Brie is going to be a BIG SISTER!

 We are excited to announce that Brie is going to be a big sister!  

Baby #2 is due December 10! 

Allyson's Bridal Shower

I threw a bridal shower for my sister, Allyson.  It was really fun to plan and I had so much fun doing the decorations and planning the menu.  I really enjoy throwing showers, I don't always enjoy the clean up though or the not being able just to relax and enjoy the party all the way, but it is so fun to me to plan and come up with it all!

I have to make a small disclaimer, I am soooo bummed that I did not take any before pictures of all the tables set up cute and all that.  But my Mother-in-Law was there and did take pictures during the shower!

We did a lunch shower.  The menu included: chicken salad on crescents, ham/turkey/veggie roll ups, chips/dip, ramen noodle salad, and fruit salad.  I also made a fruity punch and flavored water. 

Ahead of time I had asked Mike his answers to a number of questions.  At the party I asked Allyson all the same questions and she had to answer how Mike would answer.  For every question she got wrong she had to put a stick of gum in her mouth.....she did pretty good, but did end up with quit the wad in her mouth!

 

I had asked guests to submit recipes ahead of time, then printed them all out and started a recipe book for Allyson.  She's got all the equipment and recipes, now she made to need acquire a little more kitchen skills and she will be good to go :)  I remember when Alec and I first got married, we ate spaghetti for almost every meal because it was about the only thing I could make!  Well, that and frozen pizza and mac and cheese :)  It takes some time and practice that is for sure.....something I am still working on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Very Happy Easter

We had a great Easter weekend in Dearborn. We spent time with the DeKruyter family and had fun playing games, enjoying the beautiful weather, and eating great food. 

All the boys randomly ended up wearing the same thing! They didn't plan it at all, too funny. 

Brie got two Easter baskets! One from Alec and I and another from my parents. She loved all the treats she was getting. Her Easter basket had animal crackers, granola bars, and raisenets. Although some how she always had a jelly bean in her mouth.....  

She had so much fun outside. We took her church shoes off and put her tennis shoes on! She didn't want us to change her outfit yet so this was the compromise. 

Of course all us kids got Easter baskets as well, full of candy and a chocolate bunny :) It was a great weekend! 

Saying goodbye to my Grandma

My Grandma died Saturday night.  She was such a special lady and I have so many great memories of her. 

She had Alzheimer's for 7years, it is a nasty disease that I truly hope and pray they find a cure/treatment for someday.  She has been living in an assisted living facility for the last few years, which has been great for her.  They were able to meet her needs and keep her in a safe environment.  She had been having some increased confusion and was becoming more lethargic recently.  They took her into the ER after no improvement.  She was found to have a bladder infection, they started her on IV antibiotics right away.  She never really regained responsiveness though and continued to decline.  My sister and I went and spent the day at the hospital with my mom on Friday.  We met with the hospice team then and decided to go with hospice care for Grandma.  I have had my fair share of experience with hospice at work, and know that the first question the family asks is how long will it be?  They gave us the typical answer of anywhere from hours, to days, to weeks.  Well she passed away Saturday night, after being on hospice care for just over 24hrs.  I think her brain was fed up with the Alzheimer's disease and was ready to be healthy again in heaven. 

My Grandma had 6 kids (wow....I sometimes feel like I am barely hanging on with ONE!).  Her oldest kid died though when she was only 14yrs old of leukemia.  My mom was 7 at the time, and does remember some things from then.  Grandma was very pregnant with her 6th baby at the time of Marianne's death.  I can not even begin to imagine going through that as a mother.  So my mom grew up with four brothers....not much dress up and baby doll playing for her! 

Another special thing is I have a very cool connection to my Grandma, we share the same middle name.  It is also the same middle name of my mom and my daughter.  So there are 4 generations with the middle name of Louise.  Very special! 

She loved babies.  I remember when I took this picture, afterwards I said "ok Grandma, its time to go eat, let's go sit down"  And she says, "Oh, I'm ok, I just want to hold the baby"  I can't believe how little Briana is here, I feel like I hardly remember her that small.  She was about 6wks old.  

Some fun memories I have of Grandma:

• She ALWAYS had her nails done, she went and got them done often and they were always perfect.  I remember she had her nail lady's business card by the phone!
• I can hardly believe I remember this since I was only 5, but I do!  My mom had gone into the hospital to have Allyson, and I woke up and saw Grandma sitting on the couch.  And then I remember after Allyson was born and they called to tell us, none of us could remember her name on the way to the hospital! 
• Her house was a gold mine for treasure.  We played with tons of old toys (including my mom's old barbies, which ended up at our house....which then ended up headless I believe) and all sorts of other cool stuff.  
• She loved dogs, and always bought our family dog (Brandy) treats.
• She was a quiet lady, which obviously none of us four kids or my cousins inherited..... But even before she lost her memory she would just sit back and enjoy everyone talking and would laugh at all the commotion. 

I know she is in a much better place now, but we will miss her dearly.  I rejoice knowing she is now able to be with her daughter and husband and our Heavenly Father.  


http://www.fredwoodfuneralhome.com/obits/obituary.php?id=464406

Fredrick Meijer Gardens

We took advantage of a nice day and headed to Fredrick Meijer Gardens.  The butterflies are out, there is lots to walk around and go see, and there is a great kids section.  I actually just ended up getting a membership, if we go 3 more times this year it more than pays for it so I thought that would be fun to have the option to go do!  Brie seriously could not get enough of it.  The kid section is almost a little old for her I thought, but no way she LOVED it.  I don't even know why I brought the stroller, she was all over the place. 

The had a cute little olden days cabin, and of course she found the babies right away and loved them.  "Bebe, bebe, bebe" 

The kid section had this little door for the kids to enter and exit through, she could not get enough of it.  In and out over and over!

 

Apparently she isn't a huge fan of Fred and Lena Meijer.....

She ran ALL the way up that hill after Allyson!  And then proceeded to run down, which we promptly intercepted.....that would have ended poorly. 

So if anyone in the GR area wants to go, I have a membership and can take 2 additional adults! 

Finally some spring like weather!

 March 5:  TONS of snow of the ground still and super super cold.  No signs of spring.

Thankfully the end of March gave us a few decent days that started melting the snow and allowing us to play outside for a change!  Brie loves it, and so do I.  It was a long long winter being cooped up in the house all the time.  We tried to get out here and there, but many days we were just inside alllllll day long.  

Now of course the forecast for tomorrow is 38 with an inch of snow......but we have faith spring will be back again soon!!

DeLange hotel weekend

We got the whole DeLange crew together (all 28 people!) for a fun hotel weekend.  We just went to a local hotel in Grand Rapids, and it was perfect.  We did a lot of swimming, playing games, eating pizza and chipotle, and just spending some good quality time together.  It was all in celebration of mom's 60th birthday!  It was a fun weekend and I was so glad we were all able to get together to celebrate.  On Sunday we had everyone come back to our house for birthday lunch.