.
The once he figured all would be okay and he could touch, life was good!
Catch me!
Hey Aunt Michelle, can you ask Uncle Trent if he can help Daddy find a bear like this one?!

Playtime

The last few days have been fantastic being at home! We really have not done a whole lot which in and of itself is fantastic! We have played, run errands, gone outside for bike rides and walks, ridden 3 wheeler and snowmobile(on what little snow was left), had a sleepover at G&G Roby's and had Cameron's first swimming lesson. Well, I guess that sounds like a lot! Here are the boys enjoying some playtime ;)

Haiden has discovered the cupboards and all the fun things he can take out..over, and over and over again!
Ever since Haiden found out he could take his socks off he won't leave them on! He constantly has one of them in his mouth. I walked into the sunroom and found him climbing in and out of one of the toy tubs with sock in tow.
Then Cameron found out it was fun to push his brother. Haiden liked it, too! Even the few times he was "accidentally" tipped out.
I have really no comment about this picture!! The mind of a 4 year old!
Cameron got Whack-a-Mole for his birthday. He and I were playing when Haiden scurried in to see what the noise was all about. I let him have a mallet, and when I stopped to take the picture it crossed my mind "Was this a good idea? Little person who has no concept of what to do with a mallet and a 4 year old who whacks away at just about anything that moves?" But, all was well. Cameron did graze Haiden a bit and he just put his hand up to his head and gave Cameron such a scowl. It won't be long and he will just as soon whack him right back ;)