The Blast Factory

Here we are at the "Blast Factory" celebrating someone's birthday from our church. They loved it. It had several different inflatabls set up. Ella and Nathan's favorite was the bounce slide.

While away the children will play

This is where I found Nathana and Ella while I tired to throw a load of laundry in.

Sawyer"s first adventure in a Johhhy Jump Up

Christmas exerpt from Ella

Ella's rendition of Jingle Bells (sorry about it not being right side up)

Beckering Christmas in Minneapolis

Sawyer's first cereal.

Grandpa reading to the grand kids

Ella "scooter and makeup" need I say more!

Breanna posing with her new makeover

Did I just have my 3rd Birthday or my 13th!

Cousin fun with play makeup

Nathan and daddy admiring his new scooter

The grand kids patiently waiting to open presents

Sawyer checking out his new toy

I think I'd rather have the wrapping paper!

New tractor!

Opening up Christmas presents on their Birthday!

Well the holiday festivities have finally come to an end. We enjoyed a wonderful time in Minneapolis over the New Year and now are trying to get back to normal here in Michigan. The kids had a great time playing with their "Minnesota" cousins and grandparents. Ella was a little sad that Hershey (my parent's dog) was not there and Nathan did ask Uncle Dan where his tractor was! We had a big slumber party at Dan and Laura's the first couple of nights and ended at Darin and Tricia's before we left. The grownups even got a night out. Mike and Allison Meidema (friends of Dan and Laura and my old neighbor) took all 9 children, along with their 3 children! They are daring. Thanks again Mike and Allison! We went out to a nice Chinese restaurant and of course ate way too much, (but hey when your not feeding your children, you tend to be able to eat more for yourself)! The kids have had fun playing with their Christmas toys and ask everyday if they can go back to Minnesota. Sawyer has had some firsts. He started some cereal yesterday. He is rolling all over and starts to lunge or wiggle his way towards toys. He can sit up for awhile if propped up correctly and is quick to grab anything that comes in his reach! We pray you all have a wonderful start to your New Year!

Stuive Christmas and Ella and Nathan's Birthday celebration

The "Dinosuar" cake

The "Butterfly"cake

They got cash registers for their birthdays

Natha, Ella, and Connor all share a birthday.

Birthday hugs

Last Saturday, we celebrated the Stuive 2010 Christmas at Todd and Kathy's house. We had a blast. We ate good food and had fun opening presents. Ella and Nathan also got to celebrate their birthday a little early. They were pretty excited to see that Santa did come through in making "butterfly" and "dinosaur" cakes for their birthday. Luckily they took a nap that afternoon and Tim and I were able to get them frosted and decorated. We have to give credit to my sister-in-law Laura and friend Allison M. for giving us the ideas for the cakes. We were pretty proud of ourselves. So far the twins have enjoyed Christmas. Tomorrow they will be 3 years old. We are so grateful that God has given them to us. They are such happy and healthy children. Their brains are like sponges and it is amazing to see how much they comprehend at this age. We have made some big miles stones like potty training and saying our ABC's. We are excited to see what this year has in store for them. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Almost Christmas

Ella and Nathan after 1.5 hours outside with daddy

Who cares if it's cold, we love the snow

Here I am at 4 months

Brotherly love

Sisterly love

I feel bad for not getting any updates, but these holiday weeks keep me busy. Sawyer had his 4 month appointment last week and is doing great. He weighed 15 lbs and 3 oz. and is 25 and 5/8 inches tall. It is amazing to see how much he is changing in these last couple of weeks. He is able to roll from front to back and vice versa. He kind of sits with assistance and loves the exersaucer. He is finding his voice and loves to coo. He stares intently when we eats and grabs for everything. I let him suck on the outside of a iced glass of water and he had a fit, which appeared to be related to the fact that he couldn't get any water out of it!!! He is sleeping through the night, so that is wonderful. The twins are getting excited for Christmas and their 3rd Birthday. They think Santa is making their cake. Mommy is and we'll see how it turns out.

I am sure there will be more updates for Christmas!

Updates finally here

Nathan and Ella reading books on the floor

Sawyer is big stuff sitting in a chair


Can you believe I am 3.5 months already


Sawyer likes to look at the computer with daddy

Here is Ella and Nathan at a Halloween party at their daycare lady, Esther's house.

Doesn't Esther look cute!

They had fun dressing up and going trick or treating

We took family pictures in the backyard.

Sawyer at 3 months

Ella 2.75 years old

Nathan 2.75 years old