Gymnastics...

So Mikayla went on a fieldtrip to Gymnastik's Unlimited in May...she absolutely loved it and kept asking to do gymnastics. So we decided to trial it this summer. So every Monday morning Mikayla goes to gymnastics. The first week she was the only kid in the class. Then after our trip we came back and she was 1 of 3 kids but the only girl. So last week her friend Kylynn started with her so now there is 2 girls and 2 boys. She is loving it and she is all signed up for fall too. Here are a few pictures from her first week!

 Waiting for class to start!

Warm up time with Miss Christine!

On the balance beam-was a little nervous to do it on her own the first week, but now will!

Practicing cart wheels!

Her favorite part of life...being a monkey!

Keeping busy...

We have been keeping very busy! At the beginning of July we spent 11 days up north at my mom and Brian's cottage on Lake Bellaire! We had a great time-the weather was perfect and we even spent some time in Traverse during the Cherry Festival. Here are a few of the 1000 pictures we took during our time away!

Fun on the boat...Mikayla's favorite place on the boat was poking her head out of the cuddy!

Going "super fast" with Mikayla driving!

Waiting for the Blue Angels air show to start!

Amazing how close they fly together!

Mikayla's first S'more! She loved them of course!

Mikayla and I on the jet ski-Mikayla wasn't too sure at first, but then once she took a ride-she loved riding on it!

So on July 5th-six sixteen to eighteen year olds came to visit with one of Brian's friends. Mikayla had them playing follow the leader and following whatever she wanted them to do. It as hilarious how they just loved her and were willing to "play" with her. She had a great time and missed them the next day when they weren't there!

Half way through our time up north, the Agius' family joined us. They brought their camper along and we had a great time. Here is a picture of Alex and Ella on the jet ski for the first time.

Ella and Mikayla had the same outfits...so they dressed as twins for the day! They got lots of compliments about their matching outfits!

Mikayla out at the lighthouse! This is one of my favorite pictures from the trip!

Family pictures down at the open space! We did this with the Agius' family 3 years ago when the girls were 1...my how our families have changed!

Went down to Cherry Festival for the Children's parade. It was a great day after the rain showers left in the morning. The kids colored under an umbrella blocking the sun while waiting for the parade to start!

Icecream at Higgin's Store in Alden! Hoping we can get to TC for some Moomers next time we are up there!

Group Photo...Mike, Carmen, Ellie, Emma (Abby was napping), James, Julie, Mikayla, Jess, Brayden, Alex, Ella, Tommy, Sarah and Brian! We hope to make this an annual tradition!

Mr. and Mrs. Chris Norman

This past weekend James and I headed up to Traverse for my cousins wedding. We left Mikayla with my mom-which she had a wonderful time and didn't seem to miss us a bit-thanks Mom for taking her for us! This was the first time James and I had both left Mikayla for 2 nights-but it was a much needed little get away and we had a great time just the two of us. We enjoyed our time at the wedding and had fun spending time with the Norman family-which always brings lots of laughs, dancing and good times. Here are a few pictures of the beautiful wedding!

Jonquil and her dad walking down the aisle...the day started with thunderstorms, but by the time the wedding started the sun was shining and it was gorgeous out!

Saying their vows!

Mr and Mrs. Christopher Norman!

Jonquil with her two beautiful boys! We are so happy to welcome them to our family!

The flowers and cake were spectacular. I loved the color scheme!

James and I with our coordinating outfits!

A SURPRISE "sprinkle" shower for Kristi

So  a few weekends ago I helped surprise one of my longest and best friends Kristi with a sprinkle shower. She already has 2 beautiful girls and is expecting her 3rd child that is going to be a little boy. She was in some need of some blue things. So her sister and I but our thoughts together and pulled off a surprise shower for Kristi-which I might add is hard to do when Kristi is always in the know. Here are  few highlights of the day!

The awesome cake made by Amy-same lady that made Mikayla's Dora cake. It turned out awesome and tasted delicious too!

The SURPRISE-her face says it all and she even cried tears(which Kari and I were hoping for). So glad I could be a part of the day!

Kristi with the party planners.

The diaper cake I made-it turned out so cute!

One of the cute outfits I got her-with doggies on it.

The blanket that Kari made. It is beautiful!

What a fun day it was and Kari and I had a great time planning the party. Can't wait to meet this little guy and see how his sisters adjust to having a little boy in the house. Congratulations Kristi and Jason-we look forward to meeting the newest addition to the Vugteveen family!

Starting a new tradition...

It had been years since I had been to a strawberry patch and actually picked my own strawberries...I must say it is easier to just go to the store and buy them, however it was a fun experience and a good way to get a lot of strawberries for a pretty reasonable price. So Monday evening with the threat of rain looming--my mom, Mikayla and I headed out to De Lange's in Hudsonville to pick some strawberries.  Mikayla had a great time and even though she wasn't great at getting the best strawberries she did a pretty good job and helped us in filling our baskets! Here are a few pictures of picking and today I made 15 jars of freezer jam and a some strawberry shortcake!

I think we have started a new tradition to the beginning of our summer vacation!