Block Party

Block Party 2009! Wow! Unbelievable! We had so many neighbors show up to this years block party! It was so exciting. What was most amazing was how God answered our prayers. The forecast for Friday night was not good...they were predicting 90% chance of rain...so I had the kids pray with us that it wouldn't rain from 5-9. Well the sprinkles started at 10:00! Amazing! What was really cool was to use this to show the kids God does answer prayer. Even the other day we were at the table and Isaac was telling about that time God answered our prayer..he remembered what happened at the block party! So cool!

To start the night we had a bike parade. We split the kiddos into 3 age groups. Here is the oldest group.

The middle group...

The youngins!

Here is the fire truck arriving!

Madi, Brittyn & Spencer won prizes for their decorated bikes!

Here is Ethan, Alex, & Adrianna winning for the youngest group.

Here is Delinda, Jacob & Emily winning in the oldest age bracket.

All the kids! Wow...there are a lot!

Elliot hanging on the tent.

The long food line...

The inflatable! Kids loved this!

Isaac won a prize for his sidewalk chalk drawing!

The girls

the boys...

Elliot & his "friend" :)

Overall it was a great time. We got a lot of businesses to donate some great giveaways and overall had over 40 prizes to hand out! Can't wait for next year!

Angies Birthday

Here we are all together celebrating Angie's Birthday...

Proud Papa with the boys!

Playing Syd's new game!

Other Fun Summer Stuff!

One Saturday the girls had a blast "babysitting!" Instead of playing "dolls", they loaded their cousins into the strollers and took care of them all afternoon. These babies were so content to just be pushed around all day. Too cute!

Cousins! Playing legos together!

The girls love playing house outside with their dolls so I helped them design a "kitchen" to use outside. Usually they set up a house somewhere in the yard and 5 mins later they are moving to a new location. I have no idea where they get that from! Just because we've moved so many times doesn't necessarily mean they think thats normal!

Snack in the pool - too cold for swimming...

Me & my boys

Visting the Great Grands!

So here we are visiting the Great Grandparents! Elliot had fun just snuggling with Grandma! When we went to leave Isaac gave Grandma the longest hug ever...he just didn't want to let go! Guess they were missed!

Lemonade Stand

So one of the things the kids wanted to do before summer was over was have a lemonade stand! So Madi had it all planned out where the signs would go (even wanted one out at K-zoo to bring in more traffic!). So we took an afternoon and made the signs and after dinner we headed out and prayed it didn't rain. The boys even set up their own table next to the girls to sell cookies! You can see the clouds looming in the background...but "somehow" they just skirted all around us! The kids had fun! Thanks to all the neighbors who bought!

GR kids blog

Okay...I have a blog I love to follow you need to know about. Its GR kids. Tonight they posted a great contest you all want to try to win. They are giving away 3 -4 pack tickets to the Circus! Check it out!

http://www.grkids.com/2/post/2009/09/can-it-be-true-i-have-12-tickets-to-the-circus-for-you.html

Be sure to comment for a chance to win!

Brotherly Love

Every morning when Isaac wakes up he comes down the stairs and gives Elliot a big hug! This all of a sudden just started. The two are usually up quite a bit earlier than Madi...so its fun to see them hang out. Elliot has finally figured out there is a TV in the living room! So Isaac helps him onto the couch...

Elliot watches more of Isaac than the TV! :)

Aren't they cute! I love how close they are becoming!!

A day at G's

One day Ang called us up and said...come on over! So of course the kiddos and I jumped at that! They love hanging out with their cousins...we don't do it enough!

Syd smiling so nice!

What ya doing Easton??? I had to laugh because Elliot does that to me all the time! Silly boys!

Rainbow

One night after a rain we got to see this wonderful site! I love rainbows! Always a great reminder of God's promise.

Hair-Do!

The girls decided to do their own hair!! Too cute!

Puppet Show

Grandma & Papa Peuler headed on over for a visit one Saturday...the kids thought it would be fun to have a puppet show. They giggled so much! It was fun to watch them be so creative. Of course Madi had to dress up her doll in an Illini shirt and then Isaac takes off to find his Michigan bear!!

Madi was the narrator...microphone and all!

The two older ones took off for a bit and Elliot found his opportunity to steal the mic!

Here they are being silly with Papa!

Train Ride

Coopersville had their Summer festival going on and we thought it would be fun to take the kids out for a train ride! Grandpa Clark loves trains so it was fitting to have them come along! The kids loved having them join! Too bad the weather wasn't very cooperative! It poured! So we just rode the train and headed to McDonalds for lunch!

Silly man Isaac!

Man on Two Wheels!

So Isaac decided he no longer wanted training wheels on his bike....so we took them off and away he went! He loved it!

Look at him go!

Here are some fun videos of him....watch out Elliot!

Sorry the video is so shaky! I love how he dismounts his bike at the end!

Splash Pad!

We headed out one Thursday to meet some friends at the Splash Pad...the kids loved it!! The week before we were there for the first time this summer and it was too cool to go in, so when we got there on this day the whole way up to the park Isaac preceeded to tell me everything there was to do at the Splash Pad. I think the week before he just watched so intently and took it all in!

Waiting....

Summer Fun!

We've enjoyed a pretty relaxing few months at home. Most every day I ask the kids what they want to do and usually the answer is go to the library or play with my friends! Couldn't be easier to please!

Most nights after dinner you can find Elliot on the neighbors porch. One of their sons, Carter, is a year younger than El. Elliot loves to go try and ring the bell to see if Carter can come out and play!

and if he doesn't answer....he just peeks in the window...pretty much every 10 mins or so until he comes out! Its so cute he has a buddy already!!

best buds!

Who couldn't love this face!

Here is Isaac all dressed up in Ethan's army gear!

The kids decided to fill up the cooler with water...it was their "Hot Tub!"

Madi's new thing is taking her shoes to bed with her...I guess you can never be too prepared! The girl does love her shoes!

This is the kids new favorite hangout. We cleared out the basement floor so they could set up toys without Elliot knocking them all down...

As you can tell....it's a good thing Elliot wasn't there to mess things up!

Rainbow Cake

Okay...I normally am not a baker...but I ran across this cake and it looked like so much fun! Thought I'd share with all you out there in case you were inspired to try a new cake recipe! Wouldn't that be cool for a party!



The Omnomicon has a fabulous step-by-step Rainbow Cake tutorial and the colorful pictures alone are positively drool-worthy! This recipe would be so much fun for a color party, a 60’s theme party, an art-lover’s birthday, or anytime you feel like brightening up the dessert table a bit.


Just thought I'd share! Doesn't it look yummy!