Dock Dogs

We spent the 4th of July weekend up north at Pettibone Lake fishing, kayaking, swimming, lighting/watching fireworks, eating, and just soaking up the sun. While there, we let the dogs cool off in the water and had fun trying to get some good action shots of them jumping off the dock after the water toy. We've seen the Big Air Dock Dogs at the Sport Fishing and RV Show at Devos Place in Grand Rapids. We really should enter Zoe (our Labradoodle) and Remy (Scott's English Springer Spaniel) in one of those and see how far they can go. Zoe gets good height but I think it would be hard to beat Remy's distance... For these shots, Scott was throwing the toy from shore and the dogs would run the full length of the dock and dive off. I was in the water at the end of the dock trying to time the camera just right. Very tricky...

Zoe at take-off...

Remy just before landing...

Trail Cam

I decided to set up my trail cam behind the trailer up north last week. After one week, there were 52 pictures on it. Over the course of three days, there were 32 more pictures. Come to find out, quite a few were shots of Nathan and Zach riding their quads (the camera is on a tree right next to their trail loop which they tend to zoom around many, many times). But there were also a number of shots of deer too. Here are a couple.... Click on a picture to see it enlarged. And the last shot is of a mysterious animal captured on the trail camera. It may be wild. But it seems to have noticed the camera.

Dance Camps

This past week was very busy for everyone. Allison had a 3-day dance camp. On top of that, cousin Breanna was staying with us for a few days and her and Allison went to another dance camp at Body Language Dance Company. There was a lot of practicing going on at night. Aside from the dancing, the girls made crafts, painted nails, and met some new friends. Here is a picture of the girls with thier nails painted and a video clip of their dance routine. Allison is in the bright blue shirt. Breanna is in the far corner in the light purple shirt. Sorry for the low-quality video but it's a big download...

Nathan's First Triathlon

Nathan has decided he's going to do the Rockford Michigan 4th Annual Kids Triathlon on Saturdy, July 12. He's been talking about it since winter and finally realized if he really wants to do it he'd better get a move on because there's not much time left to prepare. I've never done a triathlon but Uncle Scott and Aunt Val (Weiss) have done a few (which is where he probably got the idea) so we'll be hitting them up for some tips. The race will consist of a 50 yard swim, 2 mile bike ride, and 1 mile run. Nathan made out his training schedule last night on a calendar print out and began training with a 2.5 mile bike ride (completed in 12 minutes). Tonight was a .5 mile run (completed in 6 minutes) and a .5 mile bike ride (completed in 2 min 30 sec). Hopefully we can find someplace to swim tomorrow. It works out nice for the biking and running because one loop around our neighborhood is about .5 mile so it's easy for him to know how far he's going. I guess we'd better get his registration slip in soon!

John Ball Park Zoo

Aunts Meghan, Liesje, and Sarah are helping watch the kids this week since cousing Breanna is staying with us. On Monday, Liesje and Sarah took Nathan, Allison, Breanna, and Zachary to the John Ball Park Zoo. It was a beautiful day. Favorites were the bears and lions. There is a new Lion exhibit that just opened at the zoo.










Zachary, Allison, and Breanna at the bear cage>

Allison petting the animals>

Weekend "Up North"

Now that baseball, softball, and birthdays are done, we were able to make it up north this weekend to relax a little. We did a little quad riding and a lot of relaxing which made for a nice weekend. Nick Weiss made his own little set of lakes and channels on the beach and pretty soon all of the kids were helping add to it. But they all agreed that when their beach sand masterpiece is in the world record book for being the 'biggest ever built' they'd all agree they all took part in building it. Sad to say, a rep from Guinness World Records never showed up. Maybe next time... To the right is a picture of Nick filling some big shoes.

Below is a picature of Breanna, Zachary, and Allison (L to R) searching for lost treasure at the sand bar. Legend has it someone lost a bunch of their treasure in this area of Pettibone Lake long ago. And it seems like every time we visit that spot the kids find coins on the lake bottom.

Boat ride with Papa Bob...

Wrapping up swimming lessons

Nathan and Allison have been taking swimming lessons at Grandville Middle School for the past three or four years. We've always liked the way they make the kids do a little more than they're comfortable doing. It really shows in the way they can swim. The class has lasted for the past two weeks and will finish up tomorrow. They're both learning a few different swimming strokes (freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, and some "chicken, bird, soldier" thing that looks like it's more for treading water). They've also been jumping off the diving board and diving off the side of the pool. Nathan got to dive off the diving board on Wednesday. I'm going to skip out of work for a little while tomorrow to go watch their last class. Hopefully they'll get to do some more diving tomorrow. Here are a couple shots of them in class...

Happy Birthday Heidi

Today, June 10th, is Heidi's 35th birthday. For the one who's always planning everything out and making sure things go off without a hitch, this is her special day. We went to Texas Roadhouse for a quick dinner before heading to Allison's final tee-ball game. Unfortunately, she wouldn't let us tell the waitress it was her birthday to get a Texas "Hee Haw!" from everyone in the joint. We got her a nice beach chair and sound dock for her iPod. And, of course, I had to make her a birthday Cork 'N Cleaver mud pie instead of a birthday cake. She's been a fan of those ever since college when I'd bring them home after working at the restaurant.

Happy Birthday Heidi!

Festival 2008

For the past few years, we've made a point of attending the Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts (or as most people say: Festival). It's basically three days of performances (music, storytelling, dance, etc.), art, ethnic food, and LOTS of people in downtown Grand Rapids. They close down a few streets downtown and setup about 8 different stages all over the city and have various performances going non-stop. They also have various activities available. The kids got to paint and make artsy hats in the "no parent zone". We also saw performances by Body Language Dance Company (the dance school Allison attends) and Left Hand Daisy (a band the kids liked when we saw them last year) until the lightning started. We wanted to see Brian VanderArk of Verve Pipe but Festival closed about a half-hour before he was to perform due to severe thunderstorms. Literally, that has happened each of the last three years when we've gone down there. Maybe we're bad luck :-) At least we got to eat some good food first...

Cousin Breanna was staying with us this weekend and joined us at Festival. She really liked the painting area. She even stayed in there longer than Allison (which is saying something!)

Schooooooools Out... (For... Summer)!

Today was the last day of school for the kids. This week has been full of field trips, parties, and fun times at school (aka very little work). Wednesday was the "Bauerwood Bash" at Bauerwood Elementary School. The whole day was full of games like a dunk tank, relay races, tug-o-war, water balloon war, abstacle course, etc. The weather wasn't the greatest but the festivities went on as scheduled. And the kids got to have their Bauerwood Bash T-shirts signed by their friends (it's tradition).

The highlight of the last day of school (besides the final bell) was when the kids got to find out who their teacher would be for next year. Allison will be in Mr. Barbachyn's 1st grade class. That's who she was hoping for. Nathan had him for first grade and that's been is favorite teacher so far. Nathan will be in Mrs. VanDerHulst's 4th grade class. He's also excited for next year.

Here are a few pictures from the Bauerwood Bash...

<-- Allison in the water balloon fight <-- Zoie, Allison, Abbi, and Morgan T. <-- Nathan at the dunk tank <-- Jarrod, Brandon, Nathan, Jake, and Austin goofing around

Princess Party at Paint-A-Pot

Today was Allison's "friend" birthday party (and thankfully, the last of the birthday party barrage for this year). She invited some of her friends and cousins to Paint-A-Pot in Holland to dress up in princess dresses, paint some pottery, and eat some cake and ice cream. Our old neighbors Hanna & Maddie were there. So were Marissa and Kaylynne from school. Cousins Breanna, Reygan, Zachary, and Nick came. And of course Nathan would never miss a good princess party!

The room was a bit warm and cramped but the kids didn't seem to mind. I can't divulge what the kids painted (there may be some secret gifts in there!). But most of the paint got on the pottery. They also got to create their own tiaras (crowns) with jewels. For some reason, Nick didn't want any pink jewels on his crown... he's so fashion conscious...he he he. Thanks to all who were able to make it! Happy Birthday once again Ally!

Hockey at Wrigley?!

I'm THERE! Let's see... chocolate and peanut butter, bacon and eggs, beer and peanuts all go together... but hockey and Wrigley? That sounds cool enough for me to be interested in tickets. I remember seeing the NHL Winter Classic last winter in Buffalo between the Sabres and Penguins. It looked cold but the atmosphere looked cool. Well, I just saw on Yahoo today that rumors are flying about having next year's outdoor game at Wrigley Field or Soldier Field between the Blackhawks and Red Wings.

But before that, we'll worry about winning the cup THIS YEAR. GO WINGS!

May Birthdays for the Weiss & McDaid kids

Continuing on with our theme of non-stop birthday parties for the whole month of May, we celebrated, Nathan, William, and Allison's birthdays up north on 5/24. There was plenty of food, drink, dirt, fishing, kayaking, and one pinata. Bob & Pam were nice enough to let everyone stop down and enjoy the lake. And while Zoe evidently flipped Sam off the dock and into the water, nobody got hurt during the whole party. But Nathan, Zach, Noah, and Will did get awfully dirty riding quads through the woods. (click to enlarge pics)

<-- Noisy Party
Nathan & Noah kayaking on Pettibone Lake -->
<-- Weiss kids going fishing with Papa on the S.S. Bouwens.
Turtle hunting -->
<-- Zach getting psyched up to break the pinata

Happy 6th Birthday Allison!

Allison Marie McDaid was born at 6:46pm on May 24, 2002. Now she's six (going on sixteen...yikes!). Allisons birthday happened to fall on a Saturday when we would be celebrating her birthday (along with Nathan's and William's) up north. Since we weren't going to be home on her actual birthday, she got to open her gift from Mom & Dad on Friday night. She got a purple mountain bike with fancy flower stickers all over it. But we do need to work on the hand brakes or she's going to be wearing out a few pairs of shoes trying to stop with her feet!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!!

Allison on the morning of her birthday... time to open presents!

Lord Stanley's Finals - Go WINGS!

Nathan was excited that the Red Wings decided to dispose of the Dallas Stars and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals on his birthday (5/19). He thought that was pretty special and expects the Wings to hoist the cup by beating "Sid the Kid" and the rest of the Penguins. The funny thing is Nathan has a life-size growth chart of Sidney Crosby on his closet door (with a picture of him when he played for Tim Horton's like Nathan). Unfortunately, the first two games are on Versus which we don't get anymore with Dish Network. So we may have to make a late night of it and visit a local sports bar to watch the games. I wonder if Nathan could pass for 21....

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY NATHAN!!!

Nathan James McDaid was born at 9:43pm on May 19, 1999. Wow, time sure does fly! Nathan woke up early this morning and was able to "open" his gift from Mom & Dad before school. He got a cool new mountain bike. "Giddy" doesn't begin to describe his mood today... Tonight, we'll be going out for birthday dinner... Nate's choice.

Enjoy your special day little buddy!


Nathan playing with one of his presents from Grandma & Grandpa Anderson - Speed Stacks. He's pretty fast but not this fast.

Nathan's "Up North" Birthday Party

Nathan invited a few of his friends up north on Saturday/Sunday for his birthday. There weren't any real grand plans but the kids always seem to have fun up there. We had a Water War, a Treasure Hunt, campfire (with s'mores of course), built a fort in the woods, smashed a pinata, took a stroll through the woods in the dark (only a couple of the kids were brave enough), and came home very tired. The kids all seemed to have fun. I'm beat but it was worth it. Here are a few pictures...

Water War Red Team (Allison, Nathan, Jonas, & Zach)

Getting ready for S'mores!

Finding clues on the treasure hunt...

Found the treasure (Pop-Its and Whoopie Cushions...what a loud night)!

Play Ball!

This is Allison's first year playing softball (tee-ball). She is having a lot of fun and is doing pretty well. We just learned they're going to take the tee away and do coach pitch for the next game. If they don't hit it then they'll let them hit off the tee. Ally shouldn't have any problem hitting pitches. We've been practicing in the yard lately and she's got quite the power swing and a strong arm for a little girl! Here are a few photos from a recent game...

Let the parties begin!

May is the month of non-stop birthday parties it seems. Grandma & Grandpa Anderson came over tonight to celebrate Breanna (7th), Nathan (9th), and Allison's (6th) birthdays. Birthdays: Breanna - 5/18, Nathan - 5/19, Allison - 5/24. Grandma made little cakes for each of the kids and they all got to open their presents. Everyone seemed very happy but singing happy birthday was tricky to fit in all three names.

Showing off presents...

Allison's Dance Recital

On Friday May 2nd, Allison performed in her third dance recital in as many years in front of a couple hundred people at Zeeland High School. This year, her group did a tap dance to the song Jeepers Creepers (...where'd you get those peepers...). It's fun to watch the girls improve each year. They did a great job and all seemed to know the routine without watching each other. Allison also received an award for perfect attendance and will be getting a trophy (as long as she doesn't miss one of the last classes this month). Great job Al!

Allison posing and tapping before the show -->

<-- Allison and Nathan after the show