12.31.12

A milk and cookies toast before bedtime on NYE

{BONUS: We got these three (plus two more kiddos) to sleep before midnight.}

12.30.12

Breakfast for lunch - YUM!

{We're going to enjoy using our new waffle maker!}

12.29.12

Farewell, Malibu...

12.28.12

Snowman Soup!

{aka Hot Chocolate}

12.27.12

 Hmmm...I guess when you've been waiting all winter for snow you can consider 1-2 inches a "sleddable" amount.

12.26.12

 A yummy Pizza Hut Book-It reward!

12.25.12

Wishing you a warm and cozy Christmas!

12.24.12

Lauren and Great Grandma chatting about doll clothes.

{Thanks for the new jammies too, Great Grandpa and Grandma!}

12.23.12

A new scooter!

12.22.12

While Mom was sick and in bed all day, the girls were busy working on these heartfelt, homemade gifts which she opened on Christmas morning.  :)

12.21.12

If you look closely these socks indicate that they are for 3-4 year-olds.  Allie claims they don't fit well because she's not 3, not 4, but 3 and a half.  Oh, my.

12.20.12

Lauren has been looking forward to this since receiving the invitation a couple weeks ago

12.19.12

Christmas cookie creations

12.18.12

Lauren treated Grandma and Papa to dinner at Fazoli's

12.17.12

If you can't open 'em, you may as well make a fort with 'em.

12.16.12

Reading Berenstain Bear books

12.15.12

Christmas party season begins with Bunco

12.14.12

Tonight we enjoyed our own version of the Polar Express.  The girls put on jammies, we all sipped hot chocolate, and drove around admiring Christmas lights.

12.13.12

Miles and Uncle Mike enjoying an evening nap

12.12.12

Our biggest version of footed jammies...looks like she needed some ventilation ;)

12.11.12

Our little elf, Lauren, loved making gifts at the Christmas Workshop at school today.
{Cookie mix, several ornaments, and a bookmark were on her list}

12.10.12

Twister time!

12.09.12

Eating spaghetti "like an Italian" with a fork and spoon ;)

12.08.12

Simply add slits on top of the chicken pot pie before baking?  No way!  It's so much more fun to add designs and names.

12.07.12

Fun Christmas trees

12.06.12

Easing her way back into eating the best way she knows how - with ice cream!

12.05.12

The ruptured ear drum was our first indicator that Lauren had strep...She's one tough cookie, I guess!

12.04.12

The VanOmmen family Christmas tree.  It's a beauty!

12.03.12

Pucker up!  Now we know those kissable lips are well moisturized.  :)

12.02.12

House of Blues Gospel Brunch - an awesome experience

12.01.12

Christmas lights in Chicago

11.30.12

Happy Birthday, Dad!

11.29.12

Oops!

11.28.12

Christmas Card Photo Outtake #237

11.27.12

Taking in Holland's Parade of Lights

11.26.12

Oh the crafts you can craft with ribbon, glue, and a trip to the recycle bin in the garage.  

And feathers.  LOTS of feathers.

11.25.12

The official Kindergarten picture

11.24.12

These owls are...are...are...unique!

11.23.12

BUSTED!  Dad and Mom had a craving for ice cream after the girls went to bed.  Dad headed out to grab a half-gallon.  Once he got home, guess who decided she needed just one more hug?  Well, she spotted the ice cream on the counter and, in a weak moment, Mom and Dad caved. 

11.22.12

Grandma Hieftje's d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s pies...YUM!

11.21.12

Learning the art of passing...definitely not a strength inherited from Mom

11.20.12

Welcome {officially} to the family, Miles!
Perhaps you'll eventually be a bit more photogenic than your cousins represented in this picture. :)

11.19.12

Green bean casserole anyone?

11.18.12

The VanOmmen Thanksgiving tree.  We're thankful for everything from owls to Good (God) to family to milk and cookies to real animals and stuffed animals.

11.17.12

Surprise!  Dad bought doughnuts for breakfast.  He certainly knows the quickest way to a girl's heart.  :)

11.16.12

Operation Christmas Child boxes packed and ready to go

11.15.12

Yeah!  She's a #1 Listener!

11.14.12

The stage is set for a fabulous second grade Thanksgiving production

11.13.12

Thanks, Pinterest

11.12.12

Bringing the pumpkins to their final resting place behind our house