12/23/2013 We went to our first NHL game over the weekend in New Jersey. The MIGHTY Ducks beat the Jersey Devils in overtime. It was a great experience!

-the Vrouw

12/11/2013 The original plans were to get a family picture done for a Thanksgiving card. Unfortunately the blog is as far as it has gotten. 

-the Vrouw

12/03/2013 Beauty and the Beast 
Clay surprised me with dinner, babysitter, and tickets to the Philadelphia Broadway play. We loved it!!! 

-the Vrouw

 12/02/2013 Thanksgiving was a surprise in Arizona! My Mother-in-law was turning 50 and that was excuse enough to surprise-fly out there!

-the Vrouw

Happy Day from us. WISH WE COULD BE THERE (prank picture)! 

Video of Mom finding out V came to see her.

Just before good-bye at the airport.

10/31/2013 HAPPY HALLOWEEN from Tortilla chip lady, Gerber baby, and Bob Ross. 

-the Vrouw 

 10/20/2013 HAPPY BIRTHDAY to this handsome man! To celebrate we busted out the broiled lamb chops and homemade banana cream pie. I'm so grateful for this Mr. that makes me the Vrouw. "Happy Birthday Sweetheart!"

-the Vrouw

BIG 27!

Around 2 years old.

Senior year as a Norman Tiger.

This fall with baby V.

I declared today as Grandma Atkin Day! Why? Because I have been thinking about her a lot over the past several days... and I ended up making two of her most favorite recipes...today!  I'm so grateful I got to have Grandma Joy as My Grandma. It is interesting, the longer she has been gone, the more I miss her. As I grow and learn more as a wife and mother I see more of the special person she was. I felt like I have always thanked her, but I cant wait until I can thank her even more.

-The Vrouw

I love this picture because I think we look alike and it shows the joy our relationship was.

Banana Cream Pie

Fresh tomato soup