Lucy and Ellory's preschool graduation.

Lucy and Ellory graduated from preschool! What a special ceremony they had. They truly had amazing teachers and I'm so thankful for all they learned. I'm grateful they enjoyed going and felt safe and loved there. Norah went to this preschool also, so we've had four years in a row of going there, and now I can't believe it's finished! Getting the front row seat to watch these sweeties grow up is the best ride ever.

Their two wonderful teachers!

Papa, Amma, and Great Grandma De Jong were able to join!

And Grandpa and Grandma did too!

All the details were so special, from this background, to their cookies and diplomas!

The program was so cute. They sang songs, each said one of their Bible verses that went along with the letter of the week, got their diploma, and watched a video of clips from the year. So so sweet!

Getting their diplomas. 

Saying their verses- they both did so great!

Happy graduation, Lucy and Ellory. We love you so very much and are proud of you!

Lucy and Ellory's Kindermusik graduation.

Lucy and Ellory graduated from Kindermusik today. What a special time! They have been going for four years, so with Norah's time too, I have been going to weekly Kindermusik classes for six years! Kindermusik is a great program, and their teacher, Mrs. Heidi, was truly fabulous. She is so good with kids and taught them so much about music! They did many fun and educational things through the years, like playing instruments, following beats, singing songs, parachute, learning notes and C scale, and this year they learned to play the dulcimer and glockenspiel (just to name a few things). They learned many great skills that will carry them well in later years! It was very much worth the time and investment. We will definitely miss it!

We love you, Mrs. Heidi! You are great at what you do and so thankful you could teach our girls!

Support crew at graduation- Grandpa and Grandma, Great Grandma Schut, Great Grandma De Jong, and Amma. Thankful our girls have a great cheering section!

Singing some class favorite songs.

They played some songs they learned on the glockenspiel and they each had to play a solo. They did amazing and played their solos perfectly! Way to go girls, so proud of all you have learned!

Strumming the dulcimer.

Yay for the graduates! Kindermusik is wonderful!

First night of soccer 2022.

We had our first night of soccer! All three were excited and had fun! It was a chilly night, but the girls did great and didn't complain. Norah was a little hesitant to do it at first, but perked up when she knew a couple friends would be on her team. Lucy has been talking about soccer for months and has been so thrilled. Ellory was excited too, but on a little calmer level. Fun to watch them get out there and try their best!

Easter weekend 2022.

We had such a fun Easter weekend! Hallelujah, He is risen- the best, most joyous reason to celebrate! The girls had Friday and Monday off of school, so we headed to Des Moines Thursday after school to see the Schut side. Kley was able to switch and rearrange some work things so he could come too, yay! All of my siblings were there too, so it was neat to all be together. We came back Sunday and got to celebrate with the De Jong side too. Love seeing all the cousins! Monday we had a nice day at home. 

Cousin picture with Will and Gerrit! Wearing the hats they found in the Easter scavenger hunt the De Jong side does (instead of an egg hunt they do a scavenger hunt for a few small treats- it's fun to do different things on each side!), and terrible lighting, but it is what it is!

Scavenger hunt.

I love this picture of Great Grandma Shirley with her great grands! Just wish Gerrit was in it too, but so so cute. Love all the smiles!

Kley loves to joke during family picture sessions that he needs individual shots with random people, so he shouted out that him and Grandma needed a picture. I didn't think much of it until afterwards, but I think it's really neat, as she is his last living grandparent. Special to spend time with her!

I didn't realize until looking at this picture as I uploaded it that Lucy's headband says happy birthday- oh well- the banner on the wall says happy Easter!

Family photo at Keaton (my brother) and Rose's church in Des Moines. 

Love this one with Grandma and Grandpa!

The cutest matching sisters!

Easter meal together. Love a full table!

Right before the Schut egg hunt.

We went to the Easter party at Howell's. So fun! It was a chilly day but not too had. This was Saturday, and Easter Sunday we got some snow!

Slide fun.

I didn't get a picture of it, but basically the highlight of the weekend was taking my one-year-old niece, Averie, a slide newbie down this giant cow slide and she loved it and she willingly kept coming to me and we went down multiple times. What a special aunt bonding moment!

Hello to the Easter bunny!

They have this train ride made out of bathtubs that each have a funny tub saying on them, so fun!

Another egg hunt- we got our egg fill in and loved it!

Easter baskets from Grandma and Grandpa.

Cousin picture with Averie, Jorie, and Murphy.

Happy Easter everyone! He is risen!