Christmas In Iowa

We had a great visit to Iowa over Christmas. I do have to say that driving in the car for 24 hours with the kids was a bit trying at times, but we came through it with flying colors. We got to see a lot of snow in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, which was a bit of a surprise but it didn't cause us any travel problems. We made it just in time for Christmas Eve. We had a wonderful dinner and opened gifts. Of course I have no pictures of that day because I left my camera at Sally's. Oh well! We also traveled up to my Uncle Ron and Carol's for a lovely dinner and playing for the kids.

Joe, Sherry and Sawyer came up to Mom and Dad's a great day. We travelled to Luvern MN to see Sally and Brad's new home sight and then came back to Mom and Dad's for dinner. Zach and Sawyer played the whole day and we almost never saw them. Just like two peas in a pod those two are. There picture is so cute together. We really miss them down here in Arizona.

We also spent a few days in KC with Shelly and Jason. It was much too short, but so much fun. Sam finally started getting used to me on the second day (he stopped swiping his implant off everytime he saw me) and then we had to go. I didn't get to hold cute little Addie near enough, but hopefully she'll remember us when we return this summer!

All in all it was a great Christmas because we got to be with Family. God Bless!

WINTER HITS THE DESERT!

Zach is playing the morning after the big snowstorm! We had late start to school and didn't go in until 12:00. We tried making a snowman but the snow was too icey. Zach loved it though!







Toby isn't too sure about the snow. As you can see he was a little upset. Though in his defense he turned out to be a sick little boy with an ear infection and RSV. He is doing much better now. I think we are through the worse. He did get antibiotics for his ear and the RSV seems to getting better. He is breathing better and coughing less!

I also just gave Toby his first haircut. It was getting so long. It touched his shoulders in the bathtub and I said this is just too much! So I snipped a bunch off and saved for his baby book.


http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM2021.flv

Here is a link to video of Zach in the snow!

Thanksgiving 2006

This is the New and Improved pantry, we added two new shelves( really 4) and organized it.
Toby is riding his new bike! Zach is showing us his HUGE muscles!
New Tile, fixtures and tub!
New Granite Counter tops and fixtures.
Old countertop and fixtures.
Our bathroom with no tub or backsplash.
Well, we made it through another great Thanksgiving. Mom and Dad came down for a visit and were wonderful, (as usual) We had about a million home improvement projects going on that they helped with. Plus Toby decided to come down with Pneumonia and a double ear infection. All this combined to make a pretty busy trip for mom and dad.

We had Debbie, Matt and Will over for our Thanksgiving dinner. Mom and I cooked a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, and corn casserole. All of which turned out wonderfully. Debbie brought over pumpkin bars and my personal favorite, magic cookie bars. Mom also baked two delicious pumpkin pies. We had a great day that was very relaxing and fun.

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM1868.flv

Enjoy some fun video of Zach and Toby jumping on the bed!!

Toby Turns 1 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mommy and Toby at his birthday dinner
Monroe, Paula and Zach enjoying dinner.
Zach after he licked the beaters of Toby's birthday cake.
Zach crashed out one day after school.
Toby riding his little car., Well not really, just sitting there.
I can't believe little Toby is 1 year old. We had a small little party with just Grandma Paul and Monroe over for a roast dinner. It was nice and calm! Afterwards we had chocolate cake and ice cream. Toby seemed to enjoy his cake and made a nice mess. He definately got more on himself than he ate.

Toby also had his 1 year check up, he is 26lbs and 10oz. He is 32 inches long both at or above the 95%. I didn't think he was that big, but I guess I was wrong. He is bigger than Zach was at the same age, but he just doesn't seem like it. He also got 4 shots including a flu shot and a the chicken pox vaccine. The number of shots wasn't too much fun and he was very cranky and not sleeping well for the next several days. We are still struggling with sleep since he now has a nasty cold that has made him really congested. He is waking several times a night and doesn't want to go back to sleep because his nose is all plugged up. I am getting to be a little sleep deprived.

Toby is now a walker. About a week before his first birthday he started walking. He had a step or two before that but not real walking until the 12th of October. He is now cruising everywhere and getting into everything. He is quite the little climber and we all have a hard time keeping up with hime.

Zach has some big news to share. He is star student of the Month for his class. He gets his picture up at the front of the school and he gets to have a special McDonald's lunch with Dr. Laird on Thursday. He was very excited and proud of himself. He couldn't wait to call his grandma's to let them know about his accomplishment. He is doing so well in School. His teacher is excellent and he is learning so much. I can't believe the huge change in him already!
http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM1797.flv
http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM1781.flv

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM1783.flv
http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM1782.flv

http://s140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/sandyherfkens/?action=view&current=HPIM1779.flv

Here are some video links to Toby's first birthday and some walking.

Zach starts school

Zach and Toby playing trains, though Toby mostly just demolishes them, as you can see him sitting on the track!











I can hardly believe it but Zach is now an official kindergarten. His teacher says he is doing just great and despite being very tired he is learning something new everyday. It's been a little difficult to get everything in order especially in the morning, but we have made it everyday!

My classroom is doing really well, with only 16 beautiful children this year, I feel very lucky. I am getting back into the swing of things and hopefully will stop feeling so crazy in a few more weeks.


Toby is going to Tracy's everyday and just loves it. He is crawling at the speed of light and cruising around all the furniture. He can stand for a second on his own but perfers to have us help him walk around. I think it will be a bit longer until he walks, which is fine by me, since he gets into everything already. Toilet paper is one of his favorite toys, as well as getting into the CD/DVD cupboard and emptying it. He also loves to stand by the sliding glass door and watch the Bear and Zachary play.
Zach is blowing bubbles for Toby one morning, they were having a lot of fun!












Toby is talking all the pots and pans out of the cupboard.

Toby is 9 months

Toby is brushing all those new teeth!
Zach and Toby in there fort!

Well we went to see the doctor yesterday for Toby's 9 month visit. He is growing at leaps and bounds. He is now 31 inches (was 29 at 6 months) and 23lbs and 6 oz. He is above the 95% on the charts. I knew he was getting longer but I had no idea that he had grown 3 inches over the last several months. He also had the finger prick test for he iron levels. That was pretty horrible and he screamed the whole time. Turns out he has borderline iron levels so we are suppose to feed him lots of food with iron. We are giving him cream of wheat which he seems to like quite a bit. He didn't have to get any more shots, thank goodness. He won't have anymore until his 12 month check up. Dr. Smith says Toby is doing just great. Brother Zach also enjoyed the doctor visit as he got to listen to Toby's heart beat as well as his own and my heart beat. He got to turn on the little light for the ear thingy and was just a big helper in general.


Zach and Toby are starting to play together more and more with Toby absolutely adoring his big brother. He is always giving him big hugs and laughing at him. Zach loves to give him toys and play peek-a-boo with Toby. Now Zach is helping Toby to begin walking. Toby is pulling up on beginning to cruise along furniture though he falls quite a bit. He is taking steps when you hold his hands. He really wants to walk like his big brother.

Iowa Trip 2006

Well, I'm finally sitting down to write about our trip to Iowa. We had a great time going back to Iowa. We first had to stop at my sister's house (Shelly) For a fun visit. Toby caught a bit of a virus and ran a fever for about 4 days, but that didn't stop him from having a great time with his Aunt.

We then traveled up to Iowa, which was a funfilled 7 hour trip! Seriously all went well, except Toby had to cry about half the trip. We made it though to see a very excited grandma and grandpa.


Mom quickly got busy making a celebration for Zach's 5th birthday, Dad's birthday and Father's Day all in one. Zach of course making out with lots of great presents.

We decided to visit an old favorite of ours and went up to Arnold's park. Zach had a blast and Toby seemed to really enjoy the outing. It was great weather and we enjoyed the park so very much. Though I think Zach may have enjoyed it the most. He fell asleep on the way home and was out for the night.
We also visited with Sally and Brad and Brad's brother Joe on our visit to Arnold's park. It was Joe's first visit and I think he had a fun time. Zach also enjoyed spending several days with Aunt Sally and Uncle Brad. He even spent the night twice all by himself.

We so enjoyed seeing and being with our family for a few weeks, but it was still nice to get back home.
Joe, Brad, Sally and Toby at Arnold's Park.
Zach on the jumping ride. He loved it!

Zach's 5th Birthday

Happy Birthday!



Today is Zach's 5th birthday. I can hardly believe it! It seems like just yesterday David and I were in the hospital marveling over our new little bundle of Joy. We had a simple day today with a spaghetti dinner and some choclate cake and ice cream. Grandma Paula and Monroe come over to celebrate with Zach. We enjoyed the extra company. Zach got a new tent from grandma that is now inhabiting our living room. You can see Toby and Zach both enjoying playing in the tent. I hate to put it outside and ruin it's clean newness. Zach also got a remote
control speed boat for the pool at grandma's. I would say he is just a bit excited about the new boat. He can hardly wait to go play with it.
We are having a kid's party at Chuck E. Cheese's on Monday. It should be fun and exciting. Zach seems to think he will be turning six at the Chuck E. Cheese party because he is having another birthday party. I hope we can get that ironed out!!