Pics-by-Lis

Good-bye is Never Easy!

On Wednesday - one of the dearest friends I have left for South Africa - for two years. She will return and she will being visiting too - but it doesn't make good-bye any easier!

On Monday night we were able to spend a lot of quality time with Lia & the girls!

Michelle, Lia & Myself - the threesome will not be the same for awhile! This picture was taken about 12:30 A.M.! We were making every moment we had left count! I actually didn't get home till 3:00 A.M.! As we stood outside in the dark and I shed my tears - we were looking at the stars - and it made me think that even though Lia will be miles and miles away - we will still look up and see the same stars! Sounds silly - but it was one of those things that made her not seem so far away!

On Wednesday we said good-bye to Scott, Lia, Maddie & Alex from the airport viewing area (they knew we were there!) - I knew I would be an absolute mess if I went into the airport - and I just couldn't handle that - call me chicken - but even alone at the viewing area - I WAS a mess (ask Michelle - I was trying (key word trying) to talk to her on the phone! Here I am putting on a happy face with Justin.

Justin waving Good-bye!

There they go - up, up & away... and that is when I really cried - and Justin just turned around and held me - and said "I'm gonna miss Maddie, Mom!" It was one of those precious memories that I will remember for a long time.

And they are off... but they'll be back before we know it! I love you, Lia!

Sports Camp

This week we have spent our evenings at church! Justin has had the awesome opportunity to go to Sports Camp! This year the theme was Survivor! They learned all about Survivors in the Bible - like Noah, Isaac, Daniel and most importantly the ultimate Survivor Jesus!

Justin & Elise going after the ball!

To watch your child excited and singing at the top of his lungs with a huge smile on his face, doing all the actions - I tell you! Melts a mom's heart! Especially when he was the one that usually was clinging to my leg and begging not to have to go - how far he has come!

Michigan's Adventure

We spent a fantastic day at Michigan's Adventure with our friend's Scott & Lia, and Sam & Michelle and all the kids. It was a beautiful hot day! We spent the morning riding rides, the afternoon at the waterpark and then we stopped for ice cream on our way home! It was a great day with lots of fun!

Look at all the stuff that three families has to lug around!

The kids favorite was the Frog Hopper. Their smiles say it all!

A day at the amusement park is not complete without a ride on the train!

The guys deep in discussion!

Justin, Maddie & Scott on the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Watching the kids drive the boats.

Before After

Didn't like it too much!

Alex, Maddie, Justin, Zoe', Levi, (Ella's swimming!)

Justin & Alex

Maddie, Alex, Justin, Zoe'
We stopped at Miss Lisa's in Spring Lake for ice cream and to celebrate Maddie's 6th Birthday. It was fun to be a part of her special day. She opened her presents on the tailgate of Eric's truck and we all were able to sing her "Happy Birthday!"
Here's the kids with their ice cream!

Justin giving Alex a hug good-bye!

We had such a fun day together!

Summer Fun!

Justin's first bass caught on Lincoln Lake.

Sunbathing already?

Grandma, Grandpa, Justin, Levi & Daddy

The beach in South Haven at Sunset.

Levi loving the sand!

One of the boys favorite family past times - throwing rocks into the water! They can spend hours just throwing and skipping rocks.

Justin finally gaining some confidence when it comes to swimming in Grandma's pool!

Levi too is getting more comfortable - the problem now is that he doesn't want anyone to hold him and he doesn't want to have anything (ring, life jacket, swimmies) on! He doesn't understand that if we let go - he'll go under! But at least he is not screaming bloody murder anymore!

Fun in the sprinklers! Brotherly love!

Levi's first boat ride this summer - we wasn't too sure - it was loud!?

When Daddy went fast - Levi fell fast asleep!

T-Ball is Done!

Justin had a great t-ball season and ended the year with a trophy - which he thought was the greatest. It was so much fun watching them get better every game. Till next year!

Future Couple?

Levi & Ella.

They were helping us with Church Directory pictures and decided that they needed a turn too! They are too cute!

Friends & Tummy Aches!

A few weekends back we were able to spend the evening with our family friends that we don't get to see enough! We had a very enjoyable evening and the boys (they have 2 too!) had a great time playing with each other!

The boys enjoying fresh strawberry shortcake after lots of playing!

The boys spent a lot of time playing wiffle ball in the side yard.

The funny thing about this picture is that after we left within several hours Andy (the dad!) ended up in the hospital and had to have his appendix's out! I was so glad that I didn't cook dinner for him that night - which I know has nothing to do with your appendix - but it was the first thing I thought of! Eric's first reaction was that Andy had played too much wiffle ball for an old man! All in all Andy turned out all right - but the timing was unbelievable! It will definitely be a story that we will talk about for a very long time! Sorry Andy!

Church Directory

Another first for me! I (along with 3 other photographers & our helpers) have spent the past 6 weeks taking pictures for our Church directory. They were nothing fancy and they weren't available for purchase - which everyone loved! We took a total 233 pictures (so far). Here are just a few we took.