IT'S HOT!!!!!

These first few pictures were taken  last week, sunny, warm, beautiful Washington summer weather.  We went blueberry picking at a friends u-pick, great berries, great fun, LOTS of big blueberries!

Then a couple days later we met up with the Mrs. Vander Wendi family to head to the bay.  We actually were quite cold when we got there, sunny and very breezy.  Wished we had had a sweatshirt.   

Check out the kid in the right hand corner of the above photo.  We think he works for the EPA.  

Because when Tyler said he caught a crab, a real LIVE crab this kids ears perked up and he marched right over (see above picture) and grabbed the crab from Tylers hand.  These mama's weren't havin' it so we "kindly" asked him to give it back, then Tyler continued to play/whip it around and ripped off one of his legs, right in front of EPA Jr.  (oops!)  :)

But the rest of the day was fantastic, with loads of fun and it even warmed up a smidge.  

Then, this week, it started to heat up...like HOT, Michigan humid HOT!   Monday was bad, Tuesday worse, Wednesday and Thursday have been the hottest!  Like 97 degrees yet at 7:30 p.m! My attitude has changed since Monday and we're coping quite well I must say.

It may have something to do with this little number we scored at Rite Aid yesterday.  It was the last one.  We were so desperate for something that Mia almost had me talked into going to Walmart.  I am currently on a 2-3 year strike with that place and really didn't want to break it now.  Thank you, Rite Aid!

And each day at 4:00 we head to swimming lessons in the heat and get to watch these monkeys learn to swim while we sit and bake in the sun.  Ahhhh, summer!  :)

Four little VH's on the diving board.

Alright, the whining is all over. We've got  lots of fans going and a basement that provides plenty of relief when we need it.  The kids are having a ball. I think they've spent almost every waking moment that we've been at home in our little pool.  

Just a "little" get together

Does it ever feel like you need an excuse to have a BBQ in the summer time?  Whether or not we needed one, we had one last Sunday.  The newly expanded Hoeksema family was in town so we had a big 'ol gathering at the Likkel home.  Like 70+ (although 3/4 of that was probably kids!)  

City kids getting used to the country air.

The hostess with the mostess.  Thanks, Trac, for having ALL of us!

The night was not complete until a MAJOR waterfight broke out.  

Good times!

A quick camping weekend

Last weekend, we packed up and went camping for a couple nights.  We were able to get into Pearrygin Lake, a place we've never camped but always heard a lot about.  We'll be back!

Mia was showing us this great fish, until it sprung from her hands.  

 

We caught crawdads, and ate them.  Yummy?!?!

Lots of playing and throwing in the water.

Lucas caught a baby crawdad, he named Mia.  Creative, I know.

Hello to our Lynden neighbors who were camped down the road from us.  This was their great little cove they hung out in.  Didn't actually get a picture of them. :)

And we couldn't leave Winthrop without ice cream.  

A quick, refreshing weekend, that's for sure.

More Summer Fun

It was the annual Hot Wally summer concert on Friday night.  It was a beautiful night with great music.  Thanks tor all of you on Rosemary Way for your hospitality.

Dave and his red bass were "smokin'"

          

          Lots of room to run and play, a night we look forward to every year.

28 hours

Tuesday was going to be an exciting day.  Holly had to endure a dentist appointment for a few fillings (no camera to document this visit) then we were headed to the humane society to "adopt" our very first family pets.   She survived, just barely, so we were able to go pick up Eric later that morning and bring "Mocha" and "Blaster" home with us.  They're being well loved so far and everyone is seeing if they can "train" them to jump, sit, etc. :)  

Our day was going along just fine until I had a friend :) stop by to drop something off and Joey was sooooo excited to show her the new guinea pigs that as he ran to get downstairs to them he slipped on the floor and shoved one of his front teeth WAYYYY back.  Thankfully our dentist hadn't left yet for the day and told us to come in right away (thought about turning around to take the camera but thought I better now).  :)  As you can see (by the terrible, horrible off-colored photos) the tooth had to be pulled.  Not a single tear game from Joey, just a big "OWWW" when he pulled it out.  At least now, the kindergarten teacher (and everyone else for that matter) will be able to figure out who Joey is! 

The tooth fairy was very good to him.  The first tooth has a reputation for being with a little more than the rest.

Wednesday morning I was back to the same dental office for Mia's ortho appointment.  Dr. Trevor hooked her up and we have officially began our adventure with braces.  

The 4th Part 2

After some long naps, we headed to Gary and Michelle's for a night of firework fun!  

With just a few minor incidents, the night was a blast!

Look at those skills!  Pretty impressive for a guy who would choose soccer almost last on his list of favorite sports to watch or play.  I'm thinking he should have thought twice about that decision. 

The 4th (Part 1)

The morning of the 4th started out with a bang!  ;)  Eric's cousin, Dave, invited us to take the kids to ride a pony he had been training.  Jason, Mandy and their girls joined us, too.  What an awesome place and the pony was so patient with the kids.  A great way to start the holiday!  

As we were leaving down the long driveway this eagle swooped into the field and had 4 hawks hovering/diving around it.  We watched them for a little bit and then saw the baby eagle trying to get back to its mother.  It was a pretty impressive site seeing this eagle at eye level, right out the window of the suburban.  And a rather appropriate site for this Independence Day.

The garden is growing

With all the sunshine we've had (I think we had maybe 1 or 2 days of rain in June!) the garden out at Grandpa and Grandma's is looking great!

  

The peas should be ready soon.

The corn is getting pretty tall, too. Almost as tall as a few 5 year olds we know.

I think the kids are missing school, too, a little bit.  They've been playing it for a few days this week.  Mia has all her lesson plans laid out and she has a pretty good class, too.  She isn't sure she can be a "real" teacher though since she said it's hard enough teaching 4 kids. :)