Let it SNOW!

We are ready to go...let it snow!!

Testing 1-2-3

Family Pictures

Tonight we had our family picture taken. We had it taken in front of a barn in Hudsonville. It was a little c-c-c-c-cold. But it was still fun.

I smiled nice.

Abigail smiled big.

And Sophie couldn't keep her eyes off the cat!

It first showed up when the three of us were having our picture taken. It frightened me. But we got used to it and after a bit, didn't really mind having it nearby.

Birthday Celebration, by Abigail

On July 29, I turned 5 years old! I had lots of fun. I had two parties for my birthday and saw all my family. I had cake and yummy treats and opened lots of presents. I really enjoy birthdays. :)

Waterskiing, by Abigail

I finally had the courage to try water skiing again yesterday and I DID IT! It was a little frightening at first, but I got the hang of it and made it all the way around the circle without falling. I even had to make it over some really big waves!!! My friend Isabella also did it and Lilia too.

Mackinac Island, by Lilia

This year in 1st grade I learned about Mackinac Island. I begged and begged mommy and daddy to take us there. This week, they did! We had so much fun.

We went to a Butterfly House and saw lots of pretty butterflies from all over the world.

We went to this really cool toy store called Great Turtle Toys (the island is shaped like a turtle, I learned that in school).
We went right under the Mighty Mac, which is the nickname for the Mackinac Bridge connecting Michigan's two peninsulas.
We biked all the way around the island. It was 8.2 miles. Abigail and I took turns riding with Sophie in the Burley. She slept most of the way around.
We played in a cool waterpark in our hotel!

We smiled a lot for the camera. Sophie REALLY liked to say CHEEEEEEEEESE.

I used these big telescope things around the island to see things up close.
This is my whole family in front of Arch Rock. It was sooooo far down over the railing.
This is Abigail and me learning to make fudge. There are LOTS of fudge shops.
This is us again in the Butterfly House. I saw a scary butterfly.
I can't wait to go back!

The Boat Parade, by Lilia and Abigail

On the Fourth of July, it was a little cool in the morning and didn't look like it was going to be a very nice day. It was then that mommy and daddy were reading that the theme of the 2009 Big Star Lake Boat Parade was going to be "Favorite Children's Book." So to keep us from getting bored for the day, mommy and daddy decided to decorate our boat for the parade. With Aunt Sara's help, they decided that it was going to be "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." So as we sat down for lunch at 1:00, daddy hurried to the store for supplies to decorate the boat. The parade started at 7:30, so there was not time to waste. We all helped draw, cut and paint the pieces for the boat. We think it turned out great!

Daddy drove the boat, and we each held up a piece of food that the caterpillar ate a hole in.

We didn't win a prize, but it was so much fun putting it together, and parading it around the lake for all to see.

Driver's Training, by Lilia

It was a cool day at the cottage, so daddy and grandma Zylstra took me out in the golf cart and let me drive! It was a lot of fun. They worked the pedals while I steered.

Deer Swimming

This morning as we were eating breakfast Grandma asked, "what is that swimming in the water just past the dock?" We went out on the deck and were surprised with what we saw! It was a doe and a fawn. They came from across the lake and were heading towards shore. When they heard Sophie, they turned around and swam back across the lake. We were all amazed at how quick they could swim.

Pigtails on Sophie

Auntie Sara managed to put a couple of pigtails in Sophie's hair over the July 4 holiday weekend. They didn't last long, but they were cute while they lasted!