Camping at Hoffmaster

We were all so excited about the kids' first camping trip! We headed to Hoffmaster with the Nave pop-up camper, which had been set up at the end of our driveway for over a week. Olivia and Daddy rode in the truck pulling the camper and Ethan and I drove the Jeep. After getting the camper set up and everything unloaded we walked the trail to the sand dunes and beach. Unfortunately, as so often is the case, Ethan fell while running "super fast" down the trail. He gets going and is usually either watching his super fast feet or his shadow and usually ends up falling. When this happens and his knees get scraped up he never wants anything to touch them so he hikes up his shorts or, sometimes, just takes them off. So this is how he walked the entire way to the beach - when Daddy wasn't carrying him! Poor kid.



















Once we arrived at the sand dunes, Scott and the kids had a great time running up and down them! There was a fantastic view of the lake from the top of the dunes. The kids were not at all phased by the lake water temperature and were quite content to dip in a bit with their clothes on.














Back at camp we cooked hot dogs over the fire for dinner (Daddy in his glory), played at the playground for a while, and at some point the kids attempted to climb trees. Then it was time for jammies and smores.


















The next day we went to the beach where Olivia was such a little environmentalist pulling any piece of driftwood out of the water and Ethan took complete joy in chucking every piece back in! We also took a wonderfully long nap, went to the visitor's center (which Ethan kept calling "the stinky place" even though it didn't stink at all), had dinner at Fricano's on Muskegon Lake, did some exploring around the campsite, ate smores again of course, and hit the hay!



















The kids slept so well in the camper and loved the whole experience. We really had a great time and we are all looking forward to going camping again next year! In fact, Scott has many more camping trips planned...

Grose Park with Friends

We also went to Grose Park on one of the cooler days this month. We went with Melanie, who is the Nanny for Wesley and Hunter, and Melissa and Ellie and Natalie. We had a little celebration for Hunter who turned 3 on July 4!
Olivia, Hunter and Ethan.















Wesley, Olivia and Ellie.

A Day at Sasha's Beach

Usually we spend quite a bit of time at Sasha's beach in the summer. This summer has been cooler than normal. The kids have been missing it and so we finally made our way there last week. We met Elly and the boys there. Olivia loves to run up and down the beach just along the edge of the water. She loves to do this on any beach. Watching her do this is one of those things that will forever be in my mind -an image of her as her most true self. She always looks so full of joy and life when she is running along the beach. Ethan just loves to squish his fingers in the wet sand. He also loves to roll in the sand. When we are at Sasha's beach the kids all love to play Simba. They go into the tall grass and growl, acting out different lion tales. Hopefully we can get there again this summer. Oh, and I must note that Ethan has changed his mind about what he wants to be when he grows up - it used to be Santa. Now he wants to be a SURF BOARD when he grows up. That kids cracks me up!

Fourth of July FUN

On the 4th of July we went to a birthday party for Marianne who turned 5 on July 3. The kids had a great time! It was their first time trying to hit a pinata. I think Ethan really wanted to have a go at it. Here are some pictures of the party...
















When we got home Scott set up the Nave pop up camper on the driveway. The kids were soooo excited!! We have spent every day in it since. We play restaurant, house, color, read books, put together puzzles, etc.

On Sunday, July 5, we went to the Whitecaps baseball game. My dad, brother Scott and nephew Parker were there also. We were actually in the same section just a few rows apart. It was a beautiful, warm day. I took the kids, along with Parker, to the playground and bouncy thing where they worked off a lot of energy and worked up a big sweat. Of course we only made it through the 4th inning, then it was off to Wendy's for a frosty to cool down.




















I took the kids to Parker's house to play that night. It is so sweet to watch Olivia and Cobie. They are so interested in each other and so cute together. We had ice cream sandwiches and Uncle Scott set off some fireworks. I so wish I had a picture of Ethan and Olivia with their hands over their ears while these little "fireworks" were going off. They learned quickly that there was nothing to be afraid of.



After such a long, fun filled weekend the kids were exhausted. Scott and the kids attempted to spend the night in the camper but that only lasted until 10:30. Olivia says they spent "half a night" in it.

Father's Day and Fishing

Olivia and Ethan have been blessed with an amazing Daddy and me with an incredible husband. Scott is patient with all of us, a trait I try to emulate. He adores his children and is always building up their self esteem by not only telling them that he loves them, but what he loves about them. He is a hands-on Dad in every way. He gives them his attention and listens intently as they tell him about their day or a detailed made up story they concocted (ehem Ethan). He reads to them every night, often the same long book. He plays with them every day and takes them on exciting adventures in our own backyard and elsewhere. He teaches them new things and is the best at just having FUN with them! To Olivia Scott is a Knight in shining armor, her Prince Charming, her Hero. To Ethan Scott is Strength, an Adventurer, who he wants to be when he grows up, his Hero. To me Scott is my Best Friend, my Prince, my Hero. We appreciate all of his hard work. He is an incredible role model. We are so grateful to God for blessing us with Scott.

Recently Scott took the kids fishing for the first time. It was so much fun! We went out to the Laug Pond and dug up worms. Mike had put about 50 blue gill in the pond. Olivia brought her new Princess fishing pole that Grandpa and Grandma gave her for her birthday. Ethan was excited to use Daddy's old Mickey Mouse tackle box. The fish were so funny. When we'd splash the water a bit they would come closer to take a look! They were super easy to catch because they were apparently hungry or haven't figured out the whole being caught thing yet. The kids were a little hesitant. Olivia wasn't sure what exactly was in the water - who could blame her. Ethan really wanted to throw rocks - his favorite thing to do at the pond. We took pictures of Daddy holding the smallest fish and I am pretty sure I caught the biggest one but no one took my picture. Everyone had so much fun that Daddy took the kids back the next day and they were much braver than the first time. Scott said Olivia even touched a fish and held a worm! These are big steps for our cautious one. Ethan continued to wipe rocks into the pond. I think he'll be very excited about getting his very own fishing pole for his birthday!
Worms!

















Look Mommy I'm fishing!














Daddy and the little guy. It's only fair to mention that he did catch much bigger fish.
















Catch and release.

Scott and the kids also recently planted a new (old) tree in our yard. Scott is so good at tree care I am sure it will blossom in no time! Oh how Ethan loves shovels and digging.

Happy 5th Birthday Olivia Lynn!

Our beautiful baby girl turned 5 years old on June 12. When we got up that morning Daddy got a birthday donut for everyone (tradition) and Olivia opened her presents from us and Ethan. We gave her a PJ Sparkles set, Ariel shirt and Ariel nightgown. Ethan gave her an Ariel nightlight - so cute. Daddy went to work and as you can see from the previous post we spent the day at the zoo with Sasha, Aunt Anne & Liam, and Elly & boys. On Saturday we had a small birthday party for her. Grandpa, Grandma Mary, Papa, Grammy, Nana, Uncle Shaz, Aunt Andrea, Parker & Cobie, Josh, Melissa, Ellie & Natalie. Unfortunately a lot of other people we invited couldn't make it, but it's summer and everyone is busy. Olivia loved playing with Ellie and Natalie - by far her favorite part of the day! I really think that's all she wanted for the day! After everyone else left the Bensons stayed and Josh and Scott helped the kids get down the slip & slide. Olivia had the best time she said it was "the best birthday party ever!" So sweet.