Garrit turns 5!

Last years birthday was all about Star Wars, this year it was all about Indiana Jones.

For Garrit's birthday I took him and his friend "Big Zane" to Chucky Cheese for lunch. They got to have 100 tokens to spend. They thought they would never run out, then 30 minutes later they were gone. So of course I got them so more. They had a blast playing games and playing in the jungle gym. After lunch, Grandma and Grandpa VanderLinden came up for dinner. We of course made Garrit's favorite, spaghetti and garlic bread. After dinner we had some neighbors come over for cake and gifts. For his birthday he wanted the whip, hat, gun, and bag from Indiana Jones. I have to post a picture of him in it because he is dang cute in it. All in all, Garrit had a great day.

Garrit is such a fun little guy. He loves his family and Jesus. He is my deep thinker and lover. He is always there with a hug and I love you.

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Emilee turns 7!

For Emilee's birthday this year she had a few girlfriends come over to the house and make bracelets. They made bracelets, played games, and had snacks. Its great that she is getting to the point were her friends and her can entertain themselves. They had a great time.

It is hard to believe that Emilee is 7! Where does the time go. She is such a great kid. She gets good grades at school, helps others with there work, and has a hard time not talking.

At home she is in charge. She has no problem telling the boys what they should or should not be doing. She loves to sing and dance. Her imagination is endless. The other day Symen asked Emilee "Who is your best friend" her reply was "I don't have a best friend, everyone is my friend." She is so loving and kind.

Happy Birthday Peanut!

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.