What we've been up to

Last weekend we decided we better power wash the house...it was getting a little yucky. Carter was a big help as you can see. Always wanting to be like daddy!

Last Thursday my mom and I went to the Hudsonville Fair. Brian was there buying animals so we stopped by him a couple of times too. Carter LOVED the animals. I think he stuck his hand in every cage. It was so cute to see how excited he was.

Saturday we had the ZFS summer party at Craig's Cruisers in GR. Carter wanted to ride the go-karts so bad...he had the biggest alligator tears I have ever seen. He wasn't big enough though so daddy took our niece Karinda for a ride. Kylie went with me on the indoor ones.

Daddy made up for the go-kart ride by playing this game with Carter. We were able to get Carter a few prizes with our tickets...one of which I got this little whistle for 10 tickets...who knew Carter would know how to use it???? Brian thinks its hilarious that he goes around blowing it...me, not so much.

Then Saturday night Tim and Jen were going to watch Carter while we went to Berlin but they were canceled so we hung out with them instead. I about fell over when I seen what Liam was wearing! So funny and NOT planned!

Then today we got to go visit our new buddy Greyson Busscher! He is SO CUTE and looks just like his big sister Grace did as a newborn. Jackson and him are going to be such good buddies!

Now fall softball starts for Brian and my aerobics starts up again soon so we stay busy! Thankfully Brian isn't doing bowling this year...that will be so nice!

Vote for #4!

When I was buying tickets for the Right to Life picnic/auction I seen they were having a 'Precious Baby Contest" at the Hudsonville fair this week. So of course I couldn't resist and I had to enter Carter. Here is the picture that I entered:

So if you are at the fair this week make sure and find the Right to Life booth and vote for #4! It's only 10 cents a vote and it goes to a good cause! Thanks!

First Trip to the Zoo

Friday morning Kathy and Jackson went with us to John Ball Zoo. We waited out the rain and then it was pretty nice and not busy so that helped! I have to say I don't think the zoo has changed much in 20 years but was perfect for the boys. Here's some pics of our day.

When daddy is away...

we play! Brian was gone to MIS for his annual Nascar weekend with friends. Although it was hot they had a GREAT time. Brian says no cameras allowed so sorry no pictures. :)

Friday Jen and I headed to mom and dad Meeuwsen's pool...it was a beautiful day and the boys had a lot of fun.

At night we went to my mom and dad's for dinner (they had us over for SEVERAL meals over the weekend....thank you!). After dinner Carter thought it was fun to run through the sprinklers....it was so funny.

Saturday morning my mom and I (and Carter) went to Harlem CRC to the Old Settlers Picnic for the Olive Center folks. My childhood friend's dad called us the OCG's growing up (Olive Center Girls). :) They had some historical stuff and games and of course a tractor for Carter to sit on. I even won a gift basket while we were there!



Tuesday night Brian, Jason and Josh re-lived their highschool days and went to the AC/DC concert. Brian said it was awesome and although he may have lost some hearing he said it was worth it. Metallica is next! Seriously guys...

It was a hot one again yesterday so Carter wanted to help me wash the car. Future fireman?

Then last night we went to Post Family Farms for the Right to Life dinner/auction. Carter had a blast with all the activites.

Pumpkin train!

Tonight we were supposed to go to a Kids Hope picnic (Brian and I are both mentors) but due to the crazy weather it was canceled. We have been busy and are looking forward to a relaxing weekend!

Cottage Weekend

This weekend we carried on our tradition of going to my Uncle Ken and Aunt Pam's cottage on Bass Lake in Pierson. This was our fourth year. We did get a LOT of rain Friday night and Saturday morning and again on Saturday night but we still had a lot of fun and Sunday was really nice. I have no clue how Carter can sleep through the loud storms...Brian and I can't!

Carter and Brian went tubing on Saturday and they had a blast.
If you watch the video you can see Carter wave and then Brian does. So cute!

Having fun playing in the water with daddy.

Uncle Ken's boat is over 20 years and still could pull 5 tubes...pretty good! Our cousins came up for the weekend too so that was a lot of fun!

Carter had been sleeping for 3 hours on Sunday so I went to check on him. The kid loves to sleep with something over his head or have it buried...no wonder he was still sleeping!

Helping Aunt Pam play corn toss. He was quite entertained putting them in and taking them back out.

And of course Brian did the sumo tube again. He wanted to do it right away. It's so fun to watch. My cousin Steph's fiance Jason did it too and it was so funny!

Thanks again guys for having us!

And we have a...

TODDLER! Yep, that's right! 2 weeks ago Carter finally decided to walk on his own. So I guess I can't call him my baby anymore. :( He had been taking steps for months but would never just go...he would always just stop, bend down and crawl. Everyday he walks more and more and doesn't crawl as much. It's so fun to watch him.

Just a cute pic I thought. I propped him up in the neighbors tree. :)

The rest of these are in no particular order. Sunday we went to mom and dad Meeuwsen's pool and Brian thought Carter needed to go down the slide. It was close to nap time when we got there so I didn't bother with a suit; just threw a swim diaper on.

And he LOVED it! And wanted to go again and again and again...

Saturday we spent the day/night in Grand Haven with mom and dad Meeuwsen for the Coast Guard festival. Carter was happy as long as got to go for a few dinghy rides. The weather was the pits but we still had a fun day and the fireworks were AWESOME. Grand Haven has the best by far. Carter slept through them all and didn't make a peep all night in the boat!

Last week we went to visit daddy at the fair while he was buying animals. Of course Carter spotted Meppelink's car and had to sit in it and go vroom, vroom (as you can see by his lips). He loved the animals too and I suffered and walked through the barns and sneezed and sneezed...lovely allergies!

The weekend before we had Brian's cousin's wedding. We snapped a few pics before dropping Carter off at Grandpa and Grandma DeJonge's.

And earlier in the week we went to play at Helder Park with Alyssa and Kaylee. They had fun playing together. Next year will be even more fun with Kaylee running around!

That's about it all we have been up to for now! Brian says stay tuned for an update next week of Sumo tube Part II. Just for you Kennedy! :)

Remembering Grace

One year ago today the Lord took this precious life from us and we miss her every day. May God comfort her mommy and daddy today and give them peace.