The DeJonghs

2011-05-04T06:50:00.001-07:00

Gorgeous Spring Day!!!

2011-04-10T14:18:00.000-07:00

With the weatherman forcasting 80 degrees today we just had to get outside. We went to Dutch Village to feed the ducks and then off to the Holland State Park. It was gorgeous!!! The girls loved the swings and Shelby must have ran 2 miles up and down the beach barefoot:) We finished off our perfect day with a trip to Captain Sundae.

Feeling a little crafty

2011-01-24T18:07:00.000-08:00

So, I love to sew but hardly have the time so when Doug was traveling a bunch for work I stayed up way too late and sewed my little heart out. I'm so happy I have two little girls to design for:)

Happy New Year

2011-01-24T18:04:00.001-08:00

Here's to a fabulous 2011. We started it out with a bunch of snow to go sledding in:) Those of you who know me well, know that I LOVE snow!!!

Merry Christmas

2011-01-24T17:58:00.000-08:00

Some fun pics from Christmas at all the parties.

Happy Birthday Shelby

2011-01-24T17:55:00.000-08:00

Shelby turned 4 this year!!!

Fun Fall Times

2011-01-24T17:52:00.001-08:00

Here are some of my favorite pics of the girls that I took on a beautiful October afternoon.

Little of this, little of that...

2011-01-24T17:47:00.001-08:00

Shelby started preschool this year at Rose Park and she loves it! She also played soccer for Park Twp. and scored her very first goal. Ash and Shelb are in their Halloween costumes at Great Wolf Lodge where we had a blast!

Better Late than Never

2011-01-24T17:39:00.000-08:00

So, I'm still updating the blog in hopes of keeping up with it:) Here was our family photo shoot in August done by Jenn VanDyke- Captured Memories- check her out, she's awesome!!!

Wayyyyy Overdue:)

2011-01-24T17:26:00.000-08:00

So... I haven't updated this thing in almost a year and a half! Yikes! Poor Ashlynn never even made it on here. Since September of 2009 we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl named Ashlynn Joy DeJongh. She was born on February 13, 2010. She is such a sweet serene baby who is a charmer to say the least. Shelby absolutely loves her! So, here are some pics from the past year of Ash and the fam.

Honeycrisp Madness!

2009-09-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Shelby and I went to Crane's for the opening day of Honey crisp apple picking. It was crazy! There was an hour wait to check out when we got there but by the time we were done picking there was hardly a line. It was definitely worth it though because the apples are delicious this year! Now, on to making applesauce...

Maroon Platoon

2009-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

We took Shelby to the HC football game against Wyoming Park last Friday night. She sported her "Maroon Platoon" t-shirt and cheered on the football players. She was a little confused as to why the guys were allowed to push eachother down without haveing to sit in the corner but I assured her if she plays football someday it is allowed:)

Silver Lake

2009-09-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

This year was bittersweet because Doug sold his "91 Blazer that we used to take in the dunes:(

but... we decided to lift his blue GMC and make it "dune ready". This way we could take Shelby with. She loved the dunes and demanded we go "faster" all the time. The truck did great and scooted up every hill. Doug also rode a friend of our's quad and now Shelby has informed us she would like a quad for her birthday.

John Ball Zoo

2009-09-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

Doug and I took Shelby to the zoo before it started to get too cold. It was a perfect day with mild temps and it seemed like all the animals were very active! Shelby really like the bears and the octopus:)

Baby on the way!

2009-08-26T10:18:00.000-07:00

So, this is a little late for an announcement but we are expecting our second baby due in February! I've been slacking and don't have any baby bump pictures yet, but believe me it's there! I couldn't believe how fast I started to show this time around. We had an early ultrasound at 9 weeks and confirmed there was only one:) I'm due February 20 and already have a very active little jumping bean inside! We have our ultrasound scheduled for September 25 so hopefully I'll be able to post some pics. Please pray for a healthy baby and good results at the ultrasound.

The House is all done!

2009-08-26T10:11:00.001-07:00

We have been remodeling a bit this summer with new windows, doors, and siding. Here is the final project!

Pickin' Peaches

2009-08-26T10:08:00.001-07:00

Shelby and I went to Crane's this year to pick peaches and boy were they good! Call me old fashioned but I canned them this year so we can enjoy them all winter long.

Lost Lake

2009-08-26T10:02:00.000-07:00

We made our annual trip out to Lost Lake the beginning of August with Doug's family. It was a short trip because Doug had to get back to Escanaba to work but we had a great time and great weather. Sydney, our dog, swam the whole time and then didn't get off the couch for a week! Shelby fell in love with these sunglasses from Grandma (circa 1970) and wore then the whole weekend. Also, Doug proved he could still wakeboard and slalom ski:)

Critter Barn

2009-07-11T11:14:00.001-07:00

I took Shelby to the Critter barn for the first time yesterday and we had a blast! For those of you who know me, I have a great love for any animal on the planet. So far, Shelby is sharing that trait. The staff was great and gave us a tour of all the barns and animals and Shelby wanted to take them all home with her, except the baby turkey who nibbled on her finger.

Before....

2009-07-11T11:11:00.000-07:00

So this year we bit the bullet and decided to put all new windows in our house and reside it. The little blue ranch on Lilac will now be gray. I will post pics of the finished product soon.

Tenting It

2009-07-11T11:07:00.000-07:00

One afternoon this week Shelby was supposed to be taking a nap and I noticed it was very quiet in her room for just putting her to bed. I peaked in the door to find her under a blanket that she had draped across her toddler bed. When I asked what she was doing she replied, "I'm camping in my tent and bugs are really bad out." She has such an imagination these days, she "camped" all afternoon and didn't sleep a wink!

Hoopaloop

2009-07-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

Shelby came up the idea that she wanted a "hoopaloop" (Hula Hoop) I still can't figure out where she had seen one or how she knew how to do it but needless to say we took a trip to Target and got one. Here are some cute pics of her trying to do it, I'll spare you the pics of me hula hooping:)

Fun on the Fourth

2009-07-11T10:59:00.000-07:00

This year for the the 4th our friends Mitch and Lori hosted a cookout. We all played yard games, ate great food, and had a little fun with some fireworks. Lori was dogsitting two puppies as well so Shelby almost had more fun chasing the dogs around than watching the fireworks.

Poolside Peanut

2009-07-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

The neighbors down the street have a pool and have always invited us over on Sundays for kids day. Shelby has always been afraid to go in the water until this year. As soon as we got there she about jumped in the pool without her swimmies she was so excited. I'm so glad she got over her fears, she even jumped off the diving board! Now, every morning she wakes up and asks if we can go swimming today:)

Happy Father's Day

2009-07-11T10:50:00.000-07:00

Poor Doug was still in Texas over Father's Day so we had dinner with my Dad and Debby and I bought my Dad his all time favorite Dairy Queen Icecream cake. So here are a few pics as well as some more showing the damage to Debby's house after the tree was taken off the house.

Waukazoo Woods "Tornado"

2009-07-11T10:41:00.000-07:00

On Friday June 19, what started as a fun pizza night at Debby's house turned into a disaster! Around 8:00 p.m. the sky turned an eery shade and the thunder started to rumble so Shelby and I headed for home. My Dad called around 9 saying that they saw a tree in Debby's front yard be uprooted and tossed onto the house along with the patio furniture. I was very proud of our 52 year old house because we were hi and dry which was a good thing because Doug was in Texas and there wasn't a thing I could do if we flooded out. Unfortunately a lot of people were flooded including my Uncle Tim and Aunt Denise who had almost a foot of water! Saturday morning I ventured back to Waukazoo to pick up my Dad who was going to borrow a car because the driveway had been blocked with 4 huge trees. I took pictures because the damage was just astonishing.

Potty Training, Round 152

2009-07-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

So, for those of you who know Shelby... she is VERY strong willed! She was almost potty trained around 2 but then decided it was for the birds. I let her do her thing and waited until she took interest in it again but.. that never happened. So, for what seems like the 152nd round of potty training we decided to give it a go. I knew it was going to be beautiful out so we went outside armed with My Little Pony underpants, the potty chair, and the Taj Mahal of sidewalk chalk. No such luck, stay tuned for next weeks story.

Memorial Day Picnic

2009-05-27T10:09:00.001-07:00

We had a block party with all of our neighbors for Memorial day. Shelby was a little fashionista and picked out her own outfit to show off to her nieghbor buddy. They rode around in the power wheels jeep almost the whole day!

Summer fun

2009-05-27T10:05:00.000-07:00

Ok, technically it's not summer yet, but last week sure felt like it! Shelby was rarin' to play outside from dusk til dawn. She is getting so big, we had to take down the baby swing and put up her big girl swing....tear....

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

2009-05-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

This year I was very brave and made Shelby's Dutch costume, I was so proud! It really wasn't as hard as what I thought it would be, for those of you contemplating this. We had a great week for Tulip time this year and Shelby loved smelling all of the Tulips and posing for endless tourists! I also danced alumni this year, (I'll spare you those pictures) which was so much fun!

Frederick Meyer Gardens

2009-05-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

Shelby, Grandma, and I went to the Frederick Meyer Gardens to see the butterfly exhibit at the end of April. What a hit! Shelby loved chasing all of the butterflies and running around outside in the children's area. We will definitely be back next year.

Silly Shelby

2009-04-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Shelby hates having her picture taken so I have to take advantage of every chance I get. This was taken the other morning when she was still in her pajamas and found a winter hat in her closet. She loves to play dress up!

Just like Daddy

2009-04-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

I just happened to be walking into the kitchen with my camera tonite and caught these cute snapshots of Shelby "changing the oil" on her car. I guess Shelby's been hanging out in the garage too much with Doug and all the guys:) Maybe she has a little of me in her yet, she is using a spatula from her baking set to get the filter out.

Coloring Easter Eggs

2009-04-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

Shelby and I colored Easter eggs for the first time and boy was it fun. Shelby loved watching me dip all the eggs and then she put a bunch of Hello Kitty stickers all over them. She accidently dropped one on the floor and the shell cracked a bit so I let her peel off the shell and eat the hard boiled egg. Much to my surprise she loved it and wanted to eat them all!

These Boots Were Made For Walkin'

2009-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

So, my Dad sent Shelby these cute red cowboy boots from Arizona and she thinks they are the best! She wants to wear them everywhere and I let her because you're only a kid once:)

Van Andel Museum

2009-04-09T18:30:00.000-07:00

Shelby is infatuated with dinosaurs lately so a couple of weeks ago Doug and I took her to the Dinosaur exhibit at the museum. She loved it! She was convinced all the dinosaurs were real and that they were going to bite her but she was ok with that:) She now uses "brontosaurus", "triceratops", and "tyrannosaurus rex" in her daily vocabulary!

Spring is just around the corner...right?

2009-04-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in awhile but remember about a month ago when we had that warm spell and it actually felt like spring? Shelby couldn't wait to get outside and practice playing catch with her new Dora the Explorer baseball glove. Too bad the weather couldn't just stay like that!

~Quilting~

2009-03-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

So, call me a grandma... but if you know me, you know I love new adventures and am always into trying something new. I learned how to sew in seventh grade when I took 4H (call me a dork) and I recently decided to put that sewing knowledge to good use. I decided to make a "practice quilt" and if I was happy with it I would move onto bigger and better things like a bedspread for Shelby when she gets a "big girl" bed. So... here it is.

Fun in the 50's

2009-03-09T10:01:00.000-07:00

Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some warm weather. Shelby has been very sick of being cooped up all winter. She has been asking to play outside since December and we finally got our chance last week.

Oldies but Goodies

2009-02-23T10:00:00.000-08:00

So... I love to do Creative Memories and since I'm all caught up on Shelby I decidied to make an album of myself when I was a kid. I spent hours carfully taking apart my mom's photo albums and scanning all the pictures at my house. Here are some of the best ones!

Dominican 2009

2009-02-04T08:42:00.000-08:00

So, we decided to take a vacation sans Shelby again this year. We love her to death but sometimes we need a break:) So, Doug and I went to Punta Cana with 7 of our friends. It was a very relaxing and eventful trip. We left Chicago on January 25 at negative 5 degrees and arrived in Dominican at a sunny 85 degrees. We had a perfect week with no rain and Shelby was very well behaved for Grandma. I definitely think we should do this every year.

Merry Christmas 08

2008-12-27T10:58:00.000-08:00

We had a very Merry Christmas this year and are greatful for all our family and friends and look forward to another exciting year. We had 4 parties this year and Shelby loved every minute of it! Here are some of the best pictures.

2008 Family Christmas Pictures

2008-12-08T09:49:00.000-08:00

Every year I drag Doug kicking and screaming to get a family photo by the tree. This year we actually got a great picture!

Shelby turns 2!

2008-12-08T09:45:00.001-08:00

On November 22 little Shelby turned 2 years old already! My, how the time flys. She loved all of her presents and loved singing Happy Birthday to herself all day long.

Too Toos and No More Naps!

2008-11-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

Shelby got this too too at the church craft bazaar we went to this past Saturday, it took a little coaxing, but I finally got her to dance around in it. My dream of having a little ballarina is fading fast, I think she will be a karate kid or a dirt biker. That's more her style. Also, this afternoon Shelby has decided that she doesn't want to take a nap. So, this is what she did in her crib instead. I've been trying to tell her that she doesn't need her pacifier anymore since she is going to be 2 and I heard her yelling from her room that she was "sharing" I walked in her room and there she was "sharing" her pacifiers with her Sesame Street friends, crazy kid!

Fall Fun

2008-11-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

With this beautiful weather we have had, Shelby and I just had to take some pictures in the leaves. She liked the leaves, but really liked picking up all the sticks. I guess she takes after her father, always neat and tidying up the yard.

So Blessed

2008-11-06T09:56:00.001-08:00

I recently read a book called "Mistaken Identity" about the Taylor University girls who were in a terrible crash and one died and one lived and the identities were mixed up. Then I recently read the blog of the Busschers who lost thier daughter this past summer. It really made me realize how truly blessed we are. I give those families credit for sticking with God through all that life has challenged them with. I question myself, how I would react to something like, and I realize that I am truly blessed with every day that I get to spend with family and friends.

Big Truckin'

2008-11-06T09:34:00.001-08:00

A couple weeks ago, Doug brought the semi home from work because he was leaving early the next morning to make a run down to Georgia. Shelby loves semi trucks so she was in all her glory "driving" the semi. She even got to blow the air horn!

Happy Halloween, Care Bear style!

2008-11-03T10:59:00.000-08:00

Shelby is infatuated with Care Bears, especially the pink one! She was so excited when I found a Care Bear costume that she actually wore it for a month before Halloween (only in the house:) She loved walking around the neighborhood with her little pumpkin basket yelling "trick or treat" and then she shoved as much candy as the neighbors would allow into her basket. She asks for candy for breakfast now, which has been quite a battle.

Post Family Farm

2008-10-18T10:57:00.000-07:00

Grandma and I took Shelby to the Post Family Farm in Hudsonville. I just discovered this place last week, and I'm sure we'll be back every year. Shelby loved all the animals, the hay ride, and especially the pumkin train. She road it over and over and when she had to get out she was yelling "my turn!"

Crane's Orchard

2008-09-26T09:53:00.001-07:00

Shelby, Grandma, and I decided to make our annual trip to Crane's. We were one of the lucky people who got to pick the Honey Crisp apples, and boy were they good! Shelby loved to carry the bag around the orchard yelling "too heavy, too heavy" We tried to convince her not to put so many apples in one bag, but there is no convincing an almost 2 year old:) Shelby also got to pick out a pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. She wanted nothing to do with the pretty round orange ones, whe wanted this ugly green gourd. So, that's what we came home with. If Shelby is happy, everyone is happy.

John Ball Zoo...in the rain

2008-09-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

We decided to venture out to the zoo because it was the last day that all of the animals would be around before they closed part of the zoo. Doug was not near as thrilled as Shelby and I were to go, but we all ended up having a great time. It poured the whole time but I had my trusty poncho and Doug had a huge umbrella to cover Shelby in the stroller. Shelby's favorite animals were the "big kittys" aka tigers and the monkeys.

Country Bumpkin

2008-08-30T12:13:00.000-07:00

Shelby and I took a ride out to Grandpa's house, who lives in the sticks. He bought Shelby a tricycle and a wagon that she just loved. Her favorite part was going for a ride behind the tractor in her new wagon! Take a peak at the pics and notice Shelby's outfit, down to the shoes that she picked out all by herself.

Sundae! Sundae!

2008-08-13T09:10:00.000-07:00

We also took Shelby to get her first icecream at Captain Sundae earlier this summer. I got her chocolate soft serve in a cup because I thought it would be easier to feed it to her, boy was I wrong. Shelby kept yelling "I do it, I do it" and we left with icecream in her eyebrows to in between her toes. Now every once in a while we'll be driving in the car and Shelby will shout Sundae! Sundae! and we have to make a Captian run.

Beachin'

2008-08-13T09:06:00.000-07:00

Shelby has taken a liking to going to the beach. At first she didn't like the sand between her toes, but now she just can't get enough. She's not too sure about the lake, but she is very content to fill her bucket of sand and empty it for hours.