Fall Fun

There's nothing like fall in Michigan. Seriously. It's my favorite time of year. The colors are breathtaking, the air is crisp and, of course, there are those caramel apples and candy corn...(no pumpkin pie for me - I'll take the apple crisp).

Anyway, last weekend after Ethan's baptism, we went back to Matt & Kristi's house for lunch and the kids got to pick a pumpkin from their pumpkin patch (yes, they do have one! Along with corn stalks). The pumpkins sat in our garage for a week and on Sunday, we brought them inside to carve. I took the pictures while the kids and Rob got their hands dirty (I know, I'm such a prissy thing). You can tell by the photos that Lyndsey was just a tad more into the whole thing than Zach was.

HAPPY FALL!

Homecoming 2008

ACK! I can hardly believe my little baby is old enough for homecoming! I refuse to believe that he is now in high school. I don't let Zach forget he is still my little baby and he doesn't let me forget he's now as tall as I am.

Gulp.

After a couple days worth of shopping for an appropriate outfit (dressing up to Zach usually means jeans and a button-up shirt), we finally found one that met his approval (don't even get me started on that!). He even bought a cool hat that matched his pants but decided to leave it at home.

He went with three of his friends - they are MUCH too young to have girlfriends (or much too scared to ask one out). They went to Applebees for dinner, then on to Justin's house for some relaxation and X-Box playing, and then on to the dance.

Of course, I was snoozing by the time Rob went to pick him up at 11:45. But, in the morning, I wasted no time in getting him to tell me who he danced with. FINALLY, after a TON of prodding and a little help from Lyndsey (and our spy, Zach's friend, Nick), we found out three of the "many" (according to him) girls he danced with.

Gag.

Needless to say, he had a great time and only regrets having to wait another year before the next one.

Here are some photos of Zach before the big event:

Last Glimpse of Summer...

Well, with gas prices so high, we didn't make it to my mom and Paul's as often as we would have liked. But we did manage to get over there to enjoy her pool (and their company, of course!) a few times. Labor Day weekend was our "last hurrah" so to speak. It was a gorgeous day and we headed over for some final pool fun.

Looking forward to next summer already!

Newest Addition to the Family...

Welcome...

ETHAN MATTHEW VERMEER
born on August 26, 2008

What a gorgeous, perfect miracle!

Congratulations, Matt and Kristi (and Hayleigh, Madi, and Chloe!)

Rob and Zach had to go to a mandatory sports (tennis) meeting at school, but Lyndsey and I booked over to the hospital to meet Ethan!

Worth a Thousand Words

So it's been YEARS since we had a family photo taken. I'm talking, like, TEN. The last one was for our church directory when Lyndsey was a baby. I could kick myself for not making family photos a priority. It would have been nice to have at least one done every couple of years. Argh.

BUT...

For Mother's Day, the kids (and Rob) got me a digital camera and a "coupon" for a photography session. They knew I needed to have a headshot taken anyway to submit for the Genesis contest in which I am a finalist, so this gift couldn't have been more perfect. Although, I have to admit, it's pretty sad that it took a writing contest to prompt a family photo. SHAME on me!

Anyway, the pictures turned out great! And, to give credit where credit is due, we used Robin Kyburz, an independent professional photographer. She was awesome and I recommend her, wholeheartedly. She does weddings, senior pics, kids, you name it. And her prices are almost ridiculously inexpensive!

Oh...and if you ever use Robin for your photo needs, give her my name. I'd love the freebies she offers for referrals!

So in reviewing our photos, a few things were confirmed to me:

1. I really do need to lose 30 pounds.
2. My hair is a little too puffy
3. I LOVE black and white photos!
4. My kids could be models
5. My husband is a good looking guy!

Here are just a few of the TONS of photos she took. TELL me I don't have a gorgeous family.

Lyndsey's off to Camp!

Well, Lyndsey is away at church camp, which means the house is extra quiet this week. I know she's safe and having a blast and I admit I really do relish the silence but I have to say... I miss my baby! Her cute face, constant smile, and bubbly personality. Although, I have to add that a week without my two kids arguing every ten minutes is heavenly!

Zach has quickly reverted back to the "only child" mode he lived in for the first 3 1/2 years of his life. He is telling us all the things he should be able to do this week because, after all, Lyndsey got to go to camp! He believes he is entitled to a little spoiling, and I agree (but don't tell him). He's a good kid and it's been nice to have some one-on-one time with my son.

But...back to Lyndsey! I can't wait to hear all about her first-ever kids camp experience on the ride home this Friday. And I suspect every second of that ninety-minute car trip will be taken up by an hour-by-hour account of the entire week. LOL...But that's OK!

So here are some pictures of Lyndsey and her friend, Jordan, after we checked them in at camp on Monday.


In front of their cabin "Peace" ...Lyndsey & Jordan getting ready to make up their bunks....Lyndsey unpacking (that's Jordan's little brother, Josh,
standing by to help)



Lyndsey showing off her cool camp t-shirt... The last picture is of Lyndsey having a "don't-you-dare-take-my-picture moment"


Well, I'd better go enjoy the silence and get some work done while I can. Friday will be here before I know it. But I can't wait!