50th Par-Tay

As mentioned before, my mother just turned the big 5-0 and to celebrate my family and I threw a huge surprise 50th birthday party for her. We wanted her to have a night where everyone celebrated her because there is no one more deserving! We got all of her friends and family (almost 100 people!) together for a night of food, drinks and dueling pianos. The whole place was up singing and dancing the night away. It was so much fun. The best part was that my mom was SHOCKED and had a great time. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate with us!

Our family got the party going...YMCA style.

The birthday girl with Chad & Lorien.

The Yonker ladies.

The Yonker cousins' rendition of "Hey Big Spender..."


Oh yeah, she was a Dancing Queen.
Judy "lost that lovin' feelin'..."


The whole gang...friends for over 20 years.

Our family celebrating Mom.

Fifty & Fabulous

So this month my Mom turned 50...and I can't believe it. She seems too young to be turning the big 5-0. However, she turned it gracefully and I'm dedicating a post to her and why she is fabulous.

Top 6 Reasons why my Mom is fabulous and I want to be like her:





1) She is amazingly strong...I don't just mean this in the physical sense (if you have seen my mom hit her driver, you'd understand). She is the strongest woman I know. She weathers all storms that life brings and stays emphatically focused on the path the Lord has given us. She is our family's rock.

2) She is fun and crazy and will try and/or do anything. She loves to laugh and have fun. Her energetic spirit is contagious and those who are around her can't help but want to be a part of her life.

3) She loves my son probably as much as I do. She is the best Grandma. She loves to play and giggle with Gavin and will choose time with him over most things. She treasures him and loves to love him...which makes me love and appreciate her even more.

4) She is a giver...of time, energy, love. She gives of herself to all the people she loves and even those people she doesn't know that may need to just be given to. Sometimes she gives until there isn't enough left for herself because she is always thinking of others first.




5) She brings the Lord into life...her life, our life, a stranger's life...She is an amazing Christian example and she has taught me to seek Him. She is a prayer warrior that is humbled by her Creator.

6) Aside from my husband, she is my best friend. I tell her everything and she allows me to be me. She lets me cry when I need to...be not so nice when I need to...be silly when I need to...be quiet when I need to...and she welcomes me with open arms regardless. She has gotten me through some very hard times just by being who she is. As I get older people keep saying I look more like my mom...I can't think of a greater compliment. I can only hope to be as beautiful and loved as she is.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I LOVE YOU!

11 Months and Counting

Gavin had an 11 month milestone this week...and I felt like again, I should make some notes about "where he is at." So, here are a few words I'd use to describe him lately.


Expressive-- Gavin is very animated in his speech, actions, facial expressions...everything. He cracks me up b/c when he is happy most often the whole room knows it and when he is mad...the whole room knows it...

Interactive--He loves to play with other kids or dogs and even when they are playing around him, he thinks they are playing with him. He just in general, likes to interact with anyone who will pay attention to him while he plays, eats, anything.

Strong-- Gavin's body is dense and he can be a little powerhouse. In fact, he is getting quite close to walking...he can stand on his own, he can push his cart around but has yet to take some steps on his own. He amazes me with his "boy strength" and attitude all the time. He absolutely loves to wrestle and rough-house.

Inquisitive-- This is typical at this age but he gets into everything and wants to know what everything is..feels like...and yes, tastes like. If I have something in my hand, he wants to know what it is and he is constantly leaning out of my arms, stroller and car seat to see around something at another person or item. In fact, he can be quite nosy. He is also very into putting things IN something. He will sit and put things in and out of a bucket or bowl or cup for a long time.

Verbal-- I mean this in the NON-traditional sense. As in, he has yet to say any words...no Mama, no Dada...nothing. However, he is a loud-mouth. He is constantly "talking," yelling and growling. In fact, he would send most of my family into a fit of laughter at Silver Lake b/c they all loved his gravelly low voice which he used non-stop. Hopefully soon he'll grace us with a real word....but I'm not holding my breath.

Determined/Stubborn-- As you know, this is a quality he has shown since birth. He is determined when he wants something and will let you know his opinion if he does not get it. We are often caught in a battle of wills and after 11 months, I don't think that will change.

Happy-- Seriously, it has to be said, my kid is just so darn happy most of the time. Those of you who know him as an infant would have never thought it possible but now, he is just generally happy and smiley. He is constantly engaging everyone we come across with his smiles and silly banter. He lights up my life everyday and seems to have that affect on others as well.

And as a PS--he just cut his first top tooth...and he hasn't even been that miserable lately...just sleeping a ton which is awesome for us!

Sour Puss

Seriously, one of the best things about being a parent is experimenting new things with your kid...its terrible but true and if you are a parent, you know exactly what I am talking about. Here is Gavin "experiencing" a lemon.

Silver Lake

Directly from Holland, my mom and I took Gavin to Silver Lake for an entire week. This is where all the relatives on my Dad's side get together...commonly referred to as the Looneys. Surprisingly, we had pretty good weather with the occassional rain storm coming through. Gavin was of course in his glory spending his days on the beach, in the water, with other kids and surrounded by so many doting grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins that he was constantly entertained (thank you to all of them as we are currently in "entertainment detox" in our house). Our accomodations are quite simple as are often the activities but it was such a fun week and we can't wait to do it again next year!











No lifejacket...
Hand on the gas....
Look of determination...
Very distracted Grandpa...typical.











Sam helps Margot calm her nerves...or the other way around.















Gavin helped Grandpa lead the way.











Don't these two look comfortable crammed in their lifevests?











We were gone a long time so Gavin was catching up on some current events over breakfast.











The new deck on our cottages was a favorite hang out spot!












Gavin always thought he was just one of them....











Cottage life...big picnic dinners...flies biting the ankes...quickly packing up in 5 minutes as the rain began...















Mom and Gavin along for a nice boat ride.















Driving with Grandma....not as relaxing...probably b/c he can hardly move in that thing.











Gavin and Great Grandpa hanging on the dock.











Favorite playtime activity...seriously...sand in every crevice, every day...











Common result: faceplant in the sand.











Next Common Result: Old Fashion Sink Bath!!!











Awesome...grabbing at a stray cat's butt.










Absolutely, a child after his Grandma's heart...he cried when leaving the cows.











A special treat...first bite of an ice cream cone!











Gavin tests his legs on the boogie board.















In true Silver Lake fashion, he has his first frozen snickers...almost.

Chaos at the Beach

When we were in Holland, two of my girlfriends from Hope, Carrie and Lesley, came to spend some time on the beach for a day. It was quite an undertaking with 3 kids almost one, a 3 year old and a 4 year old...we definitely hand our hands full. After an afternoon at the beach we headed downtown Holland for dinner and shopping. Between trying to get the kids fed, napped, diapers changed, taken to the potty, cleaned up and everything else that comes along with it we actually did find some time to ourselves to chat and catch up. All in all, we had a great time and loved spending time together with our kids.

Taylor and Grant played so well together, they were like two cute peas in a pod.

Zach is so upset to be put on the ground.

Molly is so upset to be put on the ground.
Gavin is so upset to be taken OFF the ground.

Our whole motley crew.
Again, Gavin can't figure out what the fuss is about.

All the kids ready to take on the streets of Holland.
Now this was an accomplishment...dinner and a pic.

Holland, Michigan

Recently, Gavin and I travelled up to Holland, MI to stay with family at my Gram's cottage on Lake Michigan. We had beautiful weather while we were there and spent lots of time on the beach and in the water. Gavin was barraged with his cousins undivided attention which he loved! Chad was able to come for the weekend which was great and so fun for us to play in the waves with Gavin.

Gavin was center stage in his baby pool.

First time driving the golf cart with his cousins.

Not sure what the occupancy regulations are on this but I am sure it is less than this...how many cousins can you fit in this hot tub?
Reaction after a big wave came crashing through.

He played like crazy in the sand. He LOVED it.
Our perfect beach day and perfect family pic.