Happy Independence Day!

Okay, so this post is ten days late! After camping we drove home in time to get cleaned up and head back out to the Eaton Rapids fireworks. We all enjoyed some Hot and Ready's from Little Ceasars, and watched the show! Josie and Addie were both asleep by the time the fireworks started. I think they were wiped out from the wedding and camping week we just had!

Fisherman's Island State Park Campground

We had such a great time camping with Ken, Chris, Win and Cora. So much fun, in fact, that I forgot to take pictures until we were packing up to leave!

Doing breakfast dishes on the last day.

Josie loved camping!

Where we dined. :)

Cora in front of "Camp Snyder".

We got the hook up thanks to our friends, the Allens, who let us borrow their pop up camper!

At the beach

While we were camping at Fisherman's Island state park, we spent some time at the beach on Lake Michigan. The water was too cold to swim in, but we all had fun playing in the sand.

Here is Addie just chillin' on the beach.

Cora, Emma, Winston and Josh have fun building a dam.

Josie testing the waters.

That breeze off the Lake can be a bit much at times!

"Can we keep these, Mom?"

Here are Emma and Cora trying to fix a broken sand castle.

Nap time!

Just try and get a serious picture out of these guys!

It may never happen!

A Beautiful day

I have to start by saying, this is one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to!
Ben and Emily were married June 30, 2007 at A-Ga-Ming golf course in Kawadin, MI. We were able to go up a couple of days earlier, and we had the greatest time spent with the family. It was a wonderful weekend!
The New Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Mathew. What a GORGEOUS couple!!!

Look how great Mom and Dad looked!

These are some of the bridesmaid's flowers setting in front of a centerpiece.

Emma as cute as ever. Check out that view!!!

We are so happy to welcome Emily into our family. She is a great friend, and now a wonderful sister! We love you Bemily!!!

So many things to share

We have had a very busy week and a half. I have so much to post, but our internet has been down at the house. I decided to come over to the office to check our e-mail and such.
We had a wonderful time at Ben and Emily's wedding and all the exciting things that surrounded that event!
We also had a blast camping with Ken, Chris, Win and Cora. I will share a lot of photos when we get our internet up and running, but until then, let me leave you with something funny Emma said the other day...

While we were driving down the road and passed a tall apartment complex with a bunch of windows, Emma says "Wow Mommy! Look at all those bedrooms! If we owned that house, you could have a hundred babies!"

Somewhere Familiar

Here is an awesome band called "Somewhere Familiar"

Sure, Tomesia is my sister, but I think they rock even if we weren't related. :)

You can check out their music here

Ivy's First Birthday!

This past Saturday while Josh was hanging out with his dad and Ben, the girls and I did some partying. :) First we went to Olivia's 5th birthday party (which I forgot to take pictures!!!) and then went to my parent's house for Ivy's first Birthday party. She will be one on July 5th.

Sweet cake for a sweet girl.
Hope your birthday wish comes true!
The crowd wants cake!
Opening gifts.
Sweet Ivy last year. We love you, Ivy! You have grown so much in one year.

Miss Amanda!!!

This is our friend Amanda. She was one of our dorm daughters this past year. We had a great time getting to know her, and she quickly became a close member of our family.

Amanda graduated in May and moved back to CA. She plans on attending the MTC in Canada next year.

We love getting to know all of the students at the Bible Institute. It is hard when they leave, but so exciting to see what adventures God has for their lives. When you read this post, say a prayer for Amanda. How great will it be to have so many people praying for her.

We miss our friend Amanda dearly. She comes for a visit at the end of October, and we can't wait!!! We love you, girl!!!

Uncle Ben and Addie

Uncle Ben came with Grandpa to visit on Monday. We have really missed him while he has been gone. It was so nice to see him again!

This is the last time we saw Uncle Ben.
Look how much Addie has grown since! We love you Uncle Ben! Can't wait for yours and Aunt Emily's wedding! WOOHOO! Nine more days!

Adelaide's first swim

Sunday Addie took her first dip in the pool. I think she enjoys swimming just as much as her sisters! They are all little sea otters.

Addie checking out the water with her Papa.

Emma is almost ready to get rid of the arm floaties.

Josie's just chillin' in her little water chair.

Kids Fest

Friday they were having a free event down at the fair grounds called Kids Fest. It is an annual event where they have a lot of activities kids can do, and a lot of information for parents to pick up. They even had free lunches for the kids. We all went, but Emma really had the most fun, as the activities were really all geared towards her age group.

Emma gets to pet a bunny.
Check out this HUGE fire truck!
bouncing off some extra energy.
Emma trying to catch "Kid Bucks".

Sunny Summer Day

We have really been enjoying these nice warm days we've been having. Yesterday after Daddy got home, we all played outside until bedtime. :)

I am so thankful for my three beautiful daughters and wonderful husband God has given me. Every day is so precious with them!

Rose Run

This past Saturday we got up early and headed out to the annual rose run. Josh signed us up to hand out water to the runners. We were pleasantly suprised to see that our good friends Kent and Marilyn and their kids were going to pass out water at the same station! We couldn't have planned that any better if we tried!

Kent and Marilyn
Daddy and Emma passing water out in their new t-shirts.
Even Addie got in on the action! Some of the runners slowed down just for a glimpse of her. :)
Andrew and Josie had a great view of the race!

Sleepy baby

The other day Josie was playing in her room, and it got really quiet. Usually this means she is getting into trouble. I came in and she had pulled her pillow and blanket through her crib slats and fell asleep in front of the crib!

So peaceful.

A visit with the cousins

Last weekend we got to spend the night with the Curry family. Emma just loves playing pretend with Livvie and Simeon.

Hi Auntie Emily!

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Josie is practicing how to say her soon to be Aunt Emily's name. Only 19 more days until the wedding!!!

Sweet Emma

Josie and Addie were extra tired today, so they took a longer nap. Emma and I got to hang out together, just the two of us. She is such a neat kid. I am going to miss these times together when she starts school. Sure, that won't be for a while, but still!



Say "Cheese!"