Welcoming Baby Sarah

On Friday (10-16-09), we welcomed SARAH KUIPERS VANDERSEA to our family!

(Kuipers rhymes with Pipers and is a Dutch family name on Brian's mom's side of the family. Sarah was my great-grandmother's name.)

She was born at 6:45 pm, weighed 6 lbs., 9 oz, and was 19.75 inches long. She is super cute, eating & sleeping well, and everyone is doing great! Rachel and Caroline are enjoying being her big sisters.

Here are a few pictures -- I will post more soon!






I'm not sure what the baby dolls were doing in this photo, but notice that Rachel had them all lined up around Sarah, and they all have on fancy jewelry!
(click on any photo for a larger view)

Excitement of the Recycling Truck

Every Thursday around lunch time, the recycling truck comes through our cul-de-sac, and it is quite an event for Rachel & Caroline! They will sprint to the front porch at any sign that the truck is coming (usually when it's still across the neighborhood). The driver is the same every week and is really nice about waving to the girls and honking for them.
Here's a photo and a video clip of the action!

October Zoo Trip

On Saturday, Andy Ruvo and Brian took the girls to the N.C. Zoo. They had a fun time and enjoyed getting to see some new things -- including a new observation & feeding platform for the giraffes.

Note that our Rachel didn't make the trip -- she was at an alumni weekend at Camp Sea Gull with my mom and brothers and crew, having her own fun time! Once I get my mom's photos I will post some pictures from that as well.

Here are some photos from the father/daughter day at the zoo...

Brian, Caroline, Amelia (5), Andy, Laurel (2), and Gabi (7)

Looking at the zebras & giraffes from the new observation deck


Gabi was able to help feed a branch of leaves to one of the giraffes!

Awesome view of a zebra and its stripes!

Elephants...

UNC Women's Soccer Game

On Sunday afternoon, we took the girls to the UNC Women's soccer game. They had a good time cheering for the Tarheels and climbing up & down the bleachers, over & over again!! Here are a few pictures of the action....

Rachel's Latest Artwork

Every once in a while, I like to post a few samples of Rachel's artwork. So, here are some from the past few weeks.

These are mermaid princesses:

Some very detailed flowers

A flower with raindrops falling on it (maybe a rainbow too?)

September Visit with Grandad & Mimi

We had a fun visit last week with my dad & Margaret. Highlights included dinner at Top of the Hill, a stroll through Fearrington Village, a trip to Wilson Park, a walk/bike ride through the neighborhood park, and fun around the house as well. Here are a few odds & ends from moments that the camera came out.

Fearrington Village


Caroline was pointing at the cows

Enjoying a game of princess dominoes

Note that the party hat is an everyday accessory at our house -- we were not celebrating anything!! Around here there's always a princess outfit, party hat, or other costume item on someone, it seems........

Play-doh action

Fun on the swings at Wilson Park in Carrboro

Bike Ride & Stroll on Campus

Last week we took a bike ride & stroll around the UNC campus near Franklin Street & the Old Well. Here are a few highlights....



Drinking a sip of water from the Old Well

Fun on the beach -- Labor Day Weekend

We went to Emerald Isle for Labor Day weekend..... it was cloudy for a lot of our weekend -- and super rainy on Monday, but we had a nice time on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the rains came.

I liked the ominous clouds and grayish colors in this photo



Action shot! Jumping on the sand mountain that Hal was making for the girls

Rachel with 12-month-old cousin Neils



A few groups of pelicans flew by us in the late afternoon.... they were fun to watch!

N.C. Aquarium with Pop Pop

On a drizzly day in Emerald Isle during Labor Day weekend, the girls & I went to the NC Aquarium with Hal (aka Pop Pop)....




Looking at the rescued baby Loggerhead turtles

Rachel borrowed my camera to take some fish pictures, and also took this one! Not bad for a 4-year-old....

Rainy Labor Day Bowling

Labor Day itself was SUPER RAINY, so we took the girls to a bowling alley near the beach. Between the railings that prevent gutter balls, to the metal frame that little kids can use to get the ball rolling, to the entertainment options in the lobby, bowling is quite different than when we were kids! Not to mention the computerized scoring, animations for strikes & spares, high-def TV's with sports action, and waitresses stopping by ready to take your food order.

We had a great time - even Caroline enjoyed it, until she discovered the merry-go-round ride in the lobby!




Even the pregnant lady had a good time....

Caroline did not want to leave the merry-go-round