This is only a test.

I got a new flip video camera and I am trying to figure out how to put the video on my blog. So that way you can see the gang.

Update!

A lot has happened in the VanderLinden household in the last few weeks. First, we rented out our house in Heber and moved. We put our house up for rent Thursday night, had a contract by Friday, and had to be out in 2 weeks. We are now living with Symen and Tracee, in West Jordan. It was hard to leave our perfect Heber, however, the Lord has blessed so much that it is hard to be sad. During our 2 week move, Emilee started school in West Jordan (they go year round here) so we had a crazy last week of going back and forth to Heber around school schedules.

Emilee is off to 2nd grade. I seriously have no idea when that girl grew up. She is so full of life, she wants to do everything and not miss out on one thing life has to offer her. She lives for now and enjoys every minute of day. She is a amazing girl, the world is hers for the taking.

Garrit started kindergarten. Yes, my little man is off to school. The day before school started Garrit had his kindergarten assessment. He came out and said "Mom, I pretty much know everything. Kindergarten is going to be so easy." The first day of school Symen was a little worried that he might not go to school as easily as Emilee did. However, he was excited and ready to go. As we walked closer to his classroom he got a little quieter and a little closer to me. I asked "Garrit, are you nervous?" he said "No, Mom." I reassured him that he was going to have so much fun and that he got to play on the playground. And as soon as he saw the playground he was gone. The only tears shed that day were from Mom. He is so fun to be around, he is our little family clown and lover. He always has a smile and I love you for you.

Zane is officially potty trained. I would not recommend trying to potty train while moving and being pregnant. However, he caught on quick. He is getting bigger and bigger everyday. He has a hard time every morning when we take the kids to school, he does not understand why he can't go to school also. He loves to be with his sister and brother. Zane is my buddy, he repeats a lot of my sayings. One night at dinner he asked for strawberry milk, I said "Sorry, buddy we are all out." He hung his head and said "For the love." Zane is so fun, everyone that meets him, just loves him.

Symen, is doing good. Now that the move is over, things are starting to settle into place. He now is able be to home from work in time for dinner and homework. I love having him home, I didn't realize how much I missed having him be part of our night time routine.

As for me I am doing good. I am heading into my 32nd week of pregnancy. I am feeling really good. I am getting excited about our little guy coming soon. I am having a hard time believing that I will have a newborn and going through all the stages again. It will be great, I want to enjoy it as much as possible because

he will be my last baby.

Things have been crazy the last few weeks for us, however, we are doing great.

Oh, Happy Day!

Zane is potty trained.

We have been working on this little task for 4 days now. Today he woke up dry and has been telling me when he needs to go to the bathroom. We even were in the car and he had to go. He was able to hold it until we got to a bathroom. My little man is no longer a baby, he is now a little kid.

Lavender Days

Janette, Jim, Jake, and Emma came up to Utah for a visit. While they were here we went to the Young Living Lavender Farms for Lavender Days. Janette, Jim, and Symen all ran in the 5K and I walked it with the kids and to my surprise I was not the last one done. It was so pretty walking through the purple fields, the weather was perfect it was over cast and cool. After the run Janette and the kids picked fresh lavender, so we could dry it and have the great smell of lavender in our homes. After our run we went back to camp, had breakfast, the kids swam, then we went to Heber and topped it off with a Granny's shake. What a great day.

So in love...

I love my husband. Things for the last 6 months have been pretty crazy for us, through it all we have been able to maintain. I am amazed by Symen, because watching what he has gone through and how he has come out of it a better man, is amazing. He is so focused on doing what is best for our family, he often put needs aside. He is the foundation in my life and our family. Watching him with the kids brings so much joy to my heart, I can't wait till Krew (the new baby) is old enough to join in on the night "rumble match". I am married to my best friend and I love it everyday.

Family is Forever.

Janette and Jim took out their endowment in the Mesa Temple on June 12th. I really have no words to describe what a great day this was. To watch my sister and her husband grow in the church and lead their children by example with pure love is just amazing.

Then on June 13th, Janette and Jim brought Andrew, Brett, Jake, and Emma with them to the temple to be sealed as an eternal family. I had no words to describe the endowments, however, watching them kneel together all in white was breath taking. It truly was a picture taken right out of heaven.

Disneyland

While in AZ for our month long vacation, we tagged along with Janette and her crew to Disneyland for 3 days. I know I don't have many pictures of Emilee and Garrit and I have more of Zaner, however, Emilee and Garrit NEVER stopped. They had so much fun with their cousins.

The older kids were great. They helped my carry and keep track of Garrit and Zane.

Zane is not a fan of sharing his churro. I asked for a bite and he cried. Not really sure why he wanted his hands up, but I could not get him to put the down.
3 happy kids after the first ride of the day. Janette and Jim watched Zane while the rest of us went on the rafting ride. They were smart. They stayed dry and we all were wet.
Garrit and Jake were buddies.
Janette was a little tried from all the walking. Zane never missed a opportunity for soda, popcorn, churros, or any kind of food.

Sisters. All the kiddos Happy 12th Birthday Jake. While in CA we had Jake's birthday.

The kids loved Splash Mountain. On the last day the did it 3 or 4 times in a row.

Zane and I were in the right place at the right time. We were waiting for the rest of crew and out comes the parade of characters. We were the first to see Mickey and we had very short lines for Donald and Chip and Dale.

He got a kiss from Mickey, Chip and Dale pretended to be dinosaurs, and Donald gave him a big hug.

We had a blast. Emilee went on every ride she possibly could go on. She even did Screaming California, the one that goes upside down. Garrit, as scared as he is did all the rides he could go on. Unfortunately, the one he was not tall enough for was Indiana Jones. But, he did Space Mountain and he loved Star Tours. Zane was a trooper. He loved all the rides he went on and he did fine waiting for the kids while the went on a rides. The kids definitely made some fun memories with their cousins.

Thanks Mom and The Nelson's for letting us tag along.