Vandervaart Family: March 2013

We started off February by heading up to Sandusky, Ohio and going to one of the largest indoor waterparks called "Kalahari". We had never been before but had heard it was a wonderful place to go. We went with our friends, the Meyer family who also have 3 children. Here are some pictures from our weekend trip.

Pete and I had a date night around Valentine's Day. Once again, my wonderful mom came to visit and watched the kids!

One weekend in February we celebrated our Goddaughter, Natalie's, first birthday. Grace didn't take a nap that day and she fell asleep in the middle of the party. Here she is sleeping behind a chair!

Another lovely Sunday dinner at the Vandervaarts

Towards the end of February, my lovely sister and I escaped the cold winter and went to Fort Lauderdale for a few days. It was just the ticket to help get through this yucky, cold winter! I am so thankful to Pete letting me go and never letting me feel guilty about it!

Jake's favorite and most popular word is "ball"...wonder why...

The kids at Kalahari

January 2013

January feels like a blur for me. I ended my job up in Cleveland as a "travel" nurse and decided to take a PRN (as needed) position at the same hospital. This requires me to work 3 shifts in a 6 week period. Because I was technically a new hire at Hillcrest, I had to go through the Cleveland Clinic orientation for the 2nd week in January. The 3rd week I started orientation at my new, full-time job in Canton. That orientation was 10 days long and that took us to the end of January. Enough about that, onto the fun stuff!

We started the year by splitting the girls up and giving Grace her own room. Since she loves Minnie Mouse, we went with that theme for her room. My mom was in town and helped and we were able to get it done in a about 2 days.

One evening, we hung out with our Goddaughter, Natalie!

Claire decided she wanted her ears pierced. She was SO brave and did such a great job!! (Unfortunately, the most recent report is that the left one got infected and they have since closed up)

Grammy took the kids to Build A Bear and they got to stuff bears and dress them.

They had a WONDERFUL time!

My dear friend, Anne and I threw our husbands a surprise party for their 30th birthdays! We were able to pull it off and think that they were both suprised. It was a lot of fun to plan together!

Some of my family came into town for Pete's party. We went out to eat at the kid's favorite restaurant the next day - Red Robin!

We spent a Sunday evening over at Grammy and Opa's. Jake and Bently helped Grammy make cookies and the girls played their little hearts out like always!

We had our first sleepover at our house. Claire's good friend, Eve came over to spend the night. They painted each other's nails, watched a movie, ate popcorn, and went to bed. It was a fun first for Pete and I as parents.

December 2012

Well, I clearly have A LOT to catch up on and I will do my best to remember the details from December. Mostly consisted of some fantastic times with wonderful family and friends.

In early December, we went to see Santa - I really hope one of these years we can get a good picture. Claire did great, Grace was bored and Jake looks like he is angry!

Pete and I had my holiday work parties over the same weekend. We went to mine in Cleveland on Friday night and then went to his on Saturday night. We were so thankful my mom came into town and took care of the kids both nights!

We took the girls to the dentist. Claire gets called back and goes back all by herself and then when she is done, we all go back with Grace. Claire is such a big supporter. Her she is holding Grace's hand!

The following are pictures of the kids from Christmas time

Vandervaart Cousins at Christmas

This year for New Year's Eve, Pete and I went up to Cleveland to their new casino. We had a really good time and it was the first time we have ever done New Year's Eve just the two of us.