Summer fun

We have had a busy week since we've been home. Friday, we got together with our Sunday school class for food, water fun, and fireworks. Kaitlyn had a lot of fun running around the yard, and going up and down the slide. There was also a big inflatable water slide with sprayers, and Kaitlyn was hit in the face with some water by the older boys. She made the biggest pout face I have seen! Then she babbled while she turned and pointed to the boys who sprayed her with the water (it was like she was tattling on them). I don't know where she could have gotten that from.

watching fireworks

Kaitlyn's hair is getting so long too! I can almost fit all of it in a tiny ponytail (just a little in the front doesn't quite reach). It's been so hot here, that I bet it's nice for her to have it off her neck.

playing with my shades

Every girl loves shoes, right?
Kaitlyn is no exception, she LOVES them (even if they aren't hers)!


The alphabet keeps Kaitlyn occupied in the kitchen

Silver Beach then home

The evening before we left Michigan, we got a few family shots and had to go to the beach. Silver Beach is a "happenin" place during the summer. It has two really nice playsets for toddlers (and one for the older kids too). Kaitlyn LOVES the slide! She would climb up it just to come back down (finding the stairs just takes too long). We were not sure how Kaitlyn would like the sand... since she wasn't too fond of it when we were camping in Holland. I guess I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking...

family photo op :)

Opa and Oma :)

this sand stuff again... hmm... this time she really liked it!

pointing at the seagulls

making the same sound as the seagulls

having a lot of fun!!

weeeeeee!!!!

Going down alone, and she loved it!

I'm takin the car- hope no one notices

LOVE to run and play outside!!!!

Some videos from the beach, listening for Kaitlyn squealing like the birds

This is what happens when you take the car without asking... hehehe




At the airport in South Bend- Kaitlyn found her own seat


I've already got some super cute videos since we've been home, so look for a new blog soon!

Michigan pool party

On July 11, we had a family gathering at my Aunt Sue's pool. What a great day it was (just hot enough that a dip in the pool would feel good)! Kaitlyn got to see her 2nd cousins too! Rick and Bobbi drove up (from Indiana) for this awesome event with their 3 kids; Josh, Joey, and Makayla. Kaitlyn and Makayla are 15 months apart, and it seemed that Kaitlyn wants to do everything Makayla does. It's so sweet :) It was a lot of fun to see everyone (and Grandma, Aunt Alli and I had fun making corn cob cupcakes)!

We started with jelly beans (the middle cob), but ran out!

So we colored marshmallows. We had fun :)

Grandma, Kaitlyn, and Aunt Alli

Grandpa and Kaitlyn

It was chilly getting out of the pool, Kaitlyn warmed up with Grandpa

Makayla, Great Aunt Sheryl, and Kaitlyn

Toes poking out :)

Opa and Kaitlyn are snacking

The whole gang!

Blowing bubbles with her cousins

Getting used to the water is easy :)




Now we talked about this swimming and eating thing...

Michigan mischeif

After we got back from camping, my busy busy little girl kept us all on our toes. She loves going up and down the stairs, moving toys from one spot to the next, climbing, and of course making messes!

Aunt Alli helps Kaitlyn go down the big steps

Helping Grandpa build

mashed potato facial

playing cards

climbing into Sammy's bed

A video of Kaitlyn "cooking" while Grandma is at work

Michigan- arrival and camping

We have so many pictures from Michigan (Grandpa and Aunt Alli are connected to the camera)! We arrived to Michigan just after 11pm on 7/4 with our good little travelers. On Sunday, we had great-grandparents over for dinner and cards. I also got the car all situated for Mike to drive home on Monday (I had to downsize Kaitlyn's and my clothes to fit in one suitcase for flying back). Monday, Mike headed back to Oklahoma with the dogs, and Kaitlyn and I went camping with the family to Holland State Park.

Bailey is working on her tan

mama and Chauncey

Grandma, Kaitlyn, and Great Grandma Van




going for a walk to wind down, what a group!

A camping we will go... Grandma and Grandpa have a trailer (which made camping very nice with Kaitlyn) and we took the tent for Aunt Alli and I to sleep in (it would have been a tight squeeze without it). The weather was just PERFECT (low 70s, and no rain)! Kaitlyn really enjoyed being outside all day. All she wanted to do was explore, and have the occasional stroller ride (she fell asleep a few times in the stroller).

sleepy baby

napping outside

feeding the ducks

strollin' with grandma

swinging with aunt alli

Our site, the tent

The trailerAunt Alli forgot how to get in the hammock

At the Beach! Kaitlyn was a little unsure of the sand at first...
but it didn't take her long to love it!

21 flavors, Kaitlyn gets chocolate. Mmmmm

This is a video I got while we were waiting for Great grandparents to arrive for dinner.




Testing the sand at the beach