August 2022

 

Ruth

Nate and Naomi in Lake Mac 

Grand Haven

Day trip to Grand Haven while kids are in school

Stephen, Patrick and Graham

Naomi

Stephen at Patrick's cottage

First day of school-12th, 9th, 8th, 4th, 3rd

The time we had to pull the waverunner in from Boaters Beach

Isaac's 15th birthday

-Stephen and Lexi did swimming lessons

-Julia did the Red Cross' online babysitting course

-Isaac is on the Freshman soccer team

-Caleb is running cross country

-Julia is on the 8th grade volleyball team

-We celebrated Isaac's 15th birthday! He got a phone and he has his driver's permit. Isaac loves soccer, does well at school but doesn't enjoy school, plays the French horn, teases his siblings, and cares about others. We love you!

-We celebrated our 21st anniversary.

-Nate and the boys ran the Blueberry Festival 5k in South Haven

-We celebrated Naomi's 3rd birthday

-The kids started school and Stacy began the week after them. 

July 2022

Braces off!

Boatwerks-a first for the kids

Lexi and Keira

Melody

Stephen and Dallas

Watching Dallas on the zup board

Sherman's ice cream in South Haven

Campsite Van Buren State Park

Learning Rook

Isaac getting the fire going

Sarah's (Scott) baby shower with Jongsmas

-We stayed home 4th of July weekend as kids were getting back from camp. It was a little rainy the evening of fireworks, so we couldn't take the boat out. But Nate and a couple of the kids watched from Kollen Park. We had Enedina's family over on the 4th.

-Caleb had a very long trip home from CO. They rode the train back and had a 4 hr delay in the station. Then they got on the train, something broke and they were delayed on the train for another 4 hours. They got into Chicago very late and had to rent a bus back to Holland. But, Caleb had a great time on the trip.

-Stephen had his friends Andrew, Patrick and Graham over for a boating and sleepover and video games night. 

-Julia participated in Holland Rec's summer volleyball program. She had practice one evening a week and then a game once a week. 

-Isaac participated in HC's soccer camp

-Stacy went to Wheaton for a cousin's baby shower. It was good to catch up with family for a couple of hours.

-Nate took Isaac, Julia, Stephen and Lexi backpacking in Nordhouse Dunes

Nordhouse Dunes

Jacob and Caleb on zup boards

-We went camping at Van Buren State Park for 2 nights. We had amazing weather. We relaxed at the campsite, spent time at the beach, and walked downtown South Haven. We always enjoy getting back to South Haven. 
 

June 2022

 

Siblings

HS friends- Deb and Robin

Jongsma grandkids

Peggy and I 

Stephen's summer acting class-Punchinello

Lexi and Emma tubing

Julia's first balayage

DeJong cousins- Sandcastle Waterpark-Pittsburgh

Sign in Uncle Martin's house-Lexi's favorite

Lincoln Memorial-memorials at night tour

Aunt Laura and Uncle Martin

Capitol

Aunt Laura's horse

Udvar Hazy air and space museum

Enjoying the pirate cruise

Pirate cruise that the kids really didn't enjoy

Uncle Martin/Aunt Laura's backyard

Kids really liked the big hotel room in OH

Cascade Park- Elryia, OH

Last day of school

-The school year is done! Caleb-11th, Isaac-8th, Julia-7th, Stephen-3rd, Lexi-2nd

-A week later I finished my school year! The next day the younger 3 kids and I jumped in the car to road trip out to Maryland. I do not recommend leaving on vacation the day after you finish a school year-slightly stressful.

-We stopped at a sweet hotel in Elryia, OH and walked thru a park with very cool waterfalls. 

-We spent a couple of nights at Uncle Martin/Aunt Laura's house. They spoiled us with meals/desserts, pets to play with, a horse to ride, and a pool to swim in. I took the kids on a pirate ship cruise of the harbor-that was a bust. It was very much designed for younger kids, but everyone was a good sport. We spent a couple of hours at the Udvar Hazy air and space museum. We also did a DC evening monuments tour which was very cool. 

-On the way home we spent two night at Aunt Colleen/Uncle Mike's. The kids enjoyed spending time with cousins and we went to a fun waterpark for a day. 

-Caleb's summer job was working with the school cleaning crew. Isaac was working part time with HC's grounds crew.

-Stephen participated in Holland Rec's summer acting class. 

-Julia played in HC's volleyball camp

-Stacy's HS friends Deb and Robin came out for a weekend. Heather wasn't able to come as flight prices were so high. We enjoyed eating out, hiking Mt. Baldy, going to the beach, walking around downtown and just catching up.

-The older 3 were all at camp the same week. Caleb went to CO with the Providence youth group. Isaac went to Camp Geneva with a group of friends. Julia went to Camp Roger with Asha. Stephen and Lexi attend the Holland Rec day camp that week as well-awesome!  

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May 2022

Mother's Day

Flowers from Enedina

After Kinderparade

End of lacrosse season

High school marching band

Whitecaps baseball game

First time playing lacrosse

Wetlands presentation

Celebrating Hez's 2nd birthday

Family


-Caleb finished his lacrosse season strong. It was so good to see him being able to play again!
-The Kinderparade was HOT. Stephen and Lexi marched as tulip gardeners. Caleb and Isaac were in the marching band.
-Isaac had a great first track season. His high jump record for the season was 5' 8"
-Stephen learned a lot in his first lacrosse season
-We all went to a Whitecaps baseball game
-Stephen's 3rd grade class got a grant to study wetlands in our area. Stephen and a couple of classmates presented their findings to the public.
-Ben (and family) were assigned to Okinawa for the next couple of years. We celebrated Hez's 2nd birthday a little early.