Easter.

We got to spend Easter in Arizona. Janette helped the kids color eggs. For some reason when I think of my sister, Easter eggs are always something I think about. To me she is the Easter egg guru. I have no idea why.

The kids all colored thier Easter eggs, all except Zane. He slept through the excitment.

Easter morning the kids were up and ready to find eggs. Just like Christmas, Zane did not want to sit with his brother and sister for a picture. So I got one of Emilee and Garrit together and one of Zane.

Emilee's 1st grade program.

For weeks Emilee practiced around the house singing about 3 or 4 different songs. I really was confused on what she was going to be doing in her schoool program. Her class sang a song together, then she was picked to do a song with other selected 1st graders from different classes, kinda of like a finale to the show.

Her class sang "It's great to be a sailor." It was really cute. I wish I had a video camera.

Then she sang with the selected others "I am going to be a movie star".

The whole program was really cute. Each class sang a song about what they could be when they grew up. After the program I got lots of compliments about Emilee and how great she did. I think she would enjoy more drama classes than dance. She defiantly is a star.

Garrit's new love...

Garrit is my picky eater. His favorite meal of the day is breakfast. Junior made me french toast for breakfast (my first pregnancy request). After one bite the kid was in love. The rest of the week Garrit asked Dad for french toast. However, around our house french toast is a weekend thing. So, Dad promised Garrit french toast the next weekend. Symen had to leave the house Saturday morning by 7 a.m. Garrit asked to be woken up to help dad make french toast. And he did. The boy was up at 6:30 to enjoy his french toast.

Zane's new hat.

Mr. Zane is really into dinosaurs. I went into this little baby store in Provo and Zane found this dinosaur hat. Of course, I had to buy it for him. He wears it ALL the time. The first few nights he slept in it.

I love it because it wears it to the side or backwards because he can't see if it is the front.

The hat is no longer that bright. We have had it for about a month now.

Happy Birthday Zaner!

It is hard to believe that Zane is only turning 2. It feels like he should be 5 or 6. Sometimes I think he is older then Garrit. This year we did a combined birthday party with Symen's cousin little girl, Hannah. She also turned 2 in February.

Earlier in the day Zane "helped" me make birthday cakes.

I love the look on his face. This is the VanderLinden Look, I get this from Junior, Senior, and Tyson. "What?" Of course, he was wearing his new birthday shirt from Grandma Becky. Luckily, the chocolate cake came out just fine.

Zane and Hannah with their birthday cakes. I thought I was being cute by making these little 3 layer cakes. Yeah, well it ended up being a leaning tower.

Zane did a great job blowing out his candle, however, he blew it out before we got Hannah's lit.

He was not happy when we re-lit the candle.

But what makes a kid feel better. Mountain Dew.

Zane really enjoyed opening his gifts. He got a truck, pj's, books, a puzzle, a dinosaur, and more dinosaurs. Zane says "Sonto" instead of dinosaur.

The first time I held Zane I could feel his spirit bursting from his little body. And 2 years later his spirit is still bursting out of him. He is so full of life. He has no fear, he jumped off the top bunk last week. And he thinks he can do whatever his big sister and big brother can do. He is a special spirit and I am blessed to be his mom.

Happy Birthday Zaner!

P.S. if you are wondering what is on his head. Its magic marker. He thought he would put on a little make-up. This is way I am exhausted at the end of the day.

Surprise, Surprise...

October 12th is when will be expecting our little surprise baby. This might not be the best timing for us, however, this baby has a lesson to teach us. I have always wanted 4 kids, now that I am pregnant. I wondering how in the world will I handle this. With all that is going on in my life right now I am happy for this little blessing. It reminds me why we are here on this earth.

Needless to say Emilee is VERY excited. Of course, she would love a little sister. The other day she was playing on the computer when I hear "MOM!" I was worried so I ran to see what had happen. "What Em." her reply was "Mom, where are we going to put the baby in car? We only have 5 spots." Emilee is wise beyond her years. She will be a great help.

Garrit for about 4 days said "Mom, you are not going to have baby." Finally, on Monday he said "Mom, you are going to have a baby. Its going to be a girl." I told him, "Well, it could be a boy" In his confident voice he says "No Mom, its a girl I am smarter then the doctors and I say its a girl."

Can't wait to find out what our little baby will be like.

Remember when...

Emilee was little.

I remember the night I took this picture. Symen was not home for some reason and it was just me and Em. I had just picked up her new bows from the ribbion store and just had to put on after bath. I could never pass up the oportinity for a photo shoot.

It is hard to remember what life was like with just Emilee. She was such a good baby. Always happy and smiling. I thought life was busy taking care of one little baby. Man alive, I had no idea what busy was.

I love Emilee so much. She is a GREAT kid. She loves to help out and take care of her brothers, she is a good student (getting all A's), and makes friends with everyone. She is my angle and I am very blessed to be her mother. (Even, though sometimes I have to aske the question "Who's the mom?")