40 years...

My parents celebrated their 40th Anniversary in October. We *their children and grandchildren* had a party for them in November when my brother and his family were down from the U.P.
Our other gift to them was a family photo shoot...because it has been a LONG time since we had gotten a really nice family photo.
Here are some of our favorites!!

It's been a L...O...N...G time !!

I have really been a bit of a blog neglector for the last few months. Not reall by choice...more by necessity...or rather more by...the computer was struck by lightning, rendering it absolutely un-usable.

A lot has happened in the 4+ months that we were without daily internet access. I will try to catch you up with a lovely bullet point run down...

• June 19, Storms hit, lightning takes out VanKoevering family computer...many basements are flooded around West Michigan, and complete roads are washed away.
• July 3rd, the VanKoevering family heads up North to the VanKoevering cottage for the holiday weekend...lots of swimming, fishing, kayaking and smore making!
• July 6-10, Shannon has a whole week off of work...and spent time at the Nienhuis cabin, and with Tami and the kids out a Sandy Pines...and just relaxing =]
• August 6, we spent a wonderfully fun day at Michigans Adventure with the whole Nienhuis family * minus Cam who couldn't get off of work =[ *
• August 7-9, we spent the weekend up at the cottage with our friends the Woodards and Katsmas...deep fried turkey...card games...swimming...boating...fishing...and LOTS of laughter.
• August 19th...Shannon's birthday...she turned 30 something...and her husband brought her the most beautiful bouquet of flowers...so loved she is =]
• Labor Day weekend was spent up north at the cabin...very quiet, very relaxing
• September 8th...the girls go back to school...Tate into 8th grade, Quinn into 6th grade and Haidyn into 3rd grade.
• September 16th...Cam and Shannon have been married for 14 years =]
• October 1-4...Shannon and her mom travel to Washington to visit family and sight see...great time!
• November 7...annual VanKoevering girls photo shoot.

So...there I think that about sums up the goings on since my absence began. I have NO idea if any of my hand full of "loyal" readers still check in here, or if they have given up on me completely.

Next up...Christmas greatings from our house to yours...stay tuned...we may just get a little crazy and creative this year??

Washington ~ October 2008

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

the U in JesUs...

Before U were thought of or time had begun, God stuck U in the name of His Son. And each time U pray, you'll see it's true, you can't spell out JesUs and not include U. You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U He was born; that's why He came. And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified. Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan? The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, and this word resUrrection is spelled with a U. When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention. "Go into the world and tell them it's true that I love them all - Just like I love U."

a night out + a New Kids on the Block concert =

AN ABSOLUTE RIOT... that's what :)

When I won tickets to the NKOTB concert...I could never have imagined how much fun it would be...or how much I was needing a good girls night out.

The people watching was a blast...fishnets and high heels...more cleavage than I care to have to see...butts that become billboards...(Tami I know you are laughing)...all in all it was a bunch of 30 something women...acting like we were teenagers again...and LOVIN it!

*and when you add Donnie Wahlberg...and his very super delicious rear view...well...how can you not have fun...SERIOUSLY!!

My children think I am a major loser for thinking these guys were/are "cool"...they can't believe that I was SO very in love with them...(especially Donnie) 20 years ago.

just because...

just because it may just be one of the most beautiful places God ever created...

and then when I see a picture like this I think...wow...He made it even more beautiful today!

I just had to share!

the economy in the eyes of a 7 year old...

Our family...I'm sure like most families in the country...is trying very hard to watch our nickles and dimes.

We are firm believers that our children should not be shielded from the fact that times are tough. We are very upfront with them when they want to do or get something...most of the time they end up paying for the majority of whatever the thing or activity is. We are firm believers that even at 7, 11 and 13...you are more than capable of working to earn money for the things you want to do. We were not handed everything on a silver platter...and our children are never going to be "those" children. (don't act like you don't know a few).

So...the other night Haidyn was hungry...and I was going through all of the options of what I could make for dinner. She of course said no to everyone...and said "can't we just go out for dinner?" I told her that we really don't have money for going out, especially when I have plenty of food in the house. I told her that she would need to pick one of the choices I had given her.

So, Cam and I are sitting on the couch waiting to hear her response...and she says "are we in a scarcity of money?"

why yes...that is a very good way to put it.

another in a long line of "where does she come up with this stuff"