Fishing

It's sad to say and hard to believe it's the end of summer. Time to do all those end of the year activities before the snow flies!! My cousin and her hubby have a boat in Grand Haven so a few of us headed there again this past Saturday for dinner and some fishing.

Eric and Jenn playing it safe driving the boat as we head to dinner. We docked the boat and ate at Snug Harbor.

Brent always having a good time as Jake and Eric fish in the channel
Eric vs Fish

18 lbs of Salmon!!

Her First Day!

One of our favorite book starts out...

Congratulation!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

Abby started Pre-School at Dorr Elementary this week!! She could not have been more excited to go, and even more excited when I picked her up that afternoon. There we NO tears for Abby or myself, but by Megan when she realized she was not staying at school with her big sister.

The girls and I attended the meet and great with the teacher at the local park a week prior, went to the school open house to see her classroom this past Monday, so when we dropped Abby off on Wednesday, she had already met both teachers twice before.

One for Abby's teachers, Mr. Wierckz

I look forward to all the new things Abby with learn, and all the new friends she will make! This is the start to her school career!

Leaving school on her first day, all SMILES!!

So.....

be you name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray

or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,

you're off to Great Places!

Today is your day!

Your mountain is waiting.

So.... get on your way!

By

Dr. Seuss

First of many

Both of the girls had their FIRST professional haircut this weekend. I wanted to have it done before Abby starts school next week. So who better to call than my good friend, Jenn!

Megan went first and was all smiles!

Abby loved getting her hair cut. She can't wait for school to start so she can show her new teachers!

Lake Mitchell August 2011

The second week of my camping adventures took us north to Lake Mitchell State campground. This trip included my parents, Mike and Jackie, Eric, myself and the 4 kids!! Another great week to camp with AWESOME weather!!

Abby was so happy to catch the smallest fish!

Audra was so excited in her casting she tossed her pole overboard. Lucky for her my dad has his boat along to rescue it from the deep waters, that and nice uncle Eric that jumped in after it! The "babies" and their bath timeAt Lake Cadillac, Grandma and the girls searching for shells and smelly snailsWe all took a road trip to visit my G & G Bos one evening. They live in McBain about 30 minutes from Cadillac. It was funny to watch the kids play ball with them...surprisingly they did great! (sorry for the duplicate picture)

Tri Ponds 2011

4 Families + HOT weather = a great time camping!!

We camped close to the petting zoo....the kids LOVED all the animals!! they got to pet and feed them everyday.



Jenn and Holli on craft duty with the girls.


Paul playing playdough with Caleb and the girls on a rainy afternoonthe cheering section for the dads playing a friendly game of horseshoes.

Tri Ponds is a great campground!! They have clean, grassy lots. Clean bathrooms. A pool and swimming pond to keep cool, and tons of activities to keep the kids entertained!

The Visitors

We were so excited to find out that Eric's brother, Dan and his family were coming to visit earlier this month. We were even more excited to find out that were able to stay with us!!

Dan and his wonderful wife Adry and their 4 boys ages 5-11 drove from Stockton, CA and stayed in Michigan for about 2 weeks. There were so many highlights while they were here. Just to name a few... extended family picnics, catching frogs/bugs, Michigan Adventure, ball games and pizza parties, and pool time!

Aaliyah and Abby.... I have this same picture of these 2 for the last 2 years

Dan and Sam in front, Eric and Adrianna in back.

Peter checking out the camp fire

Eric and Brandon

Eric and I took the kids on a walk at the local park. All 4 boys are SOOO well behaved and did great with the girls.

Taking a closer look at the fish

The time they spent here seemed to go way to fast. I know we look forward to their next trip to Michigan! There were so many highlights, I know we enjoyed every minute or their time here.

2nd annual

We just had our 2nd annual trip to Hess Lake!! The guest list included myself, Jackie, Mom and kids joined by my younger sister, Lori and her kids this year. That totals 4 adults and 6 kids, ages 5 and under. This cottage is a 5 bedroom 3 bathroom FULLY FURNISHED house, so there is PLENTY of room for us all.

This years weather did not want to cooperate, rainy and cold the first half of the week. The second half was nice and sunny so we were able to get in our beach days and play outside.

Grandma reading to all 6 grand kids, passing the time while it rained outside.

Getting a little warmer/dryer. Able to be outside but still in sweatshirts

Despite the weather we found things to keep everyone busy and happy most of the time. I look forward to next year with everyone.... and maybe some additions to the group.