November 2021

 

Julia and Abby-playing a game

Uncle Mike

Lexi and Kate

Playing games

Stephen's class presentation at Hope College

Selah and David Rozema with Stephen

Swin D. Ler

Axe throwing skills

Gornos and Hollebeeks

Jongsmas at Thanksgiving

Video game fun

Playing the name game

Creative with the tables at Thanksgiving

Oreo ice cream dessert

Happy 9th Birthday Stephen!

Post-covid vaccine ice cream

Ruth's 3rd birthday!

Lexi loves her undercut

-Enedina and family came over to celebrate Ruth's 3rd birthday

-Caleb is playing in jazz band this semester and has been going to school early two mornings a week. They had a Swinging the Night Away evening and he also played in the band concert

-Julia is taking tennis lessons at Hope College every Saturday afternoon

-Stephen and Lexi got their first covid vaccine

-Stephen turned 9 years old! He wanted to go to Bob Evans for his bday supper, but Lexi had a fever so we ordered Bob Evans in. He also chose oreo ice cream dessert. We went to see the high school musical production of Freaky Friday and he took Sam along. Stephen received some Harry Potter legos and a Pokemon trivia game. Stephen is smart, well liked at school, he brings joy to others, he likes sports and trying theater, he sings with gusto, is a kind brother and his close friends are Andrew, Parker and Sam. We love you Stephen!

-Stephen's acting class put on their production, The Pig Who Cried Wolf, it was a fairy tale mash up. Stephen was Swin D Ler, the salesman who swindled the 3 little pigs out of their money when they needed sticks, hay, bricks. Stephen is a great actor and he said it was fun! 

-Stacy and Nate went axe throwing with some friends and Stacy found out she is pretty good! 

-We hosted the Jongsmas for Thanksgiving and had an enjoyable evening. 

-Colleen, Mike, Jack, Abby, Ashley, and Kate stayed with us for a couple days over Thanksgiving weekend. Stacy and Caleb tested positive for covid and isolated from everyone. The cousins enjoyed playing with each other and the guinea pigs were a hit. As of the writing of this, no one else has tested positive for covid and we are thankful! 

October 2021

Nolbi with Stephen and Lexi at Red Lobster

Celebrating Enedina finishing her CNA class

No front teeth cuteness

Broken finger

Levi and Isaac- end of the soccer season

Lexi loves to climb

Apple picking with cousins

The work of Caleb's friends

End of the soccer season

Pumpkin carving with friends

The finished products

Ninja and Harry Potter

Corn maze with the Korean group

Caleb and Jason- xc color run

Dave, Carl and Nate tailgating

MSU football game

Backpacking crew

Manistee River Trail

Isaac in a sweatshirt and pants-end of Oct

 

-Stephen broke his left pinky playing gaga ball during recess. Years of forest school and the first school broken bone is on a playground! He wore a splint for about 6 weeks and was able to still play some of his soccer games.

-Isaac and Julia continue to have braces

-During fall break Nate, Caleb and Isaac went backpacking on the Manistee Trail with the Gabrielse, Schaaps and Nathan DeWitt. They were wet and cold the first night, but it dried up and they had a good time. Stacy and the younger 3 stayed home and spent time apple picking with Dallas, Keira and Melody and spent time with Uncle Ben, Aunt Steph and Hez for a couple days. 

-Julia started her weekly art class again

-Nate, Carl and Dave Stielstra went to an MSU football game- their Father's Day present. 

-Stephen started an acting class thru Holland Recreation 

-We carved pumpkins at the DeWitts, along with the Gabrielse, Stielstras and Halmas

-Stephen and Lexi trick or treated around our neighborhood. Julia opted to watch tv and pass out candy. Isaac went trick or treating with friends, dressed like Inspector Gadget, unfortunately no picture. Caleb had a party with friends and dressed as a secret service agent, using his band tux- again, no picture.

-Julia got contacts and loves them 

-One of the waverunner engines was being rebuilt in Arizona all summer. It was returned in October and Nate got the waverunner put back together. He and Isaac then took them for a test run, probably the latest they have ever been on the water. 

September 2021

 

I think there are 6 teenage boys behind our boat

Sophia, Julia, Adeline and Lillian- Gun Lake

Caleb's group of Providence friends, minus Caleb

 

Jacob, Wade, Elliot, Joseph, Nathan, Caleb, Ashton, Isaac, Levi

Caleb and friends at Gun Lake

Caleb's 17th Birthday!

Caleb's xc meet

Julia at Camp Kesem

Julia and Michael Gorno 

Happy 42nd Birthday Nate!

Julia playing volleyball

Julia with her team

-Nate planned an end of the summer bash at Gun Lake with the Stielstras, DeWitts, Halmas, and Gabrielse families. We all brought a couple boats and a waverunner, set up a little ways off the beach and hung out for the afternoon. 

-Caleb ran cross country

-Julia played on HC's 7th grade volleyball team

-Isaac played on HC's 8th grade soccer team

-Stephen played on Holland Rec 3rd/4th grade soccer team, with Nate assistant coaching.

-Lexi played on Holland Rec 2nd grade girls soccer team

-Julia attended Camp Kesem for a weekend 

-Caleb celebrated his 17th birthday! A new phone was the gift, but he decided he didn't really need it and returned it. Caleb has a large group of friends, mostly from his summer CO trip, and he is hardly ever home now! His main friends are still Ashton, Jacob and Nathan. Caleb is smart, a hard worker, funny and caring. His mantra when having to babysit his siblings is, "if you leave me alone, I will leave you alone"-ha! We love you Caleb!

-We celebrated Nate's 42nd birthday with some cheesecake. Nate enjoys working on the waverunners and boat, coaching his kids teams, he enjoys his job, is an elder at church and he is an awesome Dad and husband, we love you Nate!