Summer Memories

Another plus of a meet the new cousin trip was we were able to celebrate Grandpa K's birthday with him, the Sandy Pines Ice Cream is the BEST! Dad doesn't usually get to enjoy the best ice cream store ever but our quick trip up allowed him to indulge with us~ he was pretty happy (he didn't eat both, one was mine and he did give it back!) Yeah for Mackinaw Island Fudge! Lots of fun playing with cousins and friends at the park
We hit the right week ~ Vacation Bible School ~ with over 300 kids there its tons of fun to enjoy. The only hard part was Grandma couldn't fit them all on the golf cart, the boys were thrilled to ride scooters there (amidst Grandma's safety concerns they did great!)
This was our home sweet home -- a little cabin with just enough room to sleep most of us, Grandma kindly invited the older girls to her trailer to enjoy sleepovers with the cousins!
So thankful to enjoy a few beautiful days on the beach and spend time with family. We ended up leaving Ria and Eugene there - NO we didn't forget them! Then they could enjoy the rest of VBS and summer fun for a week while we went back to work another convention! Gr and Gr brought them back home for the big 1st birthday party... more on that later!

Thankful to be Americans

Thankful for the many freedoms we are able to enjoy today in the good ol' USA.the right to raise our children to know the one true God,
The right to gather with believers and worship our Lord,
The right to have our voice heard,
the right to go where we want to go
the right to smile freely :)
the right to wave the American flag
which stands for freedom
and we won't forget the men who died to give that right to us
And we'll gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today,
cause there ain't no doubt we love this land,
God Bless the USA!

Felt like just yesterday....

Both Steve and I grew up at a campground called Sandy Pines. We were blessed to be able to spend Memorial Day weekend there with family and friends! So good to spend time with old friends and just relax for a while! The kids enjoyed the water and Steve took the little boys out in the row boat which they enjoyed. Jumping off the dock is hours of fun :) especially when the water is so warm.And always fun playing games with Grandma! Chuck had spent most the week there working with both Grandpas, getting his golf cart license and hanging out with friends! WOW is he getting old! Its been a long time since the water has been this warm on Memorial day weekend -- really felt like the middle of summer instead of just the beginning! What fun to have a few days to really relax, we enjoyed a few really nice sunny warm days (which we made good use of the beach and water park!) and a few rainy days which made for good game and movie days :)

All the K cousins what a crew! looking forward to another on in the mix next month when my brother and his wife have their first! YEAH! That means another trip to MI to meet him or her soon! Tutu with a piggy back (Sydney) and piggy front (Molly) Eugene and Grey enjoy playing BOY stuff!

Ria is the bottom of the sandwich with Raleigh, Brinley and Sadie on top! Even though the weather wasn't great we did get to the water park with cousins for a bit, some of them did a round of mini golf then we hung out in the trailer (all 20 of us!) COZY! Thank goodness Grandma keeps good snacks and lots of games! and sports on tv keep all the big boys (and dads) happy!!!

We were glad the Cuthbertsons and Snoeyinks could join us for an afternoon Tuesday which turned out to be a GREAT beach day and that meant a stop at the ice cream shop. Sad I forgot my camera :( sorry no pictures of the yummy delicious ice cream! (Karen if you got any send them over!)
A stop at the Regans before we left was a real treat for all of us! The boys enjoyed a grass fight exploring the barn and just being with friends, the rest enjoyed being with friends, the smell in the barn (just kidding!) helping with chores... well they were willing anyway! And we enjoyed some adult fellowship!

So that was our side trip we squeezed in before heading to Chicago area convention, a few more hours in the car -- they all blend together!

"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." 2 Cor 13:14

Memorial Day campout

A BREAK FROM TRIP PICTURES!

Since we were pretty sick of GOING places we decided to camp close to home -- the back yard! It was lots of fun finding all the camping stuff as we haven't camped in almost 4 years! The kids got the tents up and thankfully there weren't any holes!
Best campground around :) very clean bathrooms ha ha!!!


We enjoyed a hotdog roast for dinner with fresh watermelon -- YEAH summer is here!

Of course we enjoyed the traditional smores too :)so sweet and dainty and then.....doesnt he just say CAMPER??? look at all the DIRT!

Everyone slept pretty well I guess and we were just waking up when we began to hear sprinkles on the tent. We quickly got everything into the house and instead of making our own donuts over the fire we went out for them!!! As its supposed to rain again tonight I think we'll camp out inside tonight!

A huge thank you to all those who've gone before us
paving the way for our freedom!
As we celebrate family and our freedom
we remember it was not without cost.

Blessings from the campin' Quak flock!