DS Buddies

Joel and Jude each have their own Nintendo DS (which they LOVE LOVE LOVE). I took this picture a few days ago of them playing their game time w/ their best buds Cole and Morgan. Aren't they all so stinkin' cute?!

Long Time, No Post

Wow, it has been a looooong time since I have posted any updates on the family here! So, without further ado, I will launch you all into a brief summary of the goings on at Hanewinkel house since February (my last update).

Joel celebrated his 8th birthday quaintly this year b/c he got sick and we had to cancel his party :(. BUT, he did get some awesome gifts and money (what kid doesn't like that?!) so he wasn't too bummed. I can't believe he is 8. Joel's soccer season is coming to an end now, and he has proved himself to be a true soccer warrior this year! He scored a couple of goals and did really well when he was placed in the game as goalie, but playing forward is his favorite b/c he gets to run all over the field, ha! Joel also made a clay sculpture of a dragon in his art class and was recently selected to be one of the 5 kids from his school to have his art work displayed at the local art fair... We just went to see it this evening and it was pretty cool! All in all, Joel is doing superb. A very fine fellow indeed!


Jude has fully embraced this whole "big brother" thing w/ baby Lucy. He is an excellent helper w/ all things baby and, out of all the kids, he seems to enjoy holding her and feeding her the most! It is really cute to watch. He has decided he wants to be a construction worker when he grows up (a carpenter who builds houses, to be exact) and has been having the time of his life watching new houses go up on our street. He gets out some of Ryan's nails and hammer and will scavenge for left over wood at the home sites to build his own little creations. And of course he has to have his shirt off for all the hard labor just like the real "workers"! He is such a character!

Rory is working toward perfecting the art of gab day by day here! She will talk to anyone who will give her an ear, and is always making up cute songs about her being a princess and daddy being her handsome prince... All whilst wearing one of her many tu-tu's. She is loving everything about being a miniature woman and insists on wearing lipstick every day (and sometimes even blush if mommy says it is okay). She acquired a battery powered pink mustang for her birthday this year and cruises up and down the street in front of our house every chance she gets! She is so "Hollywood", it's just adorable.

Lucy is HUGE! At 3 and 1/2 months she is already wearing a lot of 6-9 month clothes and has been rolling over ever since she was 2 months old! She actually just outgrew her cradle and is now moved in w/ big sister (who is very excited about that!). Lucy is so happy most of the time and started to grab at toys and trying to get a hold of her feet as well. She has turned into a mega drool monster and will soak anyone and anything she comes into contact w/ now! We can't imagine life w/out our little Lu anymore.

Baby Lucy!

I know this is little "behind schedule" but we would like to introduce you all to our newest miniature Hanewinkel... Lucy Alina Hanewinkel born January 20, 2010 weighed 8 lbs. 7oz. and was 20 inches long. Daddy got to assist in the delivery which was super awesome! Lucy is such a doll and is doing great at home. Joel, Jude, and Rory have done a masterful job welcoming her into the clan and Rory is proving herself to be quite the big sister! We are so thankful to God for our new little blessing and consider it such an honor that He has increased our family again. Thank you Jesus!

Rory's Turn

Just wanted to let everyone know that Rory recouped from the little fever just fine and finally got to go play in the snow before everything turned to mush! Here are a few pictures of the little princess enjoying the indoor warmth after so much outdoor excitement. She literally ate so much snow that she practically "burnt" her cheeks from the cold and they are still chapped today! Hahahahaha!

Snow Day

FINALLY a snow day for the kids!!! They have been waiting and waiting for this and woke up this morning with hoots and hollers of celebration when they saw that everything was white :). Unfortunately Rory has had a fever so she can't go play, but the boys took out a little cup and filled it up w/ snow just for her... They take good care of their little sis. So far this snow day has gone quite well, save one incident of Joel shoving Jude's face in the snow (I was impressed that he only attempted to do that to his little brother once!). Everything is beautiful and white, and the only thing left to do is enjoy some hot cocoa w/ mallows.

Jingle Bell Rock

What a fabulous Christmas! Joel, Jude, and Rory got super blessed and Ryan & I couldn't have had more fun watching our little people tear through gifts and celebrate Jesus' birth! Story of the year... The kids got a Wii from their Grandma Kim and after we got it all set up at home Ryan and Joel began arguing over who has had more "play time" on it! Ryan starts playing Wii tennis and, after all his lectures to the kids about watching out for each other before they swing the controllers around, he actually swings his controller into the Christmas tree (knocking a bunch of ornaments to the floor) and then proceeds to hurt his foot on a toy while trying to perfect his mad Wii tennis skills. Gotta love the cruel irony of that! :)

Reindeer!!!

We took the kids to see reindeer tonight (we were supposed to see Santa too but the line was about an hour long and outside in 27 degree weather... No thanks) and it was pretty cool. Turns out Dancer and Prancer were there for pictures w/ us!

Ryan, Joel, and Rory with Prancer.... Jude was too scared to get in this picture!

Joel, Jude, Rory, and myself with Dancer... Freezing in the sleigh! :)