Bowling

A week or so ago the kids and I woke up on a Saturday morning itching to do something other than our normal wake up, watch TV and bum around the house all day while daddy's at work routine. After a brief status post on Facebook asking about what kind of fun things we could do in Rexburg we got a text from our neighbors who had decided to spend the morning bowling and they asked if we wanted to tag along. Eager to try something new the kids and I adventured out and decided to go have some fun.

We went to the bowling alley at Fat Cats Theater in town and we all had a great time. I don't know if you remember the last time we bowled there, for Riann's 2nd birthday, but they have ramps that the kids can place the balls on top of and push them down so that the balls don't go quite as slow down the lanes. They also have the lanes set up so that you can get bumpers based on who is bowling, that way you don't have to wait for specific lanes to open and you don't all have to use bumpers, if you don't want to. I probably should have had the bumpers up for me a few times though.

Riann loved doing everything on her own and even gave up on the ramp half way through. She'd lug her ball up to the lane and chuck it as far as it would go. Unfortunatelly she didn't have a ton of power behind her roll and it would take a little longer for it to get down to the pins but she loved watching it make it all the way down. She was quite animated and, as you can see from the last picture below, she waited for a high 5 at the end of every turn... BUT, you had to wait until the ball hit the pins to actually give her the high 5.

Colby even for to bowl a few times too, under my name, and he had a great time. Next time I think I'll actually pay to let him have his own turn. With the ramps he was more than able to do it. I just couldn't get any pictures of him bowling because I had to help him the whole time. Our friends might have gotten a few, I'll have to check and see. Even with Colby's help I still broke 100 (I can't remember my exact score) so I'd say we make a pretty good team. Colby didn't even get the bumpers for his turn and we still scored pretty high.

We had a great time. Riann loved her shoes too and was very sad that she had to return them at the end of her adventure. The whole time we were there they played music from Disney movies too so the kids had a great time dancing and singing along to the songs we all knew. I was surprised how many I could name as well. I still can't decide if that's good or bad.

I'm thinking we'll save up and try to go again soon. Hopefully this next time we'll be able to pick a time when daddy can come with us. Maybe we'll all go on a fun family date at the end of the semester so we can celebrate how hard Paul's been working in school and at work. He really is doing a great job this semester. I don't think I could keep up with all of the work he's got. We're VERY proud of him!!!

Baby #3

This update has been a LONG time coming and I don't know why I've held off writing this one. I think it's partly because I've been hoping there would be some way we could get a second ultrasound to confirm the sex and because I've been trying to figure out how to scan in our pictures so I can add those as well. Buuut, we haven't gotten any further on the scans and thankfully the baby is going right on schedule so we haven't had a reason to get a second ultrasound. I finally took a picture of our best picture and I'm finally ready to write this post because our "assumed" gender goes right along with what I've been feeling since we first found out we were having another one, so I feel like it's okay to post about it for our family record.

That being said we are very happy to say that Baby #3 is most likely a GIRL!!! Our technician searched and searched for anything suggesting we might be having a boy and she just couldn't find anything. However during the scan our little one would scoot away whenever we were JUST about to get a shot and even now when we go in for checkup's she's very active and tries to get away from the Doppler. She is going to be a lot like her older sister with a GO GO GO personality.

When I first found out I was pregnant something told me we were going to have a girl (even though I doubted a little bit when Riann was so adamant she was getting another brother) so when she told us that her "professional guess" was that we were having a girl it just felt right.

We have been struggling with names this around because Paul has his favorite and I have a few that I like but I think we're just about settled on a name. I'm going to check with Paul before we officially announce it but if you ask Paul or I in person or if you chat with Riann it wouldn't be too hard to get it out of any of us.

We are very excited for the changes that are coming and although I'm grateful we have a little over 3 months before she gets here it'll be so great to have her here in our family. I think Riann is going to LOVE having a sister and with Colby getting to be our little man for a few more years I think this change is going to be VERY fun for all of us.

Riann's First Day of Preschool

Riann had her first day of preschool this week and she LOVED it!! We started the morning off extra early because we had to take Paul up to campus so he could leave on a school "field trip" for the weekend. After school we went out to breakfast at McDonald's, mostly because they were the only ones open as early as we were up and also because Riann and Colby do a decent job eating there.

It was very out of schedule for her to wake up as early as she did but she did a great job getting ready and she was so excited to put on her new backpack and head off to school. We had done a few activities in her classroom the day before so she was excited to get back and see what all of this school business was about.

All dressed and ready to go. Doesn't she look cute?!

Getting breakfast. Colby had a harder time waking up but he was happy to be there too.

After class they have a teacher walk out with the kids so that they don't go sprinting off to the parking lot. Riann found a buddy and was so happy to have help coming out. She really seemed to enjoy her first day of class and they said she did a great job playing and participating.

All done for the day!!

I don't know if it was getting up so early or playing so hard at school but she sacked out at nap time. This was how I found her shortly after she went down and I just had to take a picture because it was so cute!!! She was SO tired!!

♫ Nap Time, Nap Time, Who Doesn't Love Nap Time??! ♫

That night since I was home alone with both kids we thought it would be fun to go out for dinner to celebrate Riann's first day... I know, I know, eating out twice in one day isn't good but I didn't want to deal with cleaning up on my own too and I had coupons for the kids... Haha. We went to Pizza Pie Cafe and the kids loved the endless options for dinner. Colby even ate a ton and it was fun to watch him try new things.

Happy kiddos enjoying their food.

All in all it seemed like Riann had a pretty fantastic day. I think she had a great time doing something that was just for her and she seemed to really like being around kids her age. She had a lot to tell me and we're excited for everything she's going to learn this semester. I can't believe my little girl is getting so grown up!!!!

My 2011 Reading Challenge Update

Photo from Flickr.com

At the beginning of this year I challenged myself to read 50 books. I didn't hit 50 books this year and thought I did way better than last year but then I made this list and realized I didn't do well at all!! Especially when you consider that I read less than last what I had last year and had a LOT more time to read them in. Oh dear!! I really thought I did better but I guess I let time get away from me more than I realized. I still have a LONG list of books I'd like to read and a pile in my room that I have to get through, so if nothing else I at least have a place to start for next year's goal. I still have to get over my fear of the library but I will be continuing to work on reaching a goal of 50 books in one year, apparently I need to focus a little harder though. So instead of being excited for what I accomplished, like I thought I was going to be, I'm going to reset my goal for 2012. Maybe having a baby and more down time will help me focus a little better.

Here are the books I read this year:

1. The Appeal
2. The Lucky One
3. The Associate
4. Dear John
5. The Candy Shop War
6. The Madonnas of Leningrad
7. The Midnight Hour
8. Heat Wave
9. My Not-So-Fairy-Tale Life
10. The Makeover of James Orville
11. Last Shot
12. Black Ice
13. Leven Thumps and The Gateway to Foo
14. Leven Thumps and Whispered Secret
15. Leven Thumps and The Eyes of the Want
16. Leven Thumps and The Wrath of Ezra
17. Leven Thumps and The Ruins of Alder
18. A Time to Dance
19. Never too Late
20. Jungle Dogs
21. Night and Day
22. We Were the Mulvaneys
23. Inkheart

Next year I WILL do better. I really thought I had this time around and am so shocked that I just read these few. I know I can do this though. I just have to remember to keep going when I'm done with a book. Sometimes I like to stop and take a break but those breaks turn into a few weeks without reading and although it's not a HUGE deal if I don't read I really should be making sure that if I'm not reading that I'm also not wasting my time doing something less productive, which I usually am. Time to unplug a little more and make more of my time count. I hope anyone else who challenged themselves to this did a lot better than I did.

Again, wish me luck!!!

Christmas 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS
from
The Vreeken Family

Here are just some of the highlights from our Christmas activities. We had a great time together this year. It was hard to not be with family but we did have a good time with each other and with our friends. This Christmas was a lot of fun for us because of the kids and we are excited for more Christmas' to come. We are so grateful for our family and for all they did for us this year. We could not ask for more loving grandparents/parents. We are truly blessed and appreciate so much everyone who loves are cares so much for us. We love you all. Merry Christmas!!!

We to see Santa on Christmas Eve. Colby did great but right at the end he got a little scared. I love this picture SO much!! Both kids faces make me laugh.
I'll get some of the "professional" pictures added soon.

Colby found a balloon at the movie theater and LOVED it. He had a great time playing and was a little relieved to not be sitting on Santa's lap anymore.

Setting up for Christmas. It was so weird to do it for the kids this year and not have our parents do it for us. This has been my first Christmas where I've done everything like this and this was probably one of the biggest changes for me. It wasn't bad but it was a change. It'll be fun getting the hang of this. I hope I can do as good as our mom's have always done for us.

Colby opening presents. He was much more timed than I thought he'd be. I think it was because we woke him up a little earlier than he's used to. Hopefully next year he'll be just as excited as Riann was.

Riann opening presents. She was so fun to watch. There just weren't enough for her to open. She was so grateful foe each one and she loved telling everyone about them later that day. It was really fun to watch her this year. I can't wait for next year.

Paul was Santa's helper. He got to pass out all of the presents to the kids and I was able to catch a few photos of him opening a few of his. He was just as excited as the kids for Christmas morning. I love being around him on Christmas because he gets just as giddy as they do. It's really a lot of fun for me.

After church we sat down and took a few pictures. Both kids got new Christmas outfits and they were SO cute in them. I'm grateful that everyone has patience with me and lets me get pictures of us together when we try to match every now and then for the different holidays.

I love my family so much and I'm so grateful we got the chance to celebrate the beautiful Christmas season together this year. We are just now establishing our traditions and I'm so excited for the many fun years we'll have together before the kids are grown. It's times like these that make all of the hard days worth it and it's nice to have the small reminders for why we're here. We hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas too and can't wait to see what the New Year brings.

Our 2011 Christmas Letter

Hello again from the Vreeken family!!! This last year has been a crazy one but we are still going strong and so happy to be together. We have had many changes over the last 12 months and are grateful for the opportunity to grow and see how the Lord directs our lives each and every day. Here are just a few of the highlights we’ve wanted to share with you from our 2011 year.

Paul – This year Paul had a great time being back in school. He loves his automotive classes and has had an interesting time with his other ones. School keeps him super busy but he is doing a great job working hard. We are hoping that he should be able to graduate this coming July and we are very excited to see the end in sight. This August he also hired as an “intern” with the Wackerli Auto Group in Idaho Falls and has been working specifically with Audi/Volkswagen. He loves his job and is excited to continue this direction as a career. We are very excited about this job. He has already been offered a position to stay on now that his internship is over and they would like him to continue working after graduation. This job has been a huge blessing to us and we are so happy that Paul gets to do something he loves. He has started his certification training with Audi and has attended a few classes in California. He will continue his training through the next few years as he advances as he works towards his Master Tech certification.

Cheris – This year Cheris has been working hard from home and playing with the kids. She enjoys the extra time she gets with the kids and they have a great time playing together. They’ve had many adventures and can’t wait for the chance to get back outside and do more this summer. She had been working with other moms in our area doing a “Joy School” like preschool with the kids and they all really enjoy it.

Riann – This year Riann turned three. She has had a great time playing with friends at the splash park, the pool and everywhere in between. She also got to enjoy lots of time with cousins this year on our various trip to Salt Lake City for Colby’s doctor’s appointments and on our big summer vacation. She has had a great time and has grown so much over the last year. She’s got a lot of spunk and will chat with you over just about anything. She LOVES being a big sister and still enjoys introducing Colby to anyone who is near her. She is very excited to start preschool on campus this next year at “daddy’s school” and we are already trying to plan fun adventures for this summer.

Colby – This year Colby turned one and has had so many mile stones. For those of you who don’t know about Colby’s start, at the beginning of last year we learned that Colby had a breathing condition called Laryngomalacia (LM). The “short” explanation is that this is a rare condition concerning the breathing (and eating) of a child, sleep apnea, choking, acid reflux, along with other complications. It can be mild to severe and kids are supposed to outgrow it however sometimes surgery and/or monitors are required. Unfortunately Colby was one of those ones who had to endure surgery. He did great through the whole thing and has recovered quickly. He has grown so much since the beginning of the year and we hope that by his 18 month check up we’ll learn that he is in the clear and out grown both his LM and his sleep apnea. He is getting to be such a big boy and is so fun to be around. He’s one of the most patient babies we have ever met and has a smile that lights up your day. He’s finally got some teeth coming in (after 10+ months of working on them) and he loves using them on all of the new foods he now gets to try.

This September we also found out that we are expecting baby #3 and couldn’t be more excited. It was a bit of a surprise but we know that it’s meant to be and we can’t wait to meet our new little one. We should find out at the very beginning of January what we’re having. We wish we could share the news with everyone now but unfortunately we ALL have to wait until after the New Year. You’ll just have to watch Facebook or our family blog, paulandcheris.blogspot.com, for more information. This baby is due in May and we can’t wait to meet him/her (Riann swears it’s a boy though).

We are so grateful for this last year and all of the lessons we’ve learned. We’ve felt so much love and support from our friends and family and we are so grateful for all of you in our lives. We are so blessed and we are grateful that we get these last two months each year to reflect on our many blessings and all that we’ve been given. Thank you all for helping us have an amazing 2011. We can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2012. Merry Christmas everyone and have a great New Year!!

With Love,

Paul, Cheris, Riann, Colby and Baby #3

Jesse and Meagan Zornes - 12.17.2011

This last weekend my brother Jesse was married to his sweet fiance Meagan Modrell in the Los Angeles Temple. It was a beautiful ceremony and we were so happy to attend. It was a long dive and a short stay but we all had a great time. We are so excited to have Meagan in the family. She is a great companion to Jesse and we are so glad to see them both so happy.

Congrats guys!!! We love you both.

Waiting for the bride and groom to come out of the temple. I think Colby had the best time out of all of us. He was super excited for everyone. He clapped for almost an hour and was generally happy to just be there. I love that kid!!!

They're out!!! It was really fun because they had an actual temple worker come out and announce their "arrival". This is also the bridal party, minus Riann. She was busy having a break down.

The parents and Jesse's grandparents, our grandpa Jones was able to seal them.
I don't know why I didn't get an individual picture of Meagan's parents. I think they're picture was right in the middle of Riann's break down and I didn't make it down to where we were taking pictures in time.

Playing and partying the reception. It was an amazing set up. Riann had such a great time with Meagan's nieces, the other flower girls. She loved that they had matching "black princess dresses and matching necklaces". They were so wonderful to her and let her tag along the whole time they played together. Riann still talks about her "new friends". I'm so glad she had a great time.

Some of the decor and the food. It was all so wonderful!!! I think Paul's favorite part was the chocolate fountain. He went back a few times for seconds and his motto by the end of the night was "if it couldn't be dipped or drizzled in chocolate than it wasn't worth eating." Its a good thing they has so much to dip in the fountain!!!

On our way home Paul came up with this wonderful count down. It perfectly describes our wedding adventure. We had a great time and love these guys so much!!!

5 States,
4 passengers,
3 nights,
2 thousand miles,
all for
1 GREAT wedding!