The pool is up!

This Saturday we started early and got the pool set up. Mike and Buzz are shoveling sand into the wheelbarrow to use to level the ground for the pool. Jayden and I got to rake the sand that was dumped and get it "level".

Next came laying the pool out in the right spot - the boys were VERY excited by this point! Then we filled it up with water - bring on the sunshine!

Something tells me I might have my hands full this summer! :) This is Buzz Sunday after church. He just couldn't resist checking it out!

I had to throw in this Sunday morning picture of the girls. Bows and dresses are so fun!

Are you Rich?

A very interesting article that puts our worldly possessions in perspective. Makes me feel guilty for ever wanting more money/possessions. It's human nature to seek after more wealth, and is probably one of the hardest things about living in America. We have it so good, it can hurt us spiritually if we are not careful.



How Rich Are You? Most likely richer than you think!

It is our firm belief that living in a country that still supports our freedoms (at least most of them) helps make us the richest in the world.

However, in looking at purely "money" - the World Bank Development Research Group released some calculations as to how rich we really are. The article was featured on Yahoo a few days ago:

How Rich Are You?

As the article reports, the Group has posted a wealth ranking website. If you are earning the American median income for 2009 ($52,000), then you are in the top .97 percentile of all moneymakers.

Here is the wealth-ranking website:

Wealth Ranking Website

This site invites you to share your wealth with others. Of course, there are SO many ways we can help those less privileged that we. Helping those who have legitimate needs is our desire. We are not endorsing any of the organizations of the site, but we do agree with the concept that we are "richer" than we think, and this gives us added responsibility.

Another Buzz Moment!

Recently we visited the Gridley Apostolic Church. I had both boys with me and we happened to sit next to a respected, middle aged minister in the audience.

After the service, I was introducing my boys to him, and Andrew promptly blurts out "you are old!". The minister thought it was hilarious, but still made me want to crawl in a hole!

Another memorable moment with Buzz. They just keep happening!

To all Buzz lovers!

Thought you would enjoy this. . .

Garage Sale!

I plan to have a garage sale this Thursday the 22nd at 8AM (Congerville garage sales) and then again May 1st for Goodfield garage sales. I would love for you to pass this info. along to anyone who would benefit and like to come!
- Boys 0-2T
- Girls 0-9 months
Lots of brand name clothing (Old Navy, TCP, Gap, Gymboree, Polo, Tommy)
- Boys/Girls shoes & coats
- Infant car seat/bouncy seat, infant bathtub, swing (needs fixed), walker, toys, etc. . .
- Medela electric breast pump
- Mens/Womens clothing & coats
- Household (curtains, pillows, bathroom decor, lamp)
- A few NEW sewn items (hooded towels, hotpads)
- Bake sale!
Hope to see you there!

If anyone knows someone who recently had a boy named Andrew please contact me! I have Pottery Barn pajamas (too cute!) and a blanket with his name embroidered on them. I would love to pass these items along for FREE! Thanks!
amber

The Innocence of a child

God often tells us in His word that we should be as little children. A perfect example of this is what happened at lunch today. Andrew (Buzz) asked Amber if he could have the prayer. So in his typical loud 3 year old voice he bellows "DEAR GOD, UM UM UM PLEASE HELP ME DIE BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE YOU AND GIVE YOU A HUG"

"Girls Weekend Out"

Megan and Michelle Knapp were nice enough to take 2 busy Mom's (Joan Plattner and Amb) to Chicago last weekend overnight. They took the train, saw a musical, and of course shopped, shopped, and shopped some more. Needless to say Amber loved it. Above is Megan and Joan on the train.

Amber and Michelle.

Hanging out in the motel.

Coffee anyone?? Oh yeah, are you wondering by now where all our kids spent the weekend while Amb was gone? See below..............

Actually, it went very smooth for my brother Matt and I (the above picture is actually staged.....). Amber's mom was nice enough to take the kids for 1 day, then we had them Friday night and Saturday all day. Things went great until about 4 pm. We couldn't take it anymore, so we packed up, ate an early supper at Busy Corner, and proceeded to take a "Saturday afternoon drive" for about an hour and a half until it was time for bed. Do I have a new appreciation for what my wife does everyday? You betcha!

Macy's 1 year picture

I had to redo Macy's 1 year pictures, so here it is now (even though she still isn't smiling!)

Surprise! Mike is 30!

I invited Josh Wyss from Phoenix, AZ and Tim Wiegand from Leo, IN to come help surprise Mike for his 30th birthday. These guys haven't spent an evening all together for years, so it was a definite surpise and great birthday present! We all had pizza together before the second surprsie of about 60 more people showing up for the evening.

After supper the rest of the birthday crowd showed up to help celebrate Mike's birthday. Mike had just been getting used to the idea that Josh and Tim were really in his house when everyone else started coming. He was quite shocked by it all!

Many from Lighthouse came to join the fun.

Potluck friends and family also came.

I had asked people to bring 30 of something to help Mike celeberate if they wanted. He ended up with 90 cans of Dr. Pepper, 120 oreos, 30 individual bags of chips, cheese curds, $6.00 in dimes, $30 to Dairy Queen (along with 30 DQ napkins), $30 to Farm and Fleet, a family picture frame, 30 "Ford" Matchbox cars, more candy, etc. . . People were quite creative - thanks everyone who helped make this such a success!

This is Mike walking into the house after work. As you can tell, he was TOTALLY surprised!

Macy and Mariah are 1!

Happy 1st birthday to my baby girls!!!!


Here is Mariah's 1 year picture. Macy's didn't turn out and I need to retake them. I will post hers later when I get it done.


We celebrated the girl's birthday last night (on the 16th). I think they were a bit overwhelmed, but it was still fun for me to spoil them and throw a small party for them!

The girl's weren't too sure what to do with all the presents! Thank you to all who gave such wonderful gifts!!!

With the girls being born on St. Patrick's Day, I chose clover cakes :)

Mariah and Macy in their "Lucky to be me" shirts.

They totally didn't know what to do with their cake. They looked at it, then at us, then got scared, and Mariah started crying. We tried a couple of times to get them to dig in. Dad is helping Macy figure out what to do (just stick your finger right in and lick it off!)

Someone finally came to the rescue and gave them spoons. Macy had a ball then scooping the icing off the cake and eating it. Mariah never did get too into it. We should have known -- they are such ladies!!! (don't dirty their fingers!!!)

By the end, Macy did have quite a mess. And I think she enjoyed every minute!

God has brought us through 1 year! Wow! What a milestone! I can honestly say I feel so blessed to be experiencing "life with twins". Continue to pray for us that we can make wise decisions and raise all our children to know and worship our Lord and Saviour. God's blessings to all . . .

You know your getting older when.........

You looked like this during your engagement.......

And your brothers looked like this at your wedding...........

Time marches on. Am I ready to meet my Lord?

Gettin "Naptized"

Tonight at the supper table, our son Andrew suddenly proclaimed: "mom, when I get big, I'm gonna get my swimmin' suit on, and my goggles, and go on the pulpit and get "naptized".

Minneapolis

Spent last weekend with Amber's sister and brother in law in the twin cities. Had a great time and the kids absolutely loved being together. Everything was great, until the 7 hour ride home with 2 tired girls......

Kids getting ready to go. Say Cheese!

Buzz "the fish" enjoying the pool.

Hi Macy and Mariah!

The girls were not too sure about the pool at first, but finally got used to it and enjoyed it.

The hotel we met the Joos's at has an indoor play area that is like the Mcdonald play land times 10. It is huge! Why was there nothing like this in the 80's when I could have enjoyed it? Oh well, I guess we did have the Hardees merry-go-round "puke machine" back then, huh?

This slide is about 1/2 way up the play land. Adults were able to go up with the kids, so I sent Amber to take the pictures. Mallory sure is enjoying it!

You can't visit Minneapolis/St Paul without going to the Mall of America. Here are the boys with the "Rainforest Cafe" frog. Where is Amber? Oh yeah, it is a mall. Hide the credit cards.

Leaving the Rainforest Cafe after finding out we would have to wait 3 hours to be seated. Kevin is just loving the mall, can't you tell?

The boys with the "Bubba Gump" Shrimp guy.

Back home safe. This picture sums up what goes through my mind about every other day. "Where did all these kids appear from?" While driving home, it hit me as I looked in the back of the van. I told Amb "this van is stuffed full of people". Life goes so fast. Before long, we will be having weddings and saying goodbye. We must appreciate every moment God gives us and not "waste" life looking ahead or wishing we were in another stage. Easy to say, hard to do, when kids are puking, crying, pooping, and fighting. Am I right, mom's??

10 Months with Twins

I was thinking today. Are twins . . .



Double the work?


or double the play?

Double the trouble?

Or double the fun?

Double the smiles?

Double the friends?

Double the help?

Is your glass half empty or half full?

I believe ours is overflowing!

Thank you Jesus!

Oregon January 2010

Last weekend, we headed to Oregon to visit some fantastic friends. Yes, some are probably saying "Oregon in winter? why would you do that?" For the record, it did rain every day, but we didn't go for the weather, we went for "fellowship and fun (oh yeah, and food, also)". It was a little hard for Amb to leave the twins (ok, very hard since Macy had croup), but they were in very good hands (mom Adams). They boys absolutely loved the "adventure". They came to refer to it as "house hopping".

Heading into St Louis airport. As you can see, all I had to carry was the camera..... Jayden was facinated with the airplanes, etc, and when we took off the first time, he exclaimed "mom, I can see the whole world from here". Priceless.

Amber had a great relationship in the young group with the Bob and Linda Kuenzi daughters, and since we have been married, it has grown to a fantastic friendship for me also. We have great times together. Above is Ty Moser (Kuenzi) making sure Nash has enough ice cream.

Jayden, Andrew, and Nash with wagon.

Friday we all went to the coast and stayed in a condo complex. As always, the pool is the number 1 attraction for the boys.

The surf in the northwest is very powerfull in the winter. Above is the view from our condo.

Kids being kids............... Hilarious!

Amber, Phillip Petrovic, and Tasha Petrovic (Kuenzi) getting ready for breakfast on Saturday morning.

Tenille Kuenzi, Ty Moser, and James and Clayton Schneider.

Ashlyn Petrovic, Sam Moser, Phil and Brandon (otherwise known as "brother") Petrovic.

Kids lining up for a picture. Notice Mr "No cooperate" off to the right? Jayden can be quite strong willed and stubborn at very random moments.

Missing the girls, but still had a family picture taken.

Shopping at Lincoln City, Oregon outlet mall. Pictured are Buzz, Jayden, and Brandon Petrovic.

Non stop action for the kids all weekend long.

Intense Rook game with Phil, James, and Sam. Notice James is finally smiling (a few days of losing were starting to wear on him until he and Phil pulled off an upset right before this picture). Great times.

Sunday was great fellowship at Silverton church, then spent the evening with other families that we knew there (some originally from Goodfield). Monday, the rain stopped so we drove to Silver Creek Falls (about 30 minutes up into the Cascade mountains). It is just majesticly beautiful.

The wet view from behind the falls.

Ty, Tonya Schneider (Kuenzi), Phil, Tasha, and us, along with all the kiddos. Thanks to Phil for taking the day off so I wasn't the only guy (oh wait, maybe that wouldn't have been a bad thing).

Jayden had his first bout of "Infatuation" this weekend. Ashlyn Petrovic was a great friend and made him feel so welcome, that Jayden went a little "head over heels" for her. It was so funny to watch. Shy around her, but then non stop talking when we were alone.

Buzz, Ashlyn, Jayden, and Clayton hanging out at the Lodge.

Snack of champions there, Mike. Potato chips and Pepsi.

Bob and Linda Kuenzi. A great couple that raised a great family (with God's help of course). Thanks so much for your hospitality.

Can you tell we ran Andrew a little hard? He slept most of the way home.

Mom reunited with her girls. Notice the smile!

This video is hilarious! We were down by the beach, watching the waves crash in, and while taking a video, a "sneaker wave" roared up the steps and completely soaked Buzz and Amb. Andrew was wet and full of sand from head to toe. Somehow, he is always the one that gets into bad situations. Also notice, none of the Oregon natives were at the bottom of the steps.........

Video of Silver Creek Falls.

Blog post complete, now back to the real world! Continue to pray for those in Haiti.