The kids liked the pygmy goats since they were just their size.  The larger animals made them nervous.

Tess loved the bunnies and kept trying to kiss them on the lips and pick them up. 

Leila thought the bunnies were so soft and starting asking Darrel to build  bunny house for her. 

We went to the Critter Barn in Zeeland, Michigan.  The kids favorite animals were the pygmy goats and the bunnies.  They were so cute I think Tess would have stuffed a bunny in her pocket if she could have. 
The kids got to watch the animals being fed.  Hungry animals and kids are not really a good mix.  We saw chickens eat one of their own eggs because they were hungry.  After this Leila and I decided we weren't going to be purchasing the "farm fresh" eggs they sell.  A goat hissed and tried to attack Darrel because he wanted food.  Next time I would wait until after feeding time!  Overall us city kids had a great time. 

Leila and Tess take tea at the tree house

That little speck is Leila standing by the horse

The kids had fun climbing and rolling down the big hill behind the horse sculpture.  Even Mom joined in the rolling fun!

We had a great time at the gardens.  We spent 3 hours there and saw all of the outdoor areas.  That place is huge and we were all worn out by time we left

 I thought that it was so nice that Calvin put signs in the yards of the incoming kindergarters.  Leila was so excited and kept talking about her sign.  Every day she asks, "when school is going to start!"  Leila is such a people person and can't wait to see all of her friends from preschool.  She will be going to school everyday half days the first semester and MWF full days the second semester.  What a big girl!  I know I'll have some tears when the school bus picks her up the first day.

My two guys catching a nap.  Pretty cute!

I love the cheeks.  So kissable!

The Grandvilie Fourth of July parade.  The kids had a lot of fun catching candy.  Leila brought headphones because she said the parade was going to be too loud.  They say there is one in every family.

The kids wake up after a good nights sleep in the tent. Well, everyone but Ryan woke up :)

Roasting some marshmallows at the firepit.

Ryan toasted quite a few marshmallows.  Darrel gives Tess a hand.

Leila, Ryan and Tess had great fun running in and out of the tent.  Tess was wearing Leila's gymnastics leotard, which she thought was great! 

Tyler making scary faces.

We had the Wall cousins over for a backyard campout.  We had lots of fun, including a pizza dinner, a scavenger hunt, an animated GI Joe movie, the firepit and firefly catching.  Darrel slept with the older kids in the tent and told them a scarey story.  At the conclusion of which Darrel scared Tyler and made him scream.  After that the kids told fun stories.  Darrel and I had lots of fun, hopefully the kids did too.

Aunt Laura with the kids before she went back to Texas.

Leila, Tess and Aunt Laura on Uncle Bob and Aunt Nitas pontoon boat.  Leila had a chance to Captain the boat.

Dinner at Snug Harbor, the day after Darrel's parents 40th Anniversary party!

Tess waits for dinner at Snug Harbor.  Wow, I can't believe she is smiling as she waits.  Her molars are coming in and she has very little patience these days.  When things don't go her way she is not a pleasant little girl.  What a Cutie!

The kids with their animals from Build a Bear.  Aunt Laura took them to make them as a special treat.  The bears got complete oufits all the way to their undies and shoes.  What a bunch of lucky kids!

Darrel's sister Laura visited twice from Texas this summer.  Once for Darrel's parents 40th Anniversary party, she surprised his parents with a visit.  The second was for his Grandma DeHaans funeral.  This was a much sadder occasion but Grandma had lived a long life as she was 91 years old.

Whatever the reason for the visit Leila was thrilled to have Aunt Laura around.  She would spend every second of the visit with her if she could.  Laura has Leila talking about visiting Texas and thinking about horses!

We love you Aunt Laura!

Cousins Amber and Tess share a passion for ice cubes.  They bonded over a cup of ice.

Cousins Ryan, Makaiah and Leila take a breather from playing.  Makaiah is 2 years older than Leila and Leila loved hanging out with her.

Cooper takes a nap on the picnic table

Scott (Rays son), Josh (my brother) and Leila hang out.

We had a Grover picnic/reunion at Johnson Park this summer.  The Grovers are my mothers side of the family.  She has 8 brothers and sisters that live all over the US.  We had 5 of the families represented.  My mother from Indiana, Aunt Diane from Arizona, Uncle Bill and Grandpa Grover from West Virginia, Aunt Sue from GR, Uncle David from Holland and Uncle Jerry from Traverse City, who always has to remind me of my childhood nickname "Mad Dog".  It was so nice seeing all of the Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  We always have a good time when we get together.

I love this picture the girls look like summer personified.

A couple of sand babies.  On this day Leila was ok with the sand, other days at the beach she would freak about the sand "there is sand everywhere".  Really?  No way!

The cousins at the beach.  I don't think Leila or Tyler got out of the water except to eat their lunches.  I was surprised at how well and long they played together, the 5 year old and the 9 year old.

Tess found her perfect spot at the beach.  She would sit and wait for the waves to wash up on the shore.  Good times!

Here is Leila the little mermaid.  She loves the water and has a great time at the beach.

Poor Coops, along for the ride.  Even though he doesn't go in the water I thought he should be fashionably attired.  What a sweetie!

Grandpa DeHaan and Leila share the same birthday, July 4th.  Every year we get a picture of them together.  What great memories.

Leila's party was Hannah Montana themed this year.  We had a great time turning everyone into rockstars.  We had colored hairspray, tattoos and leather bracelets.  Here is Leila with her Guitar cake. 

All of the kids that were at the birthday party Cooper, Aubrie, Collin, Carson, Connor, Savanna, Leila, Tess, Tyler, Andrew, Kyle, Ryan, Austin

Every year we have a pinata which the kids love.  Here is Leila taking a swing.

Best friends Andrew and Leila share some chips after the party.  We had a great time and couldn't ask for better friends and family to share these special days with.  Thanks everyone for making Leila's day a rockin good time! 

These pictures are from Coopers long stay in the Hospital.  Here he is on the ventilator.  The poor little guy looked awful and he was so puffy from the vent.

Here he is finally starting to look better.  What a scarey time for us.  Thank God that he is doing so much better.