Just a few random pics

Just a few more random pics.............

Our big guy

Grandpa and Grandma Harms with the kiddos

Madelyn talking to and kissing Landon. She's so funny. She'll lay on the floor and "talk" to him in a high pitched voice, just like us adults do to babies!

Happy Halloween!

Here is our little frog and pumpkin! Aren't they cute?! We had a heck of a time getting a decent picture of them! Obviously neither one of them really understands what's going on for Halloween, but we went trick or treating at the local hospital (they decorate the halls and have themes and then pass out candy....it's great for young kiddos!)

We've been loving the beautiful weather we've been having. Madelyn loves going outside to swing, go down the slide, play on the tractor with Daddy, and throw leaves in the pond.

We went to a local pumpkin patch one afternoon. Madelyn enjoyed climbing in the hay, looking at the goats, and riding in the wagon.

I've been enjoying baking with pumpkin! I don't really like pumpkin pie, but I do like pumpkin flavor in other things. We've made pumpkin spice pancakes several mornings as well as baked pumpkin oatmeal and pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. They've been a big hit with all of us!

Lovin on Landon

Madelyn has been such a great big sister to Landon. She has adjusted so well (at least for the most part!) She has her moments of jealousy, but overall she loves to hold him and give him kisses. (Although I did catch her today sitting on him while he was in his swing! Thankfully no one was hurt!)

We're definitely working on getting into a routine with two kiddos. Madelyn is getting more independent but still needs us to do most things for her, so I'm still trying to figure out how to get things done around the house while caring for both of them. Even though there are days when I struggle to get a shower taken or get supper on the table, I'm loving my time at home and enjoying these two blessings as much as possible. I can't believe I only have two weeks left before I have to go back to work.

Aren't they beautiful?! I know I'm biased, but we love them so much!

Landon's growing like a weed too! We had him weighed last Friday and he was 12 lbs. 7 oz. so he had gained 5 lbs since he was born! He's definitely putting on weight a lot faster than Madelyn ever did!

Visitors

We've had lots of visitors since Landon was born. We've loved seeing everyone and are so blessed with family to love and support and us!

Uncle Andy and Aunt Sarah

Opa and Oma Harms

Great-Grandma Van Zee (Great-Grandpa visited too, but we didn't get a picture)

Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Roberts

Uncle Ryan

Great-Grandma Best

Welcome Landon Howard!

We are so happy to announce the arrival of Landon Howard Van Zee! Landon was born September 6, 2011 at 1:22 am. He weighed 7 lbs. 7 oz. and was 20 inches long.

Landon sure came quickly once he decided it was his time to come! My due date was September 4. My parents came to visit on Labor Day (the 5th) and we went for a walk and had supper together. I had some contractions while we were walking, but they went away so I figured it was nothing. They left about 8:00 that night. About 9:30 my water broke! My sister came to stay with Madelyn and we left for the hospital at about 12:00. We were at the hospital about 45 minutes before Landon arrived! It was so quick that it seemed surreal for a while, but we were so excited to meet our little guy!

First family picture. This is classic Madelyn....sucking her thumb and holding my hair!

Madelyn giving Landon kisses

First bath

This is my last pregnant picture, taking just 3 or 4 days before Landon's arrival.

We've been home for a while now and are getting used to having two. We feel so blessed, but it's definitely very busy. It's going to take a while to figure out how to get anything done around here! We love Landon and feel so blessed that we have him in our family!

A Week in Minnesota

We were so fortunate to spend a week on vacation in Minnesota with my family. I treasure this time, and I think it was so needed for us. The past several months have been so busy that there's been little time for relaxation or time for Eric and I to even just talk. We had a great time relaxing, fishing, wakeboarding, playing games, and talking. I'm also thankful for the time for Madelyn to spend with family, getting to know her grandparents and aunt and uncle. It truly was a time of refreshing! Here are a few pictures.

She loved this chair!

Walking on the beach with Daddy

With Grandma on the boat

Playing in the sand and water. We'll have to get a sandbox....she loved this!

With the fish!

A Tractor and 4th of July

Well, here it is! Eric bought a tractor! I really can't tell you anything about it other than Eric is very excited, it was very well cared for by the previous owner, and Eric can use it for lots of things like plowing snow and pulling equipment. Talk to Eric if you want more details! :)

The 4th of July weekend was spent doing lots of work and having a little fun. My brother and sister came to help us paint the basement. They were troopers. It was pretty hot that weekend and the basement was not a very nice environment to work in....very humid. We got a lot done though.

We also saw some fireworks and did a little swimming. Madelyn loved the fireworks and sparklers.

Aunt Amanda also painted her toenails!

Harms Family Get Together

We were able to spend some time with the Harms family for my grandma's 80th birthday earlier this summer. We all had a great time!

Madelyn and her great-aunt Janice, who was here from Kansas!

Giving Oma a kiss

Rubbing Uncle Ryan's hair. (She decided for some reason that rubbing his hair was really fun!)

Opa and Madelyn

Trying to give second cousin Brayden a hug

Our Silly Girl

Here's a few pictures of Madelyn from the summer....she is so much fun! We're seeing her personality shine through more and more. She loves to make us laugh and is learning so much. She'll be 18 months tomorrow! It's hard to believe! She loves dancing, and her dancing gets funnier and funnier every day. She also is jabbering constantly! We're finally starting to pick up some more words. Her vocabulary currently consists of dog, cheese, please, hot, horse, hi, mama, dada, and several animal noises. She loves being outside and playing in the water. She's such a lover....loves to cuddle and give hugs and kisses. I think sometimes the little boys at the babysitter probably don't know what to do with her hugs! We love you Madelyn Ann!

Trying on Daddy's boots

Painting a picture for Daddy for Father's Day

Playing with the sidewalk chalk

Funny faces!