Happy 5th Birthday, Anna!

Our Annie turned 5 years old yesterday. It has been a wonderful five years with this little girl. She is smart, independent, sweet, friendly, and social--and she is growing up too fast! She says things like, "Don't mention it, Mom," after I thank her for helping. And she takes care of her siblings by suggesting that, "Mom, don't you think you're being a little hard on him (Thys)?" She asked for a laptop, a cell phone, and a digital camera for her birthday! Is she five or fifteen? I'm trying to keep her little, so she didn't get any of the above, but she did get a Hannah Montana dress-up and a Leapster2 (my version of a "laptop"). We love you, Annie!
1st birthday
2nd birthday
3rd birthday
4th birhday

5th birthday
Our 5-year-old Annie

Temples

We are so blessed to be living in this temple-building era. Ever since the Draper Temple open house, Thys has been so aware of temples--and churches. We drove out the the Oquirrh Mountain Temple for FHE the other night. We all, including Thys, are looking forward to the open house. If you live in the area, you have to see the view from this temple. You can see Jordan River Temple, Draper Temple, and downtown where you know the Salt Lake Temple stands. Amazing really, isn't it? And a great blessing.

Sisters

When we were expecting Sophie, of course we didn't care if she was a girl or a boy. But Mel did mention how nice it would be for Anna to have a sister. Mel's sisters are best friends--they do everything together, including immigrating to Canada. I have three awesome sisters who are also my best friends. We are glad Sophie and Anna have each other, and they are already very fond of one another.
Anna's towel pose
Sophie's towel pose
Sophie and Annie look so much alike we are worried we won't be able to tell their photos apart--especially when Sophie wears Annie's hand-me-downs. (These are both pics of Sophie wearing Anna's clothes.)
Sophie and Annie are similar in many ways. In addition to being very stubborn and knowing what they want, they both love TV and have since they both were Sophie's age. Sophie will crane her little body and neck to see the TV whenever it is on. I'm not pleased about it, but Anna was exactly the same way. Here they are enjoying a good Curious George cartoon.

Bedtime stories

My Crazy Kids

Sophie just watching all the chaos happen.
Annie and the bubble bath
Annie making a cake for dad.
Thys painting--and we always paint and draw only on paper, right? (Cute haircut!)
Pre-haircut curls. I love them, but this only happens after a really sweaty nap!

Happy 40th

My 40th birthday was great! Mel's sisters came for a week, and they were a gift! They cooked, cleaned (including all the windows inside and out--Mel helped too), and cared for the kids; we also had a great time visiting and playing. I had a crazy work week, and it was wonderful to have them here to help out. They also helped so Mel could finish up the chicken coop and get the sawdust and other chicken associated gunk off my living room floor. Thanks for a wonderful week and a wonderful birthday!

Margreet cooking!
Henriette and Sophie
On my birthday I got to go see the new Hannah Montana movie with my favorite Annie, who was sooooo excited! Jen and Henriette went with us.
Surprise "party" after a night of assembly practice. Lots of Dutch decor, flowers, kids, and cake!The finished coop, aka "The villa."

Easter

We colored Easter eggs at the crack of dawn. Who can wait for such a fun activity? Not Anna!
Who needs a dipper?
My cute, cute, cute, kids in their Easter clothes.
I just can't get enough of this happy and hilarious kid!
Anna's teacher Becky made here this Easter bonnet. We love Becky!
Sophie is smiling away these days, and even though she is a little small for her Easter dress, she looked charming wearing it!

What Happens in a Month

The small chicken villa Mel is constructing in the back yard. . . .Hmmmm, I wonder what it will be when and if we do away with the chickens. . . .
Although I have been a bit grossed out by the awkwardness of the growing chicks, I have to say it is amazing how much they have grown in one month. They are almost presentable again, but that "in between" stage was really ugly and a bit freaky!