Great Wolf Lodge

Not loving the life jacket
Grandma and Johanna


Loving the jets
Tall, lanky boy...definitely not a Vander Vliet:)

For my parents 60th birthdays and 40th wedding anniversary, the whole Vander Vliet family headed up North to The Great Wolf Lodge for a few days of relaxation and fun. We went up on Sunday and played in the waterpark for awhile. We were all quite hungry, except for me because I might have bought nachos at the park:), so we went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner. LP was getting a bit cranky as it was WAY past his bedtime and all the Christmas parties made him get way off schedule. After an hour and a half of trying to get him to sleep, he finally caved so that Brad and I could go down to my parents rooms and play some Catchphrase with my very competitive family.

Monday we went to the park for a while and then Brad watched LP while I went to the mall for a bit. I found some crazy good deals at Gymboree, so I was there a bit longer than I had planned on. Monday night we went out to the Jolly Pumpkin for my dad's 60th birthday. We were fortunate to get babysitters for the night so we had a kidfree night. Unfortunately we also had a Colin-free night because Henry had gotten sick before we left and they didn't feel right about leaving him with a sitter...especially one he didn't know:). After a great dinner, followed by some arcade time, we resorted to my parents room for another round of Catchphrase.

We packed up early Tuesday morning and took LP to the waterpark for one last hurrah. He wasn't loving it that early in the morning, so we headed out of Traverse by noon. Overall we had a wonderful time. Thanks, mom and dad for a great couple of days!

Vander Vliet Christmas 2009

Thinking he was being naughty by taking the ornament off the tree


LP and Grandma

We headed over to my parents house on Christmas day for a crazy, packed day of fun. We started the day with the "counting of the coins." I have to say that I was the proud winner this year. I am saving half of the earnings to go towards a double stroller and the other half has been donated to World Vision. After the coins, we ate a Prime Rib dinner that was very yummy. We let the kids open their presents right after dinner (after being asked 25 times if it was time to open presents yet:)). Abigail got the most annoying toy...EVER...from my parents. She got a play microphone. Of course this was the perfect gift for little Miss Performer, but I have to say that we were all graced with her beautiful singing and antics for the rest of the night:)! LP got some great new toys and was, once again, spoiled by all!

Christmas Morning 2009

We celebrated Christ's birth as a family of three on Christmas morning. We woke up around 8:00 and went downstairs by the tree. We only got LP a few presents as we knew he would be more than spoiled by both of our families. He opened a Little Peoples school, two ornaments, and a remote control car. He LOVED the remote control car and carries the remote all over the house. I got Brad a couple of shirts and an ornament and he got me a purse and an ornament. After a quick time of presents, we got ready and headed off to church. There is not a service I enjoy more than a Christmas day service and I was thrilled with the fact that we got to sing a lot of Christmas songs. LP wasn't quite as thrilled about being in the nursery during the service, but he survived:)!

Kuipers Christmas 2009

Cousins
Stocking Time

A Favorite Among the Presents
Can you tell they're related?
No, this wasn't Brad's present:)
Sitting Still....for Once
Adorable matching pajamas
Grandma and Grandpa's Boys


We went to Brad's family's house on Christmas Eve for a day of fun, food, and presents. It was a bit crazier this year with two little ones, but so much fun. LP got way more than was necessary but I think he will truly love every present he got. He especially loves his Megablocks and his lawnmower. I know that he will absolutely love his RadioFlyer bike once Summer comes. We even got some presents for the baby! The food was great, as always and we had a wonderful day.

Visiting Santa

LP visited Santa for the first time this past Saturday at Home and Company in Holland. He wasn't too sure of Santa, but he really didn't cry either. He kept looking at Santa and studying him. Of course we got no real smiles from Mr. man, but we did get a couple adorable pics.

Another Little Peanut to Love!

We are so thrilled to announce that LP will become a big brother in May of 2010! I am currently about 14 weeks pregnant with baby #2. We are so excited and thrilled to have two little ones in the house. We were a bit surprised how quickly I became pregnant this time because of all the trouble we had to get LP. We are so thankful that we did not have to go through invitro again for so many reasons. We are thrilled beyond belief and can't wait to find out the sex as soon as possible.

There have been some people who have asked if we would prefer a girl or a boy. I don't think anyone ever truly answers that question honestly for fear of people thinking they are not grateful for having a healthy baby either way. Anyway, we honestly do not care either way with this baby. A boy would be so much fun as it would give LP a brother only 18 months apart. A girl would be a blessing so that we would get to experience being parents to both a daughter and a son. Either way, we are praying for a very healthy baby to join our family next year.

First Birthday Party!

We celebrated LP's birthday on Sunday, November 15 with family and friends. We had a wonderful time and LP is so blessed to have such a good group of friends and family who love him so much. Thanks to everyone who came to the party and to those who helped with food as well. It was such a great day!

Chuck E Cheese's

This post is WAY overdue. Things have been a bit crazy around here lately and I haven't found much time to blog. Anyway, LP turned 1 on November 11. We celebrated by taking him to Chuck E Cheese. We invited his cousins, his Aunts, and his grandmas. He enjoyed his time much more than we thought. Here are some pics of the highlights of the night!



Bloody lip from crazy rides:)


Cousin Johanna joining the action


Cousin Eli hanging out


Favorite ride of the evening - a bucking horse!


The face we got when the horse stopped "bucking"

Swinging in November

With such unseasonably warm weather lately, we have really enjoyed being outside. LP had his first picnic with mommy yesterday. It was a ton of fun until mommy went inside to get something and came out to LP enjoying a side of dirt for lunch:).

Today we went to the park and LP got to swing for the first time in a couple of months. He was giggling and smiling from ear to ear the entire time...until it was time to leave:). Hopefully this weather stays around for a couple more days...or weeks...or months!



Done swinging and NOT happy about it!

First Haircut

After months of being bald, LP finally has enough hair to warrant a haircut. So...we did what any parents would do for our son's first haircut...we took him to Jude's. I really thought it would be nice to go to see our neighbor or Ms. Jordan for his first haircut, but Brad insisted that the occasion be spent at Jude's with his daddy. Don't worry, they no longer give out Pabst Blue Ribbon, nor does the children's haircut include the straight razor treatment:).

LP was a little unsure about the situation at first. He warmed up after a few minutes and spent his time very curious about what was happening around him. The haircut turned out to be adorable and Mr. Man is starting to look so grown up!

(Sorry the pics are out of order. I have been fighting with this post and this is as good as it gets:))

Finished Product



Notice the Playboy poster...so classy. This may be the last haircut here until college:)!