Fun with the VanVeelens: fun times

We have been very busy the last few weeks. We drove 3&1/2 hours one way to look at a van (which we bought). Then we had to go drive home! THEN we turned around a couple days later and went back to get it! We had a lot of fun though. Melissa went with me and the kids on the first trip. For the second trip, we went with Ashley and Elliette. We stayed in a Holiday Inn Express and had a party! We had pizza, swimming and all! Leah thought it was a blast.

After our van excitement, we had out of state company! My Dad suprised us with a visit. We had so much fun. We went out to dinner and had great conversation. Then the next day when Jeremy was at work, we went shopping! Dad and Terri spoiled us terribly. Then we went to the mall for playtime in the great play area they have there. That night we had Dad and Terri and the Blanchards over for dinner. Everything went well. I think my cooking was a little spicy for their pallate though! Then the next morning we met them at IHOP for a farewell breakfast. It was such a good time. I am looking forward to going to their house next!

On Saturday we went to our new friends house. They just moved here from Fort Benning. Corbin is the exact same age as Leah and Aeden is 4 months, so closer to Lauren. The kids had a great time playing together.

On Sunday we went to the zoo with Skyler, Melissa and Skyler Jr. It was SO much fun. I don't remember ever seeing Leah smile as much in one day as she did! Lauren just hung out in the stroller and watched while Leah dragged Daddy around the zoo. We got a ton of pictures when we were there and I will put them up shortly. The kids had so much fun. Skyler Jr. kept saying "look at me! I am over here!" to all of the animals! It was a riot! Leah is a little copycat too. Everything he does, she wants to do and everything he says....she TRIES to say. He is so cute. He reminds me so much of my nephew Luke. I think both kids had enough ice cream that day to last them until next summer though!

This week we are trying to lay low. This weekend we are having a local photographer take pictures of our family at the Savannah River Rapids. Leah will be 2 one week from today. Lauren is already 7 months old!!!! Where did the time go? I guess it's time to have another baby! Just kidding!! We don't have a nice family picture with all four of us in it, so I am excited to get one up on the wall.

Leah having fun in her pool in our backyard