Dina's Baptism: August 19, 2012

 Would you believe this is the same gown that all three boys wore?  We took off the blue ribbons and added the lace and made a new, girly bonnet.  I think it turned out quite nice!  ;)

 Love those bright eyes

 Funny thing... On the day before Dina was born, the boys were busy horsing around and my Dad would say "Just wait 'til Dina comes and puts you all in your place".  He was quite sure we would have a girl.  And he was right!

 Our latest family portrait.

Sweet sleeping beauty.

A few snapshots of Dina's first week of life.

 My parents were such a joy to have around.  Mom was helpful to me with all the chores that make life busy, and Dad was able to do alot of the maintenance that Jerry hasn't had time to even think about.  And all this help without a word of complaint ;)

Loving the pink and the flowers ;)

August 8, 2012

Finally, here she is!  Berendina Antoinette, born at 2:37 AM on August 8, 2012.

 One of her first photos; still waiting for her fingers to pink up ;)

 James was a little disappointed when his Opa and Oma told him he had a new baby sister, he had wanted another little brother.  It didn't take him long, however, to warm up to his cute little bundle of sister.

 Lucas was ready to hold Dina right after James.  If James can do it, Lucas will be right there doing the same.

 Here's my girl!!  I feel great!  If all girls were like this...

 Daddy and his new little girl.  He thought he wanted another bay in the garage (another boy), but I think Dina just stole his heart :)

 Thankfully, my parents were able to come down and wait for our baby to be born.  Jerry was working late the night she decided to arrive and so my Dad brought me to the hospital.  Jerry arrived just in time, with 10 minutes to spare.

All our cutie patooties :)

Back in July, we took a trip over a long weekend to celebrate my Dad's 70th birthday.  My how the decades fly!!  It was a good time and always nice to see the whole family again.

 One afternoon we spent by the River fishing.  Have I mentioned how James loves fishing?  Rarely a day goes by when he doesn't tell me "but I just want to go fishing!"  I do wish there was a river near us that we could take him more often.  Unfortunately, he has to wait for special outings.  

He didn't catch a thing, but a few others did; just some small sunfish and a couple small catfish.  James got to hold a sunfish long enough to throw him back in.  He was disappointed, though, that he didn't get to catch his own.  Someday!

 During our feast of steak kabobs and pulled pork, Peter kept trying to sit on this chair.  He didn't have alot of luck as the homemade seat kept collapsing and throwing him on the floor :).  But he finally got it!

 For some fun in the sun, my Dad had made a couple games of bean bag toss.  Fun!  Arend and Rosee had brought along a few kites and everyone had a good time getting them to fly.  Michael was the first to make his airbourne, but soon enough they were all up there.  We only lost one across the cornfield.

 Then, to help work off our dinner in preparation for dessert, we played a few more games: potatoe sack races, balancing the ball on a spoon races, wheelbarrow races, and 3 legged races.  Such silly fun keeps us all young at heart :)  I love the laughs on everybodies faces in all these photos.

 Getting the line-up together.  Wait, Mom and Dad have a head start!!

 On your mark, get set,

 GO!!

And a sweet shot of a pair of little pals.