Fourth of July

We had a great 4th of July! I did not have to work and we spent time up at the lake. We had lot of fun being outside and spending time with family. We picked wild blackberries, went tubing and played in the water and sand and went on boat rides. I did not get many pictures since we were out having fun. Here are a few though...

Strawberry Picking Afternoon

Strawberry Shortcake!

Last week, we all went strawberry picking. We were only in the field pickng for 1 hour but managed with all of us helping to get 24 lbs of strawberries. Ryan helped me make alot of jam and we froze alot and ate alot on icecream too. We love strawberries! It was fun to watch Levi find the strawberries and Maci love eating them too!

What a pair!

Maci Jean 10 months old 6/25/11

Another month as gone by and Maci is as busy as ever. Lately, her and Levi has been into wrestling each other and crawl chasing each other on the floor. Maci loves her Dadda this month and crawls to the screen door and cries when he leaves. She is getting alot of teeth and we can see the top four poking through. She is such a adaptable little girl and we were really impressed with how she handled all the sitting in the car for the camping trip and how she took in all the sites at the campground. She loved riding in the bike trailer. Levi though, cramps her space at times.:) She is still learning how to do the sippy cup and gets frustrated when she cannot get anything out. She is moving along furniture and pounds on the cushions and the front door. Maci is a rountined eater and loves all her snacks and meals. We had both kids wellchild check up and Maci weighed in at 21.5 lbs and 30 in tall. 75 % for wt and 99% for height. We switched her carseat too. Levi weighed in at 34lbs and was 3ft 2 in tall 75 % for each. It was a double appt and Ryan was able to go too which was so nice and no shots this time! She babbles and talks to us and Levi...sometimes she says oof, oof for when she sees a doggie.

Camping 2011

Well, we tried it..again and just like the last 3 times we have gone camping another snag in our adventure. Early this year I debated about whether or not to even plan another camping trip and I went with it. We booked a few nights at Ludington State Park, one of our favorite camping spots. Levi was excited to ride his new bike, see animals, play at the beach but most importantly to have a campfire with smores. We did end up camping for one night this past week but knew the forecast was not really the best for camping. We got up to Ludington at 2pm and 24hrs later we were packing up and heading for home. We did go for one bike ride and had our campfire and smore. Although, I was enjoying the fire while rocking Maci in the camper till she went to sleep. Of course, it did not help either of the kids for going to bed in that we were camping on some of the longest days of the year! The forecast seemed to get worse as we asked people at the campground and for Dad R to check the radar. Thunderstorms and rain predicted for the week with really not signs of clearing. At 6am on Tues the thunder started rumbling and by 7am downpour. We packed the kids up and headed out for a long drive for breakfast and early morning naps for the kids. We found a small family restaurant in Freesoil, Mi and Levi had his promised pancake and sausage while Mom and Dad had coffee. So as much as we were bummed about packing up early we knew that we could not wait it out with severe thunderstorms looming all day with on and off rain with the kids in a camper...are we crazy!?. So we packed up and got our refund and headed home. Just in time to have a huge thunderstorm hit Grand Rapids. On the way home, we did stop and play at the park right where the Badger is docked. Levi loved it! All I can say is we are troopers...and we will try to camp again!

Grand Haven...2011

We had a busy but fun time this past week while the kids and I spent some time out at Grand Haven State park with Grandma Roedema and the cousins. Levi stayed one night in the "big trailer" with Grandma by himself and I spent the night with the kids and Grandma from Sunday night to Monday. Levi was so tired on Sunday night he fell asleep in the chair while drinking his chocolate milk. Maci on the other hand needed some help going down. She was a happy, awake little crazy girl till 10 pm on Sunday night..what a stinker and was up early 515 the next morning but still was not really crabby till later afternoon. Her front teeth are so close to coming in too her gums are swollen so that could have been part of the issue too.. But why would I push/fight  Levi for a nap when he was having so much fun during the day. He rode his bike, went on walks, played in the sand, went on the swings and had alot of fun with his cousins Katelyn and Alexa and of course Grandma. Monday was sunny and beautiful. Levi and I went on a early morning walk down the boardwalk, we went with Grandma to the park and to see the big train, we rode the trolley and spent more time playing in the sand. What a great time we had! We had an icecream cone in the afternoon and packed up around 330 and both kids were asleep before we left the campground. Ryan used his time at home to finsh up more Masters classes and do some other things on his check list.

I love the trolley ride!

Are you ready for icecream, Levi?!

We love our Grandma!

Don't take my picture Mama!

Little Blessings

This past Saturday when Levi was feeling better after a few sick days with strep we took a ride out to Grand Haven to play in the sand and have supper. It was 88 degrees here in Grand Rapids and was 68 when we got out to the beach. We thought it would be cooler but it was pretty cool there with a breeze. We usually stop at Culver's and have a burger. Levi remembers from last time how there was an antique car show in the parking lot and asked "where are all the cool cars?"..how does that boy remember those things. Last time we went they also had Halloween decorations up and he asked "if that scary man(statue) was going to be inside"..Maci did very good eating her burger and taking in all the action at the resturant. We then just rode to the beach and sat in the sand and the kids played. Maci loved crawling in the sand and feeling the breeze. We are thankful for our little ones and a night where we can go out, away from the routine of home and enjoy each other and the outside.

2011 Garden

I planted our garden again this year and tried some different veggies to grow.  New this year we have green onions and lettuce. We also have tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, snap peas, zucchini and peppers. So far everything looks like it is growing well except the peppers..they are really mini sized but it seems like the same thing happened last year. Every morning we go outside and water and check the progress...Levi likes to tell the bunnies and birds..."to stay away from my garden..don't eat it."