Switching blog sites!

Hey everybody! It's been a long time, I know, but I have updated a few post, but blogger and I are not on speaking terms as of late, let's just say we have issues with each other, so we're moving on over to here... http://the-van-dyken-family-blog.posterous.com/ You WILL need a password so check your email for it and if for some reason you don't get it please, please email me at benandskye@yahoo.com.  Thanks everybody!

Leavenworth...

On our way to my parents house we made a little side trip to Leavenworth, for those of you who don't live in WA it's a little Bavarian village out in the middle of nowhere. I honestly don't remember the last time I was there, but it was just like I remember as a child. Flowers everywhere, glorious sunshine, and a ton of little shops to go get lost in.

 Proof we really were there! :)

 Hanging out at the Starbucks that took us awhile to find, but we did.

 Ah, the hat store... I wonder how many people try on those hats, never mind I don't really want to know. Of course the girls gravitated toward anything pink.

 The candy store... I think I was more excited about this than the girls. Saltwater taffy is my most favorite candy and I couldn't resist the urge to indulge. Hey, we were on vacation!

 Lizzie talking to tired Abby like she's a little puppy. Come here Abby, you can do it... here Abby. So cute!

My most favorite picture of all of us.

Was a super fun day despite the long car ride, and totally worth it stopping here. We even picked out our Christmas ornaments for the year. Thanks mom!

Brian and Shelly's Wedding...

On August 5th, 2011 Brian and Shelly threw a fantastic party and in the presence of all their friends and family committed their lives, love, and souls to each other. It was beautiful... even though I think a lot of us were a little nervous on how it would all turn out and what kind of crazy last minute issues we would have to deal with (putting all the flowers together, a trip for Brian to the ER the day before the wedding, the prep of 200 fruit kabobs, etc...), but it magically all came together and it was absolutely perfect for the two of them. Shelly looked amazingly beautiful, Brian was the happiest I have EVER seen him, and everyone had a wonderful time celebrating.

 The weather was perfect... not sunny and bright, but perfect picture taking weather!

 The girls were in the wedding as flower girls and once again Abby didn't make it down the aisle. She did come down with grandma and grandpa, but as soon as she saw Shelly walked down the aisle it was then that she wanted to throw her flowers... go figure.

 Somebody was tired and fell asleep not even a couple minutes into the ceremony.

 Lizzie fell asleep during dinner and completely missed dessert.

Teaching the art of vandalism to them young... she had so much fun!

Dancing the night away.

Thanks Brian and Shelly for letting us be apart of your very special day. We love you!

Lizzie's Birthday Party...

This year we decided to do Lizzie's birthday Party the week after her birthday, since her birthday is always falls on Memorial Day weekend and quite a few of our friends leave town then. In retrospect we should have done it the week before... note to self for next year. Apparently a whole week waiting for a party is complete torture for a six year old! We had the party at our new favorite park on Sunday afternoon complete with a bounce house with a slide, which everyone loved, snacks, drinks, the park, presents and of course cake. I'm so thankful the weather cooperated. It had been raining for most of the week, so it was cold and windy, but at least no rain. It did start to sprinkle right after everyone left though! :)

 Lizzie and her best friend Samantha

 Thank you, thank you daddy!

 Scott and Ben acting their age! :)

 The beach cake

 Poor Abby, no nap and now in a cake induced stupor.

 Present time! 

Such a haul that girl received! I've never seen her so excited in all my life and it was absolutely crazy some of the things people bought her. Thank you everybody! You made it possible for my liitle girl to have the "best birthday EVER"!

Lizzie's Birthday - Monday...

Here's more of Lizzie Birthday weekend extravaganza! Sunday was spent at church, swimming in our community pool, and then with friends at life group that evening. Then on Monday, since it was Memorial Day and Ben didn't have to work and no school for Lizzie, we headed to the beach, as requested by the birthday girl! We went to our favorite spot, Seaward Beach in Ventura, played in the sand and sunshine for hours, I talked with a really hot lifeguard for a while, and then had dinner at our favorite fish and chip spot. The perfect way to end a great weekend celebrating one of our most favorite persons!

 Ben going to do what he loves most...

 It was the very first time Lizzie got in the water all by herself. Normally she's pretty timid with the ocean, but not this time!

I even remembered to give the camera over to Ben this time... yay proof that I was really there!

Lizzie's Birthday - Saturday...

 Since we were out an about all day on her actually birthday day the next day, Saturday, we had a good friend's birthday party to go to and then Lizzie had her birthday dinner that night... pancakes and sausage of course!

 Happy face!

Happy Birthday Lizzie, we love you!!!