Today

Today is the last day of "summer" for us. Caitlin will be starting school tomorrow...Kindergarten. I can't believe how fast the summer has gone by, nor how few pictures I took this summer. It's amazing how having a third child really does make taking pictures more difficult! So today I took some pictures that represents our life right now.



Noah in the jumperoo:

Noah LOVES to be on his tummy and he's always trying to stuff something into his mouth, which is usually his fist

Owen being a goof:

Actually smiling for the camera:

Caitlin being a goof:

A couple of weeks ago we got the kids a playset (we got a great deal on a used playset...gotta love craigslist!). The kids have been enjoying it SO much:

How Caitlin sleeps

It's a good thing she's got a full sized bed...there's just enough room for all of her dolls.

Pictures

A couple of weeks ago I had a photographer come and take pictures of my kids...and here are some of my favorites:

I didn't have huge expectations for a picture with all three of the kids, because any mom knows how hard that is! This picture just makes me laugh because it represents all of my kids so well...Caitlin taking care of Noah (and Noah not enjoying it), and Owen in his own little tractor world.

3 years. 3 months.

This past weekend we celebrated the 3rd birthday of this guy:

We invited family over for a John Deere themed birthday party. Here's Owen relaxing before all the guests arrive:

Owen chillin' out:

Sliding down the bouncy house:

His cake (wish I could take credit for it...but my sister was the one who decorated it):

Blowing out his candles:

Owen with some of his cousins:

He loved his cupcake:

Playing with his new tractor:

My 3 year old.

Owen is such a joy to have around. He is always making me laugh, and says the funniest things. He can certainly be stubborn at times, and his favorite reply to anything is either "no" or "why?" But he keeps life interesting, fun and exciting. If it were up to him, he'd only ever wear jeans and long-sleeved shirts (even in the summer). It's a fight every time I have to put him in shorts and a t-shirt. He is an awesome big brother to Noah, always wanting to hold him and take care of him.

Speaking of Noah, this weekend he turned 3 months old! Here are a couple recent snapshots...

Noah loves his baths!

2 months

Noah, at 2 months of age:

He's only been around for 2 months, but I cannot imagine my life without him. He's definitely a momma's boy (just ask Jon). Noah is such a good sport putting up with his 2 older siblings who love to hold him and kiss him and hug him! At his 2 month check up he weighed 13 lbs, 11oz (95 %), nice and chunky! I am enjoying him so much, especially when he gives me some of his sweet little smiles!

Where's Noah?

(Thanks to Angela for the idea)

NOAH

Noah was born this past Saturday, April 24. (Long story short: I went into the hospital to get checked - and possibly to be induced. Found out I was 7cm and hadn't yet felt a single painful contraction. Shortly after we arrived the painful contractions started, so there was no need to be induced. Got my epidural, and Noah was born 4 hours later).

How I looked Saturday morning:
And here is my sweet Noah, only a few minutes old:

Caitlin is in absolute love with her new baby brother.

At the hospital Owen was much more interested in the balloon than his new brother:

Caitlin was saying things like, "I'm just never going to let Noah go, I want to hold him forever and ever" and "Holding Noah is better than toys!"

Once we got home, Owen showed a little more interest in Noah:

Tulip time

It's that time of year again... This afternoon we took a trip to the tulip fields, our last chance since most of the fields will be topped tomorrow.

Tulips as far as the eye can see...

Owen watching the police officer writing out parking tickets:

My kids have crazy hair on a normal day, but add to that a pretty strong wind and this is what you get:

Caitlin just had to bring her doll and wear a crown:

Easter pictures

Here are some pictures from this past weekend:

(At Grandma and Grandpa VK's:)

(Easter Egg Hunt at home:)