Why God gave us kids

"Let it be known that the torch has been passed to a new generation of lawn mowers!" Yes, the most important event in the father/son relationship has arrived: passing on lawn mowing duties! Actually, Cory is still in training but did very well for his first time. Next summer, the job is all his. And he hopes to sell his services to the neighbors to make some extra money. But, most importantly, I don't have to mow anymore! Yee-Haw!!!

New Family Photo

Here is our most recent family picture! It was taken at John Ball Park Zoo at GFS's family picnic. Doesn't Emma look thrilled?

Aluminum Overcast

On August 4, the Aluminum Overcast arrived in GR. She is a vintage WWII B-17 bomber. For $10, your family can walk thru the ship. For $400 PER PERSON, you can take a 15 minute flight! We opted for the tour. It may have been the best ten bucks we ever spent. It was a great learning experience. Everything is hands on, except the cockpit. Fortunately, the machine guns were not operational or Cory would have blasted away everyone one the tarmac. Check their wbesite to see if they are coming to an airfield near you!

Blandford Nature Center

Since the Outdoor Discovery Center trip was so successful, we packed up & headed to Blandford Nature Center the next weekend! The kids brought a few friends along: Allison, Kayla and Cory's fellow Jedi, Brandon. There are many types of wildlife and plant life to see, including the extremely rare "fatandlazius daddysaurus"! Check out Cory's cool walking stick! Our friend John Crans from church made it and gave it to Cory!

Outdoor Discovery Center

We took the rugrats to the Outdoor Discovery Center a few weeks ago. They had both been there before on school field trips. It is a rescue center for wounded animals. It also features a swamp, a bog and a prairie. It is entirely funded by donations and staffed by volunteers. High school aged kids can do summer internships also. If you are ever down in the Holland area, check it out. I have the kids convinced that the falcon in the photo above is Frightful from "My Side of the Mountain"!