Hi Everyone! It's been a long time since I've updated my blog. So much has gone on in our family, but all is well. We are officially moved into our new home (our first night was Dec. 1.) I sure miss my Opa & Oma, but I really like my new house. Here is a recap of my last few months...

Here I am...on my 2nd birthday (november 16). I had the best time spending it with family. We got to eat at Kabuto's, where they cook the food in front of you. I like to call it "big fire." It was so yummy! Afterwards, we had cake and presents at my Opa & Oma's house.

Me with my Daddy and Mommy!
Check out my yummy cake. I loved the candles and everyone singing to me!
I got a fun apron (I love to cook) with my name on it, a buggy, a doll, some other toys and clothes, and a brand new car. Sure is fun to be 2!
Here I am in my brand new car...thanks to all my Van Wingerden Uncles & Aunts! Watch out, new house, I'm learning how to drive!
A few days before my birthday, I got to have my birthday party at Ray's Splash Planet. We had so much fun swimming, sliding, and eating pizza and cake. I am so thankful for my friends that I got to celebrate with!
Check out my bite of cake...YUMMY!

In early November, my Daddy & Mommy got some great news...and I got to get a new t-shirt. Check it out! Yep, I am gonna be a big sister. Daddy and Mommy are having a baby in July! YIPPEE!!
On Octboer 31, I went to my fall festival at church. I had the best time. I got to be a Cincinnati Reds cheerleader (Daddy bought me this when he was in Ohio visiting his family!). It was so fun!

Mommy & Me
At our fall festival, there was this HUGE "air" slide. It took me a while to climb up it, but it was awesome sliding down. I almost fell on Minnie Mouse!

I also saw my cousins, Brayden & Jackson, there! I sure love my cousins!
And, my friend, Tyler, was also there! (Yep, another "boy" friend!)
Always time for a family picture (that's what Mommy always says!)
I also tried a Reeces peanut butter cup for the first time. Now, if you know my Mommy, she does not like those. She doesn't even like the smell. So, I was shocked that she helped my eat it. Daddy is so glad that I love these. He loves them too!
Then, I went down this really big slide with my Daddy. We sat on a potato bag to go even faster, and it was so cool!

Check out how much I LOVED that! We did it lots! What a great night!
At Opa & Oma's house...playing outside!
Lovin' the rings!!
The swing is my favorite. I can swing for at least 30 minutes, always wanting to go higher and faster! It is so much fun!

HI Everyone! Here I am at my Opa & Oma's house...I love being outside! I love swinging and riding on the golf cart.

Then, one morning, I got to go to Ray's Splash Planet (our indoor water park in Charlotte) for a few hours! It was so much fun sliding down the slide and being with a few of my friends.
I got to go with Aiden and Jake, 2 of my very many "boy" friends. We had fun together!
That fountain is so fun!
I always have fun at Ray's...what a great morning!

Lazy 5 Ranch & Daddy's Birthday

This past Saturday, Daddy & Mommy took me to Lazy 5 Ranch in Moorseville. We got to ride a wagon and feed animals. I had so much fun. I got to go with some friends of mine from playgroup, and we had the best time. The animals were so fun!

Here I am feeding some animals with Mommy. It was really cool to feed them!

Then, I fed some animals with Daddy...check out that animal's (I think the water buffalo) tongue!
Then, I tried it all by myself...but, when I did it by myself, I would just throw the food on the ground!
Then, I just talked to the water buffalo while Daddy fed him!
Here we all are...a group shot of me with my friends from playgroup.

(I'm in the front middle if you can't find me!)

Look at me with Mommy and the giraffe. Notice that I am also squeezing the food in my hands. It took me about 15-20 minutes of riding in the wagon before I would let go of it. I just held it and watched!

Then, Daddy and I fed the baby animals!

Here are a few of us with some pumpkins...aren't we just so cute?
My shirt was appropriate for the day...I do love horses...what a great day it was!

On October 4, my Daddy turned 30. Since Mommy had already taken him to Niagara Falls as a surprise trip (see pictures below), we just celebrated at lunch with some of my uncles, aunts, & cousins at Olive Garden. That night, Mommy and I took Daddy out to dinner at Red Rocks. It was a great day!

Here I am with Daddy...right after he opened his present from me.

I LOVE my Daddy...
Before bedtime, Daddy read me a book. I love to have people read books to me and sing to me. Right now, I love "Jesus Loves Me" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." And, I love all books!
When Daddy & Mommy got back from Niagara Falls, they brought me a present. So, here I am closing my eyes as I await my surprise... ...It was an Elmo doll! I loved it.

Niagara Falls and Fun

Living with my Opa & Oma has been so much fun. I am going to miss them so much when we move into our new home (hopefully within the next 6 weeks!)!

This is my new bunny, Gracie. I "made" her at my friend, Jake's, birthday party at Build-A-Bear. I like to take her with me around the house...I really like to change her diaper!

For my Daddy's big 3-0 birthday (which is tomorrow...happy birthday, Daddy...I love you!), my Mommy surprised him with a weekend trip to Niagara Falls. They left early this past Friday morning and got home on Sunday...right in time to watch the Panthers lose miserably! Daddy was SO surprised, and they had the most wonderful time together...

Niagara Falls was so beautiful...Daddy & Mommy loved it.

Niagara Falls

Here my parents are at the Falls...they are on a tour called "Journey Behind the Falls." They really got to go behind the falls...and beside it, which is where this picture is taken...they said it was beautiful.

This tour was called "Maid of the Mist," where Daddy & Mommy got to ride a boat out towards the Horseshoe Falls, get really wet, and get a great close-up of the amazing Niagara Falls. They got just a little wet, but they are very happy!! :)

Daddy & Mommy also walked around the Guinness Book of World Records Museum. Daddy is standing next to the tallest man in the world.
Here is the Skylon Tower. Daddy & Mommy ate dinner here one night. The restaurant revolved, so they were able to see all of the falls and the city. They said it was a beautiful view and very yummy food.

While there, Mommy surprised Daddy with a little "birthday" cake. He loved it...now that I can sing the "Happy Birthday" song, I wish I could have been there to sing to him...Mommy just doesn't sing it quite like me! But, I've been singing to Daddy (& Mommy, even though her birthday was a few weeks ago...) for quite some time now!

It was a wonderful 30th birthday surprise for my Daddy, and Daddy & Mommy had such an amazing time at Niagara Falls.