Little Update

Annie loving on Izabelle. They are so sweet together. Izabelle is really starting to pay attention to her siblings and ADORES them! They are often rewarded with the smile they seek!

Family vacation in Montana was fabulous as always! We spent almost enough time in the mountains. All three kiddos (and their parents) love being outside. We enjoyed a trip to Yellowstone Park, a drive over the Gravely Mountains, hiking in Lake Canyon, time at the park, and a few other adventures in between.

This is my sweet boy! I am in LOVE!!! Andrew really enjoyed being outside. He went on a 3 mile hike with Daddy and Papa, and got to eat fresh wild raspberries. He also enjoyed throwing rocks off a cliff that we found near the head of the Ruby river.

Paul and I were able to get away for about 24 hours unattended! We enjoyed a hike, a drive to...NOWHERE!, and a quiet night alone at Jackson Hot Springs. We will be celebrating 10 years of wedded bliss here in just a few weeks and took the opportunity to celebrate early. Thanks to Nana and Papa for making it possible!

In other news...

Andrew has started TaeKwonDo and is really enjoying it. We look forward to his twice a week lessons at a great Christian school. Marianne has started a dance class. She dances once a week, ballet and tap. She is way too funny about it, but it promises to be a good time for here. Both the bigger kids are involved in Wednesday night ministries at our church. Andrew is very proud of his book with lessons to do at home, and Annie is excited to go on Wednesdays because one of her favorite people is one of the teachers! What a blessing as this girl usually fights being left at church. I am in full swing with the Youth on Wednesday nights and am excited to see what God does this year in our small group.

Praying all are well!

Sand, Sun, Slugs...An Update

Beach Bum Baby! Izabelle is such a joy and blessing to our family. She is growing like crazy and sleeps really well. She LOVES to be outside. Her little personality is very fun to watch develop!

Two months old now! She loves her bath, sleeping on her tummy (daytime naps only), and has recently found a new friend....her thumb!

Marianne has become quite the little card! She is such a sweet little girl with a fantastic spirit. We are so blessed. Daddy is already making the list for his arsenal as she is quite the beauty! We have been told many times lately how pretty she is. Our job will be to teach her that beauty comes from the inside! She loves her brother and sister so much. Her Daddy is wrapped rather tightly around her little finger!

ALL BOY!!! He loves dirt, bugs, and now his new found friends...slugs. Gross! He is growing up very quickly. He is reading simple words and is so very proud of himself when he sounds them out! He loves anything nature...just like Daddy! He is very happy, and very busy. We are in search of ways to channel his determination and energy. He's gonna keep us on our toes.

I know it's been forever since we updated...so here you go.

I hope you are happy, Aleen!

Introducing...

Ok, so it took me 3 weeks...but here she is. Our sweet little Izabelle was born on June 3. She was 3 1/2 weeks early and required a bit of extra loving from DeVos Children's Hospital. After a 5 day stay in the NICU...she is perfectly healthy and beautiful. Andrew and Marianne are very proud of her! My parents have been here for 3 weeks and my sister is here for the weekend..so pray for me, ya'all....I will be home alone with these little munchkins all on my own starting Tuesday. Paul will be home at night of course, but it is the busy season at work...so, um...here's to sanity. I will TRY to update again soon with more pictures.

Take a Moment

Here is an opportunity for you to help the earthly Orphan. Please check out this blog, they are having a HUGE giveaway! You don't have to give money...though appreciated...just a simple refrence to her blog and you are in! Thanks for your time.... www.nogreaterjoymom.blogspot.com

Long time Photo Update

I know its been a really long time since a photo update...so I thought I'd throw a hole bunch of stuff into one post and pretend that makes up for it. So...for those who care, here you go...
Andrew loves to pick out gifts for people. He is as much of a giver as any child I have ever seen. He picked a necklace for Great Gram, who is my maternal Grandmother. He was very proud to give it to her. For those of you who do not know my Gram, she is a lady of grace, poise, and love. If I come within a mile of her inner beauty as I age, I will be thankful. I am so lucky to have such an amazing example in my life...Love you Gram!

While at my parents house in December/January, my Dad and Paul made a little sledding hill in the yard. It was so fun for the kids...this is Marianne refusing to miss out on the fun. She requested her "Deedee" and "Nonee" and rested in the tube for quite some time just watching. She probably would have napped if it were a touch warmer!

An attempt at curly hair. She was very proud of her curlers!

And the crazy results! Yes, she slept in her curlers...no Aleen I didn't drug her, and yes Dawn, she looks like a flash from the 80s with her crazy curls and jean jacket.

These kiddos are keeping us very busy! Andrew is actively learning to read, and in the off time, we are working on shapes and colors---Aunt Kerry, Aunt Ev, and Aunt Sue...be proud. He is loving the thought of the snow melting and spring coming.

Marianne is, well, busy. For those who are wondering, the "parents curse" works...you know, the one where the Mom says "I hope you have a child just like you someday." Apparently, I deserve all I am getting. I love every minute of it, but could do without the sass!

Baby #3 is doing well. Growing, sitting low, chilling out. And no...we have NO names picked out...we might work on it someday.

Thats about it for this update...Will try to do better!

Half Way!!!!

WOW!!! Twenty weeks of Baby Bush #3 are gone! We are half way to meeting this little blessing. We had an ultrasound this week and are very excited that everything looks pretty good. We are so thankful for this little one and the kids are VERY excited. We brought home pictures and Andrew does his best to pick out the ones with a profile...he's no better at it than we are. Annie is convinced that she also has a baby in her tummy and has started asking other people if they have a baby, too. It is so innocent and sweet.

On another note:
My little girl is apparently built like her father's side of the family. She fits very nicely into her 24 month and 2t jeans...some are starting to get a touch short, but for the most part, not too bad. Her shirts on the other hand are no officially a 4T!!!! I couldn't believe it when I started noticing her 3T shirts, (which we just got out in December), were starting to look a little belly-shirt-ish. So I got out the clothes that I bought for her for next winter, and sure enough, they fit much better. Still in amazement and a bit if denial, I took a measuring tape to measure Andrew's shoulder to hip...11.5 inches....Marianne's shoulder to hip 10.75. SERIOUSLY??? This girl has a very long body!!! I just cannot get over the fact that Andrew and Marianne are now wearing the same size shirt. GOOD GRIEF!

ONE MORE THING:
Please pray with me for a very sweet family who is in Columbia now bringing home their 2nd little girl. This little girl just turned 2 in December and is about to experience all the love this fantastic family has in them. She will be joining 4 very loving brothers and an older sister. We are so excited for you VanderZwaags!!!! Safe travels, and lots of prayers being said!!!! (You can check out their blog on the side bar.)

New little Heaven in 2011

2011 is looking to be a fabulous year at the Bush residence. We celebrated the new year with Marcie's Family in Montana. We are looking forward to taking Andrew skiing for the first time later this week. Marcie is going on a trip with her sister and Mom in January. Paul has some training in Detroit in March....Marcie and the kids get to go, too. And probably the MOST exciting part of 2011 will be the addition of a new Bush to the family in June.
Happy New Year, Everyone!