Take A Look!

You just have to go to my daughter-in-law Natalie's blog and look at the cute ceramics that she and her sisters have done. Not like any other ceramics you have seen before, or at least in the ceramic stores. They are so creative. www.natisuzanne.blogspot.com

Family Camp

Our camping trip this year started out at Andrews University. This is where Dan and I attended college and met. Sarah and David met while attending Andrews Academy and Sarah went on to graduate from Andrews. Adam and Natalie also were introduced at Andrews and graduated together from the university.From there we headed to Holland, MI for two weeks of camping. The campground is right on the beach and we had the campsite closest to the water this year. It was so good for walking to the beach. Thanks David for snagging it for us online. We were lucky to have Aunt Stella and Uncle Joe in Berrien Springs so we took Aunt Stella camping with us. Our first night out eating was Russ' in Grand Haven. Boy, did Leah love the potato soup. We could hardly stop feeding her long enough to eat ourselves. Looks like she wanted to just eat it herself.
From there we went downtown GH and waited for the musical fountain. Gram Ann was there and wanted to see it also. As usual it was beautiful.
Next day we had to do a little shopping. Here Leah is trying on a hat in one of the adorable shops in South Haven. Lots of Havens on the west coast of MI.
We met Uncle Joe for dinner at Clementines.
This is how cheerful Leah wakes up in the morning.
We hated for Auntie to leave but really enjoyed having her with us. They had a busy summer coming to Manistee and then heading to Alaska for a couple of weeks.

The first Saturday night we head to Saugatuck for the fireworks. Sarah and Dan rode their Townie Bikes, 22 miles, and we met them there. Boy, they were exhausted. Leah had her jammies on to be prepared to fall asleep in the car. On Sunday we headed back to Detroit for the wedding of Sarah's good friend, and family friend, Melissa. Sarah and David greeted and we babysat. Here is Dave with his two girls ready to go party.
The stunning bride.
Here Leah plays with Gram Lois's birthday balloons while we wait for mom and dad to return from wedding and head back to the camp.
Adam, David, and Natalie all took off a week to join us. First night Dad took us to Craigs cruisers for a little miniature golf, but had to try the batting cages first. Here are the kids all taking a few swings.




Mom and Dad stuck to the slower, smaller balls.
Couldn't hardly go without a day at Culvers and a frozen custard. Here is the Culver mascot with Sarah and Leah.

On one of our shopping excursions, Leah made friends with Bambie.
Tee shirt says it all.

Her first taste of MI beach sand. Yum!
Tried to get some good pictures in the sand on Sabbath before attending church in Holland, but the sun was so bright Leah could hardly open her eyes.
One more 4 generations picture. I love these girls with me. I am so lucky to have all of them in my life. .
Biking is so much fun in Holland since they have miles of bike trails. Kids bought one of those carts for Leah to ride in that attaches to the back of their bike. Her she is getting fitted for first trip.

I think she likes it. The second Saturday we were there was the annual terrific firework display in Grand Haven. She rode behind her dad with her mom and pops all the way from Holland to Grand Haven, 24 miles to be exact. The fireworks were just at good if not better than the previous years. Only problem was it took us at least two hours to get out of town and back to the campgrounds. We were all getting pretty peeved with the law enforcement officers directing traffic.
This is the coolest tent we found for the beach. Only problem was we couldn't keep Leah under it. Her mom enjoyed the shade every now and then.

Here's my girl hanging on my umbrella pole. Water went up to 76 degrees and she liked riding the waves as much as she enjoys floating in a pool.
Every year we have hobo pies at least one time at the fire pits. They were just outside our door this year.
Natalie's sister Francie came and visited us on that day. She had fun making a pie. First one burned, second one fell in sand, and finally the third one was a success. Walter got a great supper that night. He did much better this year staying by the camper alone. No complaints from other campers, and no potty messes. What a treat!
This shows how close we are to the lake behind Gram and Francie. It was a wonderful, but too quick vacation. Can't wait to go again next year. Just hope we can get a reservation. Come and spend the day with us sometime. Sorry, I can't offer a room for the night, but our family has completely filled up our motor home. Adam and Nat even ended up out in a tent cause it was getting a bit cramped. I love that the kids still want to go with us. They hold a sentimental spot in their heart for Holland. We have been going every summer since Sarah was a baby. I remember bathing her in a wash tub on the counter in our pop-up camper. Now we are doing he same thing with her baby. Think we all like the motor-home with pop out side a bit better. Happy summer to all while it lasts.

Sumer So Far!

Just in case you were wondering about these two kids, I thought I would stick in a picture of them. They are still two of the coolest cats that ever existed. Prince, Whitie as Dan calls him, succeeded again this summer to push out the screen in the bathroom window and get out on the roof. Finally I had to open another upstairs window and pull him in. That is quite a challenge. Good thing he is declawed. George is still his lazy laid back self.Summer included an all out push for VBS. Sarah and her good friend Christie, decided to take it on. Boy, did they do a great job. Only thing missing was Aunt Stella. She could only make it for the final program on Sabbath. But, never fear, she did VBS in Myrtle Beach before coming.

The theme from the conference this year was "Castles and Crowns". Below is our castle made out of cardboard, freehand, by one of our young adult church members. Thanks Melissa! Isn't it great. We added many pillars, a throne, drapery, mirrors, candles, etc.

The Lord truly blessed Oakwood's VBS. Over 80 different children registered this year. Our highest attendance for one day was 68, and on that day at least 30 of those children had no affiliation with the church or school. So our goal of outreach was successful.

This is the marketplace along side the castle. Tents are made out of table paper and upside down tables.
One of our leaders was so kind and made princess hats and crowns to give out to the children. Aren't they special. Julia and her brothers were a great help this year. Love to see those older kids pitch in. We had the best volunteers available from kids to grannies.

How about this jester? She and her brother were terrific. They also made these hats. Her brother really got into the act and would not speak while doing his role at recreation.
Here's our Leah arriving for her first VBS day.
Our stone entry way was just beautiful. David's mom Cheryl and her hubby Ron set this up for us. Loved those flowers draped over the walls. Kids did stay right in the walkway.
Happy registration!
Sandy could not have done a better job in the Banquet Hall. Doesn't it look like a banquet? It was upstairs in the Youth Room. Her assistants all dressed in Bible costume and served off silver platters, crystal pitchers, etc. They were very regal in their service. Kids loved it. A bible story went with each treat that was served.

Our new teacher telling the daily bible story.
Craft time is a favorite of all.
Recreation was wonderful, but got a little hot at the end of the week. That worked out great cause we went in the gym and the kids learned Hop Scotch.
Here is Sarah doing the closing or opening of the program. We met together both times and of course one thing the kids enjoyed the most was the music. We are still singing the songs. Even Leah loved it. I would take her up with me and she could see the children on the screen singing and doing motions. Mostly sign language to the words. Now whenever they project words on the wall at church to sing with, Leah joins right in. Can't hardly blame her or stop her. She especially enjoyed the song "There's a Flag Flying High". First time I ever heard that song was when Sarah was small and her Grandma Ann sang it to her.
Lots of friends came to VBS.

Here is Leah's friend Megan in the stroller. Her mom is Sarah's helper and they are 10 days apart in age. I am so glad she is there to grow up with Sarah since Sarah grew up with her mom and sisters.
This surprise came on the second day of VBS for Gram cause she celebrated her 82nd birthday. She still is as active as ever, except all she wants to do now is hold the baby. I do still make her get up and clean every now and then, just to keep her healthy............