Moving...

The time to move came so quickly. We are so thankful we were able to privately sell our house in just two weeks!! What an answered prayer! Our last month in Jarvis was packed with get togethers, farewell cookouts and lots of time with friends. Our friend, Renee, came over several times to get in lots of Lyddi time. I had to take a picture of Lydia in front of LYDIA street.

We had movers come and pack up our house this time around. Being that this is our 3rd move in 4 years, we were on board! They came early in the week to pack up a lot of the little stuff so we lived among many boxes for a few days. A bonus of this is that it created ample opportunities for peek-a-boo.

Lydia was pretty bummed when she couldn't empty the tupperware drawer anymore because it was all packed.

This picture has nothing to do with the move, it was just too cute not to post. 

Our last dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, Montana's, with two of our favorite friends.

We took our buddy, Zane, out for breakfast on our last full day in Jarvis. 

The big moving truck showed up bright and early, with movers ready for a full day's work ahead.

This is how full it was pretty close to the end.

Me saying goodbye to the last bag of milk I'll use (YES!)...looking forward to gallons again.

Here is the stuff we set aside to pack in our van and live off of the next couple months.

After a long busy day of moving and cleaning, here is the empty house ready for the new owner.

Zach and I walked around each room and took pictures, and shared some of our favorite memories, and shed a few tears (me, not Zach).

We left a little gift for the new home-owner.

Our last picture together in our first home as a married couple.

We then moved in with some of our friends for the weekend. They have a dog who just had puppies so Lyddi was super excited to see all the dogs every day.

Wow...4 years come and gone. God has certainly blessed us during our time in Jarvis...with challenges that grew us closer to Him and many fun memories. It's definitely a bittersweet time of transition as we say goodbye to our friends and look forward to connecting with our family and friends in GR and making new friends there. Thank you to those of you who have been praying for us during this time. Please keep the prayers coming as we house hunt and get settled in our new life in Grand Rapids. 

Farewell Jarvis...until we meet again!

Mommy and Me Photo Shoot

A friend of mine offered to take some pictures of Moms and their kids for Mother's Day. The fee was very small so I thought, "Why not?!" It was a fun outing and we had a play-date with Lydia's buddy afterward. Here are a few of the shots.

 Our little sweet pea....

1/2 way there!

It's hard to believe that we're halfway through this pregnancy already. I am in the "feeling great" phase where I'm quite comfortable and not sick all the time anymore. 

Here I was at 13 weeks...

17 weeks... (Lydia thought the sign was pretty cool.)

 20 weeks...

Our Sitters..

While we were at the retreat Mom and Dad graciously came out to watch Lyddi for us. They had a great time together and we all got to spend a little time together at the beginning and end of their visit. Lyddi liked holding Grandma and Grandpa's hand while walking.

Lyddi trying out a lemon...

 Grandpa and peek-a-boo...does it get any better?!

 Here we all are after a delicious dinner in town.

Thanks again so much for coming out so we could go to the retreat. We had a great time spending time you guys... Love and hugs!!

Retreat!

We attended the annual retreat at beautiful Muskoka Bible Camp this past week. It is always such a wonderful, fun-filled time. We connected with friends and made some new ones playing Shuffle board, putt-putt golf, frisbee golf and board games. Our speaker this year was Jim Schaap, a retired but still very much working, professor from Dordt. He was awesome. Below is a view of the lake.

 We did a photo scavenger hunt the second night and our team won! Here is our photo for "a side-walk tragedy"...

 Here is our photo for "just hanging around."

 We got extra points for this one because we used it for: "great kiss," "something shiny," "best hug," "evidence of God," and "needs improvement."  :-)

 Our classis was in charge of the planning the retreat this year. Here is the crew.

Life Lately..

With the move coming quickly, we've been hard at work getting our house ready to sell. Zach has spent many hours lately painting, putting up trim (oh so much trim), doors, cabinets...etc. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I recently finished another grad. class and feel great now that those responsibilities are behind me. And with the nicer weather this past week we've been spending lots of time outside. Lydia just loves being outside and will often bring us her shoes as soon as she finishes breakfast. Here she is enjoying her first tricycle ride!

We've had a few play-dates with Lyddi's buddy, Delia lately too.

Here we are after a lovely afternoon walk together.

 As you can see, Lyddi couldn't handle the excitement. 
 Just playing in the mulch.

We always wave bye-bye to Zach when he leaves for work. On this day Zach had some fun playing peek-a-boo with Lyddi. 

Daddy and Lydia playing around...

Daddy and Lydia reading a story before bed. 

Book Club!

This past fall I started a book club with a group of young moms. The goal was to help my Mamma brain by reading and having some intelligent conversation with some other women and also have a night out. But it has turned into so much more than that. We get together twice a month, first to discuss the book we read, and then have a fun night together playing cards, bowling...etc. This month we spent an evening together making 63 meals so we each went home with 7 delicious meals for our freezers. It was great! 

These girls have been such a blessing this past year. We've laughed together, cried together, and had a great time getting to know each other better. When I think of us moving in a little over a month, one of the things I'm going to miss the most is this group of friends...my bookies.

Baby Pop Update

We are thankful this pregnancy is going very well. Now that the first hump is over I am feeling much better- Yeah! Here I was at 13 weeks...

 Now at 17 weeks...the Pop has arrived...

DIY Bathroom Project

Dad, Tracy, Cal and Hannah came out for the weekend to help us get our house ready to list. The big project of the weekend was re-modeling the bathroom. Time to get to work!

Lyddi was really interested in seeing what the guys were up to.

Auntie Hannah, Uncle Cal, Mimi and I kept Lyddi occupied in the other room.

Grandpa came out for quick Lyddi-breaks. 

Uncle Cal cuddling with his niece.

 Daddy getting a quick Lyddi fix.

Four Olson ladies...

 So cute!

 Lydia ate up all the attention and lov'n from her family.

 So happy!

 Lydia and her Grandpa and Mimi...what a blessed girl.

 Mimi took Lydia for a ride in her blue car and they collected pine cones.

 She was super excited to show me when they returned.

Thanks for coming out and spending your vacation time helping us with the house and visiting. We appreciate it so much and can't wait to see what the bathroom looks like when it's finished...hopefully by the end of this week! 

Westras!

My sister, Anne, and her family were in Hamilton visiting Dave's family for Easter, and they also came to visit us for a night. The kids had a fun time giving Lyddi her belated birthday gift...a home-made doll!

 Anne reading to her sweet hearts.

 Lydia had a ball playing with her cousins, although we're not sure what's happening here...

 Zach Attack!

 Sisterly love.

Thanks for taking the time to visit guys. It was short and sweet, and a lot of fun. Love and hugs!

He is Risen...

 We hope you all had a wonderful, blessed day celebrating our risen Savior! How awesome it is to know our Savior defeated death and lives! He is Risen Indeed!!

We had to get a few pictures of Lydia in her sweet little Easter outfit (thanks Mom!). 

Daddy and Lyddi even matched.