Three Years Ago

Three years ago today we almost lost our dear sweet Ashley to RSV. That night is so vivid in my mind. I don't think I will ever get those images out of my mind. We are so thankful that she is still with us today. Everytime she comes up and gives me a hug or a kiss I thank God for saving her life that night.

Above - Three years ago at 2 weeks old.

Below - Today at 3 years old and one healthy little girl. She makes us laugh everyday!!

Happy Birthday Brooke

Our first born turned 9 on December 17!!! One more year and then we are in the double digits - yikes!! She had a good birthday, but she did say it didn't seem like her birthday since it was on a Saturday. On Friday Grandma Tubergan took her to get her nails done and to have some feathers put in her hair. We had a party on Saturday with the families. Some of the things she enjoys are reading, crafts, drawing, and writing. I think we might have an artist on our hands.

Happy Birthday Ashley

Ashley turned 3 on December 4. I can't believe our baby is 3 already - sniff, sniff. We had a party for her on the 2nd since Kenzie and I left for Florida on the 4th. She loved having everyone over and made sure they knew it was HER birthday. She got lot's of gifts and had to play with all of them right away. It was so fun to watch her play with them, she didn't know what one to play with first. Happy Birthday dear sweet Ashley!!!

The Perfect Tree

Every year we head out to cut a Christmas tree with my family. We have cut in blizzards, rain, and warm days. This year turned out to be a perfect sunny day to pick out our perfect tree. It's just not the same without snow thou. We had our tree's picked out within 15 minutes and the girls were upset that it didn't take long this year. We set the tree up today with the girls with candy canes and all.

Halloween

It's a little late, but I still wanted to post about it. This year Brooke was a princess, Kenzie the witch, and Ashley the ladybug. We only stopped to my parents house and then headed to our church for Trunk or Treats. We made an early night of it since the both had school the next day.

Pumpkin Carving

We headed over to my parents house to carve our pumpkin's a few weeks ago. The girl's were so excited to carve. Brooke was the only one that carved her own pumpkin. Kenzie picked all the pumpkin seeds out and Ashley rode bikes in the garage.Finished!!! Kenzie/Mom carved a cat, Ashley/Dad carved the face, and Brooke carved the haunted house.
Since my Sister-in-law has not posted in a LONG time (hint). Here is Jack sporting a pumpkin hat.

Cousins

Here are a few picture's of the Tubergan cousins.

Art Prize

A little behind here on the blog. Brooke and I went to Art Prize for a night with my mom. It was a beautiful night so it was great walking around GR. Brooke LOVES art so she gets into it by reading about each piece of art.

De Vries Chick's

Here are a few shots of the girls I took last week.

Labor Day

We never go any where over Labor Day, with the girls in school already. This year we ventured seven miles north with the trailer to West Olive. We camped in the in-laws yard for the weekend. We had so much fun, who knew there is so much to do in West Olive? The girls had a blast and we think it was their best camping trip of the year. We brought our "big" pool along and filled it up with hot water and the girls called it their hot tub. We went stooped to red neck level and set up a big slip and slide with tarps in the back yard. It might have been red neckish, but it sure was the highlight of the weekend by all. The girls got to play in the creek for the first time. We went hiking at Hemlock Crossing one morning. We ventured down the Pigeon River in canoes. We started at the in-laws and almost made it to the lake. From the in-laws to Hemlock Crossings was NO FUN. It's not cleared out so we had to walk in the river most of the way with sticks, trees, branches, and big holes that you don't see until your waste deep. The kids stayed in the canoes since they were so light, but the rest of us walked. Next time we will be starting at Hemlock. Other than starting out we had a great time of the river! Brooke wanted to shoot the bb gun, 4-10, and the bow so bad so we spent an afternoon shooting. We had a great time and we hope to do it again next year.

How can it be?

How can summer be over already? I'm sure I say this every year, but summer just flew by and we still have a list of things we would like to do yet. The girls went back to school this week. They were so ready to be back and I was ready too. I don't like the waking up early part and the driving them in every day. I don't know how I have a 3rd grader and a Kindergartner already. Kenzie goes 2 1/2 days a week. This is a big change for her going the full days. Kenzie's first day was Tuesday all day and she loved it. I picked her up after school and asked how her day went she said "Awesome and I didn't eat my sandwich" oh Kenzie. Ashley was lost most of the day with her sister's gone. It was so quite in the house no fighting which has been terrible the last few weeks of summer. Brooke had a good first day too. Her favorite part was Math and the least favorite part was all the reading they did. She seems to enjoy her teacher too which is good coming from a very high dynamic classroom last year. I hope and pray that all the teacher's and student's have a great year!Kenzie looking over her room on Monday before school starts.

A New Nephew and Cousin

My Brother Brandon and his wife Kristin welcomed a baby boy into their family on August 4. They named him Jack William and he weighed 6 pounds and is as cute as ever. He was two weeks early which was a big surprise to all of us. If things couldn't get better for them that week Brandon also was hired full time by Ottawa County. I think they had a pretty good week!

Cadillac

We spent a week camping at Cadillac with the De Vries family. This year it was nice and hot, which made having air in the trailer wonderful. The older girls loved fishing this year and they went out every morning and night with Dad and Grandpa. They caught a lot of fish so it was fun for them to go and a nice little break for me :) Most mornings while they were fishing Ashley, Grandma, and I went for a bike ride around the lake. We also went swimming a few times, craft time at the host site, Nature Center, naps, walks, and boat rides. Kenzie wanted to learn to ride a two wheeler while we were gone. Corey worked with her every day, but no luck. Corey went home for one day to work so it was just us girls for the day and we kept busy the whole time. On the way home we got a flat tire on the trailer so we spent an hour on the side of the road. I was in my car waiting which has no air and three girls all sitting next to each other which = not a fun time for me. We all made it home in one piece so I guess that's good. Sorry blogger wouldn't let me move the picture's so they are all over.