Our new pet

Well, now that spring is on us, it was time for us to get a new pet. We are still trying to come up with a name, so if any of you have any good ideas feel free to let us know. The kids are having a great time aggrevating him by knocking on the window. :) I can tell that this is a young one because it is not near as big as the ones we've had in the past.

Actually, we've been having the same problem for the past few years. About 6-8 weeks after Groundhog day (and Erica's birthday) we have a groundhog appear on our front porch. It makes it's house under the front porch and likes to sun itself on the front porch. Last years pet managed to have 3 babies under one of our garages. I've heard that these lovely creatures can be quite dangerous, so I don't like letting the kids outside to play unless Kurtis or I are with them. We do get rid of them each year, so we know that each one is new. I'd just like to figure out where they are coming from and why our "hotel" is #1 on their vacation list!

Happy Easter!

Well, I was hoping to have some adorable pictures of the kids in the Easter outfits and fun pictures of them during our annual Easter egg hunt. Unfortunately, those pictures will have to be postponed. Bethany and Erica both were home sick today. Erica started not feeling well Thursday night and has been coughing, sneezing and running a fever ever since. Last night Bethany joined in the "fun". Bethany woke up this morning at 8:00, asked me if she could go to church, and then went and laid in the middle of the living room floor where she remained the rest of the day. Jaren and I got to go to church and to a family lunch at noon, while Kurtis was kind enough to stay home with his girls. I stayed home with Erica Friday night while Kurtis took the other two kids to church and out for a special surprise. Uncle Mark was coming through the area after a serve project and stopped to have ice cream with his favorite nephew and one of his favorite nieces. :) The kids were still smiling ear to ear when they came home late that night!


Jaren & I had a great time at lunch with wonderful food. Kurtis's aunt Marilyn was kind enough to send a meal home for Kurtis which he enjoyed very much, especially after his hotdog lunch. :)

Bethany comforting Erica while I tried to make supper on Saturday night.

Bethany's spot for the day. She refused to move to the couch so instead we just stepped over her. She was yelling at Jaren (who took this picture) to leave her alone because she didn't feel good. I felt really bad for her. As you can see we tried to entice her to eat by giving her the little favors of M&M's & peanuts that Jaren brought her from our family lunch.

Our two sick princesses!

Look how sad and pathetic she looks! Poor thing.

Jaren is still his silly self. He had a hard time being quiet and finding quiet activities to do so he wouldn't disturb his sisters. Daddy and him "played" the dinosaur game. I put played in quotes because the game didn't even get close to being done due to daddy watching the basketball games instead wanting to play this overly exciting game.

Warmer weather is ahead

Well, this week the kids and I took advantage of the warmer temps and headed out to the bike path and the park. Jaren has been asking all winter when the bike path was going to open because he couldn't wait to ride his bike. It felt great to get some fresh air and excercise and the kids had a great time at the large playground we discovered. I of course forgot my camera, but maybe next time I'll get some pictures.
Soon enough the weather will continue to stay warm and we will be able to get outside and enjoy God's wonderful creation.

Relaxing Weekend

Well, Kurtis and I got back Sunday night from a relaxing weekend in Kansas City. IT was time to take a break from the kids and them from us. We love them very much, but the break is also much needed - especially during this long winter. They had a great time at my parents and even got to go bowling with some of their cousins.
Kurtis & I decided to go to KC since it was close and not very expensive. We toured the Boulevard Brewing Co on Friday afternoon and then Friday night went to the New Theater and got to see "Married Alive". It is a musical comedy about marriage, showing it from the newlywed stage and also the empty nester stage. I would definitely recommend this show and the theater was very nice and the food was delicious. It was fun getting dressed up and going out, since that doesn't get to happen much with 3 kids. Saturday was spent walking around the Country Club Plaza, Union Station and Crown Center. It was a very enjoyable, relaxing kid-free weekend.
Spring is right around the corner, so things are going to start getting busy. Kurtis will be busy with the many things that need to happen on the farm along with hauling livestock and corn/beans. Jaren is going to be playing T-ball this year for the first time, so that will keep us busy going to games and practices. Jaren is also starting to go to school for longer days and is now eating lunch at school. Bethany, Erica & I are keeping pretty much the same schedule other than adjusting the time we go get Jaren. It's nice having girl time together and playing their style. When Jaren's around it tends to be more his style - isn't the oldest one always the bossiest??? Bethany is getting to be more of a little girl everyday. She loves playing Cariboo, nurse and getting dressed up by her Dora vanity. Erica is a busy-body that loves to get into anything. She just got her first tooth this past weekend, with more on their way. Her walking improved drastically just over the weekend so it is so much fun watching her toddle around.
We are all looking very forward to spring and being able to play outside on dry ground instead of mud...okay, so maybe mommy is ready for the mud to end.

Here she comes...Little Miss E

Here is a quick little video that shows Erica doing her latest...walking. She still tends to fall quite a bit, but is really getting the hang of it and is very proud of it. As you can tell, she is also trying to cut teeth. At this point she has none, but the two bottom ones are looking like they might come any day now. She's the slowest of all 3 kids in getting teeth - 13 months! They say the later the teeth come in, the better they are. Let's hope that holds true for all of them.

I've also included a couple other pictures.

Pudding Time - the kids enjoy a bowl of pudding with daddy - Banana Cream

Super Erica - I couldn't resist taking her picture. She looks like she's wearing a cape, ready to head out to save the world.

Sweet little girl!

Kurtis' new job

I know some of you have dreams about taking that exotic vacation or buying that new SUV, for me it's getting new living room furniture :), but for Kurtis it has always been owning his own semi with grain trailer and livestock trailer. Well, his dream has finally come true (I should clarify that his real dream is to own a Peterbilt instead of an International, but you can't start at the top). The farm corporation purchased the semi and grain trailer about a month ago, but just yesterday he drove to Illinois to pick up the livestock trailer. On Thursday he had De Bruin Farms put on the side of the truck which really looks nice. Now he is all ready to haul their own crops and livestock. A dream come true!

It's tough being short!

Well, Erica is a little on the short side, not only because she's one, but simply because she's not that big. She has learned how to reach the things that are a little to high for her. As you an tell, she is very proud of herself. Let's see how she does getting down! Erica is definitely more of a go-getter than Jaren or Bethany ever were. She keeps us on our toes.

I also thought I'd include a picture of our van. It is normally a very nice steel blue, but as you can see from the pictures it has turned mud brown. The gravel (ok mud) roads are not very choice right now. We have one way to get to the highway without sinking in mud holes or ripping the bumper off due to the extremely deep ruts. It takes a little longer to get to town, but it is worth it! I cannot wait for summer, but I think we might have a long, wet spring to make it through first.

Bethany's ballerina birthday party

Bethany had a really fun ballerina party on Saturday night with her aunts, uncles, cousins & grandparents. She got a lot of really nice birthday presents and is having a blast playing with them. And what would a ballerina party be without some dancing. We had a great time doing the Hokey Pokey, the Waltz & the Bop all per Bethany's request. We also enjoyed cake, ice cream, candy and pizza.

Bethany's Ballerina Birthday Party cont.

The birthday girl

Bethany's Dora vanity - she loves getting ready to go to parties

Bethany & Reagan...2 beautiful ballerinas

A nurse's kit...Bethany wants to become a nurse when she grows up.