Jackie is going to be 3!

I can't believe that Jackie is going to be 3! It seems she was just born! I remember clearly sitting at Nancy's house trying to figure out what we were going to do for the day (it was Spring Break and we were going to take Isaiah to go bowling I think) and then getting a call that she was born, off we went to the hospital. She is so funny these days, talking up a storm. I wonder a lot of times what Grandma Jackie would think of her. I know that those two would have a riot together. A few weeks ago, I stopped by on my way to a meeting that I had in Grandville, while I was there Tara asked if it was ok if she quick took Grace and went to the store, of course I said, and Jackie and I were off on an adventure. She has a good imagination, and the next thing I knew her blanket had turned into a raft and the sand shovels were paddles and we were going down the river. I couldn't have been more proud! So there we were in the living room yelling "forward two," and "paddle hard!" I can't wait until we can go down the river together for real! Tara and Adam and the girls are heading to Seattle for the week of Spring Break to see Adam's brother and his family. Jackie is excited to see her cousins again, but we will miss her on her birthday. I have been thinking about what to get her, she loves playing dress up (usually princesses), my little ponies, but I kept thinking her name is Jackie afterall, I need to train her right. So don't tell but I got her a Tee, Pink Bat and Ball to match the pink glove I got her when she was born. I hope that we will have fun playing tee-ball this summer! Aunt Kate loves you Jackie! Happy Birthday!

A Weekend Full of Parties!

The End of Treatment Party for Lydia was on Saturday! What a fun day! Cake, caricatures, a photo booth, face painting and balloon animals....what kid wouldn't like that kind of party. It was a fun time to be able to celebrate with Lydia and her family! We are excited that she is doing so well and praying that the tumor is gone and will stay gone! We had a great time Lydia, Jackie especially LOVED running around with you and the girls!

Party #2 was on Sunday! Grace Frances turned 1 (officially on Valentine's Day)! It also was a fun gathering of family! I'm not sure that she opened any of her presents, but she had a lot of help from her big sister, Austin and Ava! The best part was watching Grace get after that cake....when Jackie was one she kinds just poked at it and wasn't really interested...but Grace dove right in and she was willing to share with her Grandma and Uncle Gary! It was a fun party and fun to see how much she has grown in one year!

Grandma Jackie

4 years...in someways it seems like forever and someways it seems like just yesterday I talked to you on the phone....miss you Gram!! You wouldn't like this winter...lots of snow and cold. But Spring and Tiger's Baseball are right around the corner (at least that's what I keep telling myself!) I often wonder what it would be like if you were still here with us, Jackie/Grace/Austin/Ava would be more spoiled than they already are! You would be so proud of them and their parents! I bet you'd have an IPOD by now and probably at Nintendo Wii (but we wouldn't tell Uncle Gary about it! :-) I know you would be excited about the new manager for the Tigers, and I would be trying to talk you into going to Comerica for a game! Ross still lives in Colorado and I know that would make you nervous, but he is doing good and loves it out there! Andrea is a nurse and living with Kelly now, and you would be so proud of her too! Karly is in school at Cornerstone, and Grant graduates this year, you would have loved watching Kirsten play volleyball, she is pretty good and a spitfire too! You wouldn't believe Isaiah, he is truly a Kapteyn now, loves MR. Burger and boy can that kid talk...remember when they first got him and he hardly said a word. Jarred is working at Carraba's and doing great. You'd love hanging out at Abby and Jason's house by the beach and watching the kids. Tara and Adam have a new house too, and I can only imagine you having to dance and sing to all the princess songs with Jackie and Grace. Kelly is teaching AP Calc, and even though you and I have no idea what that is...I know you'd be proud of her for doing that. I am working with my friend Tara again, we started our own non-profit. You would be glad to know that we are taking kids to play laser tag today! I can just see you giving me the thumbs up! Miss you like crazy Gram, but I am glad you are with Grandpa Don, give him a hug for all of us and tell him we miss him too! You were the best Grandma and friend that I could ever ask for!