52nd Annual BBQ

This past weekend we attending the Drenthe 52nd Annual Chicken BBQ, this was the 3rd year we have gone. The town of Drenthe is next door to where Eric works so his employer, WM buys everyone enough tickets for their families for attend.


There is a chicken BBQ dinner, of course, and plenty of activities to keep everyone happy. Antique tractor, face painting, fire trucks, petting zoo and TONS of other activities! This little farming town can throw a party.




Abby LOVES tractors, so her and Eric had to check them out.
Megan and the goat getting to know each other


Abby's favorite was the baby chickens, she did a great job of picking them up, not so good at putting the down. Trying to sit long enough to have a butterfly painted on her cheek, which she smeared about 2 minutes after it was done.

Unfortunately this was probably our last year attending the party, Eric starts a new job on MONDAY!!!

Back to Back

This week we did 2 days of hiking at Hall Lake in Yankee Springs. We just purchased a Kelty Kids backpack for Megan, and wanted to make sure it got used.

Tuesday night we met up with our friend Brian, and a few dogs, to do the 2 miles hike.

Eric and I split the time hauling Megan

Wednesday night we headed back out to meet with 3 other couple and their kids to do more hiking. We did some of the same trail as the night before, but broke off on another. There are miles and miles of trails to hike and bike!

Everyone getting ready to head outMike and Eric (each with a child in tow) blazing the trail, keeping us at a rapid speed.
The Rottman's taking a second to humor me with a 'smile for the camera'

Despise

That might be a strong word, but I really, really DISLIKE clean-up after a meal. See some examples below.

With a cute face like that, cleaning it should be on the top of my 'like' list.

2nd Annual

A big thanks to my wonderful MIL for treating our family to a day at Michigan's Adventure for the SECOND year in a row. We were also blessed to have my wonderful sister, Jackie watch Megan for the day so we only had one child to keep track of.

The weather started out looking a little less than desirable, but turned out to be a hot, sunny day! We all had a great time riding all the rides that spin, turn and twirl, and fling you through the air and drop you to the ground!

We spend 1/2 the day on the roller coasters then the other 1/2 in the water park.

Abby and Aaliyah, riding all the kiddie ridesFuture biker gang, Abby and cousin KyleA very brave Abby (far left), making sure her hands were in the air on the ridesEric and I getting reading for the Sky coaster ripcord ride, 180ft off the ground.. thinking I need to check on my Will before next year!!

double date

The girls friends, Colton and Hayden, over for a day of swimming and snacking.

Lake House

My Aunt Judy and her hubby own a lake front cottage about 20min south of us on Lake Geneva. This past Saturday we were invited to come and hang out for the day and enjoy some water sport activities with the rest of my family.

We headed over after nap time, did some swimming, tubing, water skiing and plenty of eating.


This activity could explain all the bruising on my legsJackie getting in on the slalom action
Dustin and Eli taking their turn
It been about 3 yrs since we used our kayaks, so we brought them along to the lake. Eric and Abby trying, unsuccessfully, to catch some fish.
Audra and I taking a spin around the lake.

Before and After

Abby's hair, all natural untouched after it air dried after her bath. Crazy curly hair!
Abby's hair, after her bored mother took a flat iron to it. Then she stepped outside in the humid air and the curls took over again.

Friday

Fridays are usually spend with my sisters, kids and my mom. This past Friday was no different.

My mom, sister Jackie, the kids and myself took our bikes to the Thornapple trail in Middleville that runs along the river. Round trip we biked just under 7 miles. The best part of the trip was stopping at the farmers market in town to pickup not fresh produce, but BAKED GOODS!!! Fresh baked doughnuts, breads, turnovers and cookies!! Hey we just burned some calories, why not reward ourselves.

On a side note, Eric and I bought new bikes this summer which we use all.the.time!! We purchased a Trek Go Bug (which is GREAT) for the kids and they have a blast tagging along behind.

Tubing Trip 2010

This past Saturday Eric and I headed to Newaygo to spend the day with a group of friends tubing down the Muskegon River...kid free, all day!! This is something that we do and look forward to each year.

When we arrived at our friends cottage, it was rainy and overcast..boohoo. But we hung out for a while, the weather cleared and it ended up being a really nice day. We never made it tubing, but we did hangout on the river (above the dam) all day, boating and swimming with a group of great people.

One of the places we stopped along the river, there were natural spring waterfalls.

I don't think you are all going to fit on one tube!

A big thanks for my parents for taking the girls all day so we could enjoy a day away.

CranHill Ranch

Last week was our church camp out at Cran Hill Ranch. My older sister Jackie 'invited' me and the kids to come, stay, and camp with her and her 2 kids for the week. There was no shortage of perfect weather, great people to hangout with, plenty of food and loads of activities to keep everyone happy and occupied.

My BIL, Mike, pulled up the trailer Sunday, set it up then headed home before returning on Thursday to stay and camp for the weekend. I packed up and left Thursday after dinner and headed home with the girls.

One of the many trips to the barn store for ice cream

Abby's least favorite activities...the pony ride. There were a few tears in the beginning of the ride, but by the end she did OK.

We had, I think, one of the best lots. We butted up right to the beach so the kids could go play in the sand, and just a few feet from the play equipment where all the kids spent most of the day and evenings playing.

Jen showing the kids one of the bunnies in the petting zoo.

2 happy campers, already looking forward to next year!