Had a blast at Bass Lake (picture heavy)

This weekend we went up to my Uncle and Aunt's cottage at Bass Lake. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. We had so much fun. Here are a bunch of pictures to see what we all did.

Brian and Carter headed down to the dock early morning on Saturday morning to enjoy the quietness and plan their day together.

Around 9:45 Brian and Uncle Ken thought they better knee board and ski since the water was like glass. There are no rules for the lake so you can ski, tube, etc. whenever you like...its awesome.

Then Brian thought Carter needed to go for a tube ride. Carter wasn't too sure of the big bulky life jacket but once they got going he was fine. They went pretty fast for a four month old but apparently Carter loved it b/c when we got back he was sound asleep.

Once Mike and Kim and my cousins came up the fun began. Here is Allyssa, Mari, Mike and Brian having a wild ride on the tubes.

Carter floated on his raft in the lake and then decided it was nap time.

Later at night Mike, Mari and Matt went fishing. I think they said they caught about 10 so not bad.

Carter stayed on the dock with Uncle Ken and Allyssa and fed the fish.

On Sunday I think Carter floated in his raft for about an hour. I am about 100% positive the fish had to be nibbling his toes. They hardly move when you go in the water.

Brian and I took a trip around the lake on the kayaks. It was a good arm work out and it was so calm and peaceful (when Brian wasn't running into me and going 100 miles an hour). :)

Carter helped Aunt Pam snap beans for lunch. I am sure he was full of stories. My Aunt got the nickname of 'crazy kitchen lady' b/c whenever we were in the kitchen she would start talking to Carter and he would just start laughing like crazy. It was HILARIOUS!!

Brian squeezed a nap in with Carter on Sunday. Can you see Carter? :)

Brian had enough energy to try out the Sumo tube. It was SO FUNNY. Check out the video (don't mind me giggling like crazy in the background)!


Ah....so tired from a busy weekend!

Rafting on the River

On Saturday we headed up to Newaygo for our annual rafting trip with some friends. We weren't sure what the weather was going to bring but it ended up being perfect. The sun peeked out a couple of times and the rain held off the whole trip so after 3.5 hours of rafting we were all happy campers! :)

Here are the guys tying everything together. It was funny to watch all the other peoples expressions as we were putting in. They could definitely tell we have done this for many years! They were quite jealous. As a group we all own the rafts and tubes so its nice not having to worry about renting every year.

The whole group taking a break at the famous island.

The girls kick most of the guys to the tubes so we can stay dry in the rafts. :)

After getting back and grilling we put in many games of corn hole. Brian and I even managed to win a game.

Overall we had a great time and it was our first night leaving Carter but he did great at Grandpa and Grandma Meeuwsen's house. He even got to go to Craig's Cruisers to ZFS' summer picnic.

Carter's new pacifier

Over the last week Carter all of a sudden has discovered his two middle fingers. It has been nice b/c we don't have to keep putting his pipe in when it falls out and now I have to wake him up from his naps b/c he puts his self back to sleep by sucking away at his fingers. I think its hilarious and sticken cute and I just peeked in his crib and he is doing it again. This morning he slept til 8 so no complaints!

Water Baby

I am trying to turn Carter into a water rat just like I am. :) I love the water and this weekend we went swimming in Rylee's (neighbor) grandma's pool and I had the goggles on and everything and was diving for toys. We are so lucky that mom and dad Meeuwsen have a nice pool and Carter and I have made weekly trips there and we often spend our Sunday afternoons there. It was beautiful yesterday and we did some sun bathing and swimming.

Carter and Brian chilling at the pool.

Today Sheri Meeuwsen and I headed to the state park for some much needed catch up time on our lives. It was perfect weather and there was a nice breeze. Carter did so good. He took a good nap in his little Sun Stop'r tent and we took a walk down the beach. We put his toes in the sand and water and he loved it.

Carter and Sheri.

Loving the sand and water.

So tired!

3 month pics

A couple of weeks ago we had Carter's 3 month pics taken. We were able to squeeze out a few smiles! Of course he was full of them between flashes. :) To check them out go to http://cschippers.photobiz.com/cart/ and enter bkmeeuwsen@allcom.net and carter is the password.

Going Green (Brian's 1st post!!)

Since everyone has been asking I'd thought I would post a picture of me on my crotch rocket. As you can already see (below) the girls are really loving it. I don't mind being a geek if it saves me money. She tops out at about 43 miles an hour after mods with a tail wind (hurricane force) and going down hill. It takes me 20 min to get to work and I take 88th most of the way (less traffic). I already have 651 miles on it and I do truly enjoy riding it. I also have a kick butt helmet as you can see...it's flat black with a skull on the back of it. So far I have had one motorcycler wave at me---he must have felt bad for me.

Busy Holiday Weekend

Phew...we are pooped out after such a busy weekend! To bundle it all together Friday we headed to hang out at Green Lake with Maly's, Friday night to mom and dad Meeuwsen's for a cook out, Saturday off to DeWitt's pool party, and yesterday outdoor church at Beechwood and the pool at mom and dad Meeuwsen's. Here are some pics from the weekend.

We started out going to the Green Lake parade...it was cute. Then Josh and Brian had a blast on the tube and knee boarding. The boat started running funny so they decided to take the John boat for a ride. Bobbie and I had fun hanging out in the sun and Carter was content as can be hanging out in the shade.


All American Boy in his 4th of July outfit.



Carter and Norah went for their first canoe ride. Then they hung out in their water floaties for a while. The pool was so nice and warm so all the babies loved it. It was quite the difference from last year when Jacob was the only baby. Now we had 4 babies and 3 pregnant girls!



All the guys got some games in....wiffle ball, bean bag toes and bocce ball. It was a gorgeous day!


Yesterday Brian and dad raced Karinda and Kylie in the pool. Those girls did a great job of wearing the guys out!


Today Carter and I are doing NOTHING. We slept in and now he has been sleeping for over 2 hours. So I have been able to get a little work done and some laundry as well. It's kind of nice that its raining b/c I don't feel guilty for lounging around!

Home Sweet Home

Since we were gone this weekend the neighbors took care of Lucky. She is an indoor/outdoor cat so she kind of comes and goes as she pleases. The neighbors put her outside Friday night (she is usually out at night and in during the day) and they couldn't ever get her to come back in. We came home Sunday night and until this morning we hadn't seen her! We assumed she ran away or got attacked by something in the woods. But around 5:30 this morning I heard something crying on the deck and sure enough it was Lucky!!!! So as they say she must have been 'catting around'! She is a really sweet cat and very care free so we did miss her! Every time Brian and I would walk past the slider we would look for her out of habit so we are happy to have her back!

For those of you that hate cats you are probably thinking we are nuts but I am allergic to dogs so I have always liked cats. As I am writing this she is laying on my feet....she has 5 days of petting to get caught up on! :)