Van Essen Adventures

Rhine River Cruise

Thursday, May 13, 2010 - Another holiday here in Germany - Jer had the day off work and all the kids were home from school. We have been wanting to take a Rhine River Cruise for quite some time now - and decided today was the day! We drove to Bacharach (small town along the Rhine) where we chose to go with the Bingen-Rudesheimer Fahrgastschiffahrt. Our boat took us to St. Goarshausen and back to Bacharach (which was about a 3 hour cruise). We could have gotten off at St. Goar and toured the town for about an hour - but we decided to stay on the boat. It was pretty cool outside - but it was nice and comfortable on the boat. The kids had fun with our cameras taking tons of misc photos. We had such a nice, relaxing time - we plan to go again - and probably do a longer cruise next time.

Waiting to board the boat....once on the boat we found 2 tables next to eachother and got comfortable!

There was a little ledge along the windows - Silas spent most of his time here looking out at the water or the other boats/barges passing by. This was Shelby's first ever boat ride!

Some scenic pictures from the cruise....

Castles, The Loreley(huge rock), and quaint river towns....

Camera fun!!!!

Silas was thrilled to get his very own bottle of Coke! Shelby got a taste too?!? (amazing what you can do with a camera....)

Jer on the top deck - it was too cold to go sit up there today -but maybe it will be warm and sunny the next time we go on a Rhine River cruise...

Precious Pictures

Shelby is such a good baby. She hardly ever makes a peep. She is just sooo precious.

Grandma and Grandpa getting in their cuddle time! It is hard not to want to hold her ALL the time.

She is sweet when she is sleeping - but is beginning to be awake more. We love seeing her little eyes, taking in her surroundings.

Daddy and Mommy get plenty of cuddle time too!

Silas is THREE!!!

Silas is THREE!

I can hardly believe my little boy is so big! He has become so much bigger to me in the past week (due to him now being a BIG brother). He use to be my baby - but he is definately not a baby anymore. He is an all around BIG boy - full of energy and spunk! He was very excited to have his birthday -and to eat his BOZ cake. He hasn't quite figured out to say he is THREE. He kept saying "two"...oh well - it will come. He is talking SOOO much more these days. Sometimes it is hard to understand him - but other times he comes out clear as a bell. He is even coming home from Kindergarten and using some German words now too!

How special this year to have grandpa and grandma B here to help celebrate!

Silas enjoyed opening his gifts. He got a card from great grandma Jennie - and inside was some money...he said "oooohhhh.....money!" It was so cute. I wish I could have gotten it on video! After he took the money out he held it up and then promptly brought it over to daddy...I guess he knows who handles the money in our house! Don't worry grandma great - it will go into Silas's piggy bank - not Jer's pocket!

Silas - we love you so very much - you have brought so much joy and happiness into our lives. We love spending each day with you and watching you grow up. We thank God for giving you to us to cherish and to love! Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

Happy Mother's Day 2010

I had the priviledge of spending Mother's Day with my mom this year. I'm so thankful that she (and my dad) were able to be here in Germany with us this year. It is great to have my mom here helping out with the kids, and making sure that I take care of myself and baby Shelby. I know I wouldn't be able to take care of my household without my mom here by my side these first few weeks. It was a special day to be surrounded by both my mom and my 5 children! I am truely blessed beyond measure!

We went to church in the morning and they handed out roses to all the ladies (even Sydney and Shaylee and Shelby). On the rose was a card with this verse: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Proverbs 31:28-30.

I love Proverbs 31. It sums up what I, as a mom and wife, want to strive to be. It also reminds me of Jer's mom, Willie, and the Godly woman that she was. On Mother's Day we take special time to remember her. I'm so thankful to Willie, for the Godly example she set for Jer as he was growing up, and for the example she was to me when I joined the Van Essen family. We love her and miss her dearly!

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!

Schwetzingen Gardens

Saturday, May 8, 2010 - we went to the Schloss in Schwetzingen to walk around the gardens there. The flowers were blooming beautifully - and it was nice to get out and about. It had been raining the past few days so we wanted to enjoy the brief sunshine as much as we could while we had it.

Mom and Dad in the gardens. Dad doing the "traditional pose" by one of the fountains.

Grandma with Shaylee and Sydney. And Mom and Kimber by the flowers.

This was Shelby's first outting - she was all bundled up in the stroller and didn't make a fuss.

Shane posing by a statue - Silas being cute in Shane's hat.

Sydney and Mommy - and Shaylee by all the flowers.

Mom and Dad with Schloss Schwetzingen in the background.

Surrounded with Arms of Love

Sibling Love! Their favorite thing to do now is to hold Shelby....it is hard to take turns.

Grandma B with Shelby

Meeting the Family

Wednesday morning....

Our new little one -

Kimber's parents arrived from the US on Wednesday morning....perfect timing! They were thrilled to get to meet Shelby right away.

Wednesday afternoon the siblings arrived to meet her. Silas's first comment was "baby come out of mommy's tummy." They were all so cautious with her - it was just soo sweet to see them all together.

We are a family of SEVEN - we have FIVE children: Shane, Sydney, Shaylee, Silas, and Shelby - WOW!!!!! God is good - His BLESSINGS abound!

Announcing.....

Baby number FIVE has arrived! We are proud to announce the birth of Shelby Kay Van Essen at 9:17pm weighing 2.8 kilos (around 6 lbs) and 46 cm long (18 inches). She is tiny and precious! A miracle from God above!