My First Halloween

Living in a Dutch community brings a whole new twist to Halloween.  

First, since when can you put a basket of candy on your porch with sign that reads 

Please take one.

and expect anyone to do so?  Only in Holland.  

Having said that, I knew there was no way I could dress-up my 9-month old to go trick or treating without someone asking me

So, really mom and dad are trick or treating, huh?

(Which happened...and the first thought that came to mind was...

Ok buddy, don't act like after your kids go to bed, you and your wife don't sit on the living room floor and pick out all of the good stuff.)

But, I digress...

We dressed Annelise up as a Bengals cheerleader for her first Halloween.  Daddy was very proud.  Even though we don't get to watch the Bengals play, it was better than being a Lions' cheerleader.

And mommy had to dress-up too, just for fun.

And of course, we couldn't go trick or treating without stopping by Papa and Nana's house. They have a mega-church across the street from their house that had "Trunk or Treat."  It was like a huge tail-gating party for kids, with candy, free pizza/pop, professional photography, balloons and more!  We're definitely going there next year.

Hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy Halloween.  

*No pictures of daddy because he has been bed ridden with the stomach flu.  Yuck!  

Slacking

Wow - Sorry for the major slack in blogging.  Since our schedule has opened up, I've been very anti-computer (other than what is necessary for work).  Here's a quick update on our life lately.

We spent a long weekend in Kentucky killing three birds with one stone.  Visiting Matt's family, watching my sister play volleyball, and getting out of Holland for mini-vacation.  It was a lot of fun.  Unfortunately, we forgot our digital camera, so here are a few pictures that I stole from my sister's facebook.

From L to R: Matt, Rachael, Annelise, Leah, Mom, Dad, Sarah, Matt and Emily

The four girls

"Aunt Sarah, please stop sucking my face!"

The Twins

Matt and Em are goofey!

Oops, I guess we're goofey-er!

Anne Louise

Vote Intelligently

Craziness

Please pray for our family this week - especially Matt and Annelise.

I have an extremely busy work week ahead of me.  Tomorrow is our Annual Banquet, Saturday is our 5k Run and next week we are hosting a 3-day conference for Missions in our region.  Its a little crazy around here!

Obviously, I probably won't be blogging much in the next two weeks.  Just trying to keep my head above water!

Pumpkins, Pie, Apples and Cider

What is it about the cooler weather and the leaves turning colors that makes me want pumpkin pie and all things fall!  We went to PumpkinFest in Zeeland last night.  I hate to say this, but what a let down.  We got all bundled up to go see pumpkins, drink hot apple cider and enjoy the festivities, but the place was nearly empty.  We stayed a whompin' 20 minutes.  On a brighter note, we left and went straight to Vitale's Pizza.  Never a let down!  We ate our hearts out for $20 and Annelise was an angel the entire time.  So, lest you be deceived by advertisements for cheap family fun, the old classics like Vitale's usually do the trick.

Maybe we'll visit the apple orchard today?

New Tricks

Here's my little peanut, doing her new tricks - clapping and standing.

Clapping

Annelise Standing Up

War Games

Matt and I have been youth leaders for almost a year now.  I must say that my loyalty to the task had been waning.  With a baby around, I was overwhelmed with the task of motherhood, let alone the discipleship of 50 + kids in the youth group.  But, our youth activity last night helped to spur on an excitement and love for youth that I haven't always felt.  

WAR GAMES (with 120 kids - ages 13 - 18) - is our church's largest youth activity of the year! 

Two teams, GREEN and GOLD this year, face off on challenges like:

tug-o-war (with gelatin, corn syrup and spaghetti noodles in the middle)

american eagle

donut eating contest

manhunt

ultimate duck, duck goose

Me after losing the tug-o-war battle

The messiness is just too much fun!  

A local pastor gave a wonderful message of salvation at "half time" and many heard the gospel message that quite possibly had never heard it before.

Two of our awesome seniors - Keenan and Natalie (Gold team captains)

Matt was as crazy as ever!  

This is a "fly by" photo - he was hard to catch!

So...we are recovering today from a weekend full of youth and FUN.  There was a time when I didn't think those two words could go together.  But, I must say...

I love these kids!  God uses them to teach me so much about his sovereign grace.  In all of their awkwardness (which I remember all too well) I'm reminded that God's plan for us is not complete.  An added bonus: they genuinely love my daughter and minister grace and encouragement to me at times I would never expect it.

Teeth...When will you come?

Annelise is nearly 8 months old 

with not a sign of a tooth in her mouth.  

This week, she's been drooling, 

biting 

and experiencing high fevers.  

Every morning 

I anxiously check to see 

if a little while pearl has appeared..

and nothing.

So, here is a pathetic plea 

from a mommy who wants her happy little girl back.  

Teeth, please come!

And by the way...

don't you just love baby feet?

Bath-time Fun

 

Crawling...Kind Of

Army crawl?  Scoot?  Whatever you call it, she gets around.  I caught her up on her knees over the weekend, but it didn't amount to much.  How long do you think it'll take before she's full-blown crawling?

Saying Goodbye to Summer

Dear Summer,

Oh how we enjoyed your short visit.  Michigan wouldn't be such a wonderful place to live without you...even if it is for just a few short months.  We'll leave you with this photo.  Hopefully it'll be a sweet reminder of the fun we had.  Please come back soon!

Love,

The Neals

School starts tomorrow

It's hard to believe that we're entering our third year at Calvary Schools of Holland.  Matt and I spent most of the morning in his office at school, preparing for his first day tomorrow.  Lots of copying and coordinating curriculum.  

Realizing that he has limited time before the rat race begins, I found him in the nursery doing this...

I guess holding your baby girl is the best way to spend the last few hours of your summer break.

Carter's Warehouse Sale

The last time Carter's had their warehouse sale, I was a day late and a dollar short literally.  So, I made sure that when the sale started today, I was there!  I did arrive about 30 minutes after the doors opened and it was a mad house.  But, there were plenty of clothes to choose from.

I'm kind of at that stage where Annelise has grown out of all the new clothes people bought her when she was born.  And by looking at her almost bare closet, I began to realize this week that she is going to need clothes for the fall and fast!  What perfect timing! (To my husband's dismay.)

I got

9 long sleeved shirts

1 sleeper set (with hat, bib and slippers)

5 onesies

1 short sleeved romper

1 pair of cargo pants

1 long sleeved dress shirt

all for the low price of $49!

While I was standing in line, a woman kindly handed me a 20% off coupon.  That took my bill down by $14.  Then I got a $10 gift card for spending over $40.  You know, as much as we complain about not having enough money...God incredibly and graciously supplies all of our needs and even some of our wants...like cute outfits for my baby girl!

Saturday Morning Yumness

No matter how many poopy diapers I've changed throughout the week, the fits that I've had to grit my teeth through, the napless days...

It's all worth it come Saturday morning.  She is yum!

Playtime Woes

My playtime on Friday started out really fun...

I was excited to see my toys in all their glory...

 I played with them...

 They played back with me...

 Until my toy wasn't nice and I started to get cranky...

 I escalated my crankiness into a "smushy-face whine..."

 When that didn't work, I resorted to a full blown scream...

And that's when playtime ended for the morning.

I Give Up

I'm a bed-maker.  Self-proclaimed.  And, as most bed-makers are, I'm also a tucker.  You know, I like my sheets and blanket tucked tightly in around all sides.  It makes me feel, well...tucked.  After four years of marriage, I have decided to give up my tucking - not my bed-making - just my tucking.  Matt is a self-proclaimed bed-messer and untucker.  Every day, I make the bed tightly and when we get into it at night, I do my best to sleep soundly in one position, so as not to disturb the nice tight tuck I've created.  Yet, in the morning, I wake up and our sheet and blanket have been yanked out (very deliberately), with cold feet hanging out the bottom.  So, today, I've decided to stop my griping, loathing, and inward bitterness toward the bed-messer untucker that resides in my home...in MY BED.  I give up...

I am now a self-proclaimed, bed-making untucker.

Finished

Our bathrooms are finally finished, minus a few touch-ups on the trim and ceilings!  I feel like a new woman...at least a clean one. 

Master Bathroom

Half Bathroom

New Bathroom

For the last week and a half, we have been living like nomads.  Camping, sleeping at my parents' house...you name it and we probably slept on it (almost).  Our bathrooms have been getting remodeled and we are almost finished.  Do you remember what the "old" bathroom looks like?

Here's a sneak peak at the new master bathroom....

Changes we made: added ceramic tile flooring, replaced entire bath surround, tore all the old "ketchup and mustard" tile out, added wainscoting, painted the walls a nice khaki color, added a new vanity and light.

And I'd like to say a big "THANK YOU" to the United States government and the hefty economic stimulus check we received, without which this would not be possible.

Yummy!

 

Boys will be Boys

My sister is babysitting this week and the little boy she is watching is absolutely hilarious. Conversation we had today:

Little Boy:  (Sits on stool and a little noise comes out)  Oops, I tooted.

Me:  (Laughing hysterically under my breath) Say excuse me, little mister.

Little Boy:  I usually say "scoosyme" when I tootsies at home.

Me: (Still laughing hysterically) Well that's good.

Moments pass...

Me: (Disgusted) Did you toot AGAIN?!

Little Boy:  (Pregnant pause).... (Large Smile)..... Um, maybe it was just some bubbles from before.

Toledo Zoo

My sister and I made the 3-hour trek to Toledo, Ohio on Sunday to visit the zoo.  Boy was it worth it!  We met up with my Aunt Sue, Cousin Angie and her two boys: Ty and Wyatt.  Wyatt was born on Annelise's due date and it was so fun to see them interact.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn with a Waterpark.  It was awesome!  Then, we went to the zoo on Monday.  Here are some pictures of the fun.

Anne and mommy splashing in the water!

Cousins Wyatt and Ty enjoying the pool

Annelise and Wyatt eating ice cream at Applebee's

At the zoo ready to go

Ty loves elephants!

 

Bedtime Nightmare

Ok all of you Babywise moms...I need some help!  Annelise is 6 months old and for her entire life, she has been a dream sleeper and napper.  She first slept through the night at 10 weeks old.  She has never wanted to sleep with Matt and I and has rarely needed help going to sleep.  Until now...

The past few weeks have been a nightmare.  She screams in her bed for what seems like hours.  I have used the Babywise method - waiting 10 minutes, going in to comfort, and letting her cry. The last few times, I've had to pick her up and she immediately stops and goes to sleep in my arms.

What should I do?

I've also noticed that she is extremely "clingy" to me right now.  I know this is a phase that most kids go through at this age.  But, the sleeping thing has got to stop!  I work, so she often has to take naps at my mom's house.  My mom is really good about not rocking her to sleep.  But, sometimes its a toss up - rock her to sleep or no nap.  Help!

Picnik

I want to highly recommend to you the site www.picnik.com.  Its the best online photo editing tool I have used in a long time!  I have Adobe Photoshop for work - a $600 program - and would say that this is the best amateur software I've seen that compares.  In fact, within 5 minutes today, I uploaded and designed this photo of Annelise.  Try it out!

Pool Day

A Day at the Beach

Saturday was filled with lots of fun as a family.  We got up early and went to the Farmer's Market to buy all kinds of goodies.  

After the market, we went for a short bike ride.  I figured out half way around the block that Anne is still a little small for the attachment on the back of my bike.  Lets just say she was about strangled by the strap! 

When we got home, we quickly changed into our bathing suits for a trip to the beach.  Here are a few pictures.  Annelise didn't like the big waves and cold water.  But she loved the sand and watching all the people.

After a long day of fun, we came home to enjoy the pizza we made from ingredients we bought at the Farmer's Market.  I wish I would have taken a picture...but I'll just have to tempt your taste buds with the ingredients...

Vegetable focaccia bread from the farmer's market

Pesto

Fresh mushrooms

Spinach

Thinly sliced tomatoes

Mozarella cheese

Freshly grated parmesean cheese

And a little olive oil to top it off

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes...complete yummness!

I heart weekends in the summer.

My Little Sweetheart

6 Months Old Already!

 

Sweet Saturday Morning

Much to my dismay, my daughter woke at 6:45 am this morning.  We had a late night last night and Matt and I were hoping to sleep in.  As I grumpily walked from one end of the house, stumbling from half sleep, to the other, I decided I would scold her for waking up early.  But, as happens each time, when I reached the side of her crib, I was overcome with love, for her sweet smile stared back at me in such innocence.  I scooped her up and spent the next 45 minutes playing on the bedroom floor with her.  By 8am she was ready for her morning nap.  I laid her back in her crib and without a peep she fell into a deep sleep.  I quickly grabbed my sweatshirt, purse and keys and headed out to the car.  Who can pass up a hot cup of coffee and a sausage biscuit from McDonald's early on Saturday morning?  When I returned, Matt was standing dazed in the middle of the living room floor.  "Where'd you go?"  When he saw the labeled coffee cup I held, his eyes lit up.  We sat at the dining room table, browsing the web and eating our breakfast together, while our little sleeps the rainy morning away.  

Sweet Saturday Morning.

My Daughter Already Loves Technology

As most 6 month year olds progress, they become increasingly interested in toys and videos. Annelise is extremely interested in technology.  She loves mommy's "tv" (computer), daddy's cell phone, and most of all - Papa's Blackberry.  Here's a short video of her playing with Uncle Matt - and excitedly reaching for the Blackberry.  Uncle Matt loves technology too.