PJ Hoffmaster camping trip

Yes, we spend a lot of time with the Brown's this summer and it has been so much fun. We went camping at PJ hoffmaster for 6 days, August 11-17th. Courtney, I and the kids went down Tuesday and the guys came Friday. Dan had to bring the camper Tuesday and go back to work. The days started out a bit rocky with a mix up of sites, then the next morning bringing Sam to Urgent care ended with issues and a kids who was sick for daddy. But we all ended up having a blast. We played in the creek, went to the beach, rode bikes and headed downtown Grand Haven one afternoon to play tourist. We had smores, got dirty, and played with our blackberries (had to put that in there). There are so many pictures so I am going to try and just post a few.








few highlight moments:
Dan running down the dune and falling
sitting around the fire playing with our phones
making obstacle courses in the road
riding bikes through the creek
going on an adventure down the creek to the big lake
Malibu and Pomegranite Tea...yummy!
All the kids washing the dishes in the water spickit.

Navy Pier

This is the trip that made the whole summer! Unfortunately the little ones didn't join us. Samantha and Cole stayed back with a sitter while we headed to Chicago. We had perfect weather, perfect children, and more fun than can even be explained! The morning started with us heading to St. Joseph to pick up the browns and drop off Sam. We then stopped at Panera for coffee and a bagel. When we arrived to chicago we didn't hit a bit of traffic. We parked and played the rest of the day. From the ferris wheel, dippin' dots, and the maze to the fountain, beach and the quad bike ride it was smiles all day.
Pictures dont come close to showing the fun...but it will help.
















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Jungle Joes

One random afternoon we headed to Kalamazoo with Courtney and the kids to do some jumpin'! The kids had a blast and so did we. Sam took a bit to warm up to the idea but Tyler dove right in. Cole, Mr. Independent was all over. We had another great day!

Wild Life in Town?

A few weeks ago when lily was super small I took her outside around 5 am to be surrounded by raccoons. Yes, seven of them in fact, all hissing at me. Scared me and Lily to death. So, dan got Bob's live trap. As of now we have caught an opposum (8/18/2009)and raccoon (8/19/2009). Tyler is lovin' it!!! First thing he does when he wakes up in the morning is go see what is in the trap.

The Summer with the Dekoning boys

This summer I watched Jared and Carter a couple days a week. It was extra money in my pocket and the boys and Sam got to play. It was quite exhausting and I know why I don't do daycare but the kids had fun. We did he slip-n-slide, went on a picnic to kid paradise, played with bubbles, went on bike rides, played at the camper, and jumped a ton in the jumper!
Remember Jared was the ring bearer in my wedding and now he is 10....how time flies.
I love these kids!

Michigans Adventure

Sunday August 16, 2009
To end our camping trip to PJ Hoffmaster the four of us went to Michigans Adventure. With Tyler so into the rides at the carnival I thought we would try an amusement park. Tyler would have rode all the rides if he was tall enough and the lines were a bit shorter. I am so excited that I will have a partner someday on the rollercoasters. Unfortunately, I can't spin around anymore. Sam did good on the kiddie rides but stays back with daddy for anything with a little fear involved.
We had a great day. A bit of rain at the water park but it was HOt and we needed to cool down anyway.

List of Summer Activities

I haven't blogged much this summer but not because of the lack of activity at our house. We have been busy and summer has been flying by. I sit here sad knowing that in one month it is back to work. I won't be putting Sam down for a nap, I won't drink my coffee while Tyler watches cartoons, no afternoon bike rides or playing on the slip n slide. I layed in bed last night thinking of all the fun we have had and want to get it written down since I am already forgetting some of our fun.
We:
camped at HLC tons
had lots of smores and hot dogs on the fire
played on the slip n slides for hours
watched the dekoning boys
went to the air zoo with Uncle Shaun
went to Courtneys and to the St. Joe beach
went to Oregon
where we:
went white water rafting
tubing and skied
Tyler and Sam visited Thomas the train
bungee jumped
cliff dived
went to Grant camping and tubing
had our first set of stitches
got a new puppy
got a new car
got a new kayak
put the house of up for sale
found our farm house
took the training wheels off Tylers bike
went to Grand Haven
where we went for ice cream, a trolley ride, and swam at Grandma and Grandpas
we learned to jump of the diving board!
played lots of softball and baseball
went to Kids dream and Kids paradise
had picnics
bounceland
jungle joes
boating/tubing
biked biked biked
walked walked walked

We still are going this week to Navy Pier
then we are
going to PJ Hoffmaster for a week
going to Michigans Adventure
going tent camping
going to go to a Kalamazoo Kings game
and going to the zoo.
ALL before September 8th!

Tyler and Sam, I am in love with you both and have had the greatest summer watching all you accomplishments. You have made me laugh 'til I was in tears. BUT I AM TIRED!