Mommy's new bike!

Mommy got a new bike yesterday! She had been wanting one for a long time. Her bike was stolen when we lived in MI. She got a new helmet. I got a new Lighting Mc Queen helmet and it came with a bell. When we got home we had to put it on my bike and then we all headed out for a bike ride.

pictures from March

The Pirate Party Gang!

openning presents from his friends

The Pirate Ship cake, the frosting I used was to heavy.

Grandpa Buck and Grandma Sara got you Chick Hicks Hauler.

The car from Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina and the Pa Bear, Ma Bear, Sister Bear and Brother Bear.

Swimming at Parker's swimming lessons. Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina were able to come and watch.

Making bead art with Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina.

March!

Wow, I can't believe that I almost missed blogging in March, especially when Parker turned four at the beginning of the month. We celebrated Parker's birthday with a Pirate party. He invited four of his friends over for a little party. We put up streamers and set up a world map on the wall and I made a treasure hunt for the kids. Parker and Daddy had gone to the library earlier in the week for pirate books that we then set around the room as decorations. The kids were dropped off at 3:30 and the fun started. We played pin the ship on the ocean that was a huge hit. Then we rolled out cookie dough and made letter cookies that after I baked and let them cool we decorated. Then at 5:30 the parents came back for supper with us and a taste of the Pirate Ship cake I made. It did not turn out the way I had hoped but I will have a second chance as Parker has decided that he will have another Pirate themed birthday next year.

Parker is still really into playing Lighting Mc Queen and that was what he wanted for his birthday. We got him three cars and he got other cars and trailers from his grandparents. A few weeks later we were at Target and he found The King's trailer. This was the one he really wanted and I had looked at over twenty stores and online. I was not willing to pay the crazy price they asked online so Parker didn't get it for his birthday. However, when he found it he was so proud of himself. He kept telling me that I should have just had him look at the stores and he would have found it. He got the trailer and Parker had to pay for most of it out of his money bank.

Both sets of grandparents made a trip here to help us celebrate both Parker and Craig's birthdays. There was lots of playing Cars and trains, and soccer. Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina were even able to see Parker at his swimming lesson.

I had one wisdom tooth taken out and I am glad that it is done and I hope the other three stay deep and never bother me.

Craig has been very busy with church and most nights find him in a meeting of some sort or another. We are all looking forward to a vacation in May.

Snow Pics

Laying in the snow and feeling the cold snow.

Parker and Grandpa Buck snowmen. He wanted to make the whole family, all his grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins. We stopped at just two. The next day they melted down to almost nothing.

The snow piles in the background melted down a little more and then we got a lot more snow. The piles are just huge now. I really hope the temps start going up so that it will melt away. I am very tired of the snow piles now.

Pictures!

Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina sledding down the big hill!

The four cousins look how big they are.

We took Craig's parents sledding down Tuthill in Sioux Falls.

Parker and Great Grandma B in January during our visit for the Worship Symposium.

Bowling with his bright pink ball.

Here is a try to get some pictures posted.

New stuff

Over the past few weeks things have changed here in the Van Hill house. I have started working five hours a week cleaning at the Union. I have gone back to my roots of cleaning big school buildings. Parker loves helping me. He gets to play in the gym or drive his cars on the skate ramps. I have also started tutoring one student and I am looking to tutor more. This makes our lives a little bit busier each week.

This past week we went to MI for the Calvin Symposium on Worship. We drove up on Tuesday night instead of driving up on Wednesday. Parker fell asleep only after seeing the tunnel in Chicago and then the gates on the Skyway. Then he was out. When we got to my parents house he woke up and did not want to go back to sleep. The next day we spent Craig's day off checking out the Thrift stores in GR. I found a green Bill and Paul's Sporthaus Tee Shirt just like the ones my Dad wore when he was playing soccer. We also went to Russ' and orders by phone. Parker thought that was just cool. Then we stopped by Hobby Lobby and Craig and Parker picked out a model to make together. It is a gas truck and Parker loves it.

The next morning Craig went to Calvin and Parker woke up with the start of a cold. He didn't want to go anywhere and he would only sit in my lap or lay on the couch. His cold only got worse as the week went on. We had to cancel our plans and stay home during the day and at night.

My Dad stayed home with Parker on Friday so I could go and see my Grandma's. I love visiting them.

Hanging out at Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina

We went to visit with Grandpa Gil and Grandma Alina a few weeks ago. We had a blast hanging out with them. We spent time playing truck and showing Grandpa and Grandma how their train set worked. I love all the different toys that they have. I also got to play with my cousins. I loved playing house and cars. My two favorite things were sledding with Grandpa and Grandma on Tuthill and playing the bouncy house at Pizza Ranch with my cousins.

( I can't get my pictures to load.)