Happy 13th Birthday Rosie Jo!

We had a small group at the cemetery this year for Rosemary's 13th birthday.  And it was a cold and rainy day!  But neither of those things mattered.  What was important to me is that we were there, remembering my little sister on what would have been her 13th birthday.  It's hard to believe that she would have entered become a teenager this year!  I still think of her as my little girl, my little princess.  I miss her chubby little hands that I loved to hold, her thick thick hair that I loved to comb, her silly smile when her eyes would roll way back into her head, and her random jerks and snorty sounds that we would laugh about.  I can't believe she's been gone from this earth for almost 4 years.  I miss her so much.  But I know that if I could catch a glimpse into her life up in Heaven right now that I would never ever want her to leave or ask her to come back.  I love you Rosie Jo!  You are my Princess!!

 (Aliyah fell into a bush.  We may have all been laughing as my Mom took this picture!  Haha!)

 Singing Happy Birthday to Rosie and then letting the balloons go.

Celebrating at my parent's house with a cake.

(**The kids had a blast at the cemetery running around and in between all of the gravestones.  Samuel and Savannah were playing games - chasing each other, hiding from each other, etc.  Now, whenever we drive past a cemetery, Aliyah points at it and says "games! games!")

Memorial Day Weekend: Day 4

We left Kevin and Karin's house around 9:45 this morning (Memorial Day!) and headed for Neil and Mom's house.  We enjoyed a couple of hours with Mom and Neil and a delicious lunch before taking off for the long drive back to Kalamazoo!

When we got there, Grandpa was out in the fields driving his tractor.  Hope was the only one brave enough to go for a ride with Grandpa.  Can you see how big her smile is?!

Aliyah loved swinging at Grandma's house.  I think it's almost time to buy her a big girl swing and forget about the baby swing! :(

Grandpa took us over to the barn so that we could feed the cows.

Samuel needed a little encouragement at first.

But then he got the hang of it and had so much fun feeding all of the cows!

Hope didn't want to get too close . . . 

Headed home.  Love the sunglasses, Hope!

This is Aliyah's "don't mess with me" look ;)

They were all great in the car!  The DVD player may have had a small something to do with that!  Samuel started out the weekend by saying "I don't want to go to that house" and "I just want to stay in the van" to loving and enjoying almost every minute of playing with his cousins and getting to know his Aunts and Uncles better!  It was a special trip that we all really enjoyed!

Memorial Day Weekend: Day 3

Sunday was spent at Kevin and Karin's house.  It was great to reconnect with them and get to know our nieces and nephews better!  It was chaotic but not too crazy.  The kids all played together really well and we all had a wonderful time.

Running in the green space across the street from Kevin and Karin's house.  This picture was taken right before we walked to Church.

In the afternoon we took a hike down to the river.  Karin stayed home with Wilona but everyone else went.  By this time, Hope and Selah were the best of friends and were calling each other "Princess".  Too cute!

Creepy the similarities between the two brothers (Kevin and Daryl) in this picture.

They were often lagging behind everyone else, sharing flowers or giving each other hugs, or just giggling.  They were absolutely precious to watch. :)

My beautiful girl down at the river.

Walking across the log with Daddy.

Hope's turn - she had the best balance out of the three.

And now Samuel's turn!

It was a perfect day for a Sunday afternoon hike.

Giggling and running.  Typical for the two princesses. :)

Samuel shouting "Waaaaait!!!"

Samuel tried so hard to keep up with the "big boys".  He did really well and they were so good to him, especially Ephraim!  His absolute favorite thing to play at their house was soccer on the trampoline with Ephraim.  I was super impressed at how well Ephraim played with him.  They had a lot of fun together.

Samuel took this picture. :)

Later in the afternoon, Rodney and Val and Zahara came over.  They brought presents since they are never able to make it to the kids' Birthday parties.  You can always count on Aunt Val for a stylin' hat!

  

Cute sunglasses too!

Aliyah loves "baby 'hara" and looks at pictures of her all of the time.  She was thrilled to actually be able to "hold" her!

Freeze pops for everyone!

Hope got a chance to hold Zahara too!

Some good conversation in the bathroom while the kids took their baths!

Selah and Hope slept in the same room.  The second night, Selah shared some of her pajamas with Hope.  We had to go up numerous times after they were tucked into bed to tell them that it was time to be quiet and to stop talking and giggling.  Best friends forever!! :)

Noel and Samuel.  So special to have a weekend with cousins!

Memorial Day Weekend: Day 2 {Toronto Zoo}

We got to the Toronto Zoo earlier than everyone else so that we could enjoy a couple hours as a family.  The ride was uneventful except for stopping on the side of a 10 lane (at least!) expressway to let Samuel go potty.  Thank goodness he's a boy!!  

A warm day, sunglasses on, and ready for the zoo!

Watching the polar bears.  In the days leading up to this trip, Samuel kept talking about seeing the polar bears.  He was so excited!  That was where he wanted to go right when we got there.  We got there at a perfect time because they were just getting ready to feed them.  The kids had fun watching the polar bears swim around to get the fish to eat.  Dessert was cantaloupe!  

They even had a baby polar bear!

Aliyah wanted to be just like the flamingos.  I think she fits right in!

Joining the birthday party on the polar patio for some cupcakes!

My little niece, Zahara.  It was her Daddy's birthday party!

Happy 40th Birthday to Rodney!

Hope with her Grandpa.  She was dancing and singing while holding onto Grandpa's hand.  So sweet!

After cupcakes we walked around the African area with Kevin and Karin and their 4 kids.  Samuel, Ephraim, and Hope loved watching the giraffes.

Aliyah fell asleep and missed the giraffes, lions, penguins, hyenas, and a couple of other animals.

They didn't have fun at all. ;)

My nephew, Noel.  One of my favorite pictures from the weekend!

Watching the two rhinoceroses.  We had a little lesson in their amazing toilet skills.  Haha!

Taking a break by the elephants.

Playing with Aunt Danielle.  I love the facial expressions in this picture!

Watching the elephants.  They weren't super active.  Probably because of the heat!

From left to right: Daryl's sister Val holding Samuel, Daryl's sister Danielle holding Hope, Me with Aliyah, Daryl's sister-in-law Karin with Selah and Ephraim.

Rodney and Zahara.

The polar bears were Samuel's favorite animal until he saw the Tiger.  He loved watching the Tiger!  He told me, "Mommy, he looks just like Shere Khan from the Jungle Book!"  

After we were done at the zoo, we went out for pizza with Kevin and Karin and their kids.  Then we followed them back to their house, gave the kids quick baths (b/c it was already after 9!) and put them to bed so that they'd be ready for Church in the morning!