if you are ready to start school....

Camping @ YOGIs in Indiana

raise your BROKEN right hand! LOL Just kidding...this was a cute shot I snuck in last weekend at Lake Michigan when Jake got caught down by the lake again without a cover over his cast! Oh Heaven help me, how do you ever keep a boy down and DRY with a cast in the summertime??

At last I can update you all...life has been keeping me on my toes and dealing me a hand full of challenges daily!

Well- We made the camping trip to Yogi's in Indiana....had fun although it was a soggy weekend. Tammy and Bill lost their awning....the downpour we had at 2 am actually was so heavy and hard, although they had their awning tilted...it BROKE! The steel bar actually snapped and tore the awning. Luckily, Dakoda and Kyle were 'sleeping' in the tent under ours and dumped the rain for us....they were still up at 2am and said their pillows were floating in their tent....it was fun! I moved them in around 3am and believe it....Steve Sr, Steve II and Jake never stirred. MEN! Otherwise, we had a good time. Went on my first wine tasting adventure...it was interesting!! Still not a big wine drinker....like the same fruity ones.

The reunion is over- it was a 4 daay get together- lots of fun. We all went to Manistee on a chartered bus on Thursday to the casino...it was fun but we are not rich but the Indians are wealthier thanks to our family!! On Friday we toured the wooden shoe factory in Holland, rode the Dock in Saugatuck/ Douglas, shopped and shopped the outlet mall in Holland. Saturday was an afternoon picnic at Lake Michigan. It was an overcast day but warm enough to enjoy the beach and lake! (the kids did at least) The best part of the whole trip....we stayed with my brother, Bill and his significant other, Bridget and my niece, Alyssa. Every morning we woke up to a hot breakfast.....complete...like eggs, bacon, sausage, frsh fruit....coffee, juice! WOW It was cheaper and better service than a bed and breakfast!! It was tons of fun and it was a great time to make memories with my brother and his family! On Sat night we took the kids all to the drive in....the one where I used to go as a teen...they are closing it after Labor Day for good...selling the land....so sad we had to make one last trip! We saw Invinceable...that was a great movie!
Hmm, what else....on a very sad note....our Mandi is not doing so well. Her time is ticking quickly....she cannot walk very well anymore...her hips are giving up...we are carrying her in and out to 'use the bathroom'- this is very tough for us...as she is only a year younger than Dakoda....basically one of the kids. We will have to make that call very soon. Neither of us can do it yet...however, I know when she has had enough we will know it and we will be able to go.
On a happy note....looking forward to the Crazy Croppin Chics getaway in November!! Glad to hear you can join the fun, Beth and Jill. Wish you could too, Kris but I understand the other stuff all too well...I have been missing all the fun lately!
Hopefully Blogger will play nice and let me come back and play again soon.