Summer Part 3: Camp Cousin

This year, Camp Cousin took to the road and ventured out to Wisconsin.

A sidewalk chalk welcome from Katie and Ruby

Our theme for the year was The Olympics, with our theme verse being Hebrews 12:1-2, "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus."

Another fun addition to Camp this year was a new staff member, Sylvia, who served as a Junior Counselor.

Olympic Rings Taco Station

We spent the first evening participating in our own version of Mini-Olympics.

Sylvia served as our official referee while the campers 

participated in various challenges.

The Cookie Challenge

Outdoor Obstacle Course

Frozen T-Shirt Challenge

Each participant received medals made from gold, silver and bronze candies.

Our ref, all wound up.

We started the next day with family devotions, led by Ranger Joe.

And then we spent most of the morning working on crafts.

The boys and their marshmallow shooters.

The girls worked on bottle cap bugs, as well as homes

 for them made from oatmeal containers. 

Lining up their bottle cap bugs

And then we took advantage of the warm weather

 to enjoy their local water park.

Well, that wraps up another successful Camp Cousin!  

As the kids grow, it evolves and grows with them.  Always a joy to see.

Summer Part 2: Tennis Lessons

Okay, normally, I would never have this many pictures of tennis lessons.  However, the instructors gave us a disc of over 200 pictures they had taken of our kids over the course of their three week lessons.  So actually, I thought it was pretty good that I narrowed it down to a mere 30 pictures!

Tennis lessons were through Grand Rapids Recreation.

We were so impressed.  The coaches were awesome, and our kids learned so much in just three weeks.

Making "Thank You" cards for their instructors.

And while George was too young to take lessons, he spent his time watching and replicating what the "big kids" did.  He wasn't about to let them have all the fun!

Summer Part 1: June Pictures

The annual MLive Whitecaps outing.

An evening of baseball and gluttony.

Ventured out to Countryside Basket.

Half greenhouse; half amusement park.

A night out with Joe to see Lion King.

And, once again, time for another house project.  This time, our focus turned to flooring.  Of course, this was a huge undertaking, considering the wood floors we planned to refinish make up 95% of our main floor.  And naturally, the timing of the project, falling over a busy last week of school, was inconvenient.  But we made it work and were grateful to stay with a couple from our church.  They usually host college students for the school year, but had an empty house that we could settle into for the week, making a difficult week, much more manageable. 

BEFORE

A layer of carpet and tile to be removed, revealing red oak flooring.

My dad graciously patched some of the spots that required it.

They looked a little rough, but were full of potential.

DURING

Freshly sanded, likely for the first time in 90 years.

AFTER

So pretty.

We splurged for a commercial-grade top coat, ensuring our floor would stand up to the wear and tear of our family.  Totally worth it if it means we don't have to do this again for 20+ years.

And a fresh coat of paint in the play room

Classic Claire

So often with her nose in a book.

Me and the boys

Oh Henry.

Looking fierce.

A family Christmas gift - a new basketball hoop.