UP!

Our Christmas present from Grandma Kris and Papa Mark was a hot air balloon ride and on a beautiful July night we made our trek to Wayland south of Grand Rapids to take that ride. We went up in two different balloons and had Jonathan, Jeff and myself in one balloon and Kris, Mark and Matthew in the other along with a pilot for each balloon.

It was a trip that cannot be described in words. We were in the air for about an hour and traveled about 13 miles to the Kent County border where we landed in a large field next to a church. Along the way we saw deer, cows, turkeys and made many dogs bark. We could talk to people as we flew over their homes and yards.

Our pilot dipped down so Jonathan could pick leaves from a treetop and we dropped several markers (nylon strips tied to a block of wood) trying to hit targets next to the chase vans. Our pilot hit a shoulder on the road and a tree and then let Jonathan try his luck and JPK hit about a foot from the center line target in the roadway!

Click HERE to watch Jeff's videoIt was peaceful and calm and quiet when the balloons just floated over fields and farms. Just amazing! It was quite an experience. 

Surfer Dudes

The boys took over a friend's windsurfer board and quickly learned they could use it as a surfboard and had a ball for hours surfing the waves!

Kids Triathlon

Pre-race smiles

Bike Lainey!

Katy and Sophie on the bike leg

Lainey on the run

Sophie and Katy finish!

   

Lainey crosses the finish line!

Lainey, Katy and friend Sophie decided at the last minute to go for it and run the Kids Triathlon at the Y. The had to do four laps in the pool, bike 2 laps on a bike route and then run from the Y down the waterfront and back to the Y. They all did so well!! Sophie came in 2nd in her age group, Katy was 3rd in hers and Lainey was 9th in her age. Way to go girls!! The boys say they are going to practice and try it next year.

4th of July

4th of July Pin Sales

The boys (and Jeff and I) made more of the pins they made for Memorial Day and we gave away a lot of them to friends and family. The boys sold some at the Artist Market on the 4th and donated the profits from their sale to the local VFW. We also shipped some to a Grand Haven police officer serving in Iraq in a care package we sent him. It's been a wonderful experience for the boys to see what they can do with their talents.

4th of July Breakfast

Johnsons and McGrails

Papa Pete

Table ready to go

Happy birthday Uncle Sam!

Jane and Sophie and the Newman girls

We had a beautiful sunny morning breakfast in the park in front of the cottage with friends and family. Eggs cooked outside on the grill and all kinds of good treats to be had. The perfect way to begin the holiday.

Happy 72nd birthday Papa Pete!

Papa and the grandkids

Uncle Tom's birthday gift: framed photo of Pete and Myrna!! Love the face!

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