Spring Break 2016

On our way to Orlando!

Hello cutie

Grandpa takes this seriously

Making s'mores

Feeding the fish

Lego hulk

Lego loch ness

This kid

Enjoying a boat ride

Grandpa and Julia

Relaxing, sign of a good vacation

We went to Orlando for spring break.  Grandpa D has a timeshare so we stayed at the Bonnet Creek condos with him.  We stayed there with Grandpa and Grandma 4 years ago and the place is awesome.  The last time we went to Orlando we did Disney stuff, but not this trip.  We have 2 young kids and we found plenty of other activities during the week.  The resort has about 6 pools, so we mostly enjoyed being out in the sun and swimming.  We also did some mini-golfing, ping pong and arcade games at the resort.  The condo had a kitchen which made meal times much easier than going to a restaurant.
Julia got sick right before we left for Orlando, with a fever and sore throat.  I then got the same bug the day we left.  We both recovered within a day and thankfully no one else got sick!

One of the highlights was our trip to Fun Spot America.  It is a small amusement park/carnival.  All of the kids loved it. Well, Lexi tolerated it.  There weren't many rides she could go on, but she did enjoy the ones she rode! Stephen thoroughly enjoyed the kiddie rides and proudly tells people he rode a roller coaster.  Stephen was not happy when he had to leave early with Mom and Lexi.  Julia was brave and went on the real roller coaster!  She didn't want to ride again, but she did it once! The older kids (and adults) had fun riding go-carts and other amusement park rides.  The park was empty most of the day so we didn't have to wait in lines.  The older kids, Nate and Dad got back to the condo around supper time, tired but happy.  Nate can't wait to take some kids to Cedar Point someday and ride real roller coasters.

We went to Downtown Disney, (which is now called Disney Springs) twice.  We went one morning and  it was not crowded.  We visited some stores like the Lego store and Disney store.  We also rode the ferry across the little lake.  Later in the week we ate dinner at The Rainforest Cafe.  Disney Springs was very busy that evening!  Stephen was still a little freaked out by the robotic animals in the restaurant. (We took the kids to the Rainforest Cafe in Chicago 2 years ago, he was terrified.) There is a "real" volcano outside the restaurant which was very cool, but again Stephen was scared. (I'm sensing a theme with him.)  I think this was Grandpa's first time at the Rainforest Cafe.

We had an early flight home, so we left the condo at 4:30 am.  Julia was crying hysterically (partly b/c of saying goodbye to Grandpa, mostly b/c she was exhausted). Isaac threw up in the rental car parking garage. We were stopped at security, because once again there were water bottles in the kids backpacks.  (We told them to remove them, apparently we need to double check their work.) Nate took one for the team and got a VERY thorough pat down. We were the last ones to board the plane, because we HAD to buy breakfast for the kids.  The plane ride would have been miserable if they didn't have sustenance. After the stress leading up to the plane ride, the rest of our trip was smooth.  The kids did great.  And I have to be honest, technology plays a big part in keeping them happy.  Lexi was happy sitting by Nate as he does a great job of keeping her entertained.

Our spring break vacation was different and a little sad without Grandma, but it was still good. We enjoyed spending the week with Grandpa and many more memories were made.  

Julia is 7

Sewing machine from Grandpa and Grandma

Chocolate and candy cake

Happy Birthday Julia!

She loves face painting

Daddy's girl

On March 9, Julia turned 7 years old. What?! This first grade girl is growing so fast.  For her birthday treat at school, we made chocolate covered pretzel sticks (with sprinkles of course.)  We got the traditional birthday morning donuts and had birthday supper bulgogi.  I made Julia a chocolate cake, with chocolate frosting and chocolate candy on top. It was super sweet for a sweet girl!  Julia received some shopkins (little plastic toys that girls like to trade), a Barbie doll and backpack.  Grandpa DeMaster gave her the Mulan DVD and Grandpa/Grandma J gave her a sewing machine.  And Grandma will have to do the sewing with Julia, I don't foresee myself attempting to use it. ;)

Julia is growing healthy, about the 75th percentile for height and weight.  We had parent teacher conferences recently and heard a glowing report.  Julia is a fantastic reader and she loves to read.  She would much rather read a book than play outside or with her siblings. (Reminds me of myself when I was young.)  Julia is doing well in math and soaks up Bible stories and Bible verses.  What makes us the most proud is hearing about Julia's character.  She is a kind friend and loves to help people. We are so proud of you Julia!  You are a beautiful girl.  You are smart, loving, helpful, eager to learn more about Jesus, strong willed and affectionate.  We pray being 7 years old is a great year of growth and fun for you.  We love you!  

March

Kai and Stephen sledding together, when did they get so old?

Indeed

Those glasses make him look like Grandpa DeMaster (when he was younger)

Goofy kids

Family dinner at Logans restaurant

Hard at work

And there is light

Easter party- why doesn't he take normal pictures?

We caught the Easter bunny! (And we released him)

Coloring eggs

First Easter

The girls

How the kids usually look

End of the day Easter picture

The grandkids. "We're from MI, we don't know what to do with sunshine on our faces." 

First dentist visit, he did great

Lexi and Keira

Ninjas

So, what to write about March?  We celebrated Julia's birthday, I'll do a separate post for her. We didn't have any sports going on, it was nice to have our Saturdays and weeknights mostly free.  We had gym night with our church.  Someday all of our kids will be old enough to play on their own so Nate and I can enjoy events like gym night. We took turns watching the littles so we could each participate in some of the fun.  We also had family fun night for the kids school.  It is kid fun night, not parental fun night.  And Nate conveniently had to work a day shift so he couldn't come til later, mm-hmm.  Thankfully he was able to take the youngest two home early because they were not having fun.  The older three love the carnival games and picking out prizes at the end.

We attended the local foster/adoptive family Easter party.  Lexi was pretty excited to walk around and pick eggs up.  She was more excited about the candy inside the eggs.  Dallas and Keira were also at the party.  We tried to get a picture of them with Stephen and Lexi- unsuccessfully.  None of them would stay put for a picture.

Caleb and Julia began orthodontic treatment.  They both have an expander to make more room in their mouths.  We have to turn the expander every night, which can be a frustrating process.  I foresee many years of orthodontic visits in my future.

Caleb had a band concert.  Nate and I are very impressed with the caliber of the music program at Holland Christian.  The concert featured the 5th-12th grade bands and at the end of the concert, all of the students played a song together.  Band concerts bring back so many good memories for me.  Caleb also began lacrosse practices at the end of the month.

For Easter we went to our church and then drove to my parent's house for lunch.  Tim/Jenny and family were there as well.  We tried to get some nice family pictures, we got the general idea.

Spring break began at the end of the month.  I took the kids to Hastings overnight.  The older 3 kids and I went to see the movie Zootopia with Cardale.  The older boys also spent time at Cardale's house that day.  We are grateful we can still see Cardale.  He calls us his first family instead of foster family, it's cute.  And Julia is convinced Cardale is her cousin.

We had parent teacher conferences and got glowing reports from all of the teachers.  We are so proud of our kids and how hard they work in school.  We are more proud of their character and how they live out their love for Jesus at school.  Our kids are pretty awesome.  

Pete's Wedding

Beautiful memorial candle for Mom

During the last weekend of February, Nate and I were on our way to Mexico for Pete's wedding!  We flew out early Friday morning to San Diego and met up with Mike/Colleen. We rented a car and drove about 2 hours south into Mexico.  The wedding was located near Ensenada, Mexico in a wine valley.  The wedding was small, about 20 people were invited.  We all stayed at a charming hotel with beautiful surroundings.  On Friday evening there was a cocktail hour and we enjoyed getting to know the other wedding guests.  On Saturday morning we relaxed.  The DeMaster family has never gotten together without children (at least in the 15 years I've been around.) It was so nice to chat with the family and realize again, "hey, we're fun when there aren't children around!" We ate breakfast at the hotel restaurant and they also served cookies for breakfast! They were speaking my language.  In the afternoon, a group of people took Pete off the hotel grounds for awhile.  Jess and Pete didn't want to see each other and Jess was getting a little stir crazy in her hotel room.  The group went to a place that advertised hummer adventures.  There was a hummer, but it wasn't much of an adventure.  The hummer pulled a hay wagon type trailer behind it.  The hummer adventure is really meant to transport people along a winery trail, so I guess it would seem fun with some wine on board. 

That afternoon, Colleen and I gave Jess a couple gifts.  Colleen had painted a picture based on the flowers on their wedding invitations.  It was beautiful. We also gave Jess a family scrapbook. We had the DeMaster and VanStelle aunts/uncles write a welcome/congratulations note and include a family picture.  That way Jess could "meet" the extended family.  

And Jess wore Antoinette DeMaster's wedding gown!  Antoinette is Nate's deceased Grandma. The dress is from the 1930's and Jess looked amazing in it.

The wedding ceremony took place on the hotel grounds in the late afternoon. I'm just going to share what I wrote on facebook about the wedding. 

The whole weekend was a wonderful celebration of them. The ceremony was achingly beautiful. I was aware of the rootedness of generations of family who love Jesus. God is so faithful to us imperfect people. There was much evidence of Mom's beauty and legacy of faith surrounding us this weekend. We cried and we celebrated. And we had lots of A-mazing wine. 

 After the ceremony we hopped on a bus and went to a local restaurant.  Pete had told us to expect the best food of our lives.  We were not disappointed.  This was a top notch restaurant.  There is no menu, the chef makes new things everyday.  I lost track, but I think we had a 10 course meal.  (They were small portions.)  And with every course there was a new glass of wine!  I couldn't drink the wine fast enough and at one point I had 3 glasses in front of me.  Dad helped me out and finished one.  I have not had that much wine, well probably ever.  We were all feeling gooood.  It was a great day celebrating Pete and Jess.

Sunday morning we left around 8 am.  We took a different route back to the border because someone said it would be a faster border crossing.  Well, it wasn't.  We sat in line at the border for about 2 hours.  We got into San Diego just in time to drop off the rental car and catch our flight.  We arrived at Grand Rapids around midnight and the Shoemakers brought us home.  

While we were gone, our family was busy watching the kids.  My Mom watched the kids on Friday and my Dad came out that evening.  Steph flew in late Friday evening.  My parents and Steph spent the rest of the weekend caring for these hooligans.  The kids were very excited to have Aunt Steph here.  Steph and I got to spend Monday morning together before she flew home Monday afternoon.  It was too short, but it's always good.  In about a month we'll be celebrating Steph and Ben's wedding!   

February

When it's winter we visit the indoor playground

100 crayons for 100th day. Pin that

She walks in heels better than me

I clean one room, they empty bins in another room.

Happy Lunar New Year!

Child labor

Pedicures with Grandma

65th Anniversary

Snow fort with the neighbors

Fun with Grandpa

No snow on the ground, Nate set his new hammock up. And then it snowed again

Waiting for summer

Lexi spied this toy of hers from China and was very excited to play with it 

In early February, Julia and Isaac had their 100th day of school.  Julia was supposed to attach 100 items to a shirt.  What? Teachers should not be allowed on pinterest. So she decided on 100 crayons.  We taped them on and she left a trail of crayons behind her at school.  And some ended up in her coat pocket, which I did not know, and the coat was put in the dryer. Which left red crayon on everything.  Grr- all because of the 100th day of school.

Rebecca and I attended a local IF:Gathering.  The IF conference is held in Texas, but is simulcasted around the world.  The conference has biblical teaching and encouragement for women.  It was good.

On the 6th we attended the local Korean Lunar New Year party.  Julia wore her hanbok and Lexi wore her Chinese qipao (key-peh.) We also brought along some Asian students from Hope College.  One of the students is Julia's Korean tutor.  Her name is Hyeji and she is a freshman at Hope.  She grew up around Detroit and taught at a Korean language school while in high school.  Hyeji comes twice a week.  Julia's feelings about learning Korean vacillate between enjoying it and thinking we are torturing her.  Typical response for her age. The actual Lunar New Year was on February 8.  We invited Jim and Sue Shoemaker over for dinner.  I cooked bibimbop and mandu, Korean dishes.  We had the Shoemakers participate in a Chinese new year tradition. The elders of a family give each child a red envelope with money in it.  Each child comes forward and bows to the elder before receiving the envelope.  Our kids really got into it and the Shoemakers had fun too.

We have had some snow days scattered throughout this month along with weeks of sickness.  The stomach flu and colds have made their rounds.  I won the Mom of the Year award.  Lexi had a cold and then was kind of ornery and not sleeping well for a couple weeks.  I finally took her in, convinced the Dr would say nothing was wrong.  Turns out she had a raging ear infection and couldn't hear in that ear!  Our other kids scream at night, pull their ears, etc when they have an ear infection. I wonder if living in the orphanage taught her to be stoic- crying at night doesn't really get your needs met.  Anyway, it made me sad that she had been in pain for a couple weeks, but I think I know her "sick signs" better.  Lexi has become my shadow in the past months.  She plays with Stephen, but prefers to be under my feet.  I am glad she is attaching to me, but there are struggles.  When she wakes up too early from naps or bedtime she will go back to sleep for anyone but me.  As soon as she sees me she wails because she associates me with comfort.  Which is good- most of the time.

The highlight of the month was having Grandpa DeMaster visit us for a week.  We were all happy to have him around.  He spent one on one time with each of the kids and helped Nate with projects around the house.  We did fondue while he was here which our family hasn't done in a long time!

At the end of the month, Nate and I went to Pete's wedding.  I'll write about that in my next post.