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!