Grand Haven & Lake Michigan

Grand Haven Lighthouse

For some reason this summer we just haven't been able to find time or the right day (when it isn't raining) to spend some time out at Lake Michigan. Well with just one week before Labor Day, the unofficial end to summer, we were able to squeeze in a short visit to Grand Haven. After dining at the Kirby Grill (thegilmorecollection.com) we strolled along the boardwalk as the sun was setting. The girls love climbing on the large rocks and playing in the sand. After playing for a bit we headed back to the grandstand area to watch the musical fountains.

Fun at the Park

Just a few blocks down the road from our house is Zinser Elementary School. Several times a week during the summer I take the girls over to the school to enjoy some time playing on the playground equipment. Rian (a.k.a. "Monkey") enjoys hanging from any bar she can reach and swinging her feet. Kami really likes to hang upside down! Both girls love to slide and enjoy playing together.

Picnic Party

More summer fun! After a great church softball tourney on Saturday (Gary's team won their division) our family enjoyed spending time with the Knoll family. The kids swam in the kiddy pool, ran through the mister and just overall played hard. Below are some cute pics of the kiddos enjoying some sweet ice cream cake cones which they decorated themselves. Only the group shot shows my little girls - the other pics are of our friends including some "enhancements" added by yours truly (picnik.com).

Summer Smoothies

Finding ways to get my little girl (Rian) to eat healthy fruits and veggies has been a struggle. So far the only two veggies she will eat is corn and tomatoes (aren't tomatoes actually a fruit...I'm considering them a vegetable so there are two on her list of "will eat"). The closest she will come to eating beans is picking the little bean "seed" out of the actual bean and eating that. As for broccoli and carrots she will put it on her tongue for a quick "taste" but then just as quickly she throws it back on her plate. So what is a mommy to do? I hide them! The latest mode of hiding has taken the form of a fruit smoothie (or chocolate if I am in need of some serious cocoa). I found a great site with some great recipes I thought I'd share for those looking to make a smoothie. Check out smoothieweb.com for a variety of recipes. Our two favorites are the Berry, Berry Good Smoothie and the Power Protein Smoothie (actually it is a peanut butter, banana, chocolate smoothie - I love the name, it sounds so healthy!).

Friends

A visit with great friends is what summer is all about! The girls enjoyed playing with Reese, Lauryn and Kate in the kiddy pool and running through the "water mister" to keep cool on a hot summer afternoon. Sorry no pics from the pool (I forgot to bring out the camera!)

Guess who is finally 4!

After being three and three quarters for what seemed like an eternity, Kami has turned 4! Here are some pictures from her parties (one on her birthday and another a few days later). The little ballerina (outfit from Grandma) has enjoyed her ribbon wand, bubble blower and jump rope (Papa & Nana). However play clothes and close toed shoes are the only thing allowed when she rides her new Two Wheel Bike!

Here is party #1 (Evans, Koetsier & O'Brien families attended)

Party #2 (O'Brien family w/ aunts & uncle)

For those wondering, we now have our very own water park in the front yard thanks to C & C. The kid mister is great for those hot days when you need to cool off. Kami will also be enrolled in a youngsters ballet class this fall compliments of Aunt Mari. The light-up alarm clock and big girl jewelry (necklaces & rings) from Papa and Maima were also a BIG hit! Thanks to all!

Cupcake? Cupcake!

Here is the recipe for the yummy cupcakes Dianne (Mom) made while our southern relatives were visiting. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1st bowl

1 - 8oz pkg cream cheese

1 egg

1/3 c. sugar

1/8 tsp salt

6 oz. chocolate chips

Stir together first 4 ingredients then fold in the chocolate chips.

2nd bowl

Mix together the following ingredients

1 1/2 c. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 c. cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1 c. sugar

Next add:

1/3 c. cooking oil

1 c. water

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp vinegar

Beat until combined.

Grease or line with cupcake wrappers a cupcake baking sheet and fill each cup 1/2 full of BOWL 2 ingredients. Top each filled cup with a heaping tsp. of BOWL 1 cream cheese mixture. Bake 30-35 minutes. Yields 2 dozen.

local coupons from Meijer

I do most of my grocery shopping at Meijer and I'm always looking for coupons to help reduce the amount I spend. Check this website out for some great coupons for Meijer - http://www3.meijer.com/mealbox/mealbox.html. The site also has some great recipes!
Enjoy!

more fun with photos!

I'm totally obsessed with finding FREE online photo-manipulating programs! Check out this site for my latest find - photojojo.com. Here are a few pics I used to try out the site.

The "newspaper" style photo is one I grabbed from Heather's facebook pics (thanks Heady)

The "TV" pic above shows Kami & Emma kayaking in Fremont. I thought they looked great as the prime time summer fun spot on the local news! :)

What are you waiting for - try out this site and maybe just maybe you can get an early start on your Christmas cards for this holiday season!

DIY digital picture enhancements

OK no more excuses - I've really been trying to take more pictures - or at least drag the camera around with me so I don't have an excuse not to take pictures. I love editing the pictures, zooming in, cropping, changing the color or even adding fonts. I've been using the standard software from our Kodak camera which is OK but has its limitations. However, recently while reading one of my favorite blogs homemadebyjill.blogspot.com Jill introduced a photo editing software site that is FREE. I gave the site a try and immediately fell in love with the many editing options available. There are additional tools which the user can purchase but the free stuff was all I need at this point with my rookie photo skills. The site is http://www.picnik.com/. I hope you enjoy using this as much as I do. Here are a few pics I took and "edited" using picnik.com. (before & after)

Before After (using picnik.com)

Before After....OK I think you all get the point!

Now about those excuses....has anyone seen my spare set of rechargeable batteries. Last seen 4/16 during a visit with Cara & Chester - I think they are in a toy...back to looking!