Goof Off!

I had to post this picture. I laugh every time I see it! What a goof off!

Happy 1st Birthday Sammers!

Cute even when he's mad!!

Sam's first ride in his sled, "go, go, go!"

Alright! New trucks to play with! What a great birthday!
Sam loves to make truck noises as he drives them around. He was excited to open his presents with Luke's help and then had fun pushing him saying "toot toot!"

And did he dive into the cake...?

Oh, yeah, he liked the cake!

Sam's birthday bib and shirt are from our friend Ingrid - check out her website:
www.whim-z.com

We celebrate Sam everyday, what a precious gift he is! Thanks for loving him with us.

Sam's latest entertainment

Sam having a blast running into Dad!

Christmas in Florida

Congratulations to the bride and groom!
Duane's niece Julie was married to EJ on Dec 23, in Orlando, FL.

Sam and Kath getting ready to hit the dance floor at the reception.
Our boogie baby just kept going and going.

Kath captured the big blue eyes during the reception.
He is finally starting to wind down at this point.

Sam is excited about all the presents (this is at the Vander Meulen Christmas weekend), but does he realize what a precious GIFT he is?!!

Grandma, Grandpa and Sam really getting into the holiday spirit on Christmas morning in Florida.

It was so cool to watch Sam take in the sights and sounds at the beach. We stayed all afternoon and he could not get enough... He fell sound asleep on the drive back.

Remembering Abby on Christmas Eve at Cocoa Beach.

It doesn't get much better than this. Sunday afternoon at Cocoa Beach was an incredible experience for Kath, Sam and me. We missed church but I would argue that God was speaking to us loud and clear at the beach. God continues to redeem tears in ways that we cannot even begin to explain. What a gift Baby Jesus is to us!

Dancing Sammers

Sam Dancing to U2

First Word

Sam doing his best "Wasssssuuuupp" impression.

Kath and Sam enjoying the first snow of the season together.

Three cousins hanging out Thanksgiving weekend. From left... Samuel, Luke and Nathan.

Sam's first word? You guessed it... Clock. He definitely knows what the clock is. Kath often hears Sam waking up saying "clock" after he hears the clock chime. He loves to tell stories in his baby talk. There are many "clocks" sprinkled into his stories.

Go Blue!

Sam and Dad are ready and excited to watch the Big Ohio State - Michigan football game on Saturday.














This was definitely not a sit down and relax game to watch. Sam had to stand up and cheer his team on.

No more rain!

Sam is so excited that the rain stopped long enough to enjoy the leaves outside.

Sam getting to know his first pumpkin. He is really getting into the fall festivities!

Sam thanking God for this beautiful fall day.

Fall Fun!

Playing peek-a-boo with Mom.

Sam enjoys an apple from one of Grandma and Grandpa's apple trees.

After Mom spent a lot of time teaching Sam how to do "touchdown", he did it for the first time on my birthday. Now that is a great birthday present!

More Southern Family

Sam got to hang out with his Aunt Marlene and Cousin Julie while they were up for Julie and EJ's wedding shower. We look forward to seeing you all again in December for the wedding.

Southern Family

Sam got to hang out with his Aunt Darlene from Florida last Saturday. Hanging out in person is definitely better than a blog update. See you again this December.

All Boy!

Sam was very excited to watch Grandpa VM on his tractor. He was moving his arms and legs and making tractor noises. Hmmmm no one taught him how to do that. He is definitely all boy!

Remembering Abby

Happy 2nd Birthday Abby! Sam spent some time at big sister Abby's memorial and then helped Mommy bake a birthday cake. So many emotions swirled together for Kath and I as we celebrated 10 years of marriage yesterday and honored Abby's birthday today.

Thanks for celebrating and remembering Abby in your own way; thanks for the cards, phone calls and flowers. We are so blessed.

Happy birthday Baby Abby,
we love you!

Swing Baby Swing!!

Sam enjoyed the swing at Kouw Park in Holland, MI, so much on Friday night that Kath and I decided to get him a swing to enjoy at home.

Sam - inspired by Lake Michigan gives Mom a big wet sloppy kiss.

Sam's Dedication

Thank you family and friends for joining us in dedicating Samuel to our incredible God. It was an amazing day filled with deep meaning. During the dedication in front of our house we could hear Abby's wind chime make its beautiful sounds to remind us of her presence. As a sign of family and friends joining us in giving Samuel to God we all released balloons into the sky. It was an amazing moment in silence where we all watched the balloons climb higher and higher into the deep blue sky. Thank you to Matt for leading us with your amazing words and to Brad for playing/singing a beautiful, heart touching version of "Blessed be your Name". The way you men serve is well... Christlike.

Samuel was his sweet fun loving self throughout the whole day. Man...we love that boy!

Busted!

It looks like Sam and Mom have been caught on camera enjoying some licorice. So this is what these 2 do during the day when I am at work.

2 Teeth

I thought I would kick this blog site off with a picture of Sam's first two teeth. Ok they might be hard to see in the picture... but they are there. I will try to add pictures and comments about Sam's dedication soon.