Terpstra West Family

2009-12-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Thought I should put a current picture of the kids up for 2009. Hudson is 4 3/4, Katrina is 6 1/2, and Josiah is 8. They keep our lives busy and full of laughter and fun! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Pictures of our trip to Disneyland 2008

2008-04-10T15:57:00.000-07:00

Kids playing on the letter "A" outside of California Adventure.

After a long drive down to southern California, we went into the parks
and rode a few rides and caught the Electrical Parade in CA Adventure.
(The Electrical Parade doesn't seem like it's changed since we were kids!)

Terpstra Family at Goofey's Kitchen...Josiah didn't want to get too close to the characters :)

It's been a Year since I blogged last...

2008-04-10T15:24:00.000-07:00

So a lot can happen in a year...
Our three kids are growing up fast!

Josiah is 6 and in Kindergarten…he loves reading, playing the Wii and DS, drawing, and playing T-Ball. He is taking swimming lessons, and piano lessons (from Dad).

Katrina is 4 (5 in June) and is in preschool but will start Kindergarten in the fall. She loves dressing up, pretending to be just about anything from a princess to a dog or cat, or even dad. She is quite the actress but has a good ole tomboy side to her too. She is also taking swimming lessons and is quite the little fish.

Hudson is 3 and will start preschool in the fall. He is our big brute…he weighs as much as his sister and yet has incredible balance. He loves Cars (the Disney/Pixar movie and toys), Diego, pirates/peter pan (especially dressing up as them), playing in water, and hanging out with his big brother and sister. He started swim lessons this past February.

The kids had their first trip to Disneyland in the Spring of 2007 (Papa and Grandma Terpstra came along for the trip too). We just went for our second time on March 30th 2008 and had 5 days between the two parks (Disneyland and California Adventure). We all had a great time! Hudson is even 40" and was able to go on a lot of big roller costers like the Matter Horn, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain Railroad, Soarin' over California etc. We would all get a little antsy waiting in line, but everyone loved the rides! Josiah was big enough for his first Loop-d-loop (California Screamin' in California Adventure). The weather was beautiful, not too hot, not too cold, and since we were off a little bit from the Spring Break it wasn't too crowded either.

New Year's Eve

2007-02-24T21:46:00.000-08:00

X_Mas with the Terpstra's (Dec. Part 12)

2007-02-24T17:15:00.000-08:00

X-Mas at Our House (Dec. Part 11)

2007-02-24T17:14:00.000-08:00

X-Mas with the Flanders (Dec. Part 10)

2007-02-24T17:12:00.000-08:00

X-Mas with the Swanson's (Dec. Part 9)

2007-02-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

Visit's with Santa (Dec. Part 8)

2007-02-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

Josiah's first Stage Performance (Dec. Part 7)

2007-02-24T16:55:00.000-08:00

Cookie Decoratiing (Decemper Part 6)

2007-02-24T16:54:00.000-08:00

"Jack" the Horse (December Part 5)

2007-02-24T16:52:00.000-08:00

Train of Lights (December Part 4)

2007-02-24T16:51:00.000-08:00

Trip to the Snow part 2 (December Part 3)

2007-02-24T16:49:00.000-08:00

Trip to the Snow part 1 (December Part 2)

2007-02-24T16:46:00.000-08:00

December Kick-Off...(December Part 1)

2007-02-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

Friends...(November 2006 part 3)

2007-02-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving...(November 2006 part 2)

2007-02-24T16:40:00.000-08:00

Cousins...(November 2006 part 1)

2007-02-24T16:37:00.000-08:00

Halloween 2006

2006-11-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

HALLOWEEN! I had a fun time (and a few late nights) making Josiah's R2-D2 costume...complete with R2 sound chip and two 'hidden' openings in the front for Josiah's hands to come out :) Katrina was Cinderella (her favorite princess...at least for now)...and Hudson was Thomas the Train (picture further down).

We went to "Candy Zone" at our Church (Cornerstone Fellowship in Livermore) where the kids were able to have fun in jump houses, and play lots of carnival games and win lots of candy!

I did not use a pattern, Lance and I just talked it over a few months before Halloween and we came up with a game plan for the costume and went from there. We love how it turned out (it's better in person) but realize it is heavier than we antisipated...therefore Josiah did not want to wear it the whole time.

Cutie Hudson was a Choo-Choo Train...He was rebounding from the stomach flu and had a nice low key day...He enjoyed Halloween night because we carried him where ever we went (any little ones dream, to have mom or dad carry you all the time :0 ...I gotta tell you it's a work out too, he's weighing 32 pounds these days!)

Here's a cute picture of Katrina (AKA Cinderella) and her good buddy Matthew (a Firefighter)...Matthew was also getting over being sick.

UCSB Reunion

2006-11-08T12:23:00.000-08:00

On Saturday October 28th Lance had a 'reunion' with some of his good UCSB Buddies! We all had a wonderful time visiting and catching up...it was great to see all the little ones too:) The group just seems to keep expanding (There are six children here, and three ladies pregnant in the picture :) Let's all get together again soon!!!!!!!

Pony Picture Day

2006-11-07T19:54:00.000-08:00

At Katrina and Josiah's preschool, they have "Pony Picture Day" where the kids get to dress-up in cowgirl/cowboy attire and get their picture taken as well as ride a pony...Here is Katrina sitting on the curb waiting her turn to dress up and ride...

Katrina and Josiah's classes came out back to back, so I grabbed Josiah and dressed him up real quick so I could get a picture of the two of them together :)

Here's Katrina looking too cute...
Hudson didn't want to miss out, so he put on a handkerchief and posed for the camera...what you don't see (or hear) in the picture is not too far off in the distance is a train going by...we could hear it and so Hudson is saying "Choo-Choo" as I took the picture :)

Happy 5th Birthday Josiah

2006-11-07T17:49:00.000-08:00

Josiah really likes (okay, he's obsessed with) Star Wars :) He had a Star Wars Themed birthday party, with a R2-D2 and C3-PO cake, and a Darth Vader pinata.
The morning of October 24th we all got up early (so that Dad could be there) and Josiah opened up his Birthday presents...one of his favorites is the Star Wars Lego video game II.
That night we all went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate... Hudson had a great time on the Bob the Builder ride (he was even wearing his Bob the Builder t-shirt).

Katrina liked the Carousel...check out her grin :)

Hair

2006-11-07T17:29:00.000-08:00

My mom was diagnosed with cancer almost a year and a half ago...since then I've been growing out my hair to eventually cut it and donate it to "Locks of Love" (an organization that helps provide hair/wigs for children who have cancer etc) in honor of my mom...As you can see, my hair was very long, and I was able to have 10-12 inches based on my hair's different layers :)

As you can see, I have a cute new hair-doo and I'm lovin it! (Thanks Danika!)
After the hair cut, I came home with the cut hair in a zip-lock bag, and showed it to Josiah and Katrina and explained how important this hair was, and what I was doing with it etc, etc, etc,....well, the next day I thought the house seemed quiet, and so I set off to investigate... to my shock I found Katrina at the dining room table with the hair out of the bag, pony-tail holder off, spreading the hair out..."I just wanted to play with the pony tail" was her reply to my look of shock. Needless to say, Lance and I were able to salvage the hair and it will still be sent to Locks of Love :) Lesson learned, don't leave important things on the dining room table in arms reach of little ones :)

Annual Pumpkin Patch Trip

2006-11-07T15:52:00.000-08:00

Hudson...what a cutie! It's so fun to watch him grow and see his face light up with amazment at new things :)

The Three Muskateers! The kids love to do everything together!
Run, jump, climb, play,... Oh, and of course, fight :) They really do get along for the most part, and really do miss one another if they are not around.
One word...PERSONALITY :) Katrina is all girl (with a little tomboy mixed in) We often catch her practicing her 'faces' or 'emotions' in the mirror. Ask to see her "Happy Face" or her "Angry Face" and she is happy to oblige...

Grandpa Lon and Aunt Amy (My dad and sister)...having fun at the Pumpkin Patch :) Since I was pregnant with Josiah (October 2001), we go to the Pumpkin Patch with my dad and step-mom, and sister as a family in October...we make a fun day of it...Pony rides, pumpkins, lots of pictures, and then to lunch...We had a great time!

September...

2006-09-27T14:39:00.000-07:00

Terpstra Family on Vacation in Pismo...I don't know about you and your family, but it seems I am always trying to get our family to sit for two seconds to take a family picture. We took a moment to take family pictures right before we left to come home...I think the kids knew and were a bit antsy to leave. I also struggle with children wanting to make silly faces and not look directly into the camera. There are great pictures of Lance and I, or great pictures of Josiah, or Hudson, or Katrina, but somehow trying to get us to all look or best in one photo seems impossible...If you have any secrets to obtaining the "perfect family picture" please let me know :) Otherwise I think I'll take a class in PhotoShop to learn how to switch people in and out of photos and then I can put all of our best pictures into one :)

This is Josiah's preschool class...only 9 students and Ms. Corie his teacher :) I was the co-op parent in his class on Monday and snapped a few photos...it will be neat in June to look back and see how much the children have grown and changed over the year. Josiah and Katrina enjoy school, and we couldn't ask for a better preschool than Shining Light!!!

Little man Hudson is growing like a weed (he weighs around 32 lbs. and is only 18 months...he also wears 2T-3T clothes!) He keeps us on our toes... He loves everything his big brother and sister love... Star Wars, Bob the Builder, books, animals, and to Dad's chagrin princesses, and dress-up (especially the shoes!). He also loves water...any kind of water...bath, sprinklers, pool, and yes, even the toilet. He has his Dad's loud voice, and isn't afraid to use it.

I recently got back from the MOPS (Mother's of Pre-Schoolers) Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. I had the privledge of going with three wonderful sisters in Christ. Erin, Cathy (our Mentor Mom) and Sheree... The silly picture on the right also includes Elisa Morgan (President and CEO of MOPS International, and Carol Kuykendall (director of strategic projects at MOPS International, both are authors of several books including the main book for this MOPS year called "What Every Mom Needs".) We had a nice time on our trip...A few of my highlights were seeing Nicole Nordeman and Mark Shultz in concert (get their CD's if you don't already have them!) as well as speakers Ken Davis (he looks like an older Tom Arnold, but sounds and delivers his jokes like Bill Cosby...very funny to see), Donald Miller (author of Blue like Jazz), Prisilla Shirer (author and speaker...is part of LifeWay Ministries like Beth Moore), and Tina Zahn (author of Why I Jumped).

Josiah and Katrina's First Day of Preschool

2006-09-12T11:04:00.000-07:00

On Monday September 11th 2006 Josiah and Katrina went to their first day of Preschool! For Josiah, it is his second year at Shining Light Preschool, but this was Katrina's fist day of her first year :) Here they are at school waiting to go into their classrooms...
Katrina was very excited to go to school! She had a wonderful time, and was very tired when I picked her up...she fell asleep in the car and slept on the sofa at home for nearly 2 hours! Katrina is in The Bear Room with Ms. Barb!

Josiah was also excited to go to school...Last year he was there only Tuesday/Thursday, and this year he is there Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 1:15-3:45... He is in the same classroom as last year (The Lion Room), but he has a new teacher Ms. Corie whom we love!

Our Family Vacation to Pismo Beach

2006-09-12T00:17:00.000-07:00

Josiah and Katrina had a great time going on a "Treasure Hunt" with Grandma. They had to follow the "map" to find the hidden treasure on the beach outside the house where we were staying (more about that later)...
The Treasure Chest was full of coloring books, bouncy balloons, little horses (Hudson's favorite animal), a little pirate playset, gold coins, play cars/trucks, and lots of fun candy/snacks!

Grandma Eileen and Grandpa Ron on the Beach...

Hudson full of life and smiles...he's not always like this...as a matter of fact, he recently had a nice cold and ear infection (which we picked up medicine for the day we left for vacation)...He's going through a "stage" where he loves to scream if we are not understanding what he wants/needs...not so much fun. For those of you who liked The Lord of the Rings series, we call Hudson our Nasgule (sorry I'm sure this is misspelled) Child because he can scream sooooo loud! He is getting better everyday at communicating though... His most recent words are "Baby" (which sounds more like Bay-Bee with a southern charm to it), "Bible" (which sounds kina like Bib Bell), and "Movie" (Praise Baby is his favorite - Thank you Auntie Cami and Uncle Ryan for this wonderful gift last Christmas!, and any Bob The Builder movie, TV show). He is also picking up on some sign language which helps with letting us know what he wants. But he has the cutest head nod for yes and no, and will nod his head for what he wants if you probe him with questions.

Now about the vacation house/beach... First of all we were all very sad that Aunt Cami and Uncle Ryan and the cousins Cassidy and Cody did not make it down to Pismo for the vacation...illness was upon the family and they decided to not travel... Secondly, We were all surprised to see the "true" location of the beach house... Eileen was told it was right on the beach and is perfect for little children to run out and play in the sand and the ocean. Well, it was right on the beach, but it was located next to the US Parks and Rec check-in for the Dunes. The Dunes is the only beach in CA where you can drive on the beach and camp on the beach and bring your ATV or Dune-buggy and drive on the dunes... so needless to say it was like staying next to the freeway...and unless you kids are really good at real-life frogger, you would not leave them to play in the sand/ocean. But up Hwy. 101/1 a little ways is Avila Beach which was beautiful, and no trucks! Dispite some of the crazyness and watching trucks go up and down the beach all hours of the day and night, we all had a nice time with Papa and Grandma, Auntie Brooke, and Mr. Chris.

2006-09-12T00:03:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what I'm getting into, but here goes...

2006-09-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

Good morning, afternoon, or evening, depending on what time you're checking your emails and surfing the web... As the title of this entry states, "I'm not sure what I'm getting into, but here goes..." I'm not too savy with the computer, and I often have to call Lance, or my sister-in-laws Cami, or Brooke to help me figure stuff out; I've decided to start a Terpstra-West Family Blog Site for friends and family to keep up with the 5 of us. I've enjoyed reading Cami's blog entries and seeing pictures of Cassidy and Cody (and all the animals "down on the farm") (You can visit their blog at www.terpstraeast.blogspot.com ), and Cousin Heather just started a blog too, which has been fun to read (I loved reading about her adventures on her anniversary) (You can visit thier blog at www.hamilyfug.blogspot.com )... So here goes...