Her First Pink Car

On her car from Grandpa and Grandma.

Think we shall have lots of fun with this car in the future!

Ten Months!!

It's getting harder to take Laura's pictures, as she doesn't want to sit still very long.

Everything is a game. :) I remember these few months - from 7-11 being, active couch "sessions".

It only lasts for a couple minutes, and it's busy. :) But cute.

 

Laura's latest:

-Climbing up all the stairs

-Folding her hands to pray

-Climbing up the bunk bed later

-Singing

-Saying da-da

-Crawling as fast as she can to the toilet to play in the water

(even when you're chasing her)

-Experiencing her first pigtail (antennae)

-Still loves playing in water. (bathtub is a splasher's dream) She doesn't mind at all to fall right in, and get soaked; just turns over and gets right back with hardly missing a breath. 

Grandpa & Grandma's Visit

My parents came to visit for a whole week. We were so excited. Counting down the days til' "Grandma and Grandpa" would be here. Mom and Dad were on their way home from the quartet convention in Kentucky, so they made us a "stop" on the way home. And we were so glad. We think it should be an annual tradition. :)

They arrived on a Monday night, and after supper, brought out some lovely treasures for us all.

Laura got blessed with her own ride on car! Dad and Mom had found it at Cracker Barrel for 80% off - an amazing deal. It's so cute, and Laura is quite please with her own toy....

....and so was Erik.

For the first few days, it was a bit busy, as the kids all wanted their turns to ride it - now it has calmed down, and they all enjoy it, but thankfully, not all at once. :)

Grandma spent some time every day with Katie, helping her with her school.

My mom is such a good teacher with her. :)

With little Laura outside.

Grandpa showing them how the "Hoover Craft" thingy works that he brought for them.

Don't you love Katie's hair - she's into, "doing it herself". :)

Then the guys did a major miracle to our home. They poured a cement step where our mud pies used to be baked...what a delight! I didn't think they'd be able to get all that down in a few hours, but they did, and what a help that will be to have things fixed up (eventually) on our front step and driveway. You'll have to see the after pictures in about a month!

My hardworking dad.

Katie and Laura with their matching dresses that came from Uncle Andrew and Aunt Becca when Laura was first born. They can finally wear them now - aren't they adorable? :)

Grandpa, indulging his grandson with THE book on tractors, trains, and all things that have wheels - Erik's favorite book - Richard Scarry's "Things that Go" and two more that are in one combined and abused book. :)

Katy and Mom reading more of a girl book - kinda. :)

We had a couple more days with mom and dad, and then they left. Sigh... it goes by too quickly.

We did get in some wonderful discussions, fun times, and practiced a song to sing for Sunday - "Burden's are Lifted At Calvary" - with Dad, Mom, James and I. It was so nice to sing with them again. Mom and Dad spoiled us by taking us to a lovely restaurant one day, and we just enjoyed them so much. Then it's over...

All of a sudden, they're getting into the car, and you realize that... wait. You may not see them for another year...and then the goodbye gets hard. Really hard. And then you have tears, and so does mom, but she's trying so hard not too.... they leave, and then you cry on James for just a bit.

And then continue on.

I'm happy, they're happy - we just miss each other.

Cause being with family is so special.

And Baby Makes Four

Meet Skittles, our newest little darling. :)
Due the beginning of March 2014.

This little one is the reason why the blog has left alone for so long. :) Thanks to you all for continuing to check to see if any life did exist over here!

I never knew I could be so tired. I guess with three other little ones, you should expect that you would be more tired. Duh. :)

I'm thankful that the sickness time is almost over, as I'm 15 weeks. Still some nausea and exhaustion, but I see some light at the end of the first trimester.

I really didn't think this one would make it this far. I was sick, and extremely tired, but didn't think I was sick enough to "keep" the little one. So it was kind of a hopeless time, and rather dark.

But God gave us a miracle, and at 10.5 weeks, Sarah found the baby's heartbeat... what a shock to me, and an absolute delight. Sickness is worth it, and we'll see where God leads with this new little life.

Mud Pies & Neighbors

Katy loves it, when her neighbor friends come over and make mud pies... these girls had fun.

The last mud pie event, before the new step went in a couple weeks later. :)

Good to get to know, and spend a bit of time with the people around us.

First Day of School!!

Well, I've been a teacher for one week, of a very cute JK girl.

Katelyn loves her school work, and can't wait to do it every day.

Thus begins the days of homeschooling for this family - we'll see how God leads us.

The perfect little homeschooler - jean jumper and all. Poor girl. What her mother does to her.

She was so excited to start JK, and has done really well.

Working on her lines...

Proud to be doing school.

Saturday at Home

A Saturday morning singing time with the two guitars. :)

Erik playing his favorite "Speak O Lord" song.

Katie working hard on her coloring. (you can tell by the tongue)

Sticker head - must be compliment of a sibling.

Sad face of a boy who ate it all...

1st Hairdo

At almost 10 months, we get to do a little "antennae". :)

I was thrilled. :) I had to wait 2 years for Katie's first pigtails.

And it gives her cute personality some zing!

Cuteness does Exist

Ice-Cream Prize

We all went out for ice-cream with the prizes that Katie won at VBS for learning her verses. We all enjoyed some cold treats at the end of the summer.

Rub a Dub

Katie went to Bible Study with James, and these two had a bath. :)

Laura loves her water - she doesn't mind getting soaked, and falling over.

Erik had a water book that she wanted, so she literally wrestled Erik to get in - it turned into a fun game for them. I got it on video - proves that she can hold her own with Erik.

Wrapped up.

Well, the picture I had in mind, didn't work out - but still, they're sweet.

Our NY Vacation

The start of the Heikoop family vacation.

We were all supposed to meet up by 11:00 a.m. at Henry and Heathers...and we pulled in at 11:30 a.m. - and were first.... and everyone started trickling in until 1 p.m. But he, that's just life. :) We visited, and eventually, we all rolled out.

The caravan of cars gearing up to go.

Dear Diane.

During the car ride.... it took about 6 hours to get there. Some bathroom breaks and snack moments helped make it doable for the kids. We got to the cottage when it was dark, so we all unpacked, and had a comforting supper Heather had made for us... the start to a week of great food. :)

The cottage we rented. It had so much for us to do there - fire pit, sandy court for volleyball, horseshoes, 8 person hot tub, games room, a nice open area in the cabin - 5 bedrooms (not soundproof ) and one creaky bed. :) (that was ours)

Laura getting into the cottage owner's DVD collection.

Sorting through to find some good ones... (both pix taken by Tim)

Looking down at everyone.

Opa and Erik playing catch.

All the kids had their life jackets on for most of the time, when they were outside.

Volleyball time!

Lydia  - love this shot of her. Must have been a powerful shot cause the ball is not in the picture.

Tim and Brad bumping.

Serving

Henry showing off his fashionable clothing.

Meanwhile, Opa took a bunch of the younger ones for a pontoon ride. That boat got well used that week. Safe and not too fast. Perfect for the kiddo's to ride in.

Off they go.

During a supper time - the cousins.

Enjoying everyone.

Miss blue eyes.

Dad working on his latest art piece. Always amazed at his handiwork.

Enjoying the hot tub.

Adorable boy - he loved the "warm tub".

Diane.

Pretty Sarah.

Rob, Lyd and Hendrik fishing off the dock. There was a prize for Henry's kids - whoever could get the biggest fish of the week, won. Hendrik was so diligent - and he won the $10. :)

Nathan - working in the sand. It got well used over the week. As the waterfront didn't have any sand area, this worked great - and was safer as we didn't have to watch over them quite so closely.

A pita meal - with sweet hot pepper mustard sauce.

Other evening meals included:

-hamburgers

-chili and potatoes

-cheeseburger and dill pickle soup

-coconut chicken curry with rice

Eating outdoors - the food lineup.

Four kiddies in a little pool. Mom Heikoop brought a few outdoor toys for the kids to play with. She's always so thoughtful of them.

Nail session - Lydia did most of our nails, but Deanna did Brad's... :) William wanted camo but don't think he ever got his done.

Matching girls - Julia and Nelly on Nel's last day before she left to head back to Manitoba for one last year at school. Vacation wasn't the same without her...

Cute bug crawling up momma.

Julia in the fun sprinkler from Oma.

Elita and Katy

Erik loves water in a controlled enviorment - not so good with the open water.

Goggle eyes.

One of the mornings James and I took the four younger ones (Julia, Nathan, Katie and Erik) out across the lake, to a little waterfall area. I read for a couple minutes in some of the photography books I had brought, while James took them for a little walk through the stream. Then I followed them, as I took a few pictures.

The mini waterfall.

James took a shot of just me. :) Since I wasn't in too many shots :) Sweet guy.

Just to prove I did go on vacation.

My man. :)

Climbing and sliding around the waterfall.

Cousin picture. Right before Erik started fussing. Amazing how a shot can look so lovely, and the next second, the tone can change. A good reminder that it's not always as perfect as it looks. :)

Inquisitive Nathan - always with something to do and something to think about.

My favorite quote of his for the week when he was consoling Katelyn about her missing out on something... "well, a hunk of meat is a hunk of meat." :) Like - it is what it is. :) Profound boy at times.

On our way back from our waterfall excursion, we met up with Brad, Tim, and the girls. Lyd, Rach and Hannah were all going water-skiing - and all got up and had a great time skiing.

The nephews dirt bikes (and Sarah's quad) was brought down, and they guys went biking a few times. Erik got to go too - cute shot, but he didn't go alone on these machines. He loved it!

After breakfast...helping him with those last bites.

Hannah, Lyd and Sarah - matched that day.

Uncle Henry and Vanessa - we all got some sweet baby cuddles in this week.

Dad suddenly went on a posing with stuffed animal spree - first the deer head...

...then the stuffed quail...

...then he brought down the skunk by Tim and Hudson...

William, Sarah and Tim were a team for a couple meals - this is their breakfast they put on.

With flair.

Since the kiddie grass skirts didn't quite work around their waists, their legs worked.

Our Hawaiian themed breakfast.

Smile. :)

Smile again.

Serving up the omelets with yet another smile.

All the brunches were always so lovely to wake up to... :)

-omelets, croissants, potatoes

-sausage gravy, toast, scrambled eggs

-ham and egg casseroles

-pancakes, eggs, French toast fingers

-and more..

Dad and Brad got into another stuffed animal thing - so off we went to make it look realistic.

Kinda worked.

Overkill attempt.

(James trying to hide)

The kids and James made a huge sandcastle and moat in the volleyball court.

Lots of sand was eaten that week.

We girls had just finished swimming back from the middle of the lake one last time, and headed straight into the hot tub. That was awesome. Going from cold to warm.

We would dive...okay more like jump, off the pontoon boat and do some great swimming in the middle of the lake. Too close to shore was muddy and shallow. I would say that was one of my favorite times of the whole week - swimming and trying to dive. :)

Kisses from Erik.

Cousins Hudson and Erik playing together after supper.

One of our last meals together.

Chilling by daddy. :)

Elita's basket ride on Aunty Sarah.

Then Saturday rolled around, and we packed up, and off we traveled home. Stopping on the way for some groceries, and lots of potty breaks before we made it home.

The end of a great week.