Monday, August 16, 2010

NJ Shore Vacation 2010


As many of you know, every summer we try to take a little family beach vacation. It's usually to South Haven, MI, but this year we decided to be a bit more adventurous! We decided to embark on a 16 hour road trip to Ocean Grove, NJ to visit my brother and his family for a week.

Some of the highlights are below. Click here to see the full album





Saturday, June 26, 2010

Our Little Artist



Kate has discovered sidewalk chalk. She can sit for long periods of time out on the back patio scribbling little designs. I've often found her lying flat on the floor as she draws, as if needing to get down really close to her "art". Here is a picture of one of her recent creations. I kinda like it :)



Her love for coloring doesn't end outside, though. She loves her crayons and coloring books! I love it, too, since it's one of the only times I can get her to sit still :)

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Indianapolis


As an end of the school year celebration, the Snyders took a short overnight trip to Indianapolis to check out their Childrens Museum and Zoo. We had always heard so much about it, and now was our chance to go. We were not disappointed!

We left late morning, and after lunching in the van arrived at the Childrens Museum just two hours before closing time. It gave us just enough time to see everything except one or two exhibits that Ethan wouldn't have enjoyed anyway. The dinosaur exhibit is definitely a highlight! Unfortunately, Ethan was pretty frightened of these large, lifelike displays that we had to race through the exhibit. So...no photos :( But he loved the train exhibit and the "Playscape" especially, which was basically one large room of all these hands on exhibits. Water, sand, slides, ride on toys, stuff to climb. He and Kate had a blast. It was planned perfectly, really. We arrived late enough to miss all the school crowds, but early enough to see just about all the exhibits. On our way out, the kids noticed this light display which had them (and us) rolling on the ground in laughter.



The next day we went to the Indianapolis Zoo. I haven't enjoyed a visit to the zoo this much in years! We had perfect weather, and the zoo wasn't so huge that I felt I was walking miles and miles just to see the next exhibit. One of the highlights for all of us was taking the train ride around the zoo.


It was to get off our feet, feel a cool breeze and snuggle up close to our kids :)


It was a great little trip! For more pics, click here or go to: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=172271&id=610621963&l=b232e55509

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

BBQ-ing

The cloudy and rainy forecast did not stop our bible study group from getting together for some burgers and dawgs! Here is our small group, minus a few people. We are greatly looking forward to the day when our friend, Becky, comes home from Iowa where she is recovering from a lung transplant. She has been fighting cystic fibrosis her whole life, and we are praying that these new lungs will be like new life!


The kids...



Our monthly socials are one of our favorite monthly events. We potluck, usually doing some sort of theme, and just talk! This month was a special family event where all the kids came, too. What chaos! We love it...

Sunday, May 09, 2010

For you, Mom


Watch Nooma 021 | She in Faith & Spirituality | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

A Very Happy Mothers Day

A wonderful day off! For Mothers Day I requested absolutely no cleaning up! It was lovely...


This morning I woke up to flowers and cards from the kids. Then after church we stopped off at my favorite local bakery for an assortment of croissants.

From Medici Bakery in Normal. For all of you U of C ers, it seems that a few Hyde Park establishments have followed me here to Central Illinois. In addition to a Medici we had a Harold's Chicken Shack open up. Makes me feel like I'm at home in my old college town with some popular Hyde Park eateries, ha ha ha!

After a lazy afternoon we ordered dinner from Biaggi's.

Nothing says Happy Mothers Day to me like a food-filled day with all my favorite treats. And I didn't even have to lift a finger :)

Thursday, May 06, 2010

Indoor Games


On a rainy day a couple of weeks ago. Click here for more of these pics...


Saturday, May 01, 2010

Happy May Day


May 1st brought us some surprises! A mysterious basket on our front porch!


Ethan loved the ring pop and bubbles, and mommy and daddy loved the chocolates!

The day also brought some fantastic hiking at Starved Rock. Click here for more pics on Facebook.

Friday, April 30, 2010

mmmm....corn


The first corn of the season for the Snyder family. And the first time for Kate to have it on the cobb!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Vicky is Agnes of God

Just before Thanksgiving of last year, I took an acting workshop that culminated in a showcase performance of several scenes from contemporary plays and films. My acting coach assigned me and my partner a scene from Agnes of God. Here is a recording of that showcase. You can find a synopsis and more info on the play at wikipedia .

This is part 1, the opening monologue of Dr. Livingstone in what was scene 4 from the play, I think. (or you can click here)



Here is part 2, where Agnes (my character) and Dr. Livingstone meet. Agnes' mental stability after "the incident" is in question throughout the whole play. It was interesting trying to decide for myself whether or not Agnes was a loony, or just misunderstood. (click here to see part 2)

Friday, April 09, 2010

Ethan's 4th b-day party

Finally...a little playdate for my little guy. As you may remember we had to cancel his celebration last week because he was sick. Here he is with his best buds today at our local McDonalds.

Here is the "baby table"

And the birthday "cake"

Monday, April 05, 2010

18 Months


Some new developmental milestones for Kate:
She has learned to say "no"
She jumps with two feet off the ground
She can give you a high five!

Words she can say: bye bye, hi, mama, dada, all done, more, car, apple, banana (she says, manna) no, outside, shoe, uhoh, up, eat, pray (she says "pay"), mine, baby, night night. She is starting to repeat words that she hears, especially if we take the time while reading out loud to her. We are working on the alphabet!

She also understands a lot of words, even though she doesn't say them yet. We can give her simple commands that she follows. She can bring something to you, put something back, clean up, sit down. She also understands taking shoes off (though she still has trouble actually pulling the shoes off her feet).

As you can see from this picture, I've started to try to do stuff with her hair. We haven't gotten it cut yet, but it's definitely getting unruly! I think the pigtails are a riot. When I first put them in, Ethan saw them and said, "Wow...It's like a fountain! A hair fountain!" I'd say he got it spot on!

Her 18-month appointment showed that she is 24 lbs and 33 inches tall. This puts her in the 45% for weight, and 85% for height. She is actually a bit above average with her 20 word count. It's normal for most kids her age to have 6 - 12 words.


Kate continues to delight us with her smile, her giggles, and her intelligence. One personality trait I already see is her ability to figure things out. She is not discouraged by a challenge, and she will work hard to overcome it (whether it be a puzzle, climbing a chair, putting a toy together). Ethan, on the other hand, is still very impatient when something does not work the first moment he tries it!

Sunday, April 04, 2010

Easter True Testimonies

We know God performed miracles, we read about them in the bible. But does God perform real-life miracles, even today?

Easter service at Eastview Christian Church featured dozens of real life members sharing their real life miracles, changed-by-God testimonies. I was glad I had tissues in my purse. Watch below, or click here.


Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Ethan's 4th b-day video

Here is a video from Ethan's birthday. Can't wait till we get to celebrate with his friends!

Birthday Boys


The month of March is when I celebrate the two special guys in my life. David and Ethan! It's been a very busy month for us with lots of travel. David's birthday weekend brought us to Michigan for a wedding, and Ethan's special day was interrupted by sickness! Our celebrations have been low-key--a favorite meal, a favorite sweet treat and a few presents. I have to admit, I feel guilty that both these celebrations were not the big "to-do's" that we've tried in years past.

Ethan has had a high fever for the past 3 days, so we had to cancel his birthday play date. Today, he is much better and was able to enjoy some birthday fun. Hopefully we can have his party next week!


You might be wondering about the donuts. Ethan doesn't like cake! So we thought we'd improvise. Sugared donuts are his favorite.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Hearts at Home 2010


It's hard to describe what you experience at a Hearts at Home Conference. Not only is there a lot of laughter and fun just being with other moms who understand the ups and downs of motherhood, but there is also so much learning and healing. I have to say that during Friday night's worship with Christy Nockels, it felt like the floodgates of my heart just opened. I didn't realize how much I had been holding on to everything around me, just trying to keep life all together, that my heart had hardened against others and my Lord.


How freeing to release it all to Him. How freeing to know how much He loves me. It's like I had forgotten.

To cement this truth, Jill Savage gave the morning keynote speech at the end of which she shared with us the truth of who we are in Christ.

You are secure and significant in Christ.

I am God’s child.
John 1:12



I am Christ’s friend.
John 15:15



I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
I Corinthians 6:19,20



I am united with the Lord.
I Corinthians 6:17



I am a saint.
Ephesians 1:1



I have been adopted as God’s child.
Ephesians 1:5



I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 2:18



I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 1:14



I am complete in Christ.
Colossians 2:10



I am forever free from condemnation.
Romans 8:1,2



I am assured that all things work together for good.
Romans 8:28



I cannot be separated from the love of God.
Romans 8:35



I am confident that the good work that God has begun in me will be perfected.
Philippians 1:6



I have not been given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7



I am God’s workmanship.
Ephesians 2:10



I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13




My friend Liz came down from Chicago to attend the conference. It was awesome spending the day with her, catching up on life. Great girlfriend time...

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Happy Birthday, Asher!

I just had to post pictures of this fun birthday cake! Asher loves knights and soldiers, so his mommy made him a medieval, castle type cake, reminiscent of the sand castles they probably built while on vacation a couple of weeks ago!

The celebration was at our local McD's with a playland, so the kids had plenty of running around and climbing to do. After their happy meals we finished the playdate with cake and ice cream. Fun!!!

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Spring Break 2010

We've just come back from a last minute getaway to the Wisconsin Dells. We stayed at the Grand Marquis Hotel, which is one of several hotels with indoor water parks specifically for children under 10. We had a great time and definitely recommend it to families with small kids.

Click on the album below to see pics from our trip. Or you can click here
Spring Break 2010


One of the highlights of the trip was dinner at Buffalo Phil's. We were seated next to a working model train and railroad, which brought out our drinks and food!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

15 Months



I have not been very good about updating my blog, have I? Sorry! A little info about Kate. SHE IS A PISTOL. Very vocal, shows it when she's mad and even hits things in frustration. I imagine she will be quite strong-willed. Mommy and Daddy, buckle your seat belts!

At the doctor's appointment she was 24 lbs and 31 inches tall. That puts her in the 70th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for height. David was so happy to find that she had grown some! She wants her to be tall so that boys don't date her. HA! Can you believe that?

As you can see from previous posts, she loves to dance. This is one of the most fun ages right now. She's fun, but still small enough to physically control if she decides to pitch a fit. Ethan, on the other hand, is quite the little man now. You should have seen me trying to hold him down to get his flu shot this year. Me and the nurse were wrangling a bull!

Kate also has almost a full mouth of teeth, I think. She's missing a premolar or two, but that's about it. She has just a few words: mama, dada, night night, bye bye, uh oh. She has said "wow" "ruff ruff" and what sounds like "dog" and "all done". So strange to think that Ethan at her age had about 15 words already. But then again, he was JUST learning to walk. She's been walking since 11 months now!

She has also officially dropped her morning nap, which allows me to get out more. But this terrible winter weather is still keeping us indoors. Luckily, she and Ethan play fairly well together, though there are time when I have to step in and do some conflict resolution.

All for now. Time to go "night night".