Tri Ponds - The Next Generation

What started as a family camping event close to 30 years ago when we frequented Tri Ponds Family Camp Resort for numerous weeks in the summer months for years on end has now turned into the next generation of parents (us) taking our own children to the place where we made many, many wonderful memories.  We spent five days last week camping with my cousins out at Tri Ponds to relive those wonderful childhood years and allow our children to experience the fun.  We were definitely not disappointed.  Aside from the dousing of rain, cracks of thunder, and flashes of lightning (I swear we were struck) we received overnight the first two nights that made it very difficult to sleep, the week couldn't have been more perfect (well - for our immediate family; ask Eric and Susanne, and they will tell you a different story involving Andrew in the hospital again, chocolate milk spraying everywhere in the trailer during transport, and Eric nearly getting electrocuted!).

We made the decision to go on this outing in June, so when I called to reserve lots, I wasn't sure what to expect or if there would even be any left.  Well, it was just our luck that there were exactly 5 lots left (which is just what we needed) in the campground and they were all pretty close to each other.  We were assigned to the "Outback" portion of the campground (which when were were younger was also known as the "rustic" part; however, since our earlier days there, they've added water and electric to the lots as well as a road).  It was actually a fabulous part of the campground to be in.  We had shade (it was pretty hot there for a few days), the road was not busy at all so the kids could ride their bikes without us worrying about traffic, and we were farther away from the ponds to ease the worry of one of the younger kids wandering off and finding their way into one.  Our time was spent...

Petting animals at the petting zoo

Playing in the water (and in things that are supposed to go in the water)

 Grant spent HOURS swimming in the "deep" (5 foot) end.  He would jump off one side, swim to the other, get out of the pool, and start all over again.  Other people who were in the pool just laughed at him and his "routine."  He LOVED it.

 Brooke was not nearly as big of a fan of the water and would have rather just played by the steps much of the time.  Finally, by the last few days she was swimming around with our assistance (Although NOTHING compared to Grady and Joel's fearless attitudes! They were so fun to watch!)

 This was our best attempt to get a picture of the gang of kids.  From left to right: Grady, Tori, Grant, Brielle, Brooke, and Joel. (We were fortunate enough to have Kathi come out for a day, as she was visiting from Pennsylvania)

 

My parents came out on Sunday for lunch and to pull the trailer home, so they spent some time in the pool too!

Eating s'mores and other goodies around the campfire

Jumping on the giant inflatable pillow.  It was so fun watching the kids bounce on this thing.

Fishing

Unfortunately, this bad mother failed to take a picture of fish catching in action, so we had to settle for the results.  Not sure if you can see, but there are two bluegill in the pail, one of which won Grant the fishing tournament and allowed him to get this....

Yummy! (and messy!)

Hayride

 This is definitely going to have to be a yearly tradition!!

In other news...

Our house is coming along.  Tons of sand was delivered and backfilled this past week, and the kids had a blast playing in the sand piles (although making me a little nervous when they got too close to the house for fear of a fall to the concrete below!).  I don't have a picture of the house, but I just love this picture of my dad with the kids when we went out there one night this past week.

 

If you know of anyone looking for a house, our current one is for sale.  Love this place and hate to leave, but looking forward to new memories to be made out in the country.  If you know anyone looking for a home - ours is a 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath ranch on a large corner lot in a great Zeeland neighborhood.  1800 square feet of living space.  Underground sprinkling.  10x12 storage shed.  Large 24x30 attached garage.  Central air.  Treated deck.  Quiet street.  Wonderful neighbors.  Well-maintained.  Contact me (petra2515@yahoo.com) or leave a comment if you or someone you know wants more info!

Lastly, Grant asked me to take a picture of him with all of his Lego creations, so here he is proudly displaying his work.  He got the fire station and fire rescue boat for his birthday, and it's amazing to me that it only took him a day and a half to put the fire station (650 pieces) together and an hour to do the rescue boat.  This kid loves his Legos!  We're planning a trip to Chicago in the near future, and he's just a little excited to step foot into Legoland! :)