Friday, July 27, 2012

VBS and crazy hair!



This past week we enjoyed Vacation Bible School at our church. We did not document every day with the fun themes, but we did get a picture of crazy hair day. Even I had to try and be a bit crazy since I helped lead the opening and taught music to all the students that attended.   You should have seen us on miss-match day.  Several years ago, for one of the women's events, I was asked to lead a short seminar on how to dress for your body type.  Since then, attendees that heard my talk on fashion have a good laugh on the VBS day each year when I come in clashing clothing.  (I always make sure I don't have to stop for any errands on the way home. :)


Monday, July 16, 2012

9 years old!


Today is Joost's ninth birthday!  I know you hear this from every mother at some point in her child's life, but I really can't believe he's this old.  Suddenly he seems like a little man in every way.  He's getting tall and strong, can handle complex chores around the house, can read a series of books in a summer and asks his mother "what's wrong" when he senses she's sad or discouraged.


Anyway, back to the subject at hand.  Today is his birthday and we started with gifts before Jeff headed off to work.




After that, we headed north (with my Dad and Mom) to Penn's Caves, right outside of State College.


We've been wanting to visit these caverns for some time and it was worth the journey.  It's so much fun to ride a boat through water-filled underground passages.


Every one enjoyed it....even when the tour guide turned off all of the lights in the middle of the cave.  Complete darkness is an exciting thing, but only for a minute or two.




Once we were home, we gathered around the dinner table for Joost's birthday dinner.  He chose chili.  And then he blew out his birthday candles.





We pray that in this coming year, Joost will continue to "increase in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52) 
We love you Joost!

Friday, July 13, 2012

15 months old

Henry is 15 months old today. He still isn't walking, but he can crawl faster than a rabbit can run and he enjoys playing (and saying) ball, as well as continually pointing at things and asking, "What's that?" in a mushy kind of way. He loves playing with his brother and sisters and has quite a sense of humor.
 
We love our Henry-boy!



A new baby!

My cousin, Laura, had her first child yesterday--sweet, little Amara Hope.  It was wonderful to be able to see her and hold her today.


Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Fabulous Kate

So chic, so bohemian!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Ocean City, NJ 2012

This past week we vacationed in Ocean City, NJ with Jeff's family.  In all honesty, calling it a vacation is a bit of a stretch since there are 16 children (9 years of age and younger) that are a part of the van Bastelaar clan; but restful or not, we had a ton of fun!

Here are a few pictures from our week....

The eight boy cousins had fun together inside and out.  There were the normal beach activities together and there were also some intense games of chess played in the beach house.


Jeff enjoyed having time with his brother, Sean, and his brother-in-laws, Jeff and JD.  The four of them took part in some purely male activities which left a lingering smell of cigars when the sliding glass door was opened.
Henry with his Oma

Aleta and Grace

 Henry enjoyed the beach.

He enjoyed the sand--but not the feel of it on his hands.  So, he licked himself clean, when needed.


Michael, Kate and Brianne


Joost had a ton of fun boogie boarding with Joshua and Paul and many other cousins.






Henry enjoyed his time with Joost.

Kate was a champ and was able to skip most of her afternoon naps, but occasionally it would catch up with her at dinner time.

There was no shortage of sand forts being built by children and uncles, alike.

Here's a great shot of Jeff's Mom with all 16 of her grandchildren


We always take our annual surrey ride on the boardwalk.

No vacation is complete without rides on the boardwalk.





Happy summer!