Sandy Pines

Finally, pictures of Sandy Pines...I'll put them on shutterfly too.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Out-smarting Once Again

I thought I was in the clear in terms of Gerrit proofing the basement....guess not! He figured out how to get through the 'gate' at the base of the stairs. He loves to climb stairs and thought it was a game when we would chase him up the stairs. So, I had to get creative again....


Gerrit didn't realize I had outsmarted him and that he would no longer be able to climb the stairs. He was really frustrated....


Laying on the ground after spending a few minutes getting himself out of the chairs! I of course, sat back and watched. I think I take pleasure in out-smarting him, just like my students. Guess that is why I teach middle school!

Gerrit Proofing

Now that Gerrit is on the move, he loves to go where he shouldn't. We have moved many items up and out of his reach; however, he still tries to go where we'd rather not have him go! He amazes us each day as he reaches higher, climbs up higher, seems to have little fear, and has figured out our barricades by the stairs.



Today, we have been relaxing in the basement and one place Gerrit has seemed to enjoy is the fireplace. It does not work and I have put decorative candles in it which we no longer light because of him. I got sick of telling him not to climb in the fireplace and when he didn't listen (which was most of the time), I got sick of having to pull him out of it.


This was my creative solution to "Gerrit proof" the fireplace...the stabilty ball! He was very upset when I first put it in there but soon found it a great surface to throw a ball at. I felt pretty good about my solution and was able to relax once again....

Soccer Mom?

I'm too busy to take pictures these days! We took in our friends 3rd and 6th grader for a few days and all I've been doing is running around! Little did I know that my day would start at 8 am, I might not have volunteered for this. No, its not that bad. I've been to reading camp, football camp (twice), bike ride to the park and of course stopping at the park to play, and to the pool. When Gerrit wakes up, we are headed back to the pool. I am tired and need a nap but won't get one till Sat. as we have the boys through tomorrow night. They are a great help and watch Gerrit when needed. He loves them too and enjoys watching them do big boy stuff! I'm hoping this weekend to go through pictures from MI and finally see Adam's pictures from France. Stay tuned b/c if I make it through this 'soccer mom' phase, I'll post pictures from vacation.

Home Again, Home Again

I know I havn't written in 2 weeks but we've been busy in MI! We all (Adam too) arrived back in MN yesterday safe and sound. It was good to be together again and home. We all enjoyed our vacations but were ready to be back in Z-town. Gerrit seems to amaze Adam and our friends with what he can do that he couldn't do 2 weeks ago. His walking has improved tremendously, his hair is more blonde, he likes to use a fork, and he gets into things more now than before (which seems hard to believe). I will post some pictures sooner than later highlighting Gerrit's trip to MI and a picture or 2 of Adam's trip as well.

Wanamingo 4th of July Parade

Living outstate allows for many small town parades throughout the summer. Today was Wanamingo's (for those of you who've visited, the coffee shop town) 4th of July parade. Anne, the boys, and I decided to ride our bikes to the parade. It was a 7 mile bike ride, one way which was the perfect distance; especially for Paul who volunteered to pull Gerrit in the Burley.

Gerrit took it all in once again. He's getting pretty good at the parade thing - look cute and people give you candy! He sat near us the whole time and loved all the activity. He did take a liking to 2 pieces of bubble gum which he held on to for quite a while. I didn't think anything of it until we were headed home and it looked like Gerrit was eating something - I didn't give him anything to snack on...turns out he stuck a piece of gum (wrapper and all) in his mouth! Paul stopped so I could remove it from his mouth and take the 2nd piece away too so that wouldn't end up in his mouth later on. He was not happy but once we got going, he fell asleep and forgot about the whole thing.

Here's the gang - Nikki and the girls drove and met us at the parade. From left to right: Paul (standing), Anne, Luke, Gerrit, Abby (standing), Nikki, Olivia - in stroller sleeping (3 months old).

We felt like we were at Sandy Pines for part of the parade - golf carts!!! Although, we didn't have obnoxious women fighting to steal the candy away from the children which was quite nice. (Sorry mom, hope you were nice to the kids this year!)

More parade pictures will be posted on Shutterfly (see right side of blog for link).

Joining the Military?

Adam came home yesterday looking like this:

I wondered if after he got his hair cut he went and enlisted in the Military. He said no, its the 'no maintenance' look for France!

Don't Mind Me

Just playing around w/ colors and lay outs....things may change in the next few days. Gerrit is sleeping and in a bit we are headed for a bike ride to a neighboring town to watch their parade. Adam is on a ride w/ the guys and we are meeting up with them for ribs at Dahlen's tonight. Tomorrow we head to Lake City to swim in the pool! Sometime I'll find time to pick up the house, finish laundry, make sure things are taken care of seeing we won't be around for 2 weeks and pack! Leaving at 7:30 am Sunday doesn't give me much time to finish packing if I want to wait till last minute!

Eight Ball

Gerrit thinks he can ride a bike now. He sits on Luke's Eight Ball Electra and loves it! Tonight Luke added the shades and helmet to complete the look. Soon enough Gerrit will inherit that bike! How sweet is that???