Camping 2008

The 2008 camping season started off with a bang this year. The kids were so excited to leave that they sat in the truck for almost an hour while Debbie and I finished up the packing. It's a lot of work and packing for only two nights of camping, but it's worth every minute. Here's a few random shots:

Tyler discovered that he's 'cool' in a hoodie, so he wore it even when it was hot and sunny. Three years old and he's got to be cool already.
Morgan is an expert marshmallow roaster. They've got to be just perfect - no burn marks - just soft and chewy. The fire came in handy in other ways too... we forgot that the last portable gas grill bit the dust last year, and we hadn't replaced it. We also found out that we were out of propane (hence no STOVE). No big deal... we picked up a cheapo grate, arranged the rocks, and cooked our meals the way the caveman did (well, if the caveman had a yogi grate, tongs, and angus beef...).
Lauren wanted to start celebrating her birthday a few weeks early, so somehow we got roped into paying Yogi to come to the site to say hello and give her a few balloons. They unfortunately got blown away five short minutes later.
Our niece Mikayla joined us for the weekend, which was cool. She's a great kid. The day we were packing up to leave she mentioned that she needed to buy a Yogi 'keepsake' for her sister Sam. I brought the kids to the goodie shop one last time, where Mikayla borrowed a few dollars to buy Sam the gift. She picked up a gum thingie that had some kind of roll dispenser. On the way back to the campsite, I saw her eating it! When I asked her "wasn't that for Sam?", she replied "If Sam wants something from Yogi Bear, then she should have came here herself." Too funny.
On Saturday nights they always have a dj at the main pavilion. Here's a clip of Lauren bustin' a move. Not much was happening so mercifully we only stayed a little bit. One can only take so much High School Musical tunes. Last year they had a dj that played gangsta rap so I'm not complaining too much. All in all, we had a great time. Tyler was terrific - much much better than the last two years. He didn't run into traffic nearly as much, stayed in our own campsite most of the time, didn't almost fall into the fire, didn't poke anybody's eye out with a marshmallow stick, and didn't 'drownded' even once. He was great. The other funny thing is that he chats up any adult that walks by... any idea where he gets that from?

As Awards Night continued on......

I had to include this picture of our "Christian Berkovitz" awaiting for his awards. Isn't he sooo cute?


Here's our Morgan with her class on stage waiting for her awards...

This was such a special night/milestone on so many levels for our girls and Christian. (Well, I really can't speak for Christian, but I can speak for our girls). Not only did we get to see our sweet little Lauren graduate from Kindergarten, but we were awe-struck when our sweet Morgan was awarded "Most Outstanding Student for the 3rd and 4th grade class". It wasn't the award that touched Jeff and I so much, but it's what her teacher said, that brought tears to my eyes. When Mrs. Fizz presented this award to Morgan she said, "this student is always the first one from recess sitting at her seat ready and eager to start her next lesson. She is always kind and polite to everyone and has a heart to serve her fellow classmates..she talked about her character and being a great role-model great role-model for the other students."... I can't even remember the rest because I got so choked up. Now, don't get me wrong, Jeff and I think our kids are great but we sometimes feel like we are always on them, correcting them, disciplining them, telling them to get their chores done, use your manners, etc., etc.,, etc.,. So when something like this happens and as a parent you really aren't expecting your child to be the recipient of this award just because... you haven't really thought about it- I guess. It just touches that fuzzy place in your heart, where you know, despite as many hard parent days you have with your kids, some stuff is sinking through and touching their hearts.

Okay.... enough of that. We also are very proud of Christian as he won "Highest GPA for the 2nd grade Class Award". This will be his 2nd year being the recipient of this award. (He had the highest GPA in 1st grade as well). I think he is on the fast-track to valedictorian. Way to go Christian,Morgan and Lauren!!! We are so proud of all of you!!

Through the eyes of Lauren

Since we took so many pictures that night, I thought I would have fun with this post and play it out through the eyes of Lauren. Here we go....

Lauren is probably thinking this.... I'm walking down the aisle now... I'm not going to fall... I am graduating from Kindergarten-- this is important stuff!!

Okay, I'm on stage now... I just have to be patient and stand between these two boys who better not do anything embarrassing.

Okay, we're now all on stage.... this should be over soon. (I think) This hat is really starting to bother me. Where's my mom?



Okay, great! They're starting to hand out our diplomas. I'm next.. I'm sooo excited!!!!


I DID IT!!! I'm officially a 1st grader!!!

More hanging out before the ceremony

Morgan and all of her girl classmates plus their wonderful teacher, Mrs. Fizz, hanging out in their classroom before the big night.


Papa and Tyler waiting patiently before the ceremony starts.

Lauren's Kindergarten Graduation and Morgan's Award Night

Lauren graduated from kindergarten on May 29th,2008! Every year Bay City Baptist holds an awards ceremony at the end of the year that includes the Kindergarten graduation, recognition of special awards for the various students in grades 1-12, and then caps off the night with the 8th grade graduation. This year was especially nice as we have really become close with many of the other families that attend this school. Therefore, when their children would receive an award, it just felt really nice to recognize and actually 'know' these kids. The next couple of blog posts will be of this fun and special night. Because I took soooo many pictures that night, the posts will be phased out in the next several days.

Here is Lauren with her two best buddies in K-5; Katie and Sarah.

Here is a picture of all the girls in 4-K and K-5; small group but especially close. :)


Before the actual ceremony the K-5 students were hanging out and goofing off in their classroom. I am certain they were trying to let out all of their
pre-performance 'stage jitters'! Although, from looking at the next couple of pictures, I wonder if they were thinking they were going to be performing a different show for us other than their graduation. (Are they thinking they have to perform High School Musical?)

Party pics con't at slumber party at home

The girls all slept in the family room while watching "Alvin and the Chipmunks". I heard some of the girls stayed up ALL night. They were very eager and proud to tell me this first thing in the morning. It was a party to remember and a cherished memory for all of us.

Fun skating pics at the party

The girls are catching on beautifully!

Dad had quite the workout pushing Lauren and any other "skating princess" who might have needed a break.
Uncle Andy having his fair share of a work out as well. Here he is pushing his 2 little princesses.
This was Mikayla Pouwels first time to ice-skate and she did great!

More fun pics of the party

The party included a lesson to teach the girls how to properly skate, stop, safely fall, and turn. The girls caught on very quickly and the instructors were really great and patient.

Let's try this again... Long Overdue- Morgan's 9th Birthday

We had Morgan's 9th Birthday party at the Cornerstone Ice Skating Rink in Ashwaubenon back in April... (again, long overdue blog post). Cornerstone provided excellent service and the girls enjoyed eating pizza, drinking soda- (special treat for many of these girls), and ice skating the night away. After the rink, Jeff, his brother Andy, and drove all the girls back to our house for a fun and silly sleepover party. It was a great time for the kids and even for us adults. I think Jeff and Andy had even more fun ice skating than the kids. Here are some fun party pics of the entire event.

Long Overdue- Morgan