Future Beethoven

The conversation I had in the car tonight with Jack about work:

Brittany: Jack, what do you want to do someday?

Jack: Ummmm...I don't want to wear a tie to work.

Brittany: What do you want to wear?

Jack: A scarf. And play the piano.

Unsure where this all came from since Eric doesn't wear a tie to work, but somehow, that made sense to him. Guess we need to start on piano lessons.

Family Fun

Ma has come to visit Upland. Everything just seems easier when a grandma is around. Jack spent a few hours outside shoveling and playing in the snow yesterday with Ma, and this morning, Audrey has enjoyed playing with all of Jack's toys while Jack and Ma played with model clay. Life is always good when Ma is around.

Also, a special HELLO from the kids to Gigi and Papa in Florida. We hope you were able to find us!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

Audrey received this book for Christmas from Ma and Pa and Jack hasn't put it down since. It quickly became his new favorite, and he clearly knows it almost all by heart. Enjoy!

Ruby Red

For Christmas, we didn't exchange gifts but decided each of us could pick one thing we really wanted. Eric decided on a subscription to the Marion Chronicle (...and a GPS for the car, yet to be purchased) and Brittany picked a bushel of Ruby Red Grapefruit (not literally).

Our Ruby Red came express shipped from a farm in southern Texas and is absolutely exquisite. Last night, our first taste of our bushel sat in front of us, tempting us with gigantic semi-firm yellowish grapefruit. We took some pictures to savor the event in the bitter cold we are experiencing, and let us tell you, it was WELL worth it. They were divine! If we only eat one a day, they should last us to the end of February but I doubt we'll make it that far.

Here's to hoping you all have simple pleasures to get you through till spring!

You're It!

Jack and Audrey love to chase each other. They have so much fun going back and forth in our one hallway, or around the table. I caught a little on film tonight so enjoy them having fun with each other. You'll notice Audrey sometimes goes up on her right foot while she crawls...we call it her three-legged dog crawl. She's just ready to stand up and run! Sometimes its hard to keep up with these two!

Lala & Jack

I've discovered a site I really like: www.lala.com. You can listen to any song or album on the site once FOR FREE! This was a great option at Christmas. You also can store 50 songs in your own online account which you can listen to multiple times without paying. It also gives you the option to download for a fee like Itunes.

I have no clue how this is legal, but I love my totally 80's collection. Ahhh, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Duran Duran, Asia...shall I go on? Just search for my list on the website. It gets me excited to do work at 10:30 at night. Not much else can accomplish that outside of Starbucks or a competitive desire to annihilate every school we play next year. But that is for a different post.

Back to lala...check it out and create your own account. I get free songs when you do!

And, for those of you who only check this blog to see pictures of our kids, here you go. The pictures you see below is of a city that Jack and Eric built this morning while Audrey slept. Fisher Price Little People ROCK!





Tomorrow's post: I promise video and Audrey - stay tuned!

Jack's Birthday

We know that was almost a month ago already but with the busyness of Christmas, recruiting and basketball games, we just now are able to catch our breath. Oh yeah, and this post is also only because I didn't have to drive tonight for recruiting because of a snow storm. In our current signing state I don't know if that is a blessing or not (ha). :) Anyway, enjoy the pics of Jack's big day! Thanks for the Falder Four and MaMa and PaPa for coming over to celebrate with us!

Some brotherly/sisterly love before bedtime...

Sugar anyone?

We love Elmo and yellow cake with chocolate frosting. Jack also picked out Breyer's strawberry ice cream at the store by himself...yummy!

No melt downs yet, just lots of good 'ole cousin fun!

The birthday boy! 3 years old...

...but still not old enough to "blow" out the candles. Attempts to spit them out were tried before Lydia saved the day with a gentle breeze.

Are we having fun? At least we're almost all looking at the camera!

New PJs from MaMa and PaPa and yes, he wanted to wear them that night and no, we didn't wash them before he tried them on...

...but he ended up choosing the battle tested doggie PJs, also from MaMa and PaPa and enjoyed one of his new books.

Thanks everyone for such a special birthday!

Full of Laughs

Audrey loves to laugh. She is such a happy baby and we are thankful. Eric and Jack can get her giggling like nothing else, and her husky chuckle she gives when we tickle her is priceless. We hope she makes you laugh as much as she does us!

Jack having Quiet Time

Catching Up...

We know, we know...it's pathetic how infrequently we update our blog...So, here's just a quick picture update on some shots over the last several months. Enjoy!

New House

We feel like we are living in a new house! We are enjoying new cabinetry in the kitchen; shelving and counter tops in the laundry room; pictures hung where they belong; better landscaping in the front; and a refinished dresser from Jenni and Bob in the living room to help with toy and game storage. Plus, we gladly accepted a dining set from G. and G. DeHaan, so finally are able to have a normal dining room table that goes with our china cabinet. We are so grateful for the help we received and LOVE all our new storage. Thanks everyone, and a big thanks to Mom and Dad Huyser for helping us install everything!

Fun in Bluffton

There's just something about going back to Bluffton that will never get old. Jack is now starting to learn about Daddy's old stompin' grounds and had a great week visiting MaMa and PaPa (and now Nana too!) while Brittany worked an FCA volleyball camp at Bluffton University. Jack even got his haircut at the barber I used to go to as a little kid.

Feeding the ducks, eating ice cream, playing golf & baseball, taking bike rides, swinging, following PaPa everywhere he went at night, visiting Mommy at camp, taking walks, chasing bunnies, watching tractors in the fields, playing marbles, squirting MaMa with the squirt gun, were all highlights of the week for Jack!

Summer Hours

We really like summer at our house. Work still happens, but we all seem to have a little bit more energy and are more laid back. Jack has especially enjoyed all the time he gets to spend outside, and of course it leaves him tired and ready to sleep at the end of the day. Audrey also has been a champion at night with a lot of fresh air and new activities. Like I said, we really like summer at our house. :) Enjoy some of our pictures!