overdue post

So, it's been about 3 months since a blog post.  It's not because we've been so busy or because I'd rather do other things.  It's because since blogger changed its format, it's more difficult to upload pictures.  And while I have near hero patience for my kids and my patients at the hospital, I have nearly none for this computer or anything online.  That being said, tonight is the time I just press on and post.  Overdue. 

Christmas is well underway in our house.  We've done everything from bring home the tree and decorate it to make christmas cookies, create homemade ornaments, and we read the "baby Jesus story" almost every night.  Our December is always jam packed busy early on, and then things calm down for the rest of the month until the actual Christmas holiday.  We're living that "calmed down" week now, and it's FaNtAsTiC!

Elise has done great at 3school and LOVES her mornings there.  The only thing she likes better than school is dance class on monday afternoons.  If you need a smile or a laugh, just ask her to do her plie song-it rocks.

Macy is almost 17 months and becoming more independent each day.  Her favorite response is "no," but she's easy to convince in light of severe prostests.  She has figured out how to climb up the ladder into the new bunk beds all by herself, although she doesn't care to sleep in the bottom bunk quite yet.  We're trying to decide how to handle it, and hopefully we figure it out before february or the new baby and Macy will be sharing a crib.

Baby 3 is doing well and full of energy nearly all the time.  Feeling her move and kick is the very best thing about pregnancy.  And while I certainly don't daydream or talk to this baby as much as I did with Elise or Macy while pregnant, I often find myself wondering who she'll be like, how she will fit in, and in what ways she'll change our little family.  February 19 is the official due date, and she's already measuring a couple weeks ahead.  I suppose big babies will continue to run in this family.

Here are a few pictures from the past couple months:

 

Elise turned 4 in October

 

Catching fish with the Bush family at the cottage

Happy Halloween!

 

Happy Thanksgiving, our thanksgiving tree was FULL!

 

First we went to get the tree and forgot it was on top of the van.....

 

Then we decorated it with all of our collected ornaments

                                             

 

 

after a few minutes, Macy decided she'd rather take advantage of an open lap and

read books with daddy

 

"Feeling the Zeel" on the horse-drawn carriage ride downtown Zeeland wednesday night.  We also pet reindeer, visited santa, and enjoyed a free dinner at pizza hut thanks to our power dollars.

 

Baking Christmas cookies with my favorite girls

 

All those sprinkles!!!

 

this is what Macy does whenever she has a free moment.  Apparently, the coffee table is where she thinks I should store all of my spices.

 

Merry Christmas!!