Summer round-up

We have had a really nice summer, busy with camps, swimming and getting ready for the baby. The hot weather has given us lots of opportunity to be outside and enjoy Michigan lakes and parks. We only have two weeks left before school starts back up so I thought I would post a few things about what we have been up to.

Nicole participated in a volleyball camp put on by one of the local high school volleyball teams. She LOVED it. She really had a lot of fun and was really catching on by the end of the camp. She didn't mind being the youngest at the camp. And she seemed to really bond with the older high school girls.

One of our summer traditions is to have a lemonade stand. The girls made the sign, the lemonade and even made up flyers this year to hand out in the neighborhood. I love seeing the progress made each year with this little project. I am still keeping the signs from year to year and love to see how they have grown. This year, Nicole's friend Marley was a helper.

The profits were low this year, much to Morgan's dismay, but the fun factor was BIG!

Morgan participated in a Lego Jr. engineering camp and loved it. She was the only girl in the class, but came home everyday so excited to tell me about levers, pulleys, wheels, axles and many more terms I had to look up! She now is asking for many Lego sets for her birthday.

Rachel attended a preschool type camp centered around Alvin and the Chipmunks. She really enjoyed this camp. When I would take her in the morning she would run way ahead of me go into the classroom and not even look back. Pretty sure if she could have transported herself to camp she would not have needed me. Even the teacher commented on how independent she was.

Another summer tradition was started this summer. Nicole and Morgan attended the summer church camp I did when I was younger, for the first time, Wolverine Christian Service Camp in Lapeer.

There was some apprehension on Nicole's part before we arrived at the camp. Just some uncertainty about what the schedule would be and what to expect. But after the first few minutes of meeting girls her age and getting her bunk situated, she seemed fine. Morgan seemed unphased by the thought of being away from mom and dad for four days.


The girls loved all of the fun activities; campfire, swimming, family time, tug of war, slime and mud fights. When I was looking at this schedule I knew they would be exhausted by the time they got home.

We said our goodbyes and left the girls in line for dinner on Sunday night. We returned to pick them up on Wednesday at 7pm. When we returned to pick them up they seemed totally comfortable with being there and had lots of friends for us to meet and stories to share. Just how I remember camp. Lots of fun and lots of new friendships formed. I was really relieved to see that they had enjoyed their time.



It was great to be back at the camp. There isn't much that has changed, except for the pool and some additions to the buildings. I could see myself in every building and thought about all of the memories I had built there.



I was so proud of the girls for stepping out and going to the camp without really knowing anyone but each other. They were very brave and want to go again next year. I was especially proud of Nicole for getting the award for "CAMPER OF THE WEEK, the most Christian attitude". Nicole was very humble about this great award and we had to find this out from the faculty at the camp. Way to go Nicole!

Thanks Summer 2010, it's been great. Now onto school and the new family addition.

July 24, 2010

I have always said that I enjoyed my brother Chris' wedding almost as much as my own, so I was really looking forward to Ken and Christina's wedding. And I can say that I had a wonderful, emotional and fun time. All of the plans they had made seemed to just all fall into place to make their wedding "weekend" so special. Hey and I am only the sister/sis in law, so I know they must have made cherished memories last weekend.

I have already posted most of my pictures on Facebook, but wanted to post a few more random shots. Beware they are not in any order, but still some of my favorites. But with that being said, I still can't choose the absolute fav yet.



The Creative Arts Center in Pontiac where the ceremony was, had a small, old chapel feel to it with lots of great structure. Nicole was such a beauty that day, looking much older than her mama wants to admit.

Rehearsal night. Christina and dad Rich. He added a very touching statement during the actual ceremony. When Mike asked dad "who gives this bride away?", He replied, "A very proud mother and I".

My brothers plus a new sister.

Christina's family is Polish, and there is a polish tradition that the bride and groom walk to the reception. So, with everyone else gone over to the Crofoot, Ken and Christina decided to walk to the reception and the girls were allowed to tag along. So what did crazy Kelly do, drive along side in a Christina's car and take pictures out the window! Yes, I know very safe and smart and at one point I got yelled by my brother Ken. But all worth it for the shots!


This one was taken just before we lined up to go down the isle. I was getting emotional and she was getting upset with me for getting her emotional when she seemed fairly calm. Great memories! Very honored to be a part of that.


The girls walked down the isle with my nephews Jake and Drew. Nicole walked down with Christina's cousin Ethan. They were very cooperative and oh so cute!


I know I may be a little partial here, but isn't she just the picture of beauty? I loved how she picked such simple lines and classic beautiful pieces. Man, my brother is one lucky guy.



Getting our hair done on Saturday was fun. Doreen did a fabulous job on everyone. Morgan and Rae chose to have the heart design, while Nicole wanted something a little bit more grown-up and told Doreen to "surprise her"!


My mom wanted to "cater" the rehearsal dinner on her own, but knew she needed some help. And my wonderful friends were there to help out. Now this was a BIG job and took a lot of work. I am so thankful they were up for it. It really helped our family out BIG TIME. Don't they look soooo cute?


At the rehearsal dinner, Ken and Christina handed out gifts to the wedding party. But before the little ones were able to get their gifts, they made them turn around and not peek, then proceeded to spray them all with silly string. Very appropriate for this group.

My Uncle Steven, my mom's brother, and family having fun at the rehearsal dinner.


More rehearsal fun. The bridal party and musicians were up on the balcony looking down on the ceremony the whole time. The music at this wedding was phenomenal. Christina and Ken's friends are oh so talented. I loved listening to all of the well thought out selections.



Here's to a long, happy, joy filled marriage Ken and Christina. May your marriage be as wonderful as your wedding!

July 4th Fun

We had a really nice relaxing 4th of July this year. It was nice to be spontaneous and make plans as the day went on. We went to visit Ken and Christina at their new place in Royal Oak. They were moving in that night and it was fun to see the new apartment and walk for ice cream to downtown Royal Oak.

We tested out our sparklers before leaving, just in case we didn't make it home in time for the fireworks show.





Our subdivision always has a great display of big and little fireworks that we can watch from our deck. It was nice to let the girls play outside late at night and watch all of the great celebrations.