Saturday, April 16, 2016

Blake is 4!

As usual, better late than never. It's been 3 months now that we've had a 4 year old in the house and boy is it an adventure! Blake is a fun loving, adventurous, stubborn, and particular little boy and we couldn't love him more!

For months he had been talking about his "tractor" birthday because he loves all things farm. But just a week before his birthday, we were looking at cake ideas and he spied a monster truck cake and there was no going back to tractors. The cake turned out great and he loved it!

He now loves to play with his monster trucks and even pulls some of his farm wagons, trailers, and balers with his trucks. I guess that's what all the hip farmers are doing these days :)
 I bought a new 12x12 cake pan for this cake and I love it. I made the cake marble with 2 cake mixes and then did a little cutting and pasting to make the ramps. The "rocks" are Whoppers and Milk Duds. A few toothpicks helped keep the trucks in place on the ramps.
He's all smiles!
 For the actual birthday party we celebrated at the Barnes' house in Pella with Grandma Pontier, who was visiting at the time. 

 Happy 4th Birthday Blake!
 Licking the frosting off the trucks was the best part of course.
 Opening gifts.
 Some new farm toys, books, and tools.
 Blake got to celebrate one more time a few weeks later with the other January birthdays on the De Vries side of the family. This cake wasn't as cool, but still tasted great.
 Happy Birthday Carol, Blake, and Grandma De Vries!
Blake was a little sick of smiling at this point. It looks like he's laughing, 
but he's actually crying a little :( He perked up while opening a few more gifts :)

Friday, January 8, 2016

Christmas 2015

Wow! Did the month of December just fly by or what?! We stayed very busy with regular family stuff, farming, school, and extra holiday get-togethers. It was filled with lots of great memories too! Here are a few highlights in pictures.

Our family Christmas card picture.
Blake - 3 1/2, Rebecca - 8, Brianna - 2 years



We got to celebrate my brother Jon's birthday on the 23rd when his family came to stay with us over Christmas. I had fun making a cupcake Christmas tree - although I'm sure it was not his first in his 37 years :)
Lots of baby holding with new cousin Hannah.
Brianna and Deborah just happen to have the same pajamas! 
Brianna is in LOVE with "baby!" (Hannah)
Christmas Eve box. The kids enjoyed new pjs and the movie Rio. (Brianna refused to be in the picture!)
The kids in their new jammies. Blake is giving you his best dinosaur face!
Christmas morning stockings before church.
After church on Christmas morning, we spent the day at the Barnes' house (my sister Grace's family), exchange gifts with the cousins, and ate way too many yummy treats. Sadly, I failed to take any pictures while we were there! We headed home in the evening so the kids could enjoy a few more presents from us.


Brianna and Blake got new Lego sets to play with.
Rebecca with her new favorite shirt!
On Saturday, the 26th, Dan's family came to our house to celebrate together. The kids loved more cousin time! They also had a lot of fun with a candy cane pick-up game Aunt Linda supervised!
Blake is trying his best to hook that candy cane!
The De Vries Grandparents with all the grand kids.
We each took turns taking a family picture - some where less cooperative than others.
Dan's brother Andy with Carol and Brooke and Katie.
Dan's sister Debbie with Greg and Allison, Jessica, and Trevor.
More gifts again! Blake loves all his new farm toys, despite the look on his face :)
We had a great time with family and friends, but above all, we remember the birth of our Savior. We live each day to glorify God's name in thanksgiving for the gift of sending his Son.