Tri Ponds, Busy Weekend, and the Dinnertime Narcoleptic

"Nostalgia" would be a great way to sum up the visit we had to Tri Ponds campground a week and a half ago. Eric's brother's family was camping there for the weekend and invited us out for Saturday night dinner. I couldn't have been more excited. After spending so many of my childhood years at this campground, it had been about 15 years since I had been there last and I was geeked to return to the place where so many good memories were made. A lot had changed since we were "regulars" at the campground (new pool, campground expansion, renovated craft hall, additional playground equipment, paved roads), but oh so much is still the same old Tri Ponds. The kids played on the playground, we went for a hayride, made a visit to the store (Luke won the fishing contest so he got a free ice cream! He was the only entry, but he didn't know that :)), and sat around the campfire. I am hopeful for the possibility that we some day will own a camper and will be able to make the same great memories I was able to make growing up. Thanks Steve, Joy, Tim, Luke, and Aaron for letting us share in your fun!

Tim, Aaron, Luke, and Grant (clockwise from left)
Getting ready to go on the hayride (which was a little more wild than I remember it being :)).
Family pic by the playground. Doesn't Grant look just thrilled?

This past weekend I went shopping in Michigan City with my mom, sister, aunts, grandma, and cousins. I always LOVE doing this, as it's so great spending some time with family. I also stand in awe of the fact that my Grandma is closing in on 81 years old and doesn't even run out of gas after a whole day shopping! It was great, too, that Kathi and Chad spent the weekend at home, so we got to see them and Brielle for a short time! While we were shopping, Eric and the kids had a jam-packed day (and of course, I forgot to give him the camera!). Sat. morning they went to both Tim and Luke's soccer games in Byron Center. After that, they went over to Eric's brother Brian's condo to watch the salmon swimming upstream at the fish ladder on the Grand River. From there, it was off to the Hope v. Calvin volleyball game (which I must say - fire up Dutch for a big 3 game victory over the Knights!). Then, over to my parents' house to hang out with my dad, Chad, and Brielle for the evening until we returned from shopping! Good thing we left before the end of the Penn State vs. Iowa football game. If not, Grant might have seen a side of Uncle Chad he's never seen before after a big upset on prime time TV. It's okay Uncle Chad - at least U of M is still undefeated. :) I'm sure that makes you feel so much better.

On a different note - for the past week or so, our little Brooke has had major issues staying awake for dinner. It's hilarious to watch her. I always used to watch the America's Funniest Home Videos episodes and see little kids fall asleep while eating dinner, but never thought my own child would follow suit. Check out this video. I'm sure you'll probably get a little laugh out of it. Oh Brookie (as Grant would say)!