Wacky Wednesday

Today was me & Alison's last "obligation free" Wednesday
together so I thought we'd go have some fun together.
At 9:15 I got the idea to check out Crazy Bounce & turns
out they have tot time on Wednesdays from 9 - 11. We quickly
got dressed and were out the door to go to the "fun place". Alison
would not go near the huge slides even when I told her I would go
with her. She stuck to the basketball, bouncy balls, tot area, and the arcade.
After that we met Sheri at the Gap and then went to Sub's 'n More
for lunch. Yum! Then we stopped in at Lokker's bargain
basement and I got a pair of tennis shoes for Alison and the
baby. Her's were originally $48 on sale for $12 & his were originally
$54 on sale for $12. HUGE deal on Stride Rites! I can't believe
people would actually pay $54 for a pair of infant shoes...sorry if you
do...I just find it outrageous!

Apple Adventures at Crane's Orchards

This past weekend we ventured our way after church to Fennville for some apple picking. As always, the best of the apples were already picked. We did manage to find some Empires, and my mom grabbed some Ida Red's for baking. They had plenty of Red Delicious, but after falling in love with Fugi & Honeycrisp Red Delicious didn't cut it. After picking we went to the snack area and had some donuts, dumplings & cider. Not surprisingly we saw many people we knew including Keely's parents. I was sad Keely was not along, but it was nice to see them again :-). Enjoy the pictures of our apple adventure.




Ali couldn't wait to get to the apples!


She had fun picking them off the trees.


Mommy & Alison


Maga Marlene & Alison


Mommy, Aunt Sheri, & Ali







Ali couldn't wait for her turn on the tractor.
It was very popular amongst the youngsters.
I was proud of how she waited patiently for her
turn. Kind of unlike her.

Silver Lake with Daddy

Mike took Alison to see Papa & Maga Podjan at Silver Lake a couple of weeks ago. It's amazing how fast the summer went. We usually try to make it up there a couple of times at least. Here are some pictures of the fun they had.

Shake that BOOTY!

The video explains it all. I'm sure we, the parents, will find it funnier than most :-)

Fun at the Park

I know it has been FOREVER since I've posted anything so I thought I would share this video of Ali at the park. Enjoy!

Any advice?

At 19 months Alison thought she was a big shot and wanted to use the big girl potty. I was thrilled, but less than thrilled to put in the effort to actually train her. She actually would go #1 & #2 though and I was proud of my little munchkin.
Over time Alison no longer wants anything to do with it. I have officially missed my window of opportunity!! Now she says she wants to go, but sits down and gets up 2 seconds later. She knows their is a treat waiting for her if she actually goes but she won't do it. Last night I decided to put the seat on our toilet in hopes of something "different". So far she sits a long time on it, but still won't "go". I have prizes for her if she goes #2 and I have her occasionally in training pants that have Dora on them. She knows she shouldn't potty on Dora so I'm hoping this will work. I'm giving her lots to drink as well. Being a working mom, this is very hard to stay consistent. Any suggestions??

26 Weeks and GROWING...and not JUST the baby.

Ali's first "trim"

I'm not sure if everyone yet knows, but my sister and her husband Jeremy decided it was best for their family to move back to Chicago to continue their careers. We are happy for them since it truly is the best move, however we will really miss them. Jen surprised me last week by saying she wanted to take her boys over to my house to swim in the kiddie pool. That lasted approximately 15 minutes because everyone was apparently scared of the wasp next lurking close by...so we proceeded back inside for naps. After a great afternoon together and the kids woke up Jen thought it would be fun to straighten Alison's curly Shirley Temple hair. We laughed until we cried when she was done because she had such a mullet. Jen decided to give her a tiny trim to even things out a little. Straightening her hair will not be an everyday event since she really does not have the patience without Jelly Beans, but here was the end result.

Welcome Gwen Ella Berkompas

Our neice, Gwen Ella, was born July 18. She is such a sweet little peanut. She is a couple of weeks old already and has changed so much, but I'm posting a couple of her "brand new to the world" pictures for everyone to see. Children are such a blessing and I thank God for each of them.


The happy daddy...


The happy mommy & big sister...opening Gwen's presents...


The happy aunt Kori..


Our new neice Gwen Ella...


Happy Uncle Mike...


Lola is thrilled to have her new sister arrive...she's a great big sister and helper to mom...

Beach Babes and Stormy Weather

Today was great. Jen called me this morning and asked if I would like to go with her and the kids to the beach. Today was a perfect day for the beach especially since Mike & I kept our promise to Ali this past Sunday when we were sand blasted with (what felt like) 90 mile an hour winds. The kids had a ton of fun swimming in the warm water and playing in the sand. Ethan had enough after an hour and fell asleep under the umbrella. When we got home Alison took a bath so she could sleep well for her nap, and I did my pregnancy pilates. Wow! My butt & legs hurt so bad I could barely keep up...actually I didn't. I quit here and there...shhh. After dinner the weather turned and a storm hit West Michigan. It was too short of course, but it was fun to see it come in. I took some pictures of the storm front. Hope you enjoy!!

Ali was just pretending...she wanted to be like Ethan.

The storm front...

Cabin Fever? No Way, Jose!

This past weekend we spent at my Dad & Barb's cabin. It's always a great time getting away from the "real world" and relaxing. We arrived Thursday evening and had some pizza (my favorite of course).

Friday my sister Sheri & Shaun arrived (a day early...what a great surprise!). Honestly we didn't do much, but it was great. Alison was invited to the cabin next door (my parents best friends) to play in the pool with twins 6 months younger. She is such a stinker...as Emma was contently playing in "her" pool Alison decided to take over and grab Emma's toys and then proceeded to dump a bucket of water over Emma's head! When she knew she did something wrong she dumped the bucket over her own head to act like she was just being funny. That evening we had a great steak dinner and then sat around the fire before heading to bed.

Saturday we went boating on Diamond Lake. Alison wasn't a happy camper on Saturday and was quite sassy to everyone including Grandpa Denny. Apparently the boat is now hers. She would not let my dad sit in the drivers seat and would say to him "Don't touch my boat, Grandpa Denny!!". My dad also made the mistake of showing her where the horn button is...not his fault. The ideas are always fun, aren't they? She also found the throttle. She was happy once we reached the beach though and played in the water. That evening the rest of the fam had hotdogs over the fire & pizza pies made in those iron things...can't remember what they are called. I was not hungry because I was becoming severely ill with the worst sinus infection I've ever had...so I decided to go with a s'more and a piece of Barb's birthday cake...fantastic. Baby Podjan loved it as well :-).

Here are some pictures of our time away.




Grandpa Denny is always so serious!

Ali is being a tad daring squatting in the water.

Aunt Sheri & Alison...she is finally happy!


Ali had a ton of fun helping Grandma Barb wash the windows in the new sunroom!

"Don't touch my boat Grandpa Denny!!"

Mommy & Alison

Grandpa Denny & Alison Friday morning hangin' out.

Alison and her cinnamon rolls for breakfast!

Washing windows again :-)