July 2025

 

I passed my clinical social work exam!

Hamilton!!

Cat Cafe

Lewis Adventure Farm with cousins

Delicious

Neighborhood lemonade stand

4th of July

-Caleb got a janitor job at Nate's power plant. Isaac got a landscaping job at Integrity.

-We watched fireworks over Lake Mac on our boat, along with some other friends in their boats.

-We celebrated Enoc's 1st birthday

-Lexi ran at a couple of MS cross country practices

-Grandpa DeMaster visited the kids for a couple of days.

-Stephen went to Camp Roger for a week with his friends, Patrick and Graham

-Isaac played the prelude on the organ

-Isaac, Stephen and Lexi did HC's soccer camp

-Julia, Stephen, Lexi and I went to the new Cat Cafe. They desperately want a cat, but witnessed how quickly Mom's allergies kick in around cats. Sorry kids, you can get one when you are an adult. 

-Stephen and Lexi went to MI Adventure with the youth group

-We took Stephen and Lexi to see Hamilton, Stephen's dream finally came true! 

-Nate, Stephen and Lexi went on a fishing charter on Lake MI and caught some salmon

-I passed the clinical social work exam! I had found out that my previous exam scores from the state of NY did not count here in MI. I was so upset that I had to study and take the exam again, 20 some years after I had been in my master's program. I studied all summer and was so relieved that I passed the exam-again! I am now a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). 

June 2025

 

Stephen's production of Schoolhouse Rock

Gun Lake with the Jongsma family

Whitecaps game

Flipping pancakes for the yg fundraiser

Last day of school

-Caleb finished his sophomore year at GVSU, Isaac 11th grade, Julia 10th, Stephen 6th and Lexi 5th

-Isaac and Stephen did 4v4 soccer camp

-Isaac got his senior pictures taken, how is this happening?

-We celebrated Nate on Father's Day

-Tim and Jenny's family rented a house in Holland for about 6 weeks. Steph and Ben's family visited for about 2 weeks during the same timeframe. We had family pictures taken, spent a day boating at Gun Lake, went to a Whitecaps game, went out to eat at the Olive Garden, and had lots of cousin time. 

-Lexi did volleyball camp at HC for a week

-Stacy visited her friend Robin, in PA, who was going thru breast cancer treatment.

-Stephen was in the Schoolhouse Rock, Jr production and he did great! I had flight drama, but my travel savvy friend figured out how to get me home in time for his show.

May

Gornos and Hollebeeks, around Nov 2021

 

Celebrating the end of Forest School

Enedina's brother, Rodi, graduated HS

Tornado sirens going off, chilling in the basement

Spring orchestra concert

Spring choir concert

Whitecaps game on Mother's Day

Tulip Time parade

Toley and Nate at the WO purple power game

Tulip Time 5k

Grandparents Day at the Middle School

-Caleb and Lexi ran the Tulip Time 5k and Caleb did not need to slow down for her

-My coworker's husband, Toley (Conrado), coaches baseball at WO and honored Nate at the purple power baseball game. Purple power games raise money for cancer research at the Van Andel Institute. It struck me when the announcer said Nate is a two time cancer survivor.  

-The month was full with Isaac playing on two travel soccer teams

-Julia got a job at Tiptoes, a childrens clothing boutique

-Caleb dislocated his shoulder for the 3rd time.

-Our friend, Dirk Hollebeek, died after his 7 year journey with cancer. We will miss him. 

April

 

Prom 2025

John, Jacob, Nathan, Sam and Isaac

Julia and Kaden going to Isa's quinceanera

New tablet

Happy 11th Birthday!

Celebrating Easter

Sedona

Pink Jeep Tour

Grand Canyon

Our Sedona sunset view

Sunset hike in Sedona

Cliff jumping

Boating on Saguaro Lake

Hiking at Saguaro Lake

Afternoon at the water park

Taking a hike

Made it!

-We flew to AZ for spring break. We stayed in an Airbnb for a couple of days in Gilbert, near Tim and Jenny's house. We had fun seeing the sights and spending time with them. We then spent a couple of days in Sedona. We spent one day seeing the Grand Canyon and another day we did a Pink Jeep Tour outside of Sedona. We loved Sedona and had a really great spring break overall.

-Lexi participated in Holland Rec volleyball

-Stephen was on the middle school track team and did hurdles

-We celebrated Lexi's 11th birthday! She was very happy to get a new tablet. Lexi continues to enjoy Forest School and loves her teacher, Mrs. DeZwaan. She always asks for homework and wants to do her best. Lexi is happiest when she is outside and playing with her neighborhood friends. She enjoys doing Mandarin tutoring with Lexus, playing soccer, volleyball and running. We love you Lexi!

-Caleb finished his sophomore at GVSU

March

 

Isaac doing high jump

Soccer tournament in IL

Visiting U of M

Band concert

Vivi, Gio, Julia, Kaden, Isa and Victor

The centerpieces I made for her party

Her bday present- a full size bed

Stephen's jazz band concert

Stephen's musical theater class performed a Hamilton song

Celebrating Enedina's birthday

Enoc is so cute

-Caleb went on a service trip to VA with GVSU's campus ministry over spring break

-Julia and I went to a Grand Rapids Rise volleyball game with Rebecca and Asha Peterson

-Nate and I saw the show Clue in Grand Rapids

-Julia had her 16th birthday party at Craig's Cruisers in Grand Rapids. Julia passed her driving test and enjoys being able to drive and spend time with friends. She works hard in her classes and all of her teachers recommended she take AP classes next year. Julia cares about injustices in the world and has big dreams for the future. We love you and can't wait to see what this next year brings!

-We celebrated Enedina's birthday

-Isaac played on a club soccer team for the spring. The team was made up of guys from local high schools. It was fun to watch them play together instead of against each other like they do during the high school soccer season.  

-Lexi participated in the girls running club two times/week. 

-Isaac was also on the track team

-Isaac and I toured U of M and MSU, on the same day. That was a lot.