Go Hawks!!

Ryan and I went to the Iowa Hawkeye football game this past Saturday. It was great having a little grown-up time! We brought the kids to my mom & dad's house bright and early and then they got to go over to Uncle Kurtis and Aunt Lisa's in the afternoon and play with their cousins. Luke was bragging that he got to get up at 5:00 in the morning. Hmmm....I didn't think that part was so great. Luke got to help Grandpa move a tree and they went and visited Great Grandpa and Grandma. The game was a lot of fun. I had never been to Kinnick Stadium before because usually Ryan goes without me. Unfortunately they lost. Better luck next time!

Look what we can do!

Drew & Lauren tried out their Bumbo's for the first time yesterday and did great sitting in them. I think they like being able to sit up and look around at all the action. They're getting better at holding toys, too, but they don't really play with them.
Drew also rolled over for the first time today!! They were having tummy time this morning and he rolled over onto his back. He did it four times and then he was tuckered out and needed a nap. It's hard work being a baby!

Funny stuff...

The other day the kids and I were talking about heaven. I asked them where we would go live someday when we die, and Reagan promptly replied, "West Des Moines?". I said that we would get to live forever in heaven with Jesus and Luke excitedly responded, "Chuck E. Cheese's?". The next day he told me that when he lives in heaven someday he's never going to sleep and he's going to set a world record for not sleeping. Quite high aspirations he has!!
One more funny. Lucas had his first homework assignment last week. It was a paper all about him. The last statement said, "I can do ________________ by myself." After much thoughtful consideration, Luke responded, "I can wipe my butt by myself." I was quite amused but made him come up with something else.:)

3 months old

My 3 men

Drew falls asleep like this all the time. I put him in the carrier facing forward so he can look around and then he dozes off. I just thought it was pretty funny.

Drew & Lauren are almost 3 months old. We took them to get their 3 month pictures taken last Saturday, but none of them really turned out. We did get one of them together, so I thought I'd take some individuals on my own when we got home. I got a couple of cute ones.

Luke's First Day of School

Ready to go!

Anna and Lucas

Ready to go wait with the other kids.

Lucas started his first day of preschool last week. He was excited to finally get to go to school. He had his backpack on for at least 45 minutes before it was time to leave. He wishes he could ride his bike or the bus there, which would make it all the more interesting! He's going to school at our church preschool and has already been teaching us new songs and telling us of new friends. Actually, he tells Ryan about new friends; I can never coax much out of him.:) Tomorrow he gets to be the leader and bring a snack and an item to share. We've hit the big time now!

Minnesota....here we come!

Luke in the boat

What a day!

Luke's first tube ride with Grandpa.

Lauren and Drew like to swing in the hammock.

The sunsets are always pretty by the lake.

Yum....marshmallows!

Drew taking a nap in the hammock.

Grandma Renee and Lauren

The kids loved riding in the boat.

Uh Oh....watch out for that rock!!

Luke and Grandpa Mike on the wave runner.

The kids playing in the sand.

Reagan swinging.

The kayak was a new toy to ride in this year at the cabin.

Oooohhh...the wind in my hair.

Hang on !!

Reagan wasn't really sleeping, she just didn't want her picture taken.

We took our first big trip up to Orange City and the cabin over Labor Day weekend. The kids all did great on the car ride there and back, which was a huge blessing. It could have been a long day otherwise. We stayed in Orange City Thursday night and visited the Great Grandparents, Aunt Cindy and friends on Friday morning. We took off for the cabin on Friday afternoon. The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. The kids couldn't get enough of swimming, riding in the boat, the kayak, and the waverunner. I thought the water was a little chilly, but I did go swimming some on Sunday.:) We went to the outdoor church service at the campground on Sunday morning, and then headed home Monday. Lucas and Reagan would have stayed for days longer, but real life was calling!

One fish, two fish....or just a turtle.

One of the highlights of going to Grandpa and Grandma Noteboom's cabin is fishing. Luke got a spiderman fishing pole last year and couldn't wait to try it out again this year. He doesn't really have the attention span to sit there for long periods of time without reeling his line in. He claims he has to check if the bait is still on the hook. He's getting pretty good at casting that way though! They didn't catch anything, but it's always fun to try. Last year, Luke didn't catch any fish, but he did catch a turtle! Reagan liked hanging out on the dock with them. Maybe next year she can give it a try.
On a side note....the outfit Luke is wearing was picked out entirely by him. He had it packed in his suitcase for days before we left. He even had on camoflauge socks and shoes!

Ahhhh....so cute.

Wide eyed and wondering....

How can he sleep like that??

A picnic lunch on the deck.

Drew has started sucking his thumb. It's making our life a little easier because it's hard to hold two babies and keep their pacifiers in at the same time!

"I love my babies!" is Reagan's favorite thing to say lately.

I thought I'd add a few miscellaneous pictures that I thought were cute. I do have to say that I did this entire entry with Lauren on my lap. I'm getting pretty good at multi-tasking!!

The Great Outdoors...

Playing Bocce Ball with Grandpa

Cordova Tower used to be a water tower. It has 170 steps and stands 106 feet above the ground. It was a great view!

Lucas made it halfway up the spiraling steps and then Ryan carried him on his shoulders the rest of the way~

Half of our family!!:) The other 3 stayed with Grandma.

Jaren and Luke observing the observation tower.

My niece Bethany posing with Reagan.

Lauren sitting in the stroller.

Drew loves the outdoors.

Grandpa making monkey bread.

Come and get it!

A few weeks ago we went camping with my family near Red Rock Lake in Pella. The kids were so excited to go and we had a great time. The weather couldn't have been better. We enjoyed spending time outdoors relaxing, playing on the playground, climbing Cordova Tower and spending time with our family. Drew, Lauren, and I slept in my parent's camper and Ryan stayed with Lucas, Reagan, and Dexter in the tent. I think it was a toss up as to which parent got the most sleep!:)