Summer Highlight: August

Well I definitely meant to get this blog post up on the heels of the last one, but I've blinked and now October is nearly over too!  To finish up the summer highlights - August proved to be a great month as well (we really are so thankful for the warm, fun-filled "stay-cation" God gave us here in MI).  Aside from end-of-summer playdates, misc outdoor projects around the house, gardening and revving up for school, we also enjoyed a trip to the beach and a visit from my sister Hannah from CA - what a treat!

Lake Michigan

Ready for some water action.

Pestering daddy.

There is something about digging in the sand that is so fun for the kiddos.

Enjoying her first feel of Lake Michigan.

Soaking it all in!

The boys had fun climbing some rocks.

Great day to fly a kite too!

 

Auntie Hannah's Visit

Visiting Charlton Historic Village.

One room schoolhouse (kinda like homeschooling.) ;-)

Chapel.

After Charlton, we headed to Moo-Ville Creamery, which has a...

...play area...

...and petting zoo.

Tired after a long day!

Back home, playing games.

Sunday after church - fishing...

...It was Hannah's first time fishing and she caught her first fish!

One more adventure with Hannah - blueberry picking.

Beautiful day for being outdoors.

Twin cousins came too!

Enjoying lunch after blueberry picking.

Always time for one more story...

...and one more ice cream treat. :-)  Miss you already, Hannah!

Summer Highlight: July

Fall is in full swing!  The leaves are changing color, we've started to "close out" our garden, and school is well underway.  This first summer in our new home was such a blessing - we got to know our neighbors better, learned so much about vegetation with our first family garden, enjoyed visitors from afar, had playdates with friends, and celebrated some holidays along the way.  God is good!!  There are so many pictures, stories, and memories I had intended posting on our blog, but time just got away from me.  I wanted to quick recap July and August before time elapses, and then try to stay more up-to-date with our upcoming fall and winter adventures. ;-)

We celebrated our 10yr wedding anniversary - PTL!

Cherry picking!

Celebrating Noah's 4th birthday...

...with the Ruth side of the family!

Time for 4th of July fun as well - fireworks...

...and swimming.

Older 2 at VBS - "Camp Kilimanjaro."

A visit from Luke - hadn't seen him since Thanksgiving.

Older 3 at another VBS - "Circle J Ranch."

California Wedding in April

In between my folks trips to MI, Amber, Amanda (Scotty's sister) and I flew out to my sister's wedding in CA.  It was a whirlwind weekend with little sleep but so well worth the trip.  The daddies stayed in MI with the big kids (thanks Scotty and Brad!)

First flight (if not counting in utero Christmas '14) ;-)

Toddler cousins Amber and Rory being expertly watched by auntie Hannah...

...while I'm at the bridal brunch (and rehearsal).

Bride-to-be and me heading to the rehearsal.

Reception being set-up by bridal party and family.

It came together nicely!

Cousins/sisters snuggling up the night before the wedding (Rory, Anne, Lily).

Cousins Rory and Amber being "contained"...

...while sisters Diana and Hannah tag-team my hair for the wedding!

Our growing family! [Insert Scotty and older 3 kiddos here] ;-)

Sisters!

4 Generations!

Amanda, Rachel and I - now all 3 have been in each other's weddings :-)

Post-wedding game of "Nertz" before I fly home the next morning.

  

My Parents' Trip(s) to Michigan!

There is so much I haven't posted about on this here blog. Life has been full and I am so thankful for this joyful season. Before I let anymore time slip away, I wanted to put up some pics of the Spring and Summer highlights...

For starters, my folks came out to visit over Easter and again over Father's Day. It was soooo nice to see them again (hadn't seen my dad since Christmas 2014, and my mom since shortly after Amber was born last year). We got to host them in our new home, and we simply enjoyed being together! We also got our fair share of spoiling from them (my mom is quite the dish/laundry fairy, Scotty and I got a night away, my folks treated us with meals out, and the kids got plenty of storytime and gifts). ;-)

Easter Weekend:

All smiles upon arrival of g'pa and g'ma (dad met Amber for the first time to boot)!

All of us together - say "cheese!"

I always enjoy getting to play Scrabble with my mom! (The menfolk found
something interesting to talk about too). ;-)

Walking them down an additional private drive in back and getting a close up
of the cows (off to the left).

Father's Day Weekend:

Always time for another story.

Walking around the Outlet Mall for the "Chalk Art Festival."

Scooting around the park...

...and enjoying the ducks.