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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Chocolate Cake

Tomorrow night we have our Christmas with the Bonstells. We have to bring a dessert so I thought it would be fun to try the Betty Crocker Gluten Free Cake and then make Better then Anything dessert with it. Morgan was excited to help me make it! She kept saying...no gluten...I eat it! :) So cute! Bonstells please know that (well I think) I got all the egg shells out!! :)

Colton & Morgan

Today we had Colton come over to play! He is starting to crawl and get into everything!! He was so much fun and it was fun to see Morgan play with him again too!
Morgan helping Colton eatMorgan in her new "Critter Barn" tunnel that she got from Grandpa & Grandma Zwaag. Colton was in there too but you can't see him!!!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Burton Christmas Party

Yesterday we had another family Christmas Party! We had my dad's side of the family. We had a nice meal and had a fun time. Here are a few more pictures. We have one more family party in January.

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Burton Party
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Saturday, December 26, 2009

Christmas in Pictures!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow: Morgan's 3rd Christmas
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Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

On this (rainy/cold) Christmas Morning...from our house to yours....MERRY CHRISTMAS! May you celebrate the real reason on Christmas today. The birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!
But the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I am bring you good news. This is happy news for all the people: today in Behtlehem, God's Son was born. You can go see him. He is wrapped warm and snug in a manger!" (taken from Morgan's Bible) "Happy Birthday Baby Jesus"

Monday, December 21, 2009

Step into my office!

I couldn't help but take a picture of Morgan in her "office" at my grandma Burton. She told Neal to step into her office!! Where does she get this stuff from!!! She enjoys checking her email from Grandpa Burton! Too funny!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

What a difference...

What a difference a diet can make! We are so thankful for a happy, healthy and GROWING little girl!! Thank you Lord!!
Christmas 2008
Christmas 2009

Family Pics

My mom wanted a new family picture...it is really already old since my brother and sister-n-law are excepting a baby (which is in the bed if you ask Morgan!) at the end of June!! We will be first time aunt, uncle & first cousin! We are pumped!!!!

Lynema Christmas

Tonight we had Lynema's Christmas (my mom's side)! It is always fun to get together with them. This year we really changed it up...we rented a hall and did Bingo gifts for the adults and name exchange for the kids! It was a lot of fun! Morgan got a new dolly and bottle, toy food and pots and pans! She loved playing with her dolly that she named Gert (not sure where that came from but...whatever!)

Morgan & Brayden (my cousin's son) They hugged a couple of times! Too cute!
Morgan LOVES Aunt Sarah
Opening her dolly

She didn't leave her dolly...she pushed it around in her stroller!

O Christmas Tree

Yesterday we FINALLY got our Christmas tree! Not sure what took us so long this year to get it! We should have gotten it in November when it was so nice! My dad had been "grooming" this tree all year and was hoping for it to be his (my mom put the fake tree up again) but instead we got to take the prize home!! It is being held up by ribbon but we still love it! It was so wet that we didn't do anything to it but let it dry last night! Today we put lights on it! I hope to have it decorated by Christmas! (final picture to come later...I know you can hardly wait!)

Ready to find our tree (or as she says mines tree)

Thanks Dad for cutting our tree down! It would have taken us a lot longer if it wasn't for the chainsaw!
Neal & Morgan observing Dad (do they work for the state??)
I wish I would have had a picture of it up on the blazer! It was a lot better then last year when we held it by electric wire!!!

Feel the Zeel

This past Thursday night we went downtown Zeeland to Feel The Zeel! Santa was "visiting" and they were offering horse drawn carriage rides! I can't wait to get the picture of Morgan and Santa back! She was having a fit!!! Hands in her mouth wailing that she didn't want to talk to him! Funniest thing ever!!! From there we went to the candy store to fill our bag from Santa! Next we got in line for the carriage ride! I think we waited a half hour for it! It was freezing cold and I probably wasn't totally dressed for the occasion either! Oh well...Morgan had fun! Funny story...you won't catch Neal singing...so when we sat down in the carriage only to be handed song sheets!! He just looked at me...then the people across from us start singing! Wow!! They couldn't carry a tune and I thought Neal was going to hit someone! Too funny!!
waiting for our turn! She did great waiting!
on the ride
petting the horse (Molly or Tim)

Thursday, December 17, 2009

29 Months

How can this be? Our little girl just keeps growing and just keeps getting smarter! Morgan is such a joy! She is getting so excited for Christmas and actually understands what is happening. She is also starting to understand the real meaning of Christmas (even though at times she still thinks it is her birthday). She is able to tell you who Baby Jesus, Mary & Joseph are. She says the cutest things and totally melts our hearts! She is little miss independent at times too! She still loves to sing and dance. She has really taken a liking to Shrek (could be worse I guess) and videos on the computer! She continues to impress us with what she says...counting, ABCs, her name, where she lives! We call her our little sponge!!! We love you so much Morgan Lynn!!!!
She didn't want her picture taken!

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Sleeping Babies

I'm proud to say I had three sleeping babies sleeping all at the same time!!! (I know it doesn't look like it but I did!!)
You really can't see Boomer but you can see a little spot of his eyes in the background on the couch!
This was earlier when Baily thought she needed to nap on our "picnic" blanket!

Snow Day

Well along with almost 100 other schools, Ottawa Area Center was closed! Usually I would be thrilled to have a day off however because I'm subbing...I don't get paid! :( Plus, with a "blizzard" coming school tomorrow isn't very likely either. On the flipside...I got to spend the day with my Morgie! We were lazy all day (well, stayed in our comfy clothes)! We did go for "picnic" to the "park" for lunch! It was Morgan's idea to take her babies (Suzie & Molly) to the park.

After lunch we attempted to make cookies. I had a mix of gluten free cookies. So we made those before lunch. Let is firm up and then made cookies after lunch! Let's just say...we made one tray and then it was nap time! I did finish baking them while she was napping. Now we just need to frost them which will be another fun task!

pictures of the frosting to come soon!!! :)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Silent Saturday

My kind of girl...popcorn in one hand...diet coke in the other...and out cold!!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Thanksgiving & Prayers

I am very excited and thankful to say that I have an interview tomorrow. With that being said I am VERY nervous! This summer was very hard on me emotionally. I had a TON of interviews and a TON of rejection phone calls. I was told I was number two and there really wasn't anything to work on...the other person just had more experience! AH! I'm praying that this is the job that the Lord has in His plan. Please say an extra prayer tomorrow at 4:15!

Thanks!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Getting the in the Christmas Mood

Tonight, Neal, Morgan, my mom & myself (with all of the brave people in Zeeland) stood and watched the Christmas parade in Zeeland! It was cold and Morgan could barely move but she loved it! Once we finally found our spot (that was fun!) She saw lots of dogs, horses and lights! The best part was Santa but she didn't care for the fire trucks that were behind it!

Happy Birthday Boomer!


Today is Boomer's 4th Birthday (that's 29 in dog years according to a website)!! He has had quite the ride in the four years that he has been alive!!! He was abused and then recused by a man in Mount Pleasant! Then Neal & I drove up there in April of 2006 (spring break road trip) to pick him up!! It has been interesting having him in our lives!!!! Happy Birthday Boomer!

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Turkey Day!

Waiting for Daddy...not wanting to take a Thanksgiving picture!
Standing by her Turkey she made! A little happier now!

Happy Turkey Day (as Morgan would say!!) We pray that you are having a blessed Thanksgiving day! To be thankful all year long is what is important but I think on Thanksgiving it's a good reminder to be thankful. This morning we went to South Olive CRC for church and the message was to be thankful no matter what. Pastor Barton had two people come up front...he gave one a piece of pie! That boy was so excited! Then he gave another girl a piece and she was excited! The boy however wasn't quite as excited anymore...the girl's piece was bigger...it made me think...I always want something better....I always want the "bigger" piece. I look at others and see what they have and wish I could have it. Instead I need to be thankful for what I have. My grandma & I just talked this week about being thankful even when you don't want to! There were so many times this summer that I wasn't thankful. I couldn't understand why God wouldn't allow me to get a teaching position. However, He has a plan (even though I'm not sure what it is yet), He has a plan! Be thankful in all circumstances.
Today, be thankful for the "piece" you have! Enjoy your day! I know I will!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love, The VanderZwaags

Colton & Morgan

I always feel so thankful around Thanksgiving...I'm thankful for so much! Last December I made the decision to leave my job at OAC and take a job in Whitehall (actually this week last year I made that decision!!) Not knowing what was going to happen...well the lady who took my place lived right up the road from me! I didn't know her. Then I was able to work with her this summer (that's a different story...we were both SO nervous to work with each other!) Kristi and I got to know each other better and we have really become great friends! We haven't been friends for long but it seems like forever! We talk each day and typically see each other at least every other day! Kristi & Nick have a 6 month old who Morgan LOVES! She names all her babies Colton and she tells people she has a brother named Colton! Morgan couldn't wait for Kristi to call last night...PJ Party with Colton!

Thanks Nick & Kristi for a great time and a great friendship!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Lori's House

These pictures are kind of old but Lori (my cousin) watches Morgan on Thursday! Morgan loves going to Lori's house. They always do something fun and they always finger paint Morgan's fingers & toes (nail polish!) Lori, I think, enjoys it too!


Lori & Morgan carved pumpkins a few weeks ago. Morgan enjoyed it once she got into it!!
She also brought her bike with her one day...I think she was outside by 8:30!!

Thanks Lori for watching Morgan!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

28 months


Little Miss Morgan is 28 months (or 10 years old if you ask her!) Before you know it she'll be 3! Where is the time going? It amazes me at how much she talks, remembers things and will talk about them weeks later! She LOVES singing and will break out in song anywhere (middle of Meijers, middle of Pastor Scott's sermon or in the shower!) We are not concerned about her speech....she will tell you everything and will hold a conversation with you! She is very interested in playing pretend and playing with play kitchen stuff, babies and she still LOVES books!! We are having some issues with melt downs but what 2 year old doesn't have that? We love her to pieces and are so thankful that she is in our life!!!

This past weekend she was able to spend the night at her great grandma's house. Every year for as long as I can remember, my grandma Lynema invites all the grandchildren over night when my grandpa goes hunting. Last year she asked Morgan but I wasn't quite ready for that...this year...I let her go willingly!! (date night for Neal & I!) Morgan was there with all of my cousins. They watched Marley & Me and had popcorn. Then they slept on the floor and were up by 7am! Outside playing by 8am! Let's just say she is still recovering! She had a great time and I'm sure she'll be talking about sleeping next to Andrea for the next few months!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Thankful

Thank you to our men and women that served our country (and to those still serving!) Thank you veterans for making sacrifices and some paying the ultimate sacrifice for the things that we probably take everyday for granted!

Monday, November 9, 2009

I Color! & Fudge Bar

Last night I went and got groceries (BY MYSELF!!!) I guess Neal had to use the potty and left Morgan watching videos (she loves songs on the computer)! I guess he was gone a while because she colored again! This wasn't the first time she has done this. She actually did this a week or so ago and the lines were almost gone...now we have colors though!

After supper Morgan decided she wanted ice cream! As you can tell she didn't each much!! I was for sure I would have to dump the shirt but thank goodness for Oxi-Clean it all came out!! What you can't see is there was a big wet spot under the chair because Neal thought she should wear panties (we have been doing really well with pull ups...not sure why he thought last night would be a good night to try this! She ended up in the shower when she was done!!! :)

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Fall?

Can it really be the 8th day of November? I love this weather and I know Morgan does too!! What a great weekend! We were thankful we could actually enjoy it and didn't have any plans!

Yesterday, we went away with Kristi & Colton! Then we came home and played for a little bit, took a nap, played a little more and then went to the Bonstell's for supper & cards!

Today we were able to go to church, play outside and then nap! Morgan was excited to see the sun today that she wore her flip flops to church (so did her mommy and I'm sure we had some people talking about our fashion in November but...hey...we LOVE our flip flops!)

Not sure how much longer we will have weather like this but we are very thankful for it!
Shirt & Socks...be thankful she had a pull up on! She was running around with her bare butt! (Sorry if anyone drove past and saw that!)
Sun Bathing!!
So tired...she couldn't even make it through lunch! Maybe it was the walk to Grandpa & Grandma Zwaag's that did her in!!! Get out there and enjoy the day!