Theater District

I love living in the 'theater district' as a neighbor calls our little block of houses - or at least the neighbors that get together on a semi regular basis and talk to each other.

Anyways, Connie, the theater owner, called me today to tell me there was popcorn! There was a special event going on (a family was watching old home movies) and there was extra popcorn. So, I headed over and helped myself to a few tubs of popcorn and we took it over to Dahlen's for a little afternoon snack. (Gerrit had been over there most of the day. He went on a Burley ride with Anne, Luke, and Maddie and then played with Paul and watched the X Games.)

A little perk to living in a small town and knowing the theater owners!

Oma and Opa Time

I was able to get away from the kids a little bit. I went to Holland with a friend for a morning and then out with friends and my sister one evening.

While I was gone, Gerrit actually took a nap that didn't require a car ride, Emmit enjoyed eating Gerrit's alligator (and anything he could get his mouth on) as well as taking many naps in Oma's arms, showed how well he can sit up, and chilled with Opa at the water park.

{I actually took the picture of Opa and Emmit for our friends who call Emmit 'little Al' because they look so much a like!}

Of course the boys were perfect angels for them!

Cousins Time

We had dinner with the cousin's one night and spent a day with them too. Following pizza, the kids played football and Limbo in the back yard.

The day was spent at the pool/sand area in town.

Gerrit loves playing with Mia and playing with Max's toys. Emmit spends his time with Ella and Max if he can get his hands on him and away from Ella.

We sure wish we could live closer and hang out more with them!

The WaterPark

Emmit enjoyed his float for a while, as usual. Gerrit even ventured over to the splash area (he didn't 2 weeks ago). He enjoyed playing with Oma too - he was a bit diappointed when Oma wouldn't go down the slide with him! She told him she didn't know how and he quit asking.

Plane Ride

I was a bit nervous flying with the boys by myself but had little to worry about - everything went smoothly. Gerrit loved sitting in the big seat without his car seat (I couldn't carry that too!) As soon as he sat down, he grabbed the instruction book and started looking at the pictures. He quickly learned how the seatbelt worked and enjoyed the views. All the games and new toys I packed were not used much at all!

Emmit didn't mind the flight either. He didn't like his car seat - as you can see he's trying to get out of it! Luckily I just held him on my lap and he took a nap.

Favorites This Trip

Here are a few of Gerrit's favorite things to play with on this last trip to MI:

He loves the boats (which were Max's - over 10 yrs old toys!) and taking Woody and Buzz for boat rides kept him busy for hours - they sometimes went skiing too, riding Max's old bike (Mia let him borrow it for the week) - minus a helmet - he went slow!, swimmies and the alligator at the pool (needed some sort of floatation device on in the kiddie pool), Uncle Jeff's old toe truck (that's at least 40 yrs old!) and the wonderful knight helmet he found in Uncle Jeff's garage that he was able to keep. (Uncle Jeff spent the whole time we were together telling Gerrit that he should wear that helmet on the airplane - it would keep him safe! He was just trying to get me annoyed and look silly with a kid and a knight helmet on the plane. We actually forgot it in MI - not on purpose. So we will wait till this fall when Oma/Opa can bring it.)

Sunday Service

Ya, I've been on vacation again. I flew back to MI with the boys so I could help throw a bridal shower for my sister, see a few friends including one that lives on the East coast and one on the West coast. Needless to say, flying with 2 boys isn't quite a vacation (Adam had the better deal!). Anyways, I enjoyed Sunday's service for a few reasons...1) the guest minister was great, 2) Emmit hung out with Auntie Marion (friend of ours) and took a nap on her lap, and 3) Gerrit was entertaining himself with Oma:

I think Woody and Bullseye make great earings!