"Gavin Sitting"

The night we went to the wedding, Chad's parents happily agreed to come stay for the weekend so as to babysit for us on Saturday night. As you can tell, when Grandma & Grandpa come to stay...pretty much anything goes. Case in point, generally immediately following breakfast, Gavin is whisked outside still in jammies to begin playtime. Its only when forced by mom does he get dressed for the day. He had a great time playing with Grandma and Grandpa all weekend and we were very thankful for the free night out to celebrate with our friends!

Dar & Kristen's Wedding

Last weekend our good friends Dar (Matt Darling) and Kristen finally tied the knot!! It was a beautiful day and a beautiful wedding. We had so much fun celebrating with them and it was truly a joy to watch how happy they were on their wedding day. It was a great night for all of our friends to be together as we toasted the bride and groom.

Some of my fav ladies posed for a pic- Lisa K, Lisa T, Amanda and I

Another fav lady--and fellow preggo at the wedding.

Chad and I.

Chad and Zak toasting to awesome tuxes.

Super hot Moms.

George is an animal...pun intended.

Bride & Groom--getting down.

The guys....

and the fabulous women they were lucky to catch.

The bride and groom.

Chad & I with Dar & Kristen.

Huizenga Reunion 2009

This year we had the Huizenga reunion in Petoskey, MI. The last reunion was 5 years ago and although we were at the same place, it is amazing how much family changes in 5 years (case in point, our almost 2 year-old and child #2 on the way). The weather was beautiful all weekend and we had tons of fun catching up with lots of relatives. All together I think our group was somewhere around 200 people. Our family actually took a motorhome there to help with the 7 hour drive which led to quite a trip in itself. The weekend was great--the only glitch being for the last day and half the air was broken in the hotel. Couple that with Gavin and I still recuperating from a cold/virus, being pregnant and record northern MI highs in the 80's...it was rough. Yet, we survived. You'd think that at a family reunion I'd have tons of family pics...most of them are still of just Gavin and all the fun he had all weekend. Oh well. Maybe at the next one in 5 years.

Uncle Chad and Gavin immediately settle in for a movie on the way there.

Uncle Kyle and Gavin making "creations."

No good MI roadtrip is complete without a stop at Big Boy.

A mirror image of my two fav boys taking a snooze - red cheeks, open mouths and all.

Our "humble" abode.

Yours truly...cookin away at about 25 weeks.

Skippin' stones with Grandpa....

...and learning life lessons.

Relishing a special treat - including sprinkles!

Hmm...this looks super fun to play in...

and eat.

I'm sure it was Gavin that put them over the weight limit.

Gavin and his BFF Zach Huiner try to squeeze their little buns into a sand hole.

They think they're hilarious....and we kinda did too.

Two tow-head peas in a pod....one born Sept 13 & the other Sept 14.

Digging for treasures.

Gavin found lots of lizards, snakes and other creatures for his bug house.

We're super cute in matching red polos.

Dads and their boys in the pool.

Gavin and Momma playing "splash" and "swing."

Always, always a smile in the water.

Bubble Blowing.

Contemplating a game of chess.

Check!

Gavin and Daddy.

The family that sweats together...stays together.

Our whole brood.

Gram & Gramp Evenhouse.

Cally and Gavin building a castle.

Me and my beautiful Momma.

The three musketeers - all born within 48 hours of each other.

And their Mommas - Jess, me & Lea.

Chad's "perfect pic."

Silver Lake 2009

After Holland for a few days, we were off to Silver Lake for an entire week. The cottages are small and musty and the weather is usually questionable but we come back year after year for lots of fun. This year was no exception. Gavin was IN HIS GLORY with his cousins Sam, Margot, Charlie, Addie and Bea. We did have a few rough days with weather. In fact, Chad was able to come up only for a day to see us and that day happened to be....yep, cold, windy and rainy. Typical Silver Lake weather. However, we definitely came up with some fun activities and were able to spend plenty of time down on the beach and in the water. It was a great week for all of us and we really enjoyed spending time with all our family.

Grandma & Gavin swinging on the playset.

Sam & Bea kindly allowed Gavin in on their fun.


Gavin & Daddy looking for bugs, frogs, fish and other creatures.

My two boys.

Erin & Charlie.


Since it was cold and nasty out (and muggy and claustro in), Chad was able to discover a new favorite location. We went to Lewis Farm where there were a multitude of animals to feed amidst a few other fun activities. Seriously, Chad saves the day. And Gavin of course was crazy for gross animals mauling his hands for weird smelling pellets of food.


Looking for bunnies.

A very friendly camel was among their inhabitants.

This pipe slide was a huge hit amongst the kids...and there were more than a few protests when we tried to drag them away.

Gavin was such a champ going down all by himself...then trying to march up the hill to do it again and again and again.

Choo-Choo Ride.

I mean don't you trust this guy and this contraption to take your most precious loved ones out of view where you can't see or hear them on this ride?


Chad & Daddy again, looking for fish.

The pied piper luring the children in with bubbles.

A true loony, never says no to the Whippy Dip for ice cream each night.

Apparently the big gulp Mt Dew did nothing to perk him up. :)

Nothing a cone with sprinkles shared with Grandpa can't help.

Driving the boat with Grandpa.

Sam and his followers creating sand castle designs.

Big smiles from Charlie.
Bubbles with Grandma Great.

Gavin and Charlie went for a wild tube ride...and by wild I mean we pulled them around in the shallow end.

We did spice it up with some "bumper tubes."

Wondering how these kids think that its our turn?

Naked babies getting a lake bath...aka seaweed wrap.

Two best buds (so thinks Gavin) chillin in tent somewhere random.

Who says you can't play outside when its raining? Definitely not the Moms of these two.

Gavin and Miss Margot...soaked from head to toe.

Sink Bath....barely.

Happy Birthday Momma!!

Our alfresco set up each night.Baby Harrison made a short appearance on our last night...and was super happy about it.

Gavin and Grandma just hanging out.