Dr. Jack and Miss Lois...

The Gumbert family befriended Michelle while Chad was deployed to Iraq. Dr. Jack and Miss Lois are a retired couple at our church and each summer we get the opportunity to spend a day with them at their cabin on Coldwater Lake in Michigan.

With our schedule this summer it took us a little longer to get up there but the day was still alot of fun and the weather even cooperated.

The day of fun always includes searching the shoreline for fish, turtles and other critters the boys might find... We also always enjoy a Pontoon ride around the lake after lunch...

This year our Pontoon ride included a visit from a family of Swans. The boys were feeding them and they even came and ate right out of our hands...

Of course by the end of the day everyone is just a little tired...

But we always have a lot of fun and friendship with the Gumberts!

The Boys first Rock Concert...

After arriving home from our trip to Wisconsin, we heard that the Apologetix were going to be offering a free concert in town, so we loaded up the kids and some snacks and headed out for a night on the town...

This was the first concert the boys have ever been too and for the first part of the concert they sat like little angels on a church pew... They were fascinated by the lights and music.

By the end of the night they were off their seats and dancing to the beat...For those of you unfamiliar with the Apologetix, they are a Christian Parody band (Wierd Al style with a Christian twist). They have some great CDs with lots of good popular music with a positive message!

A visit with Grandma and Grandpa Potts...

Grandma and Grandpa Potts' home is full of fun in the sun for all of us when we visit...
Highlights of a trip to Wild Rose include...
The backyard swing set a relic from Chad's childhood! Grandpa keeps it painted and rust free for hours of Potts boy enjoyment.
Other outdoor activities like horseshoes, walks to the creek, biking and gardening...



Indoor activities like games with Grandma, toys, and helping out in the kitchen...
No Dishwasher gives the boys a chance to help clean up after meals... I remember when this was a part of my daily life!
We always have a good time just hanging out and enjoying the company of family!

A day at the lake...

Our trip to Grandma and Grandpa Potts' included a day of splashing in the lake and fishing. It wasn't terribly warm, but we made the best of it and had a great time.

There were fishing lessons from Daddy...

Searches for shells in the water...
A little bit of warming up between trips in the lake...
Boat rides with Grandma and Grandpa...

And we even caught a couple of fish...

A night at the races...

Much excitement occurred when the boys found out that part of our trip to Grandma and Grandpa Potts' home would include a night at the races. As a bonus it happened to be kids night and all the boys got to ride in a race car a couple of times around the track!
Zeke and Noah settled in and ready to ride!

JJ and Seth taking off!
What a blast!

Door Country Trip...

Thanks to Chad's parents, Chad and I were able to celebrate his return from training with a few days of R&R in Door County. The boys stayed by Grandma and Grandpa Potts while Chad and I enjoyed beautiful Door County.

We brought our bikes along and enjoyed a couple of trails...

Ate at some great restaurants!
Tore up a couple of golf courses...


And took a lighthouse tour... Our trip was full of rest, fun and laughter as we reconnected after a long summer apart!

Chuck E. Cheese

A highlight of our Birthday celebrations is always a trip to Chuck E. Cheese... Seth picked this family favorite again...
At the end of our trip our boys pool all of their tickets together and pick out prizes for the Birthday boy! A little added birthday present!

Happy Birthday Seth!

We decided to save the Seth's Birthday Dinner and Chuck E. Cheese trip for after Daddy's return from his summer training. Seth celebrated with his choice of "seedbugars" (Seth's way of saying Cheeseburger) and watermelon. Our neighbor, Max, from across the street joined us for dinner.
As is part of our family tradition we lit his Birthday candle and thanked God for giving Seth the light of Christ at his baptism.

Seth wanted a smiley face Birthday cake... Instead of making one we bought one this time.
And of course there were presents... Including some Mr. Potato Heads and a new tractor for the sandbox!
Happy 4th Birthday Sethy! We love you very much!

Dad's HOME!

After 47 days of training, Chad is flying home! While we are very thankful for the added income that the Air Force provides for us through Chad's training each summer and we continue to pray and seek God's guidance for our future involvement in the military and what that will look like; the time apart is always difficult on all of us. Mom and the boys miss dad greatly. He also misses out on the fun of summer like Baseball games, splash parks, Bike rides, and Grandma camp.

Tonight he is flying home and we will have 3 weeks to enjoy before it is time for Chad to hit the books again. Praise the Lord for giving us a safe summer and for returning Chad safely to our family!

Grandma Camp 2009 Part 1

Each year during the week of Vacation Bible School at Grandma and Grandpa Breeden's church we gather all the grand-kids together for a week. This year the week took place from August 3-7. This is a great time for all the kids, moms, Grandma and Grandpa.

Each morning starts with breakfast and then we are off to VBS. This year the theme for Vacation Bible School was Crocodile Dock.
The kids start each day with an opening with lots of singing before moving on to the crafts, lessons, games and snacks.

On Sunday morning the kids come back to church to share their music and lead the congregation in singing during the service.

Grandma Camp 2009 Part 2

The fun doesn't end at Vacation Bible School though. Following VBS we typically head out to a playground for a picnic lunch.

Grandma Camp 2009 Part 3

Late afternoon (after everyone has had a little rest time) we pull out the swimming pool, slip 'n' slide, and sprinklers for the kids to play in.