~ Van Dyke Mania ~

First Day of Kindergarden

2010-09-20T12:09:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn began her first day of kindergarden last week. She was so excited and is loving it. I cannot believe my baby girl is already in school. She asked me if I was going to cry because she was growing up, and then asked if I would cry when she went to first grade....of course I am I told her...and she giggled. Now she likes to tease me about her growing up too fast...little stinker.

Christmas Tree oh Christmas Tree

2009-12-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

So we continue our tradition of chopping down our Christmas tree. The kids love it. We go check out the animals, off onto the hayride and then tree chopping we go. It was definitely cold this year but we still had fun. Connor fell into the mud several times, poor kid, but that didn't stop us.

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Got the saw, lets go!

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check out this baby tree

The kids were fascinated with the iced ground...it was COLD outside!

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Van Dyke boys chopping down the tree

Mission accomplished

2009-12-10T09:37:00.000-08:00

Festival of Trees

2009-12-10T09:31:00.000-08:00

This year was our first time going to the Festival of Trees at the Convention Center in Portland. Its a fundraiser for Providence Hospital where they decorate 100 trees and auction them off. The trees were beautiful. This one was decorated by Gymboree.
Becky and Kaitlyn posing for the camera
Kaitlyn loved this tea cup tree...everything you need for a tea party...so cool!

2009-12-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

We had to save the train section for last for I knew Connor wasn't going to leave willingly. Especially since he could NOT touch them

Gingerbread House

2009-12-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

We had a great time decorating our gingerbread house. Keeping the kids out of the candy was tough. Connor really got into this year and loved helping.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-12-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

This year the in-laws came to visit and spend Thanksgiving with us. We had a great time as always. Afterwards we decorated for Christmas and got the outside lights up on the house. Such a blessing when they come visit us. We love you Mom & Dad!

2009-11-06T10:31:00.000-08:00

Birthday dinner

Kaitlyn - 5 years old

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Halloween Time!

2009-11-01T08:43:00.000-08:00

So this year Matthew was Obi-Won, Clayton was Bobo-Fet and Kaitlyn was Super-Girl! They had a great time getting candy and seeing their friends in the neighborhood. Our neighborhood is so much fun during this time - festivities on the streets of Woodland. Connor and I stayed home to hand out candy...some of the costumes were very creative. Since Connor wouldn't wear his "Thomas Train" costume I wore it...hey gotta get my money's worth, right? We get soooo many children in our neighborhood - they come in carloads also...too funny! All in all, it was a fun evening...and the best part was the full moon was beautiful how it lit up the sky and NO RAIN! How blessed are we.

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My sweet friend Carrie and her husband Bart were out and about! Luv you friend, you look HOT in those boots.
and there's sweet Matthew

Kaitlyn loved seeing Sammi in her costume

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even the neighbor dogs get dressed up!

Pumpkin carving

2009-11-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

can everyone say "pumpkin guts"? The kids love to carve pumpkins with Dad each year

2009-11-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

ok so I finally get some of Connorisms...we were baking Halloween cookies and Connor kept calling the flour or sugar snow...he wanted to run his trains through the snow...I get it now..I could never figure out why he would dump the salt shaker on the table or floor...moms are constantly learning new things. He had a blast but cleaning up wasn't so much fun!

2009-11-01T08:17:00.000-08:00

Just an fyi, wet flour is very hard to get out of your hair...Connor was in the bath for a while

2009-11-01T08:10:00.000-08:00

can you say "BIG BROWN EYES"
Kaitlyn loves playing around with my hat

Fall Colors

2009-10-28T19:31:00.000-07:00

So yesterday while driving to take Connor to the doctor I took the kids for a short drive to witness the beautiful colors of God's creation. We've been indoors for over a week and wanted to capture the Fall colors before it was too late. It was a beautiful day yesterday with lots of sun breaks so the colors were absolutely amazing. Enjoy!

2009-10-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

for some reason this road spooked Kaitlyn and she didn't want me to drive down this road...we ended up turning around
such vibrant colors

Pumpkin Pickin' 2009

2009-10-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

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Boo!
trying to get through the maze

2009-10-17T21:01:00.000-07:00

Connor cracks me up...he's afraid of getting his hands dirty so he tries to clean off the pumpkin before picking it up. He takes it to Dad for help but doesn't want to touch it...too funny!

2009-10-17T20:59:00.000-07:00

Clayton works hard to get his pumpkin into the wheelbarrel

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2009-10-17T20:56:00.000-07:00

my sweet girl and growing too fast
Kaitlyn finds a ladybug and wants to take it home

Missing teeth

2009-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Clayton finally loses his two top teeth...he now has caught up to his cousins who are also 8...way to go Clayton...our sweetie is getting so grown up.

Connor's 3rd Birthday

2009-10-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

We celebrated Connor's 3rd birthday this weekend. He kept asking for his birthday cake and at first did not want me singing Happy Birthday...but after dinner Saturday night we surprised him with balloons, gifts and cake...he was excited, didn't cry when we sang to him AND blew out the candle...whoohooo Connor.

2009-10-12T18:56:00.000-07:00

Connor could not wait to dig into his birthday cake
Clayton helping little brother open his gifts
Kaitlyn and Clayton stay close in case Connor needs helps with presents

JBU Reunion

2009-10-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

It was Matthew's 10 year reunion at John Brown University. I finally got to visit where he went to school...such an awesome experience for him and for me to meet some of his professors and his dear friend, Paul Smith, as well as some of his college friends that live in the area or drove in for the reunion. Now I can understand why Matthew was always so proud of his experience at JBU. I even had the chance to see him sing in the Cathedral Choir - which was such an amazing part of his life...they were AMAZING! I totally loved it and to hear the story of how JBU came to be was such an inspirational story. I am so glad I had the chance to go and Matthew was so excited to show me around. How blessed he was to attend such a neat school.

2009-10-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

Cathedral Choir practicing for the showcase that Saturday night...such an important part of Matthew's college experience...later that night we went to the director, Paul Smith's house for some visiting...we had a good time.

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such a peaceful setting!
Tom (Matthew's roommate), Scott & Matthew

some of the class from 1999

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Renovated Cathedral at JBU

Matthew and his buddy Scott

True Broncos Fan

2009-09-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn is a true Broncos fan...she makes her Dad proud.

Day at the Oregon Zoo

2009-09-19T08:02:00.000-07:00

My friend Jodi and I spent the day yesterday at the Oregon Zoo with the kiddos. Had a great time, the weather was perfect. We took the Max (lite rail) there and the kids loved the ride. We were all so exhausted last night. Kaitlyn and Connor were begging to be put to bed.

Connor checking out the polar bear - watching him eat fish

Kaitlyn took this photo - my mini-photographer

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Connor was fascinated with the zebras but his favorite was the giraffe

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Kaitlyn's favorite animal was the zebra because it has stripes

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I love this photo of little Sylvia watching the zebras...ooohhhhh

beautiful Samantha checking them out also

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Jodi and Sylvia watching the elephant

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2009-09-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

2009-09-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Connor is soooo tired...he's getting comfortable...goin'
goin'
GONE!

Kristina's first day at College

2009-09-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

At the end of August Kristina and I flew to Michigan to get her moved in at college. We pull up to the dorms and the upper class were there with shopping carts and unloaded the car...it was awesome! Oma and I get her all settled and then off she went, busy with orientation.
Kristina making her bed
Oma and I are checking out the new recreation center...its AWESOME!

Kaitlyn's first day of Pre-K

2009-09-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn started Pre-K - her first time in school...she was sooo excited that she got up early and dressed herself, had her backpack on and was ready to go. When I picked her up, I could not understand a word she said - she was talking so fast. She loves it!

2009-09-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

Partners-in-Crime

2009-09-10T08:49:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, Clayton and Logan playing video games...these two are partners in crime!

2009-09-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the summer

Clayton's 8th Birthday

2009-09-10T08:44:00.000-07:00

Our Clayton turns 8 - we cannot believe it. He celebrated with all his friends from the neighborhood - Star Wars of course. After pizza, cake and presents, it was a battle of water balloons...very wet children. They had a blast.

2009-09-10T08:41:00.000-07:00

Connor gets in on the fun
Stephen and Eric preparing for war - filling up balloons
blue icing = blue tongues

2009-09-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

little Sylvia enjoying some pizza

Clayton loves his buddies!!

2009-09-10T08:29:00.000-07:00

young master Logan
Clayton in motion
prepare for a duel
can't have a birthday party without pin the tail - oops pin the voice changer on Vader

2009-09-10T08:26:00.000-07:00

Matthew filling up water balloons
after the war these two were wanting in the house...no way man - I had to lock the doors to keep VERY wet children from running through my house

Trip to Seattle

2009-09-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

So the Broncos were in Seattle for a pre-season game....haven't been here for over 7 years so guess what we did? Of course we have to go to the game...made a fun weekend out of it...the weather was beautiful. Kristina and I played on the waterfront and Pike Street Market while the boys went to the science fiction museum...then we all met up to get ready for the game. It was so much fun (even though the Broncos lost). We were blessed with lots of fun memories. Eddie was with us in spirit but was very missed.

2009-09-10T08:04:00.000-07:00

Go Seahawks...Kristina was sooo excited when they scored...can you tell?
Broncos fan - Seahawks fan - need I say more?
Rivals in action
Clayton enjoying his very first football game

2009-09-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

yummy ice cream on a freshly made waffle cone...hmmm hmmm

2009-09-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

Walking the streets of Seattle on a beautiful day!
Can't go to Seattle without going to Pike Street Market...ohhhh, the flowers!

And of course, the waterfront

2009-09-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

this cart was designed to travel no more than six miles on the moon

the astronauts worked in this capsule..amazing!

Visiting Friends

2009-08-11T16:58:00.000-07:00

We visited our friends RJ and Kevin way up in the country. The kids really enjoyed the chicken coop and their favorite rooster was this one that we named Dominoe. RJ was sweet enough to save the egg collecting for Kaitlyn and Clayton to gather. They thought it was very neat to search for eggs. We had a great visit.

2009-08-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

Both Kaitlyn and Clayton get to hold RJ's cockatoo...they were sooo excited

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peaceful waters
Clayton makes it to the other side...brave child!
Kevin jumps into the frigid waters...crazy dude!

2009-08-11T16:49:00.000-07:00

Connor has a blast throwing rocks into the river...don't get in his way
Kevin shows Clayton fish that pop out of something

Wildlife Game Park - Bandon, OR

2009-08-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

five week old skunk
this was an 8 year old "lazy" skunk
baby walaby was very cuddly

2009-08-07T09:30:00.000-07:00

The Emu is such a funny lookin' bird

this baby raccoon was too cute!
Connor loved baby "Flower"

2009-08-07T09:28:00.000-07:00

Matthew with the baby fox - this guy was all over the place

Possums sure are cute when they're not roadkill

2009-08-07T09:26:00.000-07:00

love this photo

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the horns on this guy were amazing
check out the duck's eggs

Kaitlyn had to get her picture with the Lamas - they were just laying around

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Beautiful Bengal Tiger

2009-08-07T09:23:00.000-07:00

reminds me of our dog Mo rolling around

2009-08-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

I got to hold a five week old jaguar - frisky little guy
the baby jaguar was very playful and wanting to bite

2009-08-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

Connor wanting to kiss the goats
the peacock is so beautiful but boy are they loud!

2009-08-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Ok so feeding the deer was a little crazy - they are so strong that they would push you just to get to the food
Matthew had to pick up Connor so he would not get stepped on - the deer get very excited to see food

Connor's favorite part was spending time with "Bambi"....his favorite movie in the world. He knows the movie word for word and even acts out the movements of the animals...its hilarious!

2009-08-07T09:13:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I'm holding a lion - so cool!

Connor wasn't too excited because he wanted to go see Bambi (the deer)

2009-08-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn loved cuddling with the baby lion
Matthew was sooo excited to hold the cub

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Rode trip along the southern Oregon coast is so beautiful
love this photo
the giant rocks in the ocean are always so amazing
here's Matthew's dream boat - I'm afraid to know what's living in this abandoned boat..yuk!

Crater Lake

2009-08-07T09:02:00.000-07:00

We finally got to see Crater Lake - what an amazing trip. The beauty of the lake and the cool air - there was still snow up there. We had an amazing time

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Kaitlyn took this picture
yep, she's a daddy's girl

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My sweet honey

Connor was not wanting to look at the camera - but I can always get him to smile

2009-08-07T08:57:00.000-07:00

My girlfriend's boys are so big now - so glad they could join us

Crater Lake is AMAZING! This is the actual blue of the water

2009-08-07T08:55:00.000-07:00

This place was definitely strange - as soon as I got there I got very sick to my stomach and my head hurt but once we left I was fine
Our tour guide gave several demonstrations
check out the height in this couple - when they switch sides their heights change

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My baby girl is such a sweet pea
I love my kisses from my sweet Connor
two out of our five best kids in the world

2009-08-07T08:48:00.000-07:00

lots and lots of grapes
Matthew & I visit this winery in southern Oregon

Then we drive by pear orchards - lots of pears

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Jodie and her family joined us for the fireworks
Sylvia having fun
Brad lighting the fire - it got cold at night - but then we were able to make smores

2009-08-07T08:42:00.000-07:00

My sweet friend Maureen and her family joined our block party - had a blast

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Kaitlyn was afraid so I had to cover her ears
Connor had a blast with Jeremiah - what a blessing for both
Jeremiah has an amazing gift with children

2009-08-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

Connor watched Dad light the fireworks and thought he had to put it in his mouth - he wasn't even scared

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Clayton had a blast - our little pyro. He and Dad lit the fireworks for our family. They put on a great show

2009-08-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

neighborhood block party - the food was amazing
Connor watching Dad light fireworks
Mo protecting Abuela
Who needs Fort Vancouver when we have the best fireworks in our neighborhood

Mt. Tabor Park

2009-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

We climbed the stairs at Mt Tabor park...wow, a jogger was sweet and carried the stroller up the stairs for me. I just could not do it...but even Connor climbed those stairs on his own...thankfully I did not have to carry him. Talk about a workout. We met our friend Becky there and spent a great time together catching up on life. Connor played on the slide for over an hour

Kaitlyn and Clayton loved playing on this - we would make it spin very fast and all the kids would jump on

Horseshoe Lake

2009-07-24T08:06:00.000-07:00

Clayton is like a fish out of water - he loves to get out on the lake to swim
Connor finally gave in for a bit and sat to watch Clayton and Kaitlyn playing in the sand
can't leave the lake without feeding the ducks

2009-07-24T08:02:00.000-07:00

Kaitlyn loves the water
Connor doesn't like getting dirty so here he's upset that his hands are yukky. He preferred playing on the bleachers.

Lake Merwin Hideaway

2009-07-24T07:59:00.000-07:00

We spent the afternoon up at the lake - its such a peaceful place

Planter's Day Festival

2009-07-16T10:43:00.000-07:00

giddy up horsie! This year we got to enjoy the festivities of the Planter's Day Festival here in town. No photos of the parade since my battery died on the camera but we enjoyed taking the kids to the rides.
Clayton trying to reach my hand

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These two wanted to ride together on all the rides
After a few times around Connor started enjoying the ride
Kaitlyn loved getting on this ride with Daddy
Connor kept his mouth open the entire ride...not sure if he liked it or not

2009-07-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

out enjoying some ice cream
Connor liked the merry-go-round at first then jumped into my arms
Kaitlyn of course loved the rides

Thomas the Train Engine

2009-07-15T16:08:00.000-07:00

This year we took the kiddos to ride the Thomas train in Hood River. What a gorgeous day. The drive up was beautiful along the Columbia River Gorge. Connor's face was priceless when he saw Thomas. He just wanted to run up to him. Afterwards we visited with a friend at her church open house. It was a fun day!

2009-07-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

After the train ride Connor wanted to go touch Thomas but the engine was too hot...he of course just doesn't understand