Where has the summer gone?

Wow, the last half of the summer has zoomed by and now I find myself at home with less children and reflecting on all the fun we had. Since I haven't posted in a while this will have to be a summary for everyone.

Joshua turned 9 and wow did he have a good birthday! he had friends over to play football, got some new legos to build things, and then got to go to a preseason football game!!

Allison played T-Ball it her in the pink shorts on first base all ready for action!

Jonathan and Julianne won 1st place in the kids division in the 4th of July parage in Pella!

We had to take a family picture for Mark's 20th class reunion and Mark and I got to spend a night away in Des Moines for this reunion. It was a good time for everyone the kids had fun at grandparents and we had some adult conversation and good times.

Then we got to celebrate Mark's dad's 80th birthday with the whole Van Gorp family being home for a weekend I will have pictures later of this. It was all 39 of us and loads of fun, laughing and a big water fight! Thanks Gary!

Then it was St. Louis here we come our family vacation for the summer. We packed the kids and took off. We were busy on vacation but everyone had a good time.

Here are the kids in the car.

We went to the arch, Union Station, Zoo, Grant's Farm and Joshua & Daddy did the football game, while the rest went shopping! All in all it was loads of fun.

Then we came home and ended our summer with a few last summer splash's and then it was back to school.


The First Day of School and they are so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God has truly blessed us this summer with me being able to spend the time with the kids, the whole family being able to be together alot. It has been great and full of memories. Now to the new chapter of preschool, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and mommy being home a few mornings with only 1... This is the day that he has made let us rejoice in it and be glad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!