Thanks Grandma!!

Grandma made my girls these adorable dresses for their birthdays.

Seriously, if you look up the definition for "Maggie" in the dictionary you will see this picture

Thanks Grandma! We l.o.v.e. them!

And here is a picture of Elliot, just 'cause he's so cute!

(keep on scrollin' for another new post :) )

Socccer Stars

So, soccer is over for the season (thank goodness) and I am just getting around to posting some pictures. Dang, it is hard to have 2 kids in soccer at the same time!! I can't imagine what it will be like with 4, seriously, just kill me now. Anyway, here are the VanderLouw soccer stars!!

Presenting the Ladybugs!!

Check out the serious concentration on her face!!

That little girl looks like she's about to take someone out. Awesome.

This was Elliot's first soccer season. He was in the youngest league. They would practice for 30 minutes then "play" for 30 minutes.

Elliot was actually really good. That kid just started running and didn't stop until the game was over. He had his eye on the prize (the ball) and was seriously intense about it. Some may call him a ball hog, but I figure he will learn about teamwork in time!

Look how grown up my boy is, *sniff*

Elliot scoring a goal...

There you have it, until next season. (Heaven help me!)

Happy Birthday to You!

(Ray, I mean)

Grace just had to get her hand in this picture ;)

36 years old definitely calls for a double chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting, heavy on the butter.

He got a Mike Rowe shirt from my parents, colored with real red dirt (wash before wearing, just sayin')

Elliot got one too.

They are macho twins with dirt colored shirts!

He got a red tie for Abby's wedding. (which he made me return for a different tie, but whatever)

These girls liked the cake! (How do you like my backlight technique?)

I'm learning a little bit about photoshop (elements, people-I'm cheap and an amateur!) It pays to be friends with a pro who can teach you all the tricks!! The below picture is the before. Cool, don't you think?! (what do you think about the eyes Misty? I think the left one might be a little too bright?)

Here's to another 36 years!!

Dear Abby...

Look what I made for you! Because I love you and I wanted to add the adorableness factor to your wedding. I got out my not oft used sewing machine and made these skirts, with a little help from mom, of course. You're welcome ;)

Don't you just love Naomi's chubby ankles? Cuteness personified!

I know you are getting married in 5 days so you most likely won't be reading my blog, but I can't wait!! See you in a couple days!

(for those interested in such things, I got the tutorial/pattern for the skirts here.)

You've Coma Long Way, Babe...

Yep, that young hottie with the goatie is my husband...

Can you believe these are the same 4 boys? (He's still pretty dang hot, even without the goatie!)

Every step you have taken has been forward, every move you have made has been up.

Happy 36th to the best dad and husband around!!

Monkeys About Summer

By Grace

The sun the sun in the summertime.

We can all play in the summer light.

You and me are monkeys about summertime.

A fire bolt in the sky and that is the sun in the evening sky.

Lemonade in a giant cup in the day light.

The moon the moon looks like a lagoon in the black cat sky,

a black cat floating like a hat on a head.

A Halloween party in the sky,

A feast filled with ladybugs on the zombie head plate.

Wearwolf in a mansion filled with ghosts and zombies too.

A pumpkin as scary as a jack-o-lantern,

a floating baby head, it is giggling and chuckling loud.

And back to school away.

Grace sat outside the other day and wrote this poem on a box all by herself. She did it for a challenge project at school. She is so great!!