H-O-P-E

Hope worked very hard at spelling her own name on the magna-doodle . . . 

She did it!  Good job, Hope!!

Hope's 1st Dance Class!

Hope had her first dance class today!  She is going to Elevation Dance and Fitness and her teacher is Miss Niki.  Niki is a Christian Mom with 3 little kids and she teaches the classes in an awesome dance studio right in her own basement!  Hope really enjoyed her first class today.  She is doing a combo class of ballet and tap.  Hope's friend Abigail is in the class with her so that makes it even better!  Wasn't my little Hopey girl just a baby??  Seriously!

Miniature Golfing with Grandma

Samuel had a special, wonderful date with Grandma - miniature golfing!  This was the first time ever that he had gone.  Of course, he loved it!  They didn't keep score but my Mom said he got quite a few 2s and 3s.  Not bad for a first time!  After miniature golfing they walked over to Culver's for some ice cream.  I love it that Samuel can have special "dates" with his Grandma!

Samuel's 4th Birthday Party

We had a beautiful Sunday afternoon for Samuel's 4th birthday party!  What made it an even better day was that we our new slider is in so people could walk right out onto our deck from our sunroom.  So awesome!!  

Some of Samuel's party guests (from left to right): Tatie, Anna, Great-Aunt Sandy, Grandma Stegink, Great-Grandpa Bishop, Great-Grandpa Stegink, Grandpa Stegink 

Great-Grandma Stegink and Great-Grandma Bishop having a conversation :)

We had marinated chicken and baked potatoes (both on the grill), fruit salad (thanks Great-Grandma Stegink!), Cashew Salad (thanks Grandma Stegink!) and sweet corn straight from the farm (thanks Grandpa and Grandma Buiter!)

Samuel's presents from Grandma and Grandpa Stegink

Samuel could hardly wait to open his presents.  4 year old birthdays are so much fun because this is the first year that he's been really excited and has totally understood what a birthday party is all about!  This race track is from Grandpa and Grandma Stegink.  He's been asking for it for a long time!

A new coat from Grandpa and Grandma Stegink

Fun books (How come I have never heard of Mo Willems before?  That author is a genius!) from Aunt Rachel and Uncle Andrew

A BIG red tractor and trailer from Grandpa and Grandma Buiter!

A hockey shirt from Aunt Danielle, Uncle Dan, Alyx, Madison, and Jordyn.  Jordyn even has the same shirt!!  When we were camping with them in August, Jordyn and Samuel, on the same days, wore their basketball shirts, their baseball shirts, and their soccer shirts.  On the day that Jordyn had a hockey shirt on, Samuel had nothing to wear!  Aunt Danielle was determined to fix that!! :)

A magna-doodle ("magazine") from Aunt Anna

Samuel's soccer cake.  He even put all the little soccer players on by himself!

He's been asking for a soccer cake for months . . . so glad it was an easy cake to make!

My big (and silly!) 4 year old

Singing along with everyone

During his birthday party, Samuel stood on his tiptoes and told me, "Mommy, if I stand on my tippy toes like this, I feel like I'm 5!"  Slooooow down, buddy!!

Blowing out the candles!

In true Samuel fashion, he asked for a big helping of ice cream and declined the cake. :)

Can you tell that he absolutely loved his birthday party?!  

Happy Birthday big boy!  Mommy and Daddy love you and we are so proud of you!!

Mommy's Boy

Me with my big 4 year old boy! I love you, Samuel!

First Day of Soccer!

We signed Samuel up for a "Tiny Tots" soccer program through the City of Kalamazoo.  Today was the first day and he wasn't so sure about it!  It's a good thing Mommy can be out of the field with him!!

Aliyah's Dollhouse

This sweet girl loves playing with her dollhouse . . . and I love to watch her play with it!  She often will ask Daryl or I if we will play with her.  It is her favorite thing to do lately.